If you’re new to the world of custom apparel, choosing how to print your design can feel a little overwhelming. Screen printing? DTG? Vinyl? What does it all mean? And how do you know which one is best?
Don’t worry! That is what we’re here for.
At Customistic, our team of T-Shirt Ninja Fairies lives for this stuff. We’ll help you pick the method that works best for your design, your timeline, budget, and we’ll make sure it turns out amazing.
Here’s a quick, friendly breakdown to help you understand the difference between each printing method and when to use them.
Screen Printing
Best for: Bulk orders, bold designs, and long-lasting prints.
Screen printing is the go-to for big orders with bold, simple designs. Each color gets its own stencil (or “screen”), and we press ink through it onto the fabric — layer by layer.
Why people love it:
- Vibrant, bold colors
- Super durable (built to last through tons of washes)
- Great for printing the same design across lots of items
Good to know:
- Best for solid graphics with fewer colors
- Has a longer setup process, so it’s best for larger batches
TL;DR: Got 50+ shirts for a team, event, or promo run? Screen printing is the classic choice.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
Best for: Small batches, full-color prints, detailed or photo-style designs.
DTG is basically a high-tech printer for t-shirts. It sprays ink directly into the fabric, which means you get beautiful detail and a super-soft feel.
And here’s the thing: we live and breathe DTG at Customistic.
Our print quality is top-tier — we’ve put it through dozens of wash tests, and it still looks fantastic. This isn’t the cheap stuff. This is the “wait… you printed that in under an hour?!” stuff.
Why people love it:
- Perfect for small orders (even just one shirt)
- Handles colorful or complex designs like a pro
- Soft feel with vibrant, full-color results
FAST. We specialize in small batches and can often print your shirt in 20 minutes or less
Good to know:
- Works best on 100% cotton and lighter garments
- Slightly less durable than screen print over the long haul — but ours holds up beautifully
TL;DR: One shirt? Ten shirts? Need it today? DTG is your hero.
Vinyl Printing
Best for: Bold graphics, names/numbers, one-offs, and unique placements.
With vinyl, we cut your design out of colored vinyl sheets, then press it onto the shirt with heat. It’s sharp, crisp, and durable.
Why people love it:
- Super bold, clean look
- Great for custom names, numbers, slogans
- Works on a variety of fabrics and fun placements (hello, sleeves and hats!)
Good to know:
- Best for simple, bold designs
- You’ll feel the vinyl on the garment (think decal-style)
TL;DR: Need one custom tee with your name on the back? Or matching slogan shirts for your group? Vinyl’s the way to go.
Not Sure? We’ve Got You.
Seriously — you don’t have to figure this out alone. That’s what our team is here for.
Tell us what you’re trying to make, how many you need, and when you need them — and we’ll walk you through the best option for your project.
It’s what we do. And we’re really good at it.
Ready to Make Something?
Come visit us in person or shoot us your idea. We’ll help you bring it to life with the perfect printing method, fast turnaround, and a whole lot of love.
Visit us:
Customistic
2605 S Decatur Blvd, #105
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Email us: orders@customistic.com
Call us: (702) 796-8236
Let’s print something awesome.