Every decoration method. One platform.
DTF transfers, screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, HTV, DTG — MerchRelay handles quoting, mockups, and storefronts for every method so you can sell custom merch without the chaos.
Decoration methods decoded
Every method has a sweet spot. Here's what each one does best — and how MerchRelay makes it easy to quote, mock up, and sell with any of them.
Direct to Film (DTF)
Print full-color, photo-quality designs onto transfer film, then heat-press onto virtually any fabric. No color limits, no minimum orders, no weeding.
Best for
Full-color logos, photo prints, small runs, on-demand orders, dark and light garments alike.
Why operators love it
- Unlimited colors — photographic detail on any garment
- Works on cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, leather
- No minimum order — profitable from 1 piece to 10,000
- Soft hand feel with proper curing
- Gang sheets maximize material usage and cut waste
Screen Printing
The gold standard for high-volume orders. Ink is pushed through mesh screens onto the garment — bold, durable, and cost-effective at scale.
Best for
Team orders, uniforms, event merch, promotional giveaways — anywhere volume makes per-unit pricing king.
Why operators love it
- Lowest per-unit cost at volume (100+ pieces)
- Vibrant, opaque ink on any garment color
- PMS color matching for brand-exact prints
- Specialty inks: metallic, glow-in-the-dark, puff, discharge
- Extremely durable — outlasts the garment itself
Embroidery
Thread-stitched logos and text that communicate quality, permanence, and professionalism. The go-to for corporate wear, polos, and outerwear.
Best for
Corporate apparel, uniforms, team polos, hats, bags — any product where perceived quality matters.
Why operators love it
- Premium, professional look and feel
- Incredibly durable — thread doesn't crack, peel, or fade
- Works on structured garments: hats, polos, jackets, bags
- 3D puff embroidery for raised, textured designs
- No color limitations within the thread palette
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
Cut colored vinyl with a plotter and heat-press it onto garments. Ideal for names, numbers, and simple single- or multi-color designs.
Best for
Jersey numbers, individual names, simple logos, small quantities, rush orders.
Why operators love it
- Crisp, clean edges for text and simple graphics
- Specialty finishes: glitter, metallic, reflective, flock
- Low setup cost — no screens, no film, no digitizing
- Great for personalization (names, jersey numbers)
- Quick turnaround for rush orders
Sublimation
Dye becomes part of the fabric — full-color, edge-to-edge prints with zero texture. All-over prints that look as good after 100 washes as they did on day one.
Best for
All-over prints, performance jerseys, fashion pieces, cut-and-sew production, white/light polyester garments.
Why operators love it
- Full-bleed, edge-to-edge printing — no boundaries
- Zero hand feel — print becomes the fabric
- Extremely durable — won't crack, peel, or fade
- Unlimited colors and photographic detail
- Ideal for cut-and-sew and performance wear
Direct to Garment (DTG)
An inkjet printer sprays water-based ink directly onto the garment. Think of it as a paper printer — but for t-shirts. Ideal for detailed, full-color designs on cotton.
Best for
On-demand printing, detailed artwork, small batch runs, cotton-heavy garments, ecommerce fulfillment.
Why operators love it
- No setup fees — print one or one thousand
- Photographic-quality detail and color accuracy
- Soft hand feel — ink absorbs into the fibers
- Fast turnaround for on-demand and sample runs
- Eco-friendly water-based inks
The real problems MerchRelay solves
Decoration method knowledge is just the beginning. The hard part is quoting, mocking up, and selling — fast. Here's how MerchRelay eliminates the friction.
Quoting decoration costs manually
MerchRelay auto-calculates decoration pricing per method, color count, and quantity — in the quote builder.
Mocking up designs in Photoshop for every client
Upload artwork once. MerchRelay's render pipeline generates photorealistic mockups on every garment — in seconds.
Clients confused about which method fits their order
Prospect kits and storefronts show recommended decoration methods alongside pricing so clients make informed decisions.
No centralized record of approved art files
Every logo, vector, and transfer file is stored per-client inside MerchRelay — version-controlled and always accessible.
Tracking which method was used on past orders
Order history in MerchRelay logs the decoration type, placement, color count, and cost per item — searchable and reportable.
Re-explaining decoration options in every sales call
Share a branded prospect kit that educates while it sells — decoration details, mockups, and pricing all in one link.
From request to revenue
Client requests merch
School, company, team, or event organizer reaches out. You now know exactly what to ask.
You pick the method
Based on quantity, budget, garment type, and design complexity — choose DTF, screen print, embroidery, or any combination.
MerchRelay renders it
Upload artwork, select decoration placement, and MerchRelay generates mockups on every product in the collection. Automatically.
Client approves & orders
Share a prospect kit or branded storefront. The client sees realistic mockups, picks sizes, and checks out with Stripe.
Quick comparison
Not sure which method to recommend? Here's the cheat sheet.
| Method | Min. Order | Colors | Best Fabric | Durability | Cost at Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTF | 1 pc | Unlimited | Any | High | $$ |
| Screen Print | 24+ pcs | 1–8 spot | Any | Very High | $ |
| Embroidery | 1 pc | 15+ thread | Structured | Excellent | $$$ |
| HTV | 1 pc | 1–5 vinyl | Any | Moderate | $$ |
| Sublimation | 1 pc | Unlimited | Light Polyester | Excellent | $$ |
| DTG | 1 pc | Unlimited | Cotton | Moderate | $$ |
All decoration methods. All in MerchRelay.
Whether your client needs 12 embroidered polos or 5,000 screen-printed event tees, MerchRelay lets you quote, mock up, and sell through one platform — with Stripe checkout and full Sofi AI CRM sync.
Ready to streamline your decoration workflow?
MerchRelay handles the quoting, mockups, and storefronts — you handle the printing. Start your 14-day free trial.
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