Most tees these days are printed using DTG (direct-to-garment). It’s quick, easy, and good for detailed designs... but it’s not always the most durable.
We’ve been going down the screen printing route instead (we use
@dirtyherd )
It’s a slower, more hands-on process. Each colour gets pushed through a mesh screen and layered onto the fabric one at a time.
It's more effort, more setup, meaning that the cost of doing is higher, but it's a way better payoff.
So, what's the big difference?
Screen prints actually sink into the fabric a bit more, rather than just sitting on top of it.
DTG prints can start to fade or crack after a lot of washes. Screen prints tend to hold up way better... the colour stays strong, the print keeps its shape..... And it just ages nicer!
That’s why a lot of old vintage tees still look solid years later, they were screen printed before cheaper technology was introduced.
We'd rather make something that lasts rather than taking higher margins.
