Printing on fabric has evolved, and today businesses in Uganda have several options depending on their budget, design, and purpose. Below is a breakdown of the three most common methods: DTF, Vinyl, and Screen Printing.
a) DTF (Direct to Film Printing)
DTF is the new king of T-shirt printing in Kampala. It involves printing a design onto a special film, applying powder, curing it, and then heat-pressing it on a shirt.
Advantages:
Works on all fabrics (cotton, polyester, blends).
Full colour, including gradients and photos.
Strong, flexible, does not crack easily.
Perfect for small orders (1–20 shirts).
Best For:
Events, birthdays, corporate polo shirts, small batch orders, full-colour artwork.
b) Vinyl Printing
Vinyl printing uses a coloured heat-transfer vinyl that is cut into shapes or letters and pressed on the shirt.
Advantages:
Very durable, long-lasting.
Great for one-colour designs like names, numbers, or logos.
Smooth and premium texture.
Best For:
Sports jerseys, staff uniforms, names and numbers, bold text-based designs.
c) Screen Printing
This traditional method pushes ink through a mesh screen onto fabric.
Advantages:
Cheapest for bulk (50–500+ shirts).
Very durable when done well.
Rich, deep colours.
Best For:
Campaigns, events, schools, NGOs, mass production.
SUMMARY TABLE
Method Best For Colour Quality Durability Cost
DTF Small orders, full colour Excellent High Medium
Vinyl Single colour, jerseys Very bold Very high Medium
Screen Bulk orders Limited High Low
💡 Conclusion
Choosing the right method depends on quantity, budget, and design. At Ardent Creative Hub, we help clients pick the perfect technique that brings designs to life beautifully and affordably.
