POD Benchmark

Print methods

Compare the most common print-on-demand methods by product, material, artwork, order size, and finish.

Last updated Aug 28, 2026

How to use these guides

DTG prints ink directly onto a garment. DTF prints the design onto film, adds adhesive, and heat-presses it onto the garment. DTF is one kind of heat transfer, not a name for every transfer method.

Sublimation uses heat to fix dye into compatible polyester fabric or a polymer-coated product. Some products are printed after assembly; others are made from printed panels, which is how many all-over-print garments are produced.

Embroidery turns artwork into stitches. Screen printing pushes ink through a stencil on a mesh screen. Embroidery creates a raised thread finish; screen printing is usually most practical when the same design is repeated across a larger run.

Minimum quantities and prices come from the supplier, not the method name. One supplier may accept a single item while another requires a batch, so compare the actual product, destination, and quote.

Use the guides to narrow the choice, then confirm the exact product, printable area, care instructions, and delivery cost. Order a sample when color, feel, placement, or durability matters.

Browse print methods

Pick a method to see what it is, when it fits, and what to check with your supplier.

Print methods available across supplier catalogs
Method Availability Suppliers Products
DTG DTG prints ink directly onto a garment. It works well for one-off, full-color designs when the supplier supports the exact garment and placement. Available 5 917
DTF DTF prints a design onto film, adds adhesive, and heat-presses the transfer onto a garment. Check the exact fabric and supplier before choosing it. Available 4 794
Embroidery Embroidery turns artwork into machine-controlled stitches. It suits simple, bold designs and products that can be securely hooped at the chosen placement. Available 4 615
Sublimation Sublimation uses heat to fix dye into compatible polyester fabric or a polymer-coated product. It is popular for all-over apparel and hard goods such as mugs. Available 6 710
Screen print Screen printing pushes ink through mesh screens onto a product. Its reusable setup often makes the most sense for a larger run of the same design. Not enough data 0 0
Heat transfer (not otherwise specified) Heat transfer is a family of methods that prepare a design away from the product and apply it with heat. Ask which type a supplier actually uses. 1 supplier 1 4

Counts come from how suppliers label their current catalogs. Some listings do not name the print method, so totals can be lower than the real number.

Compare print methods

Side-by-side guides for the choices sellers ask about most.

  • DTG vs DTF Choose DTG when you want ink printed directly onto a supported garment. Choose DTF when a heat-pressed film transfer suits the product and placement. For both, check the exact fabric, printable area, feel, care instructions, and delivered price.
  • DTG vs screen print Choose DTG for one-off or changing designs. Consider screen printing when you need many identical items and can spread the screen setup across the run. Compare real quotes because there is no universal break-even quantity.
  • DTG vs embroidery Choose DTG for a printed surface and detailed, multicolor artwork. Choose embroidery for a raised thread finish and designs that can be simplified into clear stitches. Check the exact product and placement either way.
  • DTF vs screen print Choose DTF when a supported film transfer suits the garment, design, and placement. Consider screen printing when you need a larger run of the same design. Compare actual quotes because neither method has a universal quantity or price advantage.
  • DTF vs sublimation Choose DTF for a heat-pressed transfer on a supported product. Choose sublimation for compatible polyester or coated goods, especially when a light base and wider coverage suit the design.

What our catalog counts mean

Suppliers
How many suppliers currently list at least one product made with this method.
Products
How many individual products in those catalogs use the method right now.
Unique products
The same product sold by different suppliers is counted once here, so you can see real product variety instead of duplicate listings.
Missing information
If a catalog does not clearly label its print methods, we say "unknown" rather than guess.