Printing Method Comparison
Compare hybrid, DTF, DTG, and screen printing methods side by side to find the best fit for your custom apparel project.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Hybrid | DTF | DTG | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Order | 72 pieces | 1 piece | 1 piece | 48 pieces |
| Colors | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1-8 typical |
| Resolution | 300 DPI | 720 DPI | 1200 DPI | 50-60 DPI |
| Durability | 50+ washes | 50+ washes | 25-50 washes | 50+ washes |
| Fabric Types | Cotton, blends | Any fabric | Cotton only | Most fabrics |
| Production Speed | 600/hour | Medium | 20-30/hour | 500+/hour |
| Best For | 72+ photorealistic | Small orders, any qty | 1-50 pcs, cotton | Simple bulk orders |
Printing Terminology
- Digital Squeegee
- M&R's patented hybrid printing technology that prints CMYK digital ink directly onto wet plastisol base coats using 16 advanced inkjet print heads at 300 DPI resolution.
- Plastisol
- PVC-based ink that sits on top of fabric fibers rather than absorbing into them. Provides excellent opacity, durability, and vibrant colors. Requires heat curing at approximately 320°F (160°C).
- DTG (Direct to Garment)
- Digital printing method where water-based ink is sprayed directly onto fabric fibers using modified inkjet technology. Best for cotton, no minimum orders, but typically lower durability than hybrid printing.
- DTF (Direct to Film)
- Digital printing method where designs are printed onto special PET film, then transferred to garments using heat and adhesive powder. Works on any fabric type with no minimums.
- DPI (Dots Per Inch)
- Measurement of print resolution. Higher DPI means finer detail and sharper images. Hybrid printing achieves 300 DPI; traditional screen printing achieves only 50-60 DPI.
- Simulated Process
- Traditional screen printing technique using 8-12 spot colors printed with halftone dots to simulate full-color images. Limited by screen mesh resolution and prone to color shifts as wet inks mix during printing.
- CMYK
- The four-color printing model using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). All full-color digital printing, including hybrid, uses CMYK to reproduce the visible color spectrum.
- Wash Durability
- How many wash cycles a print can withstand before noticeable fading, cracking, or deterioration. Hybrid prints typically last 50+ washes without significant degradation.
