Complete Guide: Printing Methods Comparison
Everything you need to know about DTG, Screen Printing, Sublimation, DTF, Vinyl, and Embroidery for custom printing in Johannesburg
| Method | Min Order | Cost (Base) | Cost (Bulk 50+) | Setup Fee | Turnaround | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTG (Direct-to-Garment) | 1 | R195 | R165 (50+) | None | 3-5 business days | Excellent (50+ washes) | Small orders (1-11) |
| Screen Printing | 12 | R85 | R60 (100+) | R150-300 per color | 5-7 business days | Excellent (100+ washes) | Bulk orders (12+) |
| Sublimation Printing | 12 | R125 | R95 (50+) | None | 5-7 business days | Excellent (permanent) | Polyester garments |
| DTF (Direct-to-Film) | 6 | R150 | R120 (50+) | None | 4-6 business days | Very Good (50+ washes) | Mixed fabric types |
| Vinyl Heat Press | 1 | R110 | R85 (50+) | None | 2-3 business days | Good (30-50 washes) | Simple text/logos |
| Embroidery | 6 | R180 | R140 (50+) | R200-400 (digitization) | 7-10 business days | Excellent (permanent) | Corporate logos |
Digital printing technology that prints directly onto fabric using specialized inks
Pricing & Minimums
- Base Cost: R195 per unit
- Bulk Cost (50+): R165 (50+) per unit
- Minimum Order: 1 piece
- Setup Fee: None
Turnaround & Rush Options
- Standard: 3-5 business days
- Rush Available: Yes (24-48hr)
- Quality: Photographic quality
- Durability: Excellent (50+ washes)
Best For
- Small orders (1-11)
- Photographic designs
- Complex graphics
- Test runs
Limitations
- Cotton/poly-cotton only
- Slightly higher cost per unit
- Not ideal for very dark fabrics
Traditional method using screens and ink to create vibrant, durable prints
Pricing & Minimums
- Base Cost: R85 per unit
- Bulk Cost (50+): R60 (100+) per unit
- Minimum Order: 12 pieces
- Setup Fee: R150-300 per color
Turnaround & Rush Options
- Standard: 5-7 business days
- Rush Available: Limited (3-5 days)
- Quality: Vibrant, professional
- Durability: Excellent (100+ washes)
Best For
- Bulk orders (12+)
- Simple designs
- Corporate uniforms
- Sports teams
Limitations
- Setup fees
- Minimum order 12
- Not cost-effective for 1-5 pieces
Heat-transfer process that infuses dye into polyester materials permanently
Pricing & Minimums
- Base Cost: R125 per unit
- Bulk Cost (50+): R95 (50+) per unit
- Minimum Order: 12 pieces
- Setup Fee: None
Turnaround & Rush Options
- Standard: 5-7 business days
- Rush Available: Yes (3-5 days)
- Quality: Vibrant, fade-resistant
- Durability: Excellent (permanent)
Best For
- Polyester garments
- Full-color designs
- Sports jerseys
- Performance wear
Limitations
- Polyester only (80%+)
- White/light colors only
- Not for cotton
Modern transfer method printing onto film then heat-pressing onto garments
Pricing & Minimums
- Base Cost: R150 per unit
- Bulk Cost (50+): R120 (50+) per unit
- Minimum Order: 6 pieces
- Setup Fee: None
Turnaround & Rush Options
- Standard: 4-6 business days
- Rush Available: Yes (2-3 days)
- Quality: High-quality, vibrant
- Durability: Very Good (50+ washes)
Best For
- Mixed fabric types
- Small-medium orders
- Complex designs
- Dark fabrics
Limitations
- Slightly higher cost than screen
- Not as durable as screen printing
Cut vinyl designs heat-pressed onto garments for simple, bold graphics
Pricing & Minimums
- Base Cost: R110 per unit
- Bulk Cost (50+): R85 (50+) per unit
- Minimum Order: 1 piece
- Setup Fee: None
Turnaround & Rush Options
- Standard: 2-3 business days
- Rush Available: Yes (same-day)
- Quality: Clean, bold graphics
- Durability: Good (30-50 washes)
Best For
- Simple text/logos
- Small orders
- Quick turnaround
- Budget-friendly
Limitations
- Simple designs only
- Not for complex graphics
- Less durable than other methods
Thread-based decoration creating textured, premium finishes on garments
Pricing & Minimums
- Base Cost: R180 per unit
- Bulk Cost (50+): R140 (50+) per unit
- Minimum Order: 6 pieces
- Setup Fee: R200-400 (digitization)
Turnaround & Rush Options
- Standard: 7-10 business days
- Rush Available: Limited (5-7 days)
- Quality: Premium, professional
- Durability: Excellent (permanent)
Best For
- Corporate logos
- Premium branding
- Polo shirts
- Caps
Limitations
- Higher cost
- Longer turnaround
- Simple designs preferred
- Setup fees
For Small Orders (1-11 pieces)
Choose DTG for complex designs or Vinyl for simple text/logos. Both have no minimum order and work well for testing designs or personal use.
For Medium Orders (12-49 pieces)
Screen Printing offers best value for simple designs. DTF works well for complex designs on any fabric. Sublimation is ideal for polyester garments.
For Large Orders (50+ pieces)
Screen Printing is most cost-effective (R60+ per unit). Sublimation offers permanent prints on polyester. DTF provides versatility for mixed fabrics.
For Corporate Uniforms
Screen Printing for cost-effective bulk orders. Embroidery for premium branding on polo shirts and caps. Both offer professional, durable finishes.
For Rush Orders
Vinyl Heat Press offers same-day service. DTG and DTF offer 24-48 hour rush. Contact us for rush order pricing and availability.
| Quantity | DTG | Screen | Sublimation | DTF | Vinyl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 piece | R195 | N/A (min 12) | N/A (min 12) | R150 | R110 |
| 12 pieces | R2,340 | R1,020 | R1,500 | R1,800 | R1,320 |
| 50 pieces | R8,250 | R3,000 | R4,750 | R6,000 | R4,250 |
| 100 pieces | R14,850 | R5,400 | R8,550 | R10,800 | R7,650 |
*Prices exclude VAT (15%) and setup fees where applicable. Final pricing may vary based on design complexity.
Custom T-Shirt Printing
Professional t-shirt printing services across Johannesburg
Kempton Park Printing
Same-day collection available in Kempton Park
Sublimation Printing
Full-color sublimation services in Johannesburg
Corporate Clothing
Bulk corporate uniform printing services
Event Merchandise
Custom event merchandise printing
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What's the difference between DTG and screen printing?
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) prints directly onto fabric using digital technology, perfect for small orders (1-11 pieces) and complex designs. Screen printing uses screens and ink, ideal for bulk orders (12+) with simple designs. DTG has no setup fees but higher per-unit cost. Screen printing has setup fees but lower per-unit cost for bulk orders.
Which printing method is cheapest for bulk orders?
Screen printing is the most cost-effective for bulk orders (12+ units), starting from R85 per shirt with bulk discounts bringing it down to R60+ for orders of 100+. Setup fees are amortized across quantity, making it very affordable for large orders.
What's the best printing method for a single t-shirt?
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) or Vinyl Heat Press are best for single t-shirts. DTG costs R195 and offers photographic quality for complex designs. Vinyl costs R110 and works well for simple text/logos. Both have no minimum order requirements.
Can I use sublimation on cotton t-shirts?
No, sublimation only works on polyester or polymer-coated materials (minimum 80% polyester). For cotton t-shirts, use DTG, screen printing, DTF, or vinyl heat press instead.
How long does each printing method last?
Screen printing and embroidery last 100+ washes (most durable). DTG and DTF last 50+ washes. Sublimation is permanent (dye becomes part of fabric). Vinyl lasts 30-50 washes. Proper care extends durability for all methods.
What's the fastest printing method?
Vinyl heat press offers the fastest turnaround (2-3 days, same-day rush available). DTF is next (4-6 days, 2-3 day rush). DTG takes 3-5 days (24-48hr rush). Screen printing takes 5-7 days. Embroidery takes longest (7-10 days).
Which method works best for dark-colored t-shirts?
DTF (Direct-to-Film) works excellently on dark fabrics. DTG also works on dark colors but may require a white underbase. Screen printing is ideal for dark shirts with light ink. Sublimation only works on light/white polyester.
Do I need setup fees for any printing method?
Screen printing has setup fees (R150-300 per color) for creating screens. Embroidery has digitization fees (R200-400) for converting designs. DTG, sublimation, DTF, and vinyl have no setup fees.
What's the minimum order for each printing method?
DTG and Vinyl: 1 piece. DTF and Embroidery: 6 pieces. Screen Printing and Sublimation: 12 pieces. Smaller minimums are perfect for testing designs, while bulk orders receive significant discounts.
Which printing method is best for corporate uniforms?
Screen printing is ideal for corporate uniforms due to cost-effectiveness for bulk orders, durability (100+ washes), and professional appearance. Embroidery works well for premium corporate branding on polo shirts and caps.
Can I print full-color photographs with screen printing?
Screen printing is limited to 1-6 colors cost-effectively. For full-color photographs, use DTG, sublimation, or DTF printing, which support unlimited colors and photographic quality.
What's the difference between DTF and DTG?
DTF prints onto film then transfers to fabric, working on any fabric type including dark colors. DTG prints directly onto fabric, working best on cotton/poly-cotton. DTF has slightly higher cost but more versatility. DTG offers better integration with fabric.
Which method is most eco-friendly?
DTG, sublimation, DTF, and embroidery are more eco-friendly, using water-based inks or thread. Screen printing and vinyl use plastisol inks. All methods can be made more sustainable with proper waste management.
What printing method should I use for sports jerseys?
Sublimation is ideal for sports jerseys made of polyester, offering full-color designs, permanent prints, and moisture-wicking compatibility. DTF also works well for mixed-fabric jerseys with complex designs.
Can I get same-day printing in Johannesburg?
Yes! Vinyl heat press offers same-day service. DTG and DTF offer 24-48 hour rush orders. Screen printing and sublimation require 3-5 days minimum. Rush orders incur a 50-100% premium. Same-day collection available in Kempton Park.
Which method works best for event merchandise?
For event merchandise, DTG is great for small test orders and complex designs. Screen printing is cost-effective for bulk event orders (50+). DTF works well for mixed quantities and complex designs. Choose based on order size and design complexity.
What's the cost difference between methods for 50 t-shirts?
For 50 t-shirts: Screen printing ~R3,000 (R60/unit), DTF ~R6,000 (R120/unit), Sublimation ~R4,750 (R95/unit), DTG ~R8,250 (R165/unit), Vinyl ~R4,250 (R85/unit), Embroidery ~R7,000 (R140/unit). Screen printing is most cost-effective for bulk.
Can I combine multiple printing methods on one garment?
Yes! You can combine methods, such as screen-printed logo with embroidered name, or DTG design with vinyl text. This creates unique, premium finishes. Contact us for custom combinations and pricing.
Which method is best for school uniforms?
Screen printing is ideal for school uniforms due to bulk pricing (R60-85/unit for 50+), durability (100+ washes), and professional appearance. Embroidery works for premium school branding on polo shirts and blazers.
Do all methods work on hoodies?
Yes, all methods work on hoodies: DTG (cotton/poly-cotton), Screen printing (any fabric), Sublimation (polyester hoodies), DTF (any fabric), Vinyl (any fabric), Embroidery (any fabric). Choose based on fabric type and order size.
What file format do I need for each printing method?
All methods accept: PNG, JPG, PDF, AI, EPS, SVG. For screen printing, vector files (AI, EPS, SVG) are preferred. For DTG, sublimation, and DTF, high-resolution PNG/JPG (300 DPI) work best. We provide free design consultation.
Ready to Choose Your Printing Method?
Still unsure which method is best for your project? Our team in Johannesburg can help you choose the perfect printing method based on your design, quantity, and budget.