Hello Merch › Screen print, DTF or embroidery
Screen print, DTF or embroidery?
Under 20 pieces, choose full colour (DTF) or embroidery. 20 or more with 1 to 9 solid colours, screen print is the brightest and cheapest. Polos, caps and uniforms suit embroidery.
Quick answer
- Screen print
- From 20. Ink through a mesh screen, one per colour. Bright, hard-wearing, cheapest for big runs
- Full colour (DTF)
- From 10. Printed on film and heat-pressed. Any colours, gradients and photos at one price
- Embroidery
- From 8. Stitched in thread. Premium, lasts the life of the garment, priced by stitch count
Which should I choose?
| If you have | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 20 pieces | Full colour or embroidery | Screen print starts at 20, because each colour needs its own screen set up. |
| 20 or more, a logo with 1 to 9 solid colours | Screen print | The brightest, hardest-wearing print, and the price per piece drops the more you order. |
| Photos, gradients, shadows or lots of colours | Full colour | Prints every colour and all shading for the same price, with no art charge. Screen printing shading needs art separations: $30 a colour and 5 extra working days. |
| A tight deadline | Full colour or a 1 colour screen print | On AS Colour garments, rush is dispatched within 72 hours of proof approval, for 50% on the order (not delivery). Embroidery and prints of 2 or more colours take standard time. |
| Polos, business shirts, caps, beanies or uniforms | Embroidery | Looks premium, suits corporate wear and lasts the life of the garment. |
| Very small text or thin lines | Full colour | Fine detail may not stitch cleanly. We’ll suggest changes if it’s close. |
| Jackets or vests with a separate inner lining | Embroidery or full colour | The two loose layers can’t be screen printed. |
| A big print on the back and a small logo on the front | Mix them | Embroider the left chest and print the back. The product page prices each position its own way. |
Not sure? Upload your logo on any product: it picks the best method for your logo and quantity and shows the price, and the team checks it before your proof. Try it with your logo
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Questions
Is my logo suitable for printing?
Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, or a PDF from your designer) work best. A PNG with no background works well for full colour. If you only have a screenshot or a logo from a website, send it anyway: we’ll redraw it if needed, and any fee is quoted before we start. See the artwork guide.
How do I know how many colours are in my artwork?
Upload it on any product and the site counts them for you. Or email it to hello@hellomerch.com.au and we’ll count them.
Will I see a proof?
Always. A real person checks every file and emails you a digital proof. Nothing is printed or stitched until you approve it.
Ready when you are
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