Screen Printing vs. Iron-Ons (Heat Transfers)

Screen Printing vs. Iron-Ons (Heat Transfers)


I you are wondering whether to get custom printed t-shirts or to do it yourself by ironing on the prints, consider the following pros and cons of screen printed and heat transfer t-shirts.

Custom Screen Printing Pros
1. The custom printed t-shirts lasts through at least twice as many washings as a heat transfer shirt.
2. The process allows you to print on dark and colored custom t-shirts.
3. The print will be bright even on the darkest fabric.
4. At many companies, if you order over 12 t-shirts the price less than the cost of heat transfer prints.
5. Screen printing is a complex process that ensures the highest quality prints.
Screen Printed T-shirt Cons
1. Most screen printing companies require that you order at least 6 shirts.
2. If your order is less than 12 shirts, the cost per heat transfer shirt is less.
Pros for Iron-On Printed T-Shirts
1. The process can be done at home with a color printer and special paper that can be purchased at an office supply or computer store.
2. You are only able to have one printed t-shirt.
3. It is inexpensive if you are printing less than 12 printed t-shirts.
4. Heat transferring is ideal if you need a large number of colors printed relative to the number of t-shirts.
Cons for Iron-On Printed T-Shirts
1. They last only through 25 washing.
2. The ink may bleed while washing..
3. They do not look as professional as screen printed t-shirts.
4. You should experiment on a sample t-shirt first.
5. If you need more than 12 t-shirts, the price per t-shirt is more than a screenprinter's price.
6. You only can print on lightly colored t-shirts.
7. The print is stiff and not as precise.
8. The print does not breath well and, therefore, may provoke sweating.
9. The colors are not as bright.
Without a doubt, custom printed t-shirts are better in quality than heat transfer t-shirts. However, if you want 6 or less t-shirts for fun and limited use such as for a gag, for novelty, or for a party, you may want to consider making the t-shirts yourself.

If you would like details about pricing and quality among screen printers, please refer to our article "Pricing Comparisons for Screen Printers". DesignAShirt.com custom t-shirts is a reasonably priced quality screenprinter, if you are seeking to create your own printed t-shirts.