Screen printing for uniforms in Vietnam

Screen printing is a traditional technique that stretches a mesh screen for each color in the design, then pulls ink across it so the ink deposits onto the fabric in that exact shape. Each color needs its own screen, so the upfront cost (screen setup) is higher than DTG/DTF, but the per-piece cost drops sharply as quantity increases.

Why choose screen printing

• The lowest per-piece cost of any printing technology at sufficient volume (typically from a few hundred pieces of the same design).
• A thick, even, opaque layer of ink — especially visible on dark fabric.
• Best for designs with large color blocks, few fine details, and a limited number of colors (usually 1–6).
• High durability through repeated washing when the right ink is used (plastisol or water-based).

Limitations to know

• Not suited to multi-color, gradient or photographic designs — every extra color adds to the screen setup cost.
• Needs a minimum quantity to be cost-effective, not suited to orders of just a few pieces.
• Screen setup takes longer upfront than DTG/DTF.