Screen printing, embroidery, and DTF — done right for schools
Three decoration methods under one roof, so your order fits the job instead of the other way around.
What is screen printing best for on school orders?
Screen printing is our most-used process for schools because it delivers bold, durable color that survives a full year of washes and gym class. Each color needs its own screen, so pricing scales with color count and quantity. That makes it the most cost-effective choice once you pass roughly two dozen shirts.
Each color is its own screen, so pricing scales with color count and quantity. It's the most cost-effective option once you're past a couple dozen shirts, which is exactly where most school orders land.
Best for
- Spirit wear and field day shirts
- Fundraiser runs of 24+ pieces
- Bold, single- or multi-color logos
Good to know
- 24 piece minimum per design
- 10–12 business day standard turnaround
- Youth and adult sizing available
When should a school choose embroidery instead?
Choose embroidery when a garment gets worn week after week. Stitched logos outlast the shirt itself, which is why it is the right call for staff polos, jackets, caps, and bags. We digitize your logo once and reuse it on future reorders. Pricing runs by stitch count rather than color count.
We digitize your logo once, then reuse it on polos, jackets, caps, and bags — useful for staff apparel that gets reordered every year.
Best for
- Staff and faculty polos
- Jackets, caps, and bags
- Small, detailed logos and wordmarks
Good to know
- Priced by stitch count, not color count
- Most durable option for daily wear
- Digitizing fee applies to new logos
What are DTF transfers and when do they make sense?
DTF transfers press full-color, photo-real designs onto apparel with no screens and no color limits. Because there is no per-color setup cost, they work well for small clubs, single-event orders, and reprinting last year's design without paying for new screens. They apply to cotton, blends, and performance fabric alike.
Great for small clubs, one-off events, or reprinting last year's design without paying for new screens again.
Best for
- Full-color and gradient artwork
- Small clubs or single-event orders
- Fast reprints of an existing design
Good to know
- Works on cotton, blends, and performance fabric
- No per-color setup cost
- 24 piece minimum per design
How do the three methods compare?
Use this table to match a decoration method to your order. Screen printing wins on cost for bulk single-design runs. Embroidery wins on durability for garments worn daily. DTF wins on color range and small quantities. All three carry the same 24 piece minimum and the same standard turnaround.
| Criterion | Screen Printing | Embroidery | DTF Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Spirit wear, field day shirts, fundraiser runs. | Staff polos, jackets, caps, bags. | Full-color artwork, small clubs, single events. |
| How pricing works | Priced by color count and quantity. | Priced by stitch count, not color count. | No per-color setup cost. |
| Setup fee | A screen per color. | One-time digitizing fee for new logos. | None. |
| Color range | Bold single or multi-color logos. | Small, detailed logos and wordmarks. | Unlimited color, including gradients and photos. |
| Durability | Holds up through a full year of washes and gym class. | Most durable option for daily wear. | Works on cotton, blends, and performance fabric. |
| Minimum | 24 pieces per design. | 24 pieces per design. | 24 pieces per design. |
| Standard turnaround | 10 to 12 business days. | 10 to 12 business days. | 10 to 12 business days. |
How does the ordering process work?
Ordering takes four steps. Email a logo or design, or describe what you are picturing. We send pricing and a visual proof, usually the same day. Once you approve the proof, your order goes into production. The finished order arrives at your school in 10 to 12 business days, delivered free.
Send your art
Email a logo or design, or let us know what you're picturing.
Get a proof & quote
We send pricing and a visual proof, usually same day.
Approve & we print
Once you sign off, your order goes into production.
Free campus delivery
Finished order arrives in 10–12 business days, right at your school.
Not sure which process fits your order?
Tell us what you're printing and how many, and we'll recommend the right method and a price.
Get a free quote