How to Decide Between DTG or Vinyl Printing for Custom T-shirts

Which is better for custom t-shirts: DTG or Vinyl Printing? This can be a tough decision to make. Both services have their pros and cons, and in this blog post, I go over the most important things you should consider when choosing.

There are two main types of custom t-shirt printing techniques: direct to garment (DTG) and vinyl. DTG is a newer technology that has been around since the 1980s.

This printing method uses special printers and inks to transfer the design directly onto the garment, which allows for lighter printed colours than vinyl.

Vinyl printing, however, uses large-format cutters to imprint designs onto blank sheets of vinyl, which is then transferred to the garment by heat.

Both DTG and vinyl have their pros and cons to know how these differences can impact your business before selecting one over the other.

Why choose DTG printing?

DTG printing and Vinyl printing are two very different processes, so here is how you can decide which method is best:

  • Price
  • Quality
  • Turnaround time

Tagit express is a custom t-shirt store that can help you design your t-shirt and apparel. Whether you want to start a business or need a few apparel items for your personal life, Tagit Express has a lot to offer.

One of the main factors to consider when choosing between DTG or vinyl printing is price.

Vinyl printing can be a very costly option when starting a business, as the setup costs are much higher than choosing DTG printing.

But if you're designing shirts for yourself and not selling them, then the higher upfront cost may not matter as much.

Most tee shirt printers will use DTG technology because it allows them flexibility in terms of colour and design.

For example, if you're wanting to print custom graphic tees for sporting teams or clubs, then vinyl printing may be the way to go because of its ability to print multiple colours on one shirt.

Whereas DTG printing is also more suitable for large orders because it's faster than the vinyl printing method.

Why choose vinyl printing?

Vinyl printing is a great way to add personality and style to almost any garment.

Vinyl printing offers durability and a variety of colours that other processes such as screen printing just can't match.

But it's also a little more complicated than other methods of decorating clothing, so it's important to do things right or your shirts might look less than awesome.

It's best to have some experience in graphics design before you tackle vinyl printing for custom t-shirts. It takes a bit of know-how to achieve professional results.

However, if you're willing to do the work, you can make some amazing shirts that are unique!

What to consider when choosing DTG or vinyl printing?

Durability 

Vinyl is much more durable than DTG. That's because it uses ink that covers the entire garment rather than just the surface.

That makes it great for outdoor events where people will be sweating and moving around a lot. The ink won't smudge or run no matter how hard they dance!

Plus, there are special inks designed specifically for athletic use if you want something very durable in an active setting like a gym or sports field.

Price 

Vinyl printers offer better value for money compared to DTG printers. A good vinyl printer can print high-quality designs on a variety of fabrics at a lower cost.

On the other hand, DTG printers are expensive and more suitable for high-volume orders.

If you are printing your shirts in small quantities, you can consider choosing a vinyl printer rather than a DTG printer.

Speed of Printing 

In terms of speed, DTG printers outdo vinyl ones by far. With DTG, you get great results within minutes while vinyl prints take hours to dry.

Thus, if you want your t-shirts done quickly and efficiently, you should go for a DTG printer.

Conclusion

There are many things to think about when deciding between DTG or Vinyl Printing with custom t-shirts. 

It's ultimately a decision that you will come to based on your situation and preference, but I hope this article helped provide you with a good overview of both services and the factors you should consider.

1 comment

K.M.S

Great insight.We are also combining both methods this year at kmsinmotion.com

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