{"id":1398737,"date":"2026-09-28T17:13:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hidalgo.nl\/?p=1398737"},"modified":"2026-09-28T17:13:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:13:39","slug":"printing-techniques-compared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hidalgo.nl\/en\/printing-techniques-compared\/","title":{"rendered":"Printing techniques compared: which suits your product?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Short answer:<\/strong> the best technique depends on the material, the quantity and your logo. Screen printing is cost-effective for larger runs with few colours. DTF and transfer printing suit small runs and full-colour logos on clothing. Embroidery gives a premium, durable look on towels, caps and polo shirts. Sublimation works on polyester. Pad printing is for small curved surfaces such as pens, and laser engraving for metal and wood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The same logo can look very different on a cotton bag, a stainless steel bottle and a sports towel. That is down to the printing technique. Below you can read how each technique works, what it is suitable for and what to look out for.<\/p>\n

The techniques at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Technique<\/th>\nBest suited for<\/th>\nColours<\/th>\nQuantity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Screen printing<\/td>\nCotton and jute bags, textiles, sports bags<\/td>\nPer colour (spot colours)<\/td>\nMedium to large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DTF (direct-to-film)<\/td>\nT-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, cotton and polyester<\/td>\nFull colour<\/td>\nSmall to medium<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transfer printing<\/td>\nClothing, workwear, sportswear<\/td>\nFull colour<\/td>\nSmall to large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Embroidery<\/td>\nTowels, caps, beanies, polo shirts, jackets<\/td>\nSeveral thread colours<\/td>\nSmall to medium<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sublimation<\/td>\nPolyester and polyester-coated products, sports textiles<\/td>\nFull colour<\/td>\nSmall to large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pad printing<\/td>\nPens, key rings, small curved surfaces<\/td>\nPer colour<\/td>\nMedium to large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laser engraving<\/td>\nStainless steel bottles, metal pens, wood, bamboo, glass<\/td>\nNo ink, tone of the material<\/td>\nSmall to large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Screen printing<\/h2>\n

In screen printing, ink is pressed through a fine mesh onto the product. Each colour needs its own screen. This makes screen printing strong and colourfast, and cost-effective for larger runs, but less suitable for photos and gradients. It is the classic choice for cotton bags<\/a> and jute bags<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> the more colours your logo has, the higher the cost. A one- or two-colour version of your logo is often the smartest choice.<\/p>\n

DTF (direct-to-film)<\/h2>\n

With DTF, the design is printed in full colour onto a film, coated with an adhesive powder and then heat-pressed onto the textile. It works on cotton, polyester and blends and has no set-up cost per colour, which makes it ideal for small runs and colourful logos. Hidalgo prints clothing in-house with DTF, so you can order T-shirts<\/a> or polo shirts<\/a> with your logo in small quantities.<\/p>\n

Transfer printing<\/h2>\n

In transfer printing, the design is first printed onto transfer paper and then applied to the garment with heat and pressure. It handles complex designs, gradients and fine details, and is wash-resistant. A common technique for promotional clothing, workwear<\/a> and sportswear.<\/p>\n

Embroidery<\/h2>\n

With embroidery, the logo is stitched into the fabric with needle and thread. This gives a premium, three-dimensional look that stays good for years, even after many washes. The price depends on the stitch count, so on the size and fill of the logo. Embroidery is perfect for towels<\/a>, caps, beanies and polo shirts.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> very small text and hairline details are difficult in thread. Our design team adapts your logo where needed so it embroiders well.<\/p>\n

Sublimation printing<\/h2>\n

In sublimation, heat turns the ink into gas that bonds with the fibres of the material. The print becomes part of the fabric and cannot crack or peel. Photos and full-colour designs come out razor-sharp. Sublimation only works well on polyester or polyester-coated products with a white or light background, such as sports textiles and microfibre towels.<\/p>\n

Pad printing<\/h2>\n

In pad printing, a silicone pad picks up the design from an etched plate and transfers it onto the product. This allows printing on curved and uneven surfaces such as pens<\/a> and key rings. The print area is small and you pay per colour.<\/p>\n

Laser engraving<\/h2>\n

A laser burns the logo permanently into the surface. There is no ink to wear off; the logo takes on the tone of the material itself. Stylish on stainless steel drinking bottles<\/a>, metal pens, wood and bamboo.<\/p>\n

How to choose the right technique<\/h2>\n
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  1. Look at the material.<\/strong> Cotton: screen printing, DTF or transfer. Polyester: DTF, transfer or sublimation. Metal or wood: laser engraving. Small curved surfaces: pad printing.<\/li>\n
  2. Look at the quantity.<\/strong> Small runs: DTF, transfer or embroidery. Large runs with few colours: screen printing.<\/li>\n
  3. Look at your logo.<\/strong> Many colours or a gradient: a digital technique. One or two flat colours: screen or pad printing.<\/li>\n
  4. Look at the look you want.<\/strong> Premium and durable: embroidery or engraving. Large and eye-catching: screen printing or DTF.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Not sure? No problem: every order includes a free digital print proof, and our advisers will help you pick the best technique. You can also find more on our printing options<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

    Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n

    What is the cheapest way to print a logo?<\/h3>\n

    That depends on the quantity. For large runs with one or two colours, screen printing is usually the most economical. For small runs or many colours, DTF or transfer printing is often cheaper because there is no cost per colour.<\/p>\n

    Which decoration lasts longest?<\/h3>\n

    Embroidery and laser engraving last longest: there is no ink to wear off. Screen printing and sublimation are also very wash-resistant.<\/p>\n

    Can I print a full-colour logo or photo?<\/h3>\n

    Yes, with DTF, transfer printing or sublimation. Screen printing and pad printing use separate spot colours and are less suitable for photos and gradients.<\/p>\n

    Can I print in more than one position?<\/h3>\n

    Yes. Each extra position, for example chest and back, is charged as a separate print.<\/p>\n

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    Need help choosing?<\/strong> Request a free quote<\/a> and we will advise you on the best technique for your product and logo. See also what printing costs and how long it takes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Screen printing, DTF, transfer, embroidery, sublimation, pad printing or laser engraving? How to choose the right technique for your logo and product.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1398774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[{"id":17411,"name":"Printing","image":""}],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1398737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-printing","entry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t