A Quick Guide to Choosing DTF or Screen Printing

If you're getting shirts made, there's one question that will pretty much decide everything:

How many are you printing?

At California T’s, we offer two main printing methods: Screen Printing and Vinyl Heat Press. They both make great custom tees, but the right choice really comes down to how many shirts you need — and how fast you need them.

Let’s break it down.

Screen Printing: Large Volume and Cost Effective

Screen printing is ideal for larger orders. Once we set up your screens, we can print dozens (or hundreds) quickly — and the more you print, the better the price per shirt.

Why choose it:

• Cost-effective for bulk orders

• Great for team shirts, event merch, or retail drops

• Long-lasting prints on cotton or cotton-blend shirts

Turnaround: Usually a 7 business days, depending on order size.

Vinyl Heatpress: Low Quantity but still High Quality

Vinyl methods don’t require screen setup, which makes them perfect for small runs or rush jobs. Whether you’re printing one tee or ten, vinyl gets it done fast — often in a day or two.

Why choose it:

• Great for detailed or full-color artwork

• Works on more fabric types (poly, nylon, etc.)

• Fast turnaround for last-minute needs

Turnaround: 1–2 business days in most cases.

TL;DR

• Go screen printing for bulk, budget, and simplicity.

• Go DTF for detail, color, speed, and variety.

If you’re ready for your next order fill out our quote forms for screen-printing and vinyl heatpress!