If you’ve ever asked, “What’s the best way to put my logo on a shirt?” you’re not alone. The honest answer is: it depends on what you’re making, how many you need, and how you want it to feel after 20 washes.

Here’s the plain-English breakdown of screen printing, DTF (heat transfer), and embroidery—plus a quick cheat sheet so you can pick the right method without going down a YouTube rabbit hole.

What each method is (in plain English)

• Screen printing: Ink gets pushed through a screen onto the garment. Best for clean, bold designs and bigger quantities.

• DTF (Direct-to-Film): Your design is printed onto a film and heat-pressed onto the garment. Great for full color, small runs, and quick turnarounds.

• Embroidery: Your logo is stitched with thread. It looks premium and holds up forever—especially on hats and polos.

Best use cases (quick cheat sheet)

• Screen printing is best for:

• Team shirts, events, schools

• Company shirts (especially when you need 24+)

• Simple logos, 1–3 ink colors, bold designs

• DTF is best for:

• One-off shirts, small batches, quick reorders

• Full-color designs, gradients, detailed artwork

• Names/numbers or lots of design variations

• Embroideryis best for:

• Hats, polos, jackets, beanies

• “I want it to look expensive” branding

• Logos that need to survive heavy wear

Cost + durability expectations

• Screen printing: Usually the best value as quantity goes up. Very durable when done right.

• DTF: Great for small runs and full color. Durability is strong, but feel depends on design size (big prints feel more “there”).

• Embroidery: Often higher cost per item, but it’s the king of longevity and “professional” look.

Artwork requirements (what you need to send me)

• Best case: Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG).

• Also works: High-res PNG (transparent background) for many jobs.

• What slows things down: Screenshots, tiny JPEGs, or logos pulled from a website.

Don’t stress if you don’t have the perfect file—just send what you’ve got. I’ll tell you if it’s usable and what it’ll take to clean it up.

Turnaround timelines (what affects speed)

Turnaround depends on:

• How fast artwork gets approved

• Inventory availability (sizes/colors)

• Quantity and method

• Whether it’s a rush job

In general:

• DTF can be quickest for small runs.

• Screen printing is efficient once we’re set up—especially for bulk.

• Embroidery depends on stitch count and item type (hats vs. polos).

My recommendation by order type

• Business uniforms / polos / hats: Embroidery is usually the move.

• School/event shirts (24+ pieces): Screen printing for value + durability.

• One-off gifts or small batches: DTF is often the fastest, most flexible option.

Want me to recommend the best method for your project? Send your logo + quantity + deadline and I’ll point you the right way.

Want a quick quote or mockup? Shoot me a note and tell me what you’re making + when you need it.