Last year, we helped a startup create 35 custom team shirts for their annual retreat. With multiple colors, gradients, and individual names, DTF printing was the perfect choice – delivering stunning results in just 3 days at a reasonable cost. Meanwhile, another client needed 500 daily-wear uniforms with a simple 2-color logo. Screen printing made more sense for them – durable, cost-effective, and professional.
After six years printing for everyone from Grab drivers to KLCC corporates, we’ve learned there’s no single “best” method—only the right method for your needs.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
The Smart Investment Approach to T-Shirt Printing
Here’s what smart buyers consider beyond just the price per shirt: choosing the right method from the start saves money and headaches. We’ve helped clients save thousands by matching their actual needs to the right printing method.
Key factors to consider:
- Usage frequency: Event shirts vs daily uniforms need different approaches
- Design complexity: More colors and details might mean different methods
- Order quantity: Our standard minimum is 30 pieces (unless repeat orders)
- Timeline requirements: Different methods have different production speeds
Breaking Down Each Printing Method
🎨 DTF Heat Press – Design Freedom
Think of DTF as the Swiss Army knife of t-shirt printing. We press specially printed films onto your shirts using heat – it’s incredibly versatile and handles complex designs beautifully.
✅ Why Our Clients Love It:
- Perfect for 30+ piece orders
- Unlimited colors without extra charges
- Quick turnaround (3-5 days rush)
- Works on any fabric color
⚠️ What to Know:
- 40-60 washes durability
- Slight texture on large areas
- Best for event wear vs daily uniforms
Our actual pricing: RM15-25 per shirt depending on design size
💪 Screen Printing: The Durability Champion
This time-tested method is why vintage band tees from the 90s still look good. We create screens for each color and push ink through them onto your shirt.
✅ Why It Dominates Bulk:
- Most durable (50-100+ washes)
- Best per-unit price for large quantities
- Vibrant, professional finish
- Colors stay bright wash after wash
⚠️ Consider This:
- Setup fee RM50-80 per color
- 7-10 working days standard
- Best for simpler designs (1-4 colors)
Real pricing example:
- 100 shirts, 2 colors: RM17 per shirt
- 30 shirts, 2 colors: RM28 per shirt
👔 Embroidery: The Premium Touch That Lasts Forever
We’ve embroidered logos that look pristine after years of daily wear. When Sukhoda Engineering needed corporate shirts, embroidery gave them that executive look that impressed at every client meeting.
✅ Premium Advantages:
- Practically indestructible (100+ washes)
- Elevated, professional appearance
- Perfect brand representation
- Never fades or peels
⚠️ Investment Considerations:
- Premium pricing (from RM25)
- Best for smaller designs
- Takes more production time
🏃 Sublimation: The Athletic Wear Specialist
This high-tech method turns ink into gas that permanently bonds with polyester fibers. The result? Prints that never fade, crack, or peel because they become part of the fabric itself.
✅ Where It Excels:
- All-over prints with zero feel
- Truly permanent on polyester
- Unlimited colors, no extra cost
- Breathable – doesn’t block pores
- Perfect for moisture-wickin
⚠️ Technical Requirements:
- Works on polyester only (65%+ content)
- Requires special polyester shirts
- 7-10 days production time
Pricing: RM25-35 per shirt (includes polyester shirt)
Best for: Sports jerseys, marathon shirts, gym wear, full-pattern designs
🖨️ DTG (Direct-to-Garment): The Specialty Option
We can arrange DTG printing through our trusted partners when it’s truly the best option for your needs. Think of it as an inkjet printer for t-shirts.
✅ Where DTG Shines:
- Ultra-soft feel on 100% cotton
- Photo-realistic prints
- No minimum quantities
- Vintage/distressed effects
- Perfect for detailed artwork
⚠️ Practical Considerations:
- Premium pricing point
- Best on light-colored cotton
- Requires pre-treatment process
- 3rd party processing (longer timeline)
Best for: High-end retail products, limited editions, when softness is crucial
Quick Method Comparision
| Method | Best For | Durability | Min Qty | Rush Time * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTF | Complex designs | 30-50 washes | 30 pcs | 5-10 business days |
| Screen Print | Simple/bulk | 50-100+ washes | 50 pcs | 7-10 business days |
| Embroidery | Premium logos | Permanent | 30 pcs | 7-10 business days |
| Sublimation | Sports wear | Permanent | 30 pcs | 7-10 business days |
| DTG | Photo prints | 30-50 washes | 30 pcs | 10-14 business days |
Best for: High-end retail products, limited editions, when softness is crucial
Simple Decision Framework
After helping 230+ businesses & organisations, we’ve simplified the decision process:
30-50 shirts: (Our standard minimum)
- Complex/colorful design → DTF Heat Press
- Simple logo → DTF or Embroidery
- Sports/polyester → Sublimation
50-100 shirts:
- Photographic/gradient → DTF Heat Press
- 1-3 solid colors → Screen Printing
- Premium branding → Embroidery accents
100+ shirts:
- Simple design → Screen Printing (best value)
- Complex artwork → DTF (still economical)
- Mixed needs → Combination methods
For businesses planning corporate uniform programs, our complete guide to corporate uniforms in Malaysia covers fabric selection, climate considerations, and industry-specific insights.
Frequently Asked Questions About T-Shirt Printing Methods
Embroidery wins (100+ washes), followed by screen printing (50-100 washes), then DTF (40-60 washes). But consider your actual needs – event shirts rarely need 40+ washes, while daily uniforms definitely do.
Note: Actual durability depends on care – cold water, inside out, air drying can double print life.
DTF uses special ink films with powder adhesive – more durable, softer, handles complex designs. Vinyl is cut from solid colored sheets – limited to simple designs, more plastic feel. We upgraded to DTF for better results.
Our standard timeline for all methods: 7-10 working days
Rush service (3-5 days) available for:
- DTF printing
- Screen printing (subject to schedule)
- Embroidery (limited quantities)
Beyond Custom Apparel: We also help businesses with corporate gift printing in Malaysia—from tech accessories to eco-friendly promotional items that actually impress clients.
The Bottom Line
After 5 years and 230+ happy clients, here’s what we’ve learned:
- Match method to purpose – Event shirts and daily uniforms have different needs
- Consider total value – Sometimes paying more upfront saves money long-term
- Factor in your timeline – Rush charges can significantly impact cost
- Trust the experts – We’ll recommend what’s best, even if it’s not the most expensive
- Quality matters – Good printing on good shirts creates lasting impressions
Planning your first custom apparel order? Follow our step-by-step ordering checklist to avoid common mistakes and ensure smooth delivery. From brand assets to supplier selection, we’ve documented everything we’ve learned from 230+ business orders.
Still Deciding Which Method?
WhatsApp us your design and quantity – we’ll recommend the best method for FREE!
Business Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 1 PM
- WhatsApp: Replies within 4 hours during business hours
