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Decoration methods

Six ways to decorate a garment

What follows is an honest read on each method: what it is genuinely good at, where it struggles, and the quantity where it starts to make financial sense.

The classic choice for vibrant, durable designs

Screen Printing

Screen printing is the workhorse of custom apparel. Each color in your design becomes a stencil pressed through fine mesh, laying down thick, opaque ink that fuses with the fabric for decades of wear. It is the most cost-effective method for medium and large runs, and the result is what people picture when they think of a real printed t-shirt.

Minimum
24 pieces
Turnaround
7–10 business days
Pricing
From $8 per piece
Read about screen printing

Photo-real prints with no minimums

DTG (Direct-to-Garment)

DTG sprays water-based inks directly onto cotton garments using a specialized inkjet printer, capturing every gradient, shadow, and color in your design. There are no setup screens, so a single shirt costs the same per-print as fifty, perfect for short runs, complex art, and on-demand fulfillment.

Minimum
1 piece
Turnaround
3–5 business days
Pricing
From $18 per piece
Read about dtg (direct-to-garment)

Vibrant transfers that work on anything

DTF (Direct-to-Film)

DTF prints your design onto a film, applies a powder adhesive, then heat-presses the design onto virtually any fabric. The result is a stretchy, durable print with full-color capability that works equally well on cotton, polyester, blends, and performance wear.

Minimum
12 pieces
Turnaround
5–7 business days
Pricing
From $10 per piece
Read about dtf (direct-to-film)

Premium texture that signals quality

Embroidery

Embroidery stitches your design into the garment with thread, producing a tactile, premium finish that ages beautifully. It is the standard for corporate apparel, polos, hats, and any product where perceived quality matters.

Minimum
12 pieces
Turnaround
10–14 business days
Pricing
From $9 per piece
Read about embroidery

Precise, permanent marks on hard goods

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving uses a focused beam to etch designs into wood, leather, metal, glass, and acrylic. The result is a permanent, precise mark with a premium feel, ideal for promotional products, awards, and gifts.

Minimum
12 pieces
Turnaround
5–7 business days
Pricing
From $6 per piece
Read about laser engraving

Full color on practically anything

UV Printing

UV printing cures special inks instantly with ultraviolet light, allowing full-color prints on flat, curved, and irregular surfaces. It is our go-to method for promotional products, signage, and items that other methods can't touch.

Minimum
12 pieces
Turnaround
5–7 business days
Pricing
From $4 per piece
Read about uv printing

Not sure which method fits?

Send us the artwork and the quantity. We will tell you which method to use and what it costs, even when the answer is the cheaper one.

Get expert advice