Why Direct-to-Garment Wins for Most 2+ Color Jobs

Allegra of Lansing uses commercial‑grade DTG printing systems that deliver ultra‑vibrant, full‑color prints with a soft feel and quick turnarounds. For designs with two or more colors, DTG is often more competitive than screen printing because there’s no per‑color setup and you get the full‑color look without compromise.

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What is DTG (Direct‑to‑Garment)?

• Commercial‑grade output: our DTG print systems use advanced commercial grade print heads, white ink under base, and color‑managed workflows for vibrant full color imprints
• Full‑color, photo‑ready: gradients, tiny details, and continuous‑tone images look incredible
• Cost‑smart for 2+ colors: no screens to burn, so multi‑color art doesn’t add setup expense
• Soft feel: water‑based inks sit in the fibers for a comfortable soft-feel wear
• Best fabrics: 100% cotton or high‑cotton blends - for dark shirts we pre‑treat and lay a precise white under base for enhanced vibrancy

What is Screen Printing?

• Ink is pressed through a mesh stencil one screen per color
• Great for very high volumes over 1,000+, single‑color graphics, and specialty inks (metallic, puff, etc.)
• Exact Pantone matching is possible with spot inks for strict brand standards

Key differences at a glance

• Design & color: DTG shines on full‑color and detailed art; Screen printing suits solid spot‑color graphics
• 2+ colors: DTG often wins on price and speed because there’s no per‑color setup
• Vibrancy & look: Our DTG delivers a rich, continuous‑tone look that feels modern and premium
• Hand feel: DTG is a soft feel that penetrates into the fibers; Screen printing can range from soft (water‑based) to heavier (plastisol)
• High volume: Screen becomes most economical at large quantities of 1,000+ with the same design and single color imprints

Pros & cons

DTG - Pros

• Ultra‑vibrant full color with smooth gradients and photo detail
• Cost‑effective for 2+ colors (no screens, no separations)
• Fast turnarounds for medium-long size batches
• Soft, comfortable feel on cotton garments

DTG - Considerations

• Best on cotton‑rich garments
• Pantone‑exact matching is approximated via color management
• For extremely large runs of the same design, screen may be lower‑cost

Screen Printing - Pros

• Highly economical at very large quantities with single imprint colors
• Exact Pantone matching with spot inks
• Access to specialty effects (metallic, puff, etc.)

Screen Printing - Considerations

• Setup per color adds cost and time especially at 2+ colors
• Photographic detail is not easily achievable - details get lost
• Can feel heavier depending on ink choice

How to choose (the quick local guide)

• If it’s 2+ colors or photo‑heavy: choose DTG for vibrant, full‑color results and faster setup
• If it’s thousands of the same 1‑color design: choose Screen for unit‑cost efficiency
• Fabric: cotton → DTG; specialty/performance fabrics or unusual substrates → Screen or DTF (Direct-to-Film)
• Special effects needed? metallic, puff, or raised textures → Screen

Not sure? Send us your art and we’ll price both and tell you where DTG is the better value

FAQ

How durable are DTG prints?
With our commercial‑grade equipment and proper curing, DTG holds up very well with standard care (wash cold, inside‑out). For extreme‑wear workwear, ask us about ink and garment recommendations.

Can you print on dark garments?
Yes. We use a white underbase when needed to keep colors vibrant on dark fabric for both DTG and screen printing.

How should I wash printed shirts?
Wash cold, inside‑out, gentle cycle; avoid bleach and fabric softener. Tumble low or hang dry. Do not iron directly over the print.

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