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
Traditional method using screens and ink to create vibrant, durable prints
Heat-transfer process that infuses dye into polyester materials permanently
Modern transfer method printing onto film then heat-pressing onto garments
Cut vinyl designs heat-pressed onto garments for simple, bold graphics
Thread-based decoration creating textured, premium finishes on garments
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.
Screen Printing offers best value for simple designs. DTF works well for complex designs on any fabric. Sublimation is ideal for polyester garments.
Screen Printing is most cost-effective (R60+ per unit). Sublimation offers permanent prints on polyester. DTF provides versatility for mixed fabrics.
Screen Printing for cost-effective bulk orders. Embroidery for premium branding on polo shirts and caps. Both offer professional, durable finishes.
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.
Professional t-shirt printing services across Johannesburg
Same-day collection available in Kempton Park
Full-color sublimation services in Johannesburg
Bulk corporate uniform printing services
Custom event merchandise printing
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.