Choosing the Right Print Method: Screen Print vs. Transfer Print Explained

Customised clothing is a great way to promote your brand, create team unity, and make a lasting impression at events. XAMAX® specialise in custom printing methods that produce durable, eye-catching results, tailored to your specific needs.

We use two main methods: screen printing and transfer printing.

As experts in workwear and promotional apparel, we’ll determine the best printing method based on your design, order size, and chosen garment to ensure the highest quality for your brand.

• Page Contents
• What Is Screen Printing?
  • Benefits of Screen Printing
  • Best Use Cases for Screen Printing
• What Is Transfer Printing?
  • Benefits of Transfer Printing
  • Best Use Cases for Transfer Printing
• The Fabric Your Chosen Garment is Made From
• Let XAMAX® Guide You in Choosing the Right Print Method
  • Volume Pricing for Added Savings
• Conclusion

What Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is one of the most popular and widely used methods for printing on fabric. It involves creating a stencil, or “screen,” for each colour in your design. Ink is pressed through these screens and onto the fabric, layer by layer, colour by colour, creating a bold, long-lasting print.

Each screen is carefully aligned, and the ink is heat-cured to bond with the fabric. This results in vibrant colours and a durable print that withstands repeated washing.

Screen printing works especially well with designs that have one to four solid colours. Since there’s an initial setup for each screen, this method is best suited to larger orders where the setup cost is spread across multiple items.

At XAMAX®, we often recommend screen printing for bulk orders, like work uniforms or promotional t-shirts for events, and provide discounts for orders of 100+ or 500+ garments to make larger orders more affordable.

Benefits of Screen Printing

• Long-lasting and durable: Screen printing uses thick ink that sits on the fabric, creating a design that stays vibrant and intact through multiple washes. This makes it perfect for clothing that endures regular use.
• Bright and bold colours: The inks used in screen printing are strong, vibrant, and hold their colour, ensuring designs stand out and last, even on darker fabrics. This is ideal for logos or designs that need to make a strong impact.
• Cost-effective for large orders: The initial setup cost for screen printing decreases with larger orders, making it a cost-effective option for bulk purchases. XAMAX® offers tiered pricing to maximise your budget on orders of 10+, 100+, or 500+ garments.

Best Use Cases for Screen Printing

Screen printing is an excellent choice for designs that need to be durable and eye-catching, making it ideal for team uniforms, promotional t-shirts, Hi Vis Vests, and other merchandise clothing. Because it creates such a bold look, screen printing works best for designs with one to four colours.

What Is Transfer Printing?

Transfer printing involves applying a pre-prepared design onto fabric using heat. Unlike screen printing, which requires a separate screen for each colour, transfer printing allows for complex, multi-colour designs without additional setup.

The technology has advanced rapidly over the last few years, and long gone are the days when a transferred t-shirt feels like a bullet-proof vest. These days, it's difficult to feel the difference between a transferred or screen printed design.

XAMAX® uses three primary methods for transfer printing:

1. Plotter-Cut Vinyl – A single-colour design is cut from a sheet of vinyl and heat-applied to the garment. This method is often used for simple logos or text. We don;t use this method much anymore. We rarely use this method these days.
2. Printed Vinyl – A multi-colour design is printed directly onto vinyl, which is then trimmed and heat-applied to the garment, allowing for vibrant colours and intricate details. This method has been superseded by DTF (below). We rarely use this method these days.
3. Direct to Film (DTF) – This newer technology involves printing the design in reverse on a film. After printing, an adhesive layer is added to the back before the design is heat-transferred onto the garment. DTF provides a high-quality, durable print and works well on a variety of fabrics. We LOVE this print method, so use it for nearly all our transfer printing.

Transfer printing is versatile and can be used on many fabrics, including synthetics, making it a popular choice for businesses needing detailed images, complex logos, or smaller quantities.

Benefits of Transfer Printing

• Detailed and versatile – Transfer printing captures complex images, colourful designs, and even photo-quality prints, making it a great option for brands wanting intricate details.
• Ideal for smaller orders – Without the need for separate screens, transfer printing is efficient and cost-effective for short runs or limited-edition designs.
• Suitable for synthetic fabrics – Transfer printing works well on materials like polyester, often used in sportswear and workwear, as it bonds effectively and maintains vibrancy on synthetic fabrics.

Best Use Cases for Transfer Printing

Transfer printing is ideal for when you need smaller batches or highly detailed designs. It’s popular for promotional t-shirts, limited-edition items, and designs with gradients or fine details.

Transfer printing also allows flexibility with fabric choices, making it suitable for both natural and synthetic materials, including moisture-wicking fabrics often used in activewear.

The Fabric Your Chosen Garment is Made From

The fabric of your garment plays a role in deciding on the best printing method, as some methods work better on specific materials.

If your garments are made of natural fibres, like cotton, screen printing bonds well and provides a smooth, durable finish. However, if your garments are synthetic, like polyester or a moisture-wicking blend, transfer printing may be the better choice.

These t-shirts are perfect for printing on:

These materials respond well to transfer printing techniques, such as Direct to Film (DTF), where the heat-applied adhesive bonds well with the fabric.

At XAMAX®, we know what we're doing, so we’ll advise on the best printing method based on your chosen garment and design to ensure the highest quality and durability.

Let XAMAX® Guide You in Choosing the Right Print Method

As experts in custom printing, XAMAX® takes care of choosing the right print method for you if you're not sure. Rather than having to make the decision yourself, our team will evaluate your design, the fabric of your selected garment, and the order size to determine the most suitable method.

With years of experience and the latest printing technologies, we’ll ensure your brand’s custom clothing looks professional, vibrant, and the print outlasts the garment.

Volume Pricing for Added Savings

We understand the importance of staying within budget while achieving high-quality results. That’s why we offer tiered pricing for larger orders, including discounts on printing costs.

By ordering 10+, 100+, or 500+ garments, you’ll benefit from volume-based savings, making it easier to equip your team or stock up on promotional items without compromising on quality.

Conclusion

Choosing the right printing method comes down to the specifics of your design, the fabric of your garment, and your overall needs.

With screen printing offering a bold and durable option for larger orders and transfer printing providing flexibility and detail for smaller batches or intricate designs, XAMAX® is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today to discuss your printing needs and let us help bring your brand’s vision to life with high-quality, custom-printed clothing.