Quick answer: For a simple 1–3 colour logo on 100+ pieces, screen printing is the cheapest and lasts longest (from ₹17 a print at 1,000 pieces). For photos, gradients or many colours, use DTF (from ₹35). Use puff for a raised streetwear look (from ₹45, best from 100 pieces) and embroidery for small chest logos on polos and hoodies (from ₹46). Below are real factory prices for each at 50 to 1,000 pieces.
Every new brand asks the same question after picking a blank: how should we print it? The answer changes your price per piece by ₹20–₹60, your margin by 10–15%, and how the T-shirt looks after 30 washes. Most comparison articles online are written by print-on-demand sellers or overseas printers and quote US prices. This guide uses the actual rates from our Hyderabad factory floor, so you can plan a real order.
The four methods in one minute
- Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil, one stencil per colour. Thin, soft, matte, extremely durable. Setup is per colour, so it gets cheap at volume.
- DTF (direct-to-film) prints your design on film with a digital printer, then heat-presses it onto the fabric. Unlimited colours, photo detail, works on cotton and blends. Slight film feel.
- Puff print is screen printing with an ink that expands under heat, giving a raised, rubbery 3D effect. Popular for streetwear wordmarks.
- Embroidery stitches your logo with thread. Premium, textured and never fades. Ideal for small logos, not large artwork.
Price per print at each quantity
These are the print-only rates for a front-centre print (about 28 × 35 cm) on our own blanks. A left-chest print costs about 60% of this and a full back about 130%.
| Quantity (per design) | Screen | DTF | Puff | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 pieces | ₹38 | ₹55 | ₹65* | ₹70 |
| 100 pieces | ₹30 | ₹48 | ₹58 | ₹62 |
| 300 pieces | ₹24 | ₹42 | ₹52 | ₹55 |
| 500 pieces | ₹20 | ₹38 | ₹48 | ₹50 |
| 1,000 pieces | ₹17 | ₹35 | ₹45 | ₹46 |
*Puff print is best from 100 pieces because the ink and screens need a longer run to settle. Prices exclude GST (5% on garments up to ₹2,500 a piece).
What a finished T-shirt actually costs
Print price on its own is only half the story. Here is the total per piece for our 240 GSM oversized T-shirt with a woven neck label and a front print:
| Quantity | Screen | DTF | Puff | Embroidery (left chest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | ₹291 | ₹308 | ₹318 | ₹295 |
| 100 | ₹263 | ₹281 | ₹291 | ₹270 |
| 300 | ₹237 | ₹255 | ₹265 | ₹246 |
| 500 | ₹213 | ₹231 | ₹241 | ₹223 |
| 1,000 | ₹196 | ₹214 | ₹224 | ₹207 |
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive method at 100 pieces is about ₹28 per T-shirt, or ₹2,800 on the order. That is real money, but it is small next to choosing the wrong method and getting returns. Want your exact number? Build your order and the price updates as you change print method and placement.
Screen printing: best for bold logos and repeat orders
Screen printing is what most established Indian streetwear labels use for their core range. The ink soaks into the fabric, so the print breathes, feels soft after the first wash and survives 50+ washes without cracking.
Choose screen printing when
- Your design has 1–6 solid colours with no gradients or photos.
- You order 100+ pieces of the same design (the per-piece price drops fast).
- You plan to reorder, because screens can be stored and reused.
Watch out for
- Each colour needs its own screen, so a 6-colour design costs more to set up than a 1-colour one.
- Fine gradients turn into visible dots (halftones). Ask for a mock-up first.
Read more on our screen printing page.
DTF: best for full-colour art and small runs
DTF has replaced most DTG (direct-to-garment) work in India because it is cheaper, works on dark and light fabrics, and handles cotton-poly blends. Anime prints, photo collages and detailed illustrations are almost always DTF.
Choose DTF when
- Your design has many colours, gradients, fine lines or a photo.
- You want 50 pieces of several designs instead of 500 of one.
- You are printing on fleece hoodies or blends.
Watch out for
- Large solid areas feel like a film. Break big blocks of colour with texture or negative space.
- Quality varies a lot between printers. A good DTF print stretches without cracking; a cheap one peels after 10 washes. Always do the stretch test on your sample.
See examples on our DTF printing page.
Puff print: best for raised streetwear wordmarks
Puff gives a raised, slightly rubbery texture that buyers notice in their hand. It works beautifully on a brand name across the chest or a small back-neck logo. It does not work for detailed art: thin lines puff into blobs.
- Keep lines at least 2 mm thick and gaps at least 2 mm wide.
- Use 1–3 colours. Each colour is a separate screen.
- Print on 220 GSM or heavier. On thin fabric, puff pulls and puckers. Our puff print guide covers the design rules in detail.
Embroidery: best for chest logos, polos and hoodies
Embroidery is the default for corporate uniforms and premium basics. A 7–10 cm left-chest logo looks expensive and lasts as long as the garment. Large back embroidery is possible but heavy and costly, so most brands keep embroidery small and use print for big artwork.
- Keep text above 5 mm tall so letters stay readable.
- Up to 8 thread colours are included. Gradients are not possible.
- On thin 180 GSM tees, dense embroidery can pucker. Use 220 GSM or heavier, or a polo.
The quick decision table
| Your design or goal | Best method |
|---|---|
| 1–3 colour logo, 100+ pieces | Screen print |
| Photo, gradient or 7+ colours | DTF |
| 50 pieces each of several designs | DTF |
| Raised brand name, streetwear | Puff print |
| Small chest logo on polo or hoodie | Embroidery |
| Corporate or staff uniform | Embroidery or screen |
| Lowest cost at 1,000+ pieces | Screen print |
Can you mix methods on one T-shirt?
Yes, and many good brands do. A common premium combination is screen print on the back for the big artwork and puff or embroidery on the chest for the logo. You pay for each placement separately, so a front-plus-back screen print on our oversized tee is ₹302 per piece at 100 pieces including a woven label.
Five mistakes that cost founders money
- Choosing DTF for a one-colour logo at 300 pieces. Screen would be ₹18 cheaper per piece and last longer.
- Sending low-resolution artwork. Send vector files (AI, PDF, SVG) for screen and puff, and 300 DPI PNG at print size for DTF.
- Skipping the wash test. Wash your sample five times inside out before approving bulk. Our sample checklist lists what to check.
- Puff on thin fabric. It puckers. Use 220–240 GSM.
- Oversized prints on small sizes. A 35 cm wide print looks huge on an S. Ask for two print sizes across your size run.
Our recommendation for a first drop
If you are launching with 50–100 pieces per colour, start with screen print if your logo is simple, or DTF if your art is detailed. Add puff or embroidery in your second drop once you know what sells. It keeps your first order lean and gives your customers something new to come back for.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, DTF or screen printing?
Screen printing is cheaper from about 100 pieces for designs with 1–4 colours. At our factory a front screen print is ₹30 at 100 pieces against ₹48 for DTF. For photos, gradients or many colours, DTF is cheaper because screen would need many stencils.
Is DTF print good quality and durable?
A good DTF print lasts 40–50 washes without cracking if you wash it inside out in cold water. Quality depends on the film, powder and press settings, so always stretch-test your sample.
What is the minimum order for screen printing in India?
Most factories start screen printing at 50–100 pieces per design. We start at 50 pieces per colour, with the best value from 100.
Does puff print wash out?
Good puff print keeps its raise for 30+ washes. Wash inside out, avoid ironing directly on the print and do not tumble dry on high heat.
Is embroidery better than printing for a clothing brand?
Embroidery looks more premium for small logos and lasts longer, but it costs more and cannot reproduce detailed artwork. Most brands use embroidery for the logo and print for larger graphics.