Screen Printing vs DTF vs Embroidery

The complete Canadian guide to choosing the right decoration method for your custom apparel order

Screen Printing

Best for bulk orders with 1-4 colours

Minimum: 24 pieces

DTF Printing

Best for small orders & complex designs

No minimum order

Embroidery

Best for corporate wear & durability

Minimum: 12 pieces

Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare key factors to find the right method for your project

Feature	Screen Printing	DTF Printing	Embroidery
Minimum Order	24 pieces	No minimum	12 pieces
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	$8-12/shirt	$10-15/shirt	$8-15/location
Cost at 100 pcs	$4-6/shirt	$8-12/shirt	$6-10/location
Feel on Fabric	Smooth, flat	Slightly raised	Textured, raised
Dark Fabrics	Underbase needed	Built-in white	Excellent
Production Time	10-14 days	7-10 days	10-14 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

Estimated pricing for a one-colour left-chest design in Canada (CAD)

Screen Printing

24 shirts $10-12 each

50 shirts $7-9 each

100 shirts $5-7 each ✓

250 shirts $4-5 each ✓

Best value at 50+ pieces

DTF Printing

1-12 shirts $15-20 each ✓

13-24 shirts $12-15 each ✓

50 shirts $10-12 each

100 shirts $9-11 each

Best value at 1-24 pieces

Embroidery

12 pieces $10-15 each

24 pieces $8-12 each

50 pieces $7-10 each ✓

100 pieces $6-9 each ✓

Pricing based on stitch count

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.

Most cost-effective for large orders

Extremely durable—lasts 50+ washes

Vibrant, opaque colours on any fabric

Water-based eco-friendly inks available

24-piece minimum order

Limited to 1-8 spot colours

Not practical for photos/gradients

Setup fees for multi-colour designs

→ Learn more about our screen printing services

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.

No minimum order—even 1 shirt

Unlimited colours including photos

Works on any fabric type

Individual personalization easy

Higher cost per piece than screen printing

Slightly raised feel compared to screen print

50-100 wash durability (still excellent)

Not as economical at high volumes

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.

Most durable—lasts lifetime of garment

Premium, professional appearance

Looks better after washing

Free digitizing with your order

12-piece minimum order

Can't reproduce photos or gradients

Very fine details don't translate well

Not ideal for very large designs

→ Learn more about our embroidery services

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about decoration methods answered by our experts

Which is more durable: screen printing, DTF, or embroidery?

Embroidery is the most durable, lasting the lifetime of the garment as thread won't crack or fade. Screen printing is second, lasting 50+ washes with properly cured plastisol ink. DTF prints typically last 50-100 wash cycles—very durable but may show slight fading over time. For workwear and daily-worn uniforms, embroidery is the gold standard.

What is the minimum order for screen printing?

Screen printing minimums are typically 24 pieces because each colour requires creating a separate screen. The setup cost makes small orders expensive per piece. DTF has no minimum—you can order even 1 shirt. Embroidery minimums are usually 12 pieces. For small orders under 24 items, DTF is the most cost-effective choice.

Which decoration method is cheapest for bulk orders?

Screen printing is by far the cheapest for bulk orders of 50+ pieces with simple 1-4 colour designs. At 100+ shirts, screen printing can cost as little as $3-5 per print location. DTF becomes less economical at higher volumes. Embroidery pricing is based on stitch count, not quantity, so it scales differently—small logos remain affordable even at lower quantities.

Can I print photos or complex images on t-shirts?

DTF is best for photos and complex multi-colour designs as it prints unlimited colours at no extra cost. Screen printing is limited to 1-8 spot colours and isn't practical for photographic images. Embroidery can't reproduce photographs—it works best with solid colours and clean lines. For photo-realistic prints, always choose DTF.

What's the difference between DTF and DTG printing?

DTF (Direct to Film) prints onto a special film that's then heat-transferred to fabric. DTG (Direct to Garment) prints directly onto the shirt like an inkjet printer. DTF works on any fabric colour without pre-treatment, has better wash durability, and produces more vibrant colours. DTF has largely replaced DTG in the Canadian market due to its versatility and durability.

Which method is best for corporate uniforms?

Embroidery is the top choice for corporate uniforms—it looks premium, is extremely durable, and conveys professionalism. The textured, raised look of embroidery elevates polo shirts, dress shirts, and jackets. Screen printing works well for casual staff t-shirts. DTF is good for complex logos that don't embroider well. Many Canadian businesses use embroidery for client-facing staff and screen printing for warehouse teams.

How does embroidery pricing work?

Embroidery pricing is based on stitch count (design complexity) and quantity. A small left-chest logo (5,000-8,000 stitches) typically costs $6-12 per location. Larger designs with more stitches cost more. Digitizing (converting your logo to a stitch file) is usually included FREE with your order at T-Shirt Elephant. The cost per piece decreases with larger quantities.

Can you print on dark coloured shirts?

Yes, all three methods work on dark shirts. Screen printing applies a white underbase first, then colours on top—this is very durable but adds cost. DTF includes white ink automatically in the transfer, producing vibrant colours on any fabric. Embroidery thread looks excellent on dark fabrics with no extra process. All methods produce great results on black, navy, and other dark colours.

Which method is best for sports jerseys and team uniforms?

Screen printing is the traditional choice for sports jerseys—it's durable, breathable, and cost-effective for teams. The flat print doesn't irritate skin during athletic activity. DTF works well for complex team designs with many colours. Embroidery is typically used only for warm-up jackets and caps, not jerseys, as the stitching is too heavy for athletic wear. For most Canadian sports teams, screen printing delivers the best combination of durability and value.

How long does each printing method take?

Standard turnaround for all methods is 10-14 business days from artwork approval. Screen printing setup takes longer for first orders (screen creation) but reorders are faster. DTF is the quickest for small orders—no screens needed. Embroidery requires digitizing for first orders but saves your logo file forever. Rush orders in 5-7 business days are available for all methods with an additional fee.

Do you offer free shipping in Canada?

Yes! T-Shirt Elephant offers free shipping across Canada on orders over $150. We're based in Canada and print everything locally—no cross-border delays or duties. Most orders arrive within 2-4 business days after production is complete. We ship coast-to-coast from British Columbia to Newfoundland.

Which method should I choose for a one-time event?

For event t-shirts, screen printing is usually best if you have 24+ pieces and 1-4 colours. It's the most cost-effective for typical event orders. DTF is ideal for smaller events under 24 shirts or if you need full-colour photo prints. Embroidery is rarely used for one-time events due to higher costs—save it for ongoing corporate wear. For Canadian charity runs, festivals, and team events, screen printing delivers the best value.

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Screen Printing vs DTF vs Embroidery

Screen Printing

DTF Printing

Embroidery

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Method Should You Choose?

Choose Screen Printing If...

Choose DTF Printing If...

Choose Embroidery If...

Price Comparison by Quantity

Screen Printing

DTF Printing

Embroidery

Screen Printing: The Industry Standard

DTF Printing: The Versatile Newcomer

Embroidery: The Premium Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Get Started?

Related Buyer's Guides

10 Questions Before Ordering

Pricing & Minimum Orders

Artwork Requirements

Production Timelines

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