How your graphic gets on the garment matters
Three main methods put a design on fabric — and each wears differently over time.
Screen printing
- Ink pushed through a stencil, cured with heat. The classic.
- Pros: rich, opaque color; extremely durable; slight raised texture.
- Best for: bold, high-contrast graphics in a few colors.
DTG (direct-to-garment)
- Inkjet printing straight onto the fabric.
- Pros: unlimited colors and detail, soft hand-feel, great for photographic prints.
- Watch for: can fade faster than screen print if washed hot — always wash cold, inside out.
Embroidery
- The design is stitched in thread.
- Pros: premium texture, basically permanent, elevates simple logos.
- Best for: caps, chest logos, and small marks — like our embroidered dad hat.
What to look for when buying
Check the print edges (crisp, not cracking), ask how it was made, and care for it properly — the method only matters if you treat it right.