Thinking of getting some shirts printed? Most people blow their budget before the order even goes through — and it's not the design. It's picking the wrong printing method for the job.
If you're only making a couple shirts with simple text or basic graphics, HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) is your move. Cheap, fast, easy to pull off. The catch: big vinyl designs can start to feel like a heavy plastic patch stuck to your chest.
Got full-color artwork with detailed logos or images, but only need a small batch? That's DTF (Direct-to-Film). It stays affordable even at low quantities, and you still get vibrant color with no minimum order to worry about.
Launching a full brand line or printing in bulk? Screen printing is king. There's a real setup cost upfront, but once you're printing in volume, the price per shirt drops fast — and nothing beats the soft feel and durability, wash after wash.
Keep it simple:
• One shirt, simple text — HTV
• Small batch, lots of colors — DTF
• Big bulk order — screen printing, every time
If you're reading this, you made it to the end.
Reward yourself by heading to my Instagram and leaving a passive-aggressive comment about my lighting — @kirkpadmore, also on YouTube and TikTok if you want to spread the roast around.
Roast My Lighting