What to do: Take the hem of the shirt and stretch it firmly. Watch how the print reacts.

What to look for: Screen print can crack or show hairline fractures when stretched—that's not a defect, it's how the ink behaves. DTG, being thinner, usually stretches without visible cracks.

Success signal: If you're the kind of person who wears tees for years and likes them to stay sharp, screen print's vintage crackle might actually appeal to you. If you want a print that stays smooth, DTG is lower maintenance.