DTF vs screen printing break-even calculator

Screen printing pays a setup for every color, then prints cheap. DTF has no setup, but every transfer costs more. Put in your own costs and see which is cheaper for this order, and the run size where screen printing takes over. No signup.

Your numbers

Pieces in the order

Screen colorsincluding an underbase on dark garments

Setup cost per screenfilm, emulsion, burn, reclaim and the labor

$20

Screen print cost per pieceink and press labor, once it's set up

$0.60

DTF transfer costfilm, ink and powder for this design size

$2.50

DTF pressing cost per pieceheat press labor

$0.50

Screen printing wins from

25 pcs

Screen, per piece

$1.85

DTF, per piece

$3.00

Cheaper for this order

Screen printing

Screen printing, whole order

$88.80

DTF, whole order

$144.00

The math: screen printing costs the setups (colors × setup per screen) plus the per-piece cost. DTF costs the transfer plus pressing, on every piece. The break-even run is the setup cost divided by what each piece saves on screen. If DTF costs less per piece than screen printing, screen never catches up. The numbers start as examples; use your own costs.

Quote both and send the better one

InkTracker prices screen printing from your own chart and live garment costs, so you can see the real number on a short run before you pick a method. Start a 14-day free trial.

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