Screen Printing vs DTF vs Embroidery
The complete Canadian guide to choosing the right decoration method for your custom apparel order
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Our Ratings Out of 10
Our editorial ratings, based on the live prices in the table below
| Category | Screen Printing | DTF | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk price | 10/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Small orders | 5/10 | 10/10 | 7/10 |
| Detail and photos | 6/10 | 10/10 | 4/10 |
| Durability | 8/10 | 7/10 | 10/10 |
| Premium look | 7/10 | 7/10 | 10/10 |
| Overall | 7.2 | 8.0 | 7.4 |
Our verdict: DTF is the most versatile. Screen printing wins on bulk orders, and embroidery gives the most premium, longest lasting finish.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare key factors to find the right method for your project
| Feature | Screen Printing | DTF Printing | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Order | No minimum (best value at 24+) | No minimum | No minimum |
| Durability (Washes) | 50+ washes | 50-100 washes | Lifetime of garment |
| Colour Options | 1-8 spot colours | Unlimited (CMYK) | Thread colours |
| Photos/Gradients | Not practical | Excellent | Not possible |
| Best Quantity | 50-5000+ pieces | 1-100 pieces | 12-500 pieces |
| Cost at 24 pcs (one colour) | $17.24/shirt (Gildan 5000) | $22.20/shirt (Gildan 5000) | $14.79/location + garment |
| Cost at 100 pcs (one colour) | $11.95/shirt (Gildan 5000) | $16.20/shirt (Gildan 5000) | $8.37/location + garment |
| Feel on Fabric | Smooth, flat | Slightly raised | Textured, raised |
| Dark Fabrics | Underbase needed | Built-in white | Excellent |
| Production Time | 10 business days | 10 business days | 10 business days |
| Eco-Friendly Options | Water-based inks | Standard process | Thread is durable |
Which Method Should You Choose?
Choose Screen Printing If...
- You're ordering 24+ shirts
- Your design has 1-4 solid colours
- You want the lowest per-piece cost
- You need shirts for sports teams
- You're doing a charity run or event
- Maximum durability is essential
Choose DTF Printing If...
- You need fewer than 24 pieces
- Your design has photos or gradients
- You want unlimited colours
- You're testing a new design
- You need fast turnaround
- Each shirt has a different name/number
Choose Embroidery If...
- You need corporate uniforms
- Professional appearance is key
- You're decorating polos or jackets
- Maximum durability is essential
- Your logo has clean, solid lines
- You want a premium, textured look
New to custom apparel? Before choosing a decoration method, make sure you've covered all the basics. Check out our 10 Questions Before Ordering Custom T-Shirts guide to save money and avoid common mistakes.
Price Comparison by Quantity
Per piece for a one-colour left-chest design, setup included: printing on a Gildan 5000 tee, embroidery on a Gildan 8800 polo (CAD)
Screen Printing
Best value at 50+ pieces
DTF Printing
Best value at 1-24 pieces
Embroidery
Gildan 8800 polo, setup included
Screen Printing: The Industry Standard
Screen printing is the most popular decoration method in Canada for good reason. It pushes ink through mesh stencils onto fabric, with each colour requiring a separate screen. The result is an incredibly durable, vibrant print that becomes part of the fabric.
This method dominates for sports teams, charity runs, corporate events, and promotional giveaways across Canada. If you're ordering 50+ shirts with a simple design, screen printing delivers the best value by a significant margin.
DTF Printing: The Versatile Newcomer
DTF (Direct to Film) printing has transformed custom apparel in Canada. Your design is printed onto a special film with CMYK plus white ink, then heat-transferred to fabric. Unlike its predecessor DTG (Direct to Garment), DTF works on virtually any fabric—cotton, polyester, blends, even nylon—without pre-treatment.
DTF is perfect when you need flexibility: small quantities, complex designs, or individual personalization like names and numbers. It's become the go-to for small businesses, boutique brands, and anyone who needs professional-quality prints without meeting minimum order requirements.
Embroidery: The Premium Choice
Embroidery stitches your logo directly into the fabric using needle and thread. Your design is first "digitized"—converted into a stitch file—then our machines place thousands of precise stitches to recreate your logo. The result is a premium, textured finish that conveys professionalism and quality.
Canadian businesses choose embroidery for corporate uniforms, executive polos, and anywhere brand image matters. The raised, textured look simply can't be replicated by printing. While it costs more upfront, embroidered logos last the lifetime of the garment and actually look better after washing as threads soften.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about decoration methods answered by our experts
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