For a small run, ready-to-press DTF transfers are usually the easier fit, because screen print transfers are typically made for larger runs, with each color printed through its own screen. At Marie Gems one full-color DTF transfer costs $2.00 at 4" to $4.00 at 12", and 12 shirts at 12" cost $42.00.
I run Marie Gems, a DTF transfer shop in Wichita, Kansas, with more than 500 orders shipped and no minimum order. I do not sell screen print transfers, so the screen print column below describes the method in general and will vary by supplier. Check any supplier's own minimums and prices before you compare.
What is the difference between screen print transfers and DTF transfers?
Screen print transfers are printed with ink pushed through a screen, one screen per color, and then pressed onto fabric. DTF transfers are printed in full color on film, coated with adhesive powder and cured, then pressed on. The table shows where that difference matters for a small order.
| Screen print transfers (general, varies by supplier) | DTF transfers at Marie Gems | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is printed | Ink through a screen, one screen per color | Full color on film, then powder and cure |
| Best suited to | Designs with a small number of solid colors | Full-color art with fine detail and gradients |
| Typical order size | Usually sold in larger runs, so check the supplier's minimum | One transfer is fine, no minimum order |
| Different designs in one order | Each design is its own run | Five different designs for $18 in a 5-Pack |
| What you press with | A heat press | A heat press, 320°F for 15 seconds, cold peel |
My post on DTF vs. sublimation vs. vinyl covers the other methods people compare, and my post on gang sheets vs. individual transfers covers the layout side.
How much do DTF transfers cost for 1, 6, 12 or 24 shirts?
At 10" the cost is $3.50 for one shirt, $19.25 for six, $36.75 for twelve and $70.00 for twenty-four. At 12" it is $4.00, $22.00, $42.00 and $80.00. These are the real prices from the live listings, using the cheapest mix of quantity tiers.
| Shirts (same design) | At 10" | At 12" |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| 6 | $19.25 ($3.21 each) | $22.00 ($3.67 each) |
| 12 | $36.75 ($3.06 each) | $42.00 ($3.50 each) |
| 24 | $70.00 ($2.92 each) | $80.00 ($3.33 each) |
Twenty-four shirts at 10" is the 20-transfer tier at $56.00 plus four singles at $3.50. Twenty-four at 12" is the 20-transfer tier at $64.00 plus four singles at $4.00. Prices exclude shipping and tax.
What if each shirt needs a different design?
Different designs are where DTF is easiest, because every design is already printed and you order only the ones you want. A 5-Pack such as the Funny & Relatable Volume 1 5-Pack is five different 12x12 transfers for $18, and the DTF Transfer Bundles collection lists the rest. My post comparing singles, 5-packs and 20-packs covers the quantity tiers in full.
What if the design is my own?
A custom DTF transfer from your own artwork is priced by size like the ready-made designs, from $2.00 at 4" to $4.00 at 12", with no minimum order. You upload a PNG, JPG or PDF, and you must own the artwork or have permission to use it. The custom upload page is where you start.
When might screen print transfers make more sense?
Screen print transfers may make sense when you need a large run of the same one or two color design, because the setup cost is spread across many pieces. I do not have prices for that route, so ask suppliers for their per-piece cost and their minimum, then set that against the DTF numbers: $3.50 at 10" or $4.00 at 12" for one shirt, and $36.75 or $42.00 for twelve. For a shirt for yourself, a team of a dozen, a gift set or a market booth test, I would price the DTF route first.
What do I need to press DTF transfers?
You need a compatible blank, a heat press and about a minute per transfer. Use 320°F for 15 seconds with firm, even pressure and a cold peel, then wait 24 hours before the first wash. My DTF pressing guide has the settings on one page, and my size guide helps you pick 4" to 12". If you are still choosing a press, my Sublimation Starter Kit list holds the heat presses and pressing tools I picked, and they work for DTF too.
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