You’ve got the design. The vibe. The idea. But now comes the real question: how do you correctly get it on a shirt? Printing custom tees sounds easy—until someone asks: “DTG or screen printing?” And suddenly, you’re googling like your business depends on it. (Because it kind of does.) But if you’re in the business of making those tees—whether for your brand, your event, or your latest creative idea—you’ve probably hit the big question: DTG or screen printing in Miami: which one is better?

And the answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d hope.

One’s great for fast, detailed prints. The other is built for big batches and bold colors.

Both have their perks and pain points. And in Miami, choosing the right print method can make your merchandise stand out.

In this blog, we’re breaking it all down— a straight-up comparison of setup costs, turnaround times, print quality, durability, and more.

Whether you’re printing 10 tees for a pop-up or 1,000 for a festival drop, the right choice depends on more than just price.

When deciding how to print custom tees in Miami, you must first understand DTG (Direct-to-Garment) and screen printing. Below, we compare setup costs, turnaround times, print quality, durability, design complexity, sustainability, and order size. Read on so you can choose the proper method for your needs.

Comparing DTG Vs. Screen Printing in Miami

1. Setup Cost & Minimum Order Quantity

DTG: There is no pre-design setup cost. This machine prints your digital file. You can print single or small volumes without additional charges.

Screen Printing: Selected colors require individual screens, and they all have setup costs. This is a great solution when you need 50+ shirts; at larger runs, it’s very cost-effective; just add a high price for smaller runs.

Tip:

Printing less than 25 items? Use DTG, and not a penny of the costs will be wasted. Screen printing yields greater value when used on larger runs (team uniforms, event merch).

2. Turnaround Time

DTG: DTG is quick and agile. Once your design is ready and the garment has been tested, printing can be done in just a few minutes. Hence, when an urgent or customized order is to be made, it can be printed quickly.

Screen Printing: It takes a long time to set up at the start, but once the screens are ready, a high-volume run is very fast, up to thousands in an hour.

Tip:

DTG is perfect for last-minute rushes (say, you need T-shirts for a beach party) or same-day delivery. Screen printing is more efficient when ordering in bulk to make long-term plans.

3. Print Quality & Design Complexity

DTG: Exceptional detail—perfect for photorealism, gradients, tiny text, and unlimited colors.

Screen Printing: Vibrant solid colors, but limited in gradients and fine details. Works best with minimal color palettes.

Tip:

DTG handles your colorful Miami skyline or vibrant art prints beautifully. But if your design relies on bold, flat colors or logo work, screen printing shines.

4. Durability & Wash Longevity

DTG: Superior detail–gnarly photorealism, gradients, small text, and unlimited color.

Screen Printing:  It uses bright, solid colors with few gradients and superfine details. It is best suited for low-color palettes.

Tip:

DTG perfectly handles your color artwork or color prints of the Miami skyline. However, screen printing is peerless when your design needs heavy, solid colors or a logo design.

5. Sustainability

DTG: Environmentally friendly water-based ink, energy efficient on-demand printing, zero waste.

Screen Printing: These are traditionally water-wash/plastisol-based inks, so more chemistry and probable overproduction would occur. Screen inks that use water are more ecologically friendly, but they must be cleaned anyway.

Tip:

You can indicate in a better place that you are a sustainable company, since most people in Miami are very fashionable and care about such details.

6. Order Size & Cost-Per-Unit

DTG: Small to medium runs (1 up to 100 units) are cost-effective, as no screen preparation is required

Screen Printing: The initial setup charge is extensive; however, it pays off when the order quantity is large (100 units and above).

Tip:

When it comes to limited merch or event shirts, DTG is the way to go because of its manageable pricing. Screen printing is the cost-wise winner for long-term screen branding or purchasing corporate merchandise in bulk.

7. Summary Table

Miami Tees Online: Your Local DTG & Screen Printing Experts 

Miami Tees Online is a community of print professionals serving Miami and surrounding areas. Here is our point of congruency when it comes to DTG vs screen printing:

On-Demand DTG printing

Does your project require graphic print today in full color and detail? We have amazing DTG printers, enabling us to produce excellent high-resolution prints and photorealistic images with no setup cost and a quick turnaround.

Screen printing (high-volume)

Planning big to promote a business or event? Or thinking about providing your staff with uniforms? We can screen print designs in bright colors that will last a long time at the best possible price per piece.

Eco-Conscious Inks Processes

We use water-based and environmentally safe ink for both DTG and screen printing. It will absolutely reduce your waste and assist Miami, Florida, in achieving sustainability.

Consultations

Not sure which approach will work best with your project? Our consultants provide personal consultations to discuss design, order quantity, budget, and schedule with you. We guide you to the best decision.

Ready to Print? Let’s get started.

Contact us for Screen Printing in Miami—Get Your Custom Quote in Minutes!