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If you’ve ever wanted to turn your art into apparel or build a side business from home, now is the perfect time. As someone who has been around the custom‑printing scene for years, I’ve seen technology evolve from messy screens and ink‑stained aprons to compact machines that can sit on a desk. In this guide I’ll share everything we’ve learned about the five most popular ways to print T‑shirts – Direct‑to‑Film (DTF), screen printing, direct‑to‑garment (DTG), heat transfer vinyl (HTV), and sublimation – so you can decide which method fits your goals and budget. I’ll also walk you through the exact steps to get started with DTF printing, because it’s the most flexible and beginner‑friendly option available today.

The 5 Most Popular Ways to Print T‑Shirts

Each printing technique has its own strengths. Some methods are built for churning out hundreds of identical shirts at a low cost, while others excel at short runs or intricate artwork. Below is an overview of the five approaches we use most often.

1. DTF Printing (Direct‑to‑Film) — The Best for Beginners & Small Businesses

DTF printing has exploded in popularity because it works on nearly any fabric, requires minimal maintenance and setup, and produces vibrant, long‑lasting prints. In a 2025 comparison of DTF and screen printing, industry experts noted that DTF is ideal for small batches with detailed, multi‑colored designs, whereas screen printing only becomes more cost‑effective when you’re producing hundreds of the same shirt. DTF can handle 500 shirts per hour with just one operator, and because there are no screens to prepare, the price per garment stays low and consistent, even for tiny runs. That’s why more and more shops are switching to this process.

How DTF Printing Works

1. Print your design on PET film – Use a DTF printer to print your artwork onto a clear PET film. Popular models people search for include the Epson L1800 DTF printer, Epson 8550 DTF, Epson i800 and our own Procolored DTF printer. These printers use specialized textile inks to create crisp, full‑color images.
   
2. Apply hot‑melt powder – While the ink is still wet, sprinkle a layer of DTF powder over the print. This powder forms a glue that bonds the design to fabric.
   
3. Cure the powder – Gently shake off the excess powder and cure the film in a curing oven or hover your heat press over the film until the powder melts. This step “sets” the adhesive.
   
4. Press the transfer onto your garment – Place the cured film on the shirt, then use a heat press at around 285–315 °F (140–157 °C) for 10–15 seconds with medium pressure. Peel the film warm or cold, depending on the type of film.
   
   

Why DTF Wins

• Works on almost any fabric. DTF transfers adhere to cotton, polyester, rayon, blends, fleece and even nylon or leather. You don’t need messy pre‑treatments like DTG.
  
• Vibrant colors & fine detail. Because it’s a digital process, you can print photo‑realistic images, gradients and unlimited colors in one pass.
  
• Durable prints. Properly cured transfers are stretch‑resistant and can outlast the garment itself. While screen printing pushes ink into the fibers, DTF sits on top with a thin adhesive layer and still lasts through heavy washing.
  
• Low startup cost. You can start with pre‑printed transfers or gang sheets for $2–$5 per print, using only a heat press, which costs around $300–$1,000. Full in‑house setups range from $1.65–$3.85 per print and require $5,000–$50,000+ in equipment—still cheaper than a professional DTG setup.
  
• Ideal for bulk and one‑off orders. DTF becomes more economical than screen printing for orders under roughly 48 shirts, yet it can still produce hundreds of shirts an hour.
  
  

Recommended for: small shops, Etsy sellers, clothing brands, hobbyists and anyone who wants professional‑grade results without huge overhead. If you’re not ready to invest in a printer, you can order custom DTF transfers online, press them at home with a heat press and still offer high‑quality apparel.

2. Screen Printing – Great for Bulk, Not for Beginners

Screen printing is the traditional method of pushing ink through a stencil (screen) onto the fabric. It’s still the champion for large orders of a single design, but it has drawbacks for small businesses.

Pros

• Cheapest at scale. Once the screens are prepared, the cost per shirt drops to $1–$3 for large orders of 100+ pieces. Screen‑printed designs soak into the fibers and can last 50–100 washes or more.
  
• Fast for high volumes. An automatic press can churn out hundreds of shirts per hour after the initial setup.
  
  

Cons

• Slow and messy to set up. Each color in your design requires a separate screen, and aligning those screens takes time. That’s why screen printing only becomes cost‑effective on larger runs.
  
• Not ideal for beginners or small orders. Small batches (12–24 shirts) can cost $10–$15 per shirt, and even medium orders (25–100 shirts) run $7–$10 per shirt. You also pay setup fees of $15–$50 per color.
  
• Limited detail and colors. Intricate artwork or many colors drives up setup time and cost. Screen printing struggles with gradients and photographic prints.
  
  

Best for: bulk merchandise, uniforms and simple designs where you need hundreds or thousands of identical shirts.

3. DTG Printing (Direct‑to‑Garment)

DTG printers spray water‑based ink directly onto the fabric, much like a desktop inkjet printer for clothing. They’re ideal for highly detailed, multicolor artwork on cotton.

Pros

• Photorealistic prints. DTG produces full‑color, high‑resolution designs without the need for screens or stencils.
  
• Soft hand‑feel. The ink soaks into the cotton fibers, so the print feels soft and breathable.
  
• Quick for one‑offs. Perfect for printing a single shirt or a small batch of 1–5 pieces.
  
  

Cons

• Fabric limitations. DTG works best on 100% cotton or high‑cotton blends and struggles on polyester or dark fabrics without extra pre‑treatment.
  
• Higher machine cost. Entry‑level DTG printers start around $13,000 and can exceed $20,000 for commercial units. You’ll also need a pre‑treatment machine and curing dryer.
  
• Higher cost per print. Industry data shows that printing one DTG shirt typically costs $5–$10, and a simple DTG printed T‑shirt retails for $9–$14 per shirt. It’s not cost‑effective for bulk orders.
  
• Pre‑treat requirement. Dark garments must be pre‑treated to ensure the white ink bonds properly, adding time and mess.
  
  

Best for: artists and brands that specialize in photographic or highly detailed designs on cotton tees and want soft prints without minimum order quantities.

4. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

HTV involves cutting designs from colored vinyl sheets and pressing them onto garments with heat and pressure. It’s popular for personalized names, numbers and simple graphics.

Pros

• Low startup cost. You only need a vinyl cutter (often $200–$400) and a heat press. Vinyl sheets are inexpensive, so the cost per shirt can be under $5 for simple designs.
  
• Great for names, numbers and bold shapes. Sports jerseys and one‑color logos are ideal candidates.
  
  

Cons

• Not suited for full‑color artwork. Because each color requires a separate vinyl layer, complex designs quickly become impractical.
  

• Less durable. HTV designs sit on top of the fabric and are prone to cracking or peeling over time, especially on stretchy fabrics.
  

• Slow for large batches. Each garment must be individually weeded (removing excess vinyl) and pressed. This hands‑on process contributes to higher per‑shirt costs for bulk orders.
  
  

Best for: personalized sports jerseys, one‑color logos or small orders where intricate detail isn’t required.

5. Sublimation Printing

Sublimation uses heat to turn solid dye into a gas that penetrates polymer‑coated materials. The ink becomes part of the fabric, creating vibrant, permanent designs.

Pros

• Fast and efficient. Sublimation prints entire designs onto transfer paper and presses them in one step, making it faster than manually applied methods.
  
• Durable and vibrant. Because the dye infuses into the fibers, the print won’t crack or peel. It can render detailed, colorful images.
  
• Versatile surfaces. Sublimation works on polymer‑coated items like mugs, metal signs and mousepads, not just fabric.
  
  

Cons

• Material limitations. Sublimation requires polyester or polymer‑coated materials; blended fabrics must contain at least two‑thirds polyester. It doesn’t work on cotton.
  
• Not suitable for dark garments. Sublimation dyes are semi‑transparent, so designs disappear on dark fabrics.
  
• Color limitations. You can’t print white – any white areas will show the color of the garment.
  
  

Best for: sports jerseys, polyester shirts and all‑over prints where you want vibrant colors and durability.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Print T‑Shirts Using DTF (Easiest Method)

This workflow is what 95 % of new apparel businesses choose because it’s straightforward, scalable and works on any fabric. Here’s how we do it:

1. Create your design. Use software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva or Procreate. Save your artwork as a transparent PNG. When we’re designing for a dtf printer for shirts or an Epson 8550 DTF printer, we often gang multiple designs onto a single sheet to save money.
   
2. Print with a DTF printer. Load a roll of PET film into your dtf transfer printer. Many small businesses start with converted inkjet printers (for example an Epson L1800 dtf printer or Epson i800) because they’re affordable, but dedicated DTF printers like the Procolored L1800 or Haolic dtf printer provide better reliability. Print the design in mirror image.
   
3. Apply the hot‑melt powder. Sprinkle DTF powder over the wet ink and shake off the excess. Even coverage ensures that your dtf heat transfers adhere evenly.
   
4. Cure the film. Place the film in a curing oven or hover your heat press over it until the powder melts and creates a glossy surface. Proper curing prevents the transfer from lifting later.
   
5. Press onto your shirt. Position the film on the garment. Use a heat press at 285–315 °F (140–157 °C) for 10–15 seconds with medium pressure. Some films require a warm peel, others a cold peel – always check the manufacturer’s instructions.
   
   

Once you’ve pressed the transfer, peel the film off and admire your work. Your shirt is ready to wear or sell immediately.

How Much Does It Cost to Print a T‑Shirt?

Different methods have different cost structures. Use the table below as a guideline when estimating your per‑shirt cost. Keep in mind that blank shirt quality, design size and shipping can affect the final price.

*Costs vary by region and supplier. Prices above include blank shirts and printing supplies but not labor beyond pressing.

Which Printing Method Should You Choose?

Choosing a printing method depends on your goals:

• Choose DTF if you want versatility. DTF works on virtually any fabric without pre‑treatment, prints vibrant, photo‑realistic images and offers one of the lowest costs per print. It’s our go‑to for both one‑off orders and bulk production.
  
• Choose screen printing for large uniform runs. When you need hundreds of identical shirts with 1–3 colors, screen printing is cheaper per unit. Just be prepared for a messy setup and extra space.
  
• Choose DTG for photographic detail on cotton. Artists and photographers love DTG for its soft feel and ability to reproduce gradients and photos without screens, despite the higher cost.
  
• Choose HTV for personalization. Names, numbers and simple logos on sports jerseys or limited merch are cheap and easy with vinyl. Avoid full‑color artwork and bulk orders.
  
• Choose sublimation for polyester and all‑over prints. If you’re creating sports jerseys or vibrant, full‑coverage graphics on white polyester, sublimation delivers unbeatable color and durability.
  
  

Essential Equipment You Need to Start Printing T‑Shirts

Starting a professional print shop doesn’t require a warehouse. Here’s what we recommend for DTF printing:

For DTF Printing

• DTF printer – Choose a reliable model like a converted Epson L1800 or a purpose‑built Procolored DTF printer. For small businesses, search terms like “best dtf printer for small business” or “rent to own dtf printer” are useful when comparing options.
  
• PET film – Available in rolls or sheets for your printer width.
  
• DTF powder – The adhesive powder that bonds your print to the garment.
  
• Heat press – A clamshell or swing‑away press capable of at least 16 × 20 inches. Some entrepreneurs start with smaller presses, but you’ll quickly appreciate a larger surface for hoodies and gang sheets.
  
• Curing oven (optional but recommended) – Provides even heating for curing powder without risking scorch marks. A hover mode on your heat press can work in a pinch.
  
  

Additional Recommended Tools

• Color‑accurate monitor – Helps you design with confidence.
  
• Design software – Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate or Canva.
  
• Heat‑resistant tape – Keeps transfers in place during pressing.
  
• Storage racks – Store finished transfers flat and dust‑free.
  
  

If you’re testing the waters, consider ordering ready‑to‑press DTF transfers before investing in a printer. This lets you see the quality and gauge market demand with minimal risk.

Final Tips for Starting a T‑Shirt Printing Business

Building a successful apparel brand involves more than just mastering your printer. Here are a few lessons we’ve learned:

• Start with DTF transfers. Ordering custom transfers lets you experiment without buying equipment. As your volume grows, invest in a dtf printer for small business to bring production in‑house.
  
• Offer bundles. Customers love matching hoodies, T‑shirts and hats. Packages increase average order value and help you stand out.
  
• Target niches. Focus on specific communities—school spirit wear, barbershops, clubs or sports teams—so your designs resonate.
  
• Sell wholesale to other print shops. Many local screen printers outsource full‑color prints. Become their DTF supplier.
  
• Keep designs simple at first. Bold typography and clean graphics sell well and are easier to produce. As you gain experience, experiment with complex artwork.
  
• Build a mockup library. Use software to create realistic product images. This speeds up listing creation for Etsy or Shopify and helps customers visualize your designs.