Here's the honest trade-off. Screen print gives you that crisp, classic merch look—think band tees, sports logos, that satisfying stiffness that softens over time. But it can feel like wearing a plastic bag on your chest in July. DTG feels like a normal shirt, just with a picture on it. That's huge if you run hot or live somewhere muggy.

For e-commerce buyers, there's another factor: the shirt blank matters as much as the print. A heavy 6oz cotton tee with DTG will still be heavy. A light 4.2oz tee with screen print might be breathable enough. Check the fabric weight before you buy—it's often listed in the size chart.