Screen printing and transfers are two great ways to customize apparel with your team's logos and player's names and numbers.
Screen printing is ideal for larger orders with simple, bold designs and a limited number of colours. Pricing is based on the number of colours used. Digital transfers (also known as DTF) offer greater flexibility for detailed, full-colour artwork, including gradients and smaller repeat orders. Transfer pricing is based on print size, regardless of the number of colours in the design.
Both methods can be applied to a range of VC performance and casual apparel. The best choice depends on your artwork, garment selection, order quantity and timeline.
Which Method Is Right for You?
| Screen Printing | Transfers | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Bold designs, larger orders | Detailed, full-colour designs |
| Colours | Up to 3 colours | Full colour, including gradients |
| Print method | Ink printed directly onto fabric | Printed design heat-bonded to fabric |
| Minimum order | 15 units | 1 unit |
| Production time | 2.5–4 weeks* | 1–2 weeks* |
| Artwork | Solid colours and simple graphics | Detailed graphics, gradients and photographs |
| Colours | Pantone matching and specialty inks available (neon, metallic) | Digital colour reproduction |
| Pricing | Based on number of colours | Based on print size |
*Production times are estimates and depend on order complexity, garment availability and current production schedules.
Not sure which method is right for your order? Our team can help you choose. Contact VC
For current pricing, visit our Customization page.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a traditional customization method that applies ink directly to fabric through a specially prepared mesh screen. The result is a vibrant print, particularly well suited to logos, lettering and bold graphics.
Each colour in a design requires a separate screen, making screen printing an excellent choice for simple artwork and larger quantities.
Artwork & Colours
- Up to 3 print colours per design.
- Pantone colour matching is available, including select metallic and neon inks.
- Artwork must be prepared for screen printing. If your logo requires vectorization, a $20 fee per artwork file applies.
How Pricing Works
Screen printing is priced according to the number of ink colours in the design. Each additional colour requires a separate screen, which affects production setup and cost.
Maximum Artwork Size
| Garment | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxed Fit Jerseys | 15" | 16" |
| Fitted Fit Jerseys | 13" | 15" |
| Standard Fit Jerseys, Tanks & Revolution Hoodies | 11" | 15" |
| Shorts | 9" | 12" |
Maximum dimensions depend on garment style and print placement. Our team will confirm what works best for your design.
Minimum Orders
15 units per screen printing job.
Orders of 25 or more units may combine up to two garment styles, provided the artwork, print dimensions, colours and placement are identical.
Tops and bottoms cannot be combined to meet order minimums because they require different printing setups.
Production Timeline
Approximately 2.5–4 weeks, depending on order complexity and current production schedules.
Contact us to confirm timelines before placing your order, particularly if you have an event deadline.
Important: Garment Shrinkage
Screen printing involves heat, which can cause some fabrics to shrink during production. Depending on the garment and fabric, shrinkage may range from 3%–9%, with darker garments generally experiencing more shrinkage.
We recommend considering this when selecting sizes. If you're between sizes, choosing the larger size may be advisable.
Transfers
Transfers are a versatile method of applying detailed, full-colour artwork to apparel. They're particularly useful for multicolour logos, gradients, intricate graphics and designs that aren't well suited to traditional screen printing.
VC uses Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfers, developed to provide excellent colour reproduction, a comfortable finish and reliable performance on compatible fabrics, including our FlexLight performance fabric and a wide range of cotton apparel.
How Transfers Work
Artwork is digitally printed onto a specialized film and then applied to the garment using heat and pressure. The process bonds the design to the fabric without requiring separate screens for each colour.
This makes digital transfers a flexible option for detailed artwork and smaller repeat orders.
Artwork & Colours
- Full-colour printing, including gradients and detailed graphics.
- Suitable for logos, lettering and complex illustrations.
- Can be applied to a range of light and dark garments.
- Fabric compatibility depends on the garment's material and ability to withstand heat and pressure.
How Pricing Works
Digital transfers are priced according to the size of the print, regardless of the number of colours used. Full-colour artwork, gradients and detailed designs are all priced by size rather than colour count.
Maximum Artwork Dimensions
| Garment | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxed Fit Jerseys | 15" | 16" |
| Fitted Fit Jerseys | 13" | 15" |
| Standard Fit Jerseys, Tanks & Revolution Hoodies | 11" | 15" |
| Shorts | 8" | 10" |
A maximum of 3 transfers per garment is permitted, including player names and numbers. This limit helps maintain consistent application quality and reduces the risk of production errors.
Minimum Orders
1 unit per transfer job.
New orders may combine up to two different garment styles to meet the 15-unit price point.
Production Timeline
Approximately 1–2 weeks, provided all requested garments are in stock.
Timelines may vary depending on order complexity, garment availability and current production schedules.
Player Names & Numbers
As of 2027, VC uses digital transfers exclusively for all player names and numbers, replacing our previous vinyl application method.
This upgrade offers improved print quality, greater design flexibility and more colour options, allowing for a wider range of fonts, colours and styles while maintaining a consistent, professional finish across team uniforms.
Ready to Customize Your Apparel?
Whether you're outfitting a team, creating event merchandise or adding your organization's logo to VC apparel, we can help you choose the most appropriate customization method.
Explore our blank customizable apparel, start a custom order, or contact info@vcultimate.com with your artwork, quantities and preferred garments.
We'll help you determine the best approach for your design, budget and timeline.
