Printlocker vs The Print Bar: Which Suits You?

Table of Contents

• Printlocker vs The Print Bar: Quick Overview
• Custom Apparel Printing Quality and Print Clarity
• Custom Apparel Printing Turnaround Times
• Design Platform and User Experience
• Best Custom T-Shirt Printing Australia: Fabric Range and Options
• Threadheads Alternative for Funny T-Shirts
• Pricing, Hidden Costs, and Minimum Orders
• Customer Service, Support, and Return Policies
• Which Service Should You Choose?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 19, 2026

Printlocker vs The Print Bar: Quick Overview

Choosing between custom apparel printing services comes down to what matters most to your order: speed, design flexibility, fabric quality, or price. When comparing printlocker vs print bar, you're looking at two distinctly different approaches to the Australian custom printing market. One prioritises bulk orders and screen printing efficiency; the other leans toward on-demand, print-on-demand simplicity.

This comparison cuts through the marketing noise. We've examined both platforms across the factors that actually move the needle for Australian customers: print quality, turnaround times, design tools, fabric range, pricing transparency, and customer support responsiveness.

The truth is neither service dominates across all categories. Printlocker excels at certain volume scenarios. The Print Bar wins on speed and ease of use for one-off orders. The real question isn't which is objectively "better", it's which matches your specific needs.

Custom Apparel Printing Quality and Print Clarity

Print quality separates a service worth recommending from one you'll regret. Both platforms use established printing methods, but the execution differs significantly, and durability matters far more than initial appearance.

Screen printing (Printlocker's primary method): Screen printing applies plastisol or water-based inks through a mesh screen directly onto fabric. The ink sits on top of the material and cures through heat, creating a raised, tactile print. Colour depth is excellent because inks are opaque and sit in layers. For solid colours and bold designs, screen printing produces vibrant results that remain consistent across production runs.

Durability is screen printing's strength. Properly cured screen prints withstand repeated washing, typically lasting 50+ washes before noticeable fading occurs. The ink bonds to the fabric surface rather than penetrating it, so cracking is rare unless the garment itself deteriorates. However, screen printing has technical limitations: each colour requires a separate screen and setup, making multi-colour designs expensive. Fine detail (thin lines, small text) can blur or lose sharpness because ink spreads slightly during application. Photographic images don't reproduce well with screen printing, you need artwork with distinct colour blocks.

Direct-to-garment printing (The Print Bar's primary method): Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing uses inkjet technology to spray water-based or pigment-based inks directly onto fabric. The process is similar to printing on paper, but the fabric absorbs the ink rather than the ink sitting on top. This allows photographic-quality detail, unlimited colours in a single print, and no setup fees or colour separation costs.

DTG's weakness is durability. Pigment-based inks (the most common type) fade noticeably after 15-25 washes, particularly in bright colours and when exposed to sunlight. The ink sits in the fabric's fibres rather than bonding to the surface, so washing gradually removes colour. Some DTG providers use pre-treatment chemicals to improve ink adhesion, but this adds cost and doesn't match screen printing's longevity. Water-based inks fade even faster. For designs with fine detail, text, or photographic elements, DTG excels. For designs that need to survive 50+ washes, screen printing is objectively superior.

Colour depth and vibrancy: Screen printing produces deeper, more saturated colours because inks are opaque and applied in thicker layers. Black prints are genuinely black, not dark grey. Whites are bright white. For designs where colour intensity matters (branded merchandise, event shirts), screen printing wins.

DTG produces accurate colour reproduction but with less saturation. Colours appear true-to-design but slightly muted compared to screen printing. On dark fabrics, DTG requires white underbase printing (a layer of white ink beneath the design) to prevent colours from appearing muddy. This adds cost and production time.

Print clarity and detail: DTG handles fine detail, thin lines, and photographic images far better than screen printing. A design with gradients, shadows, or intricate linework will be sharper and more accurate with DTG. Screen printing struggles with detail below 2-3mm thickness and cannot reproduce gradients smoothly.

Fabric interaction: Screen printing works well on most fabrics but can feel stiff on lighter materials because of ink buildup. DTG integrates better with fabric because inks are absorbed rather than applied on top, resulting in a softer hand-feel. For premium, lightweight t-shirts, DTG feels more comfortable against skin.

Real-world durability expectations: If you're creating merchandise that needs to survive a season of regular wear and washing, screen printing is the safer choice. If you're creating one-off designs, gifts, or items that won't see heavy washing, DTG's superior detail quality and lower cost make it the practical choice. The Print Bar's DTG prints typically look excellent for the first 10-15 washes; after that, fading becomes visible. Printlocker's screen prints look excellent for 50+ washes with minimal degradation.

Custom Apparel Printing Turnaround Times

Speed matters when you've left a gift purchase until the last minute or need branded merchandise for an upcoming event. Turnaround times tell a completely different story between these two services.

The Print Bar markets itself on speed. Standard turnaround is typically 3-5 business days for most orders. This is genuinely fast for custom apparel printing turnaround times. They've optimised their workflow for quick fulfillment, which explains why they're popular for rush orders and last-minute requests.

Printlocker's timeline is longer, typically 7-10 business days for standard orders. This reflects their screen printing model, which requires setup time before production begins. For bulk orders, this setup investment makes sense. For single shirts, it's a disadvantage.

Neither service offers next-day turnaround consistently. Both add delivery time on top of production time. If you're ordering in a capital city, expect 2-3 additional business days for delivery. Regional areas may add another 2-3 days.

Design Platform and User Experience

The design tool you use determines whether ordering feels effortless or frustrating. Both platforms offer online design studios, but the experience diverges significantly.

Printlocker's design platform is functional but dated. It works, you can upload artwork, position it, adjust sizing, but the interface feels clunky compared to modern standards. Drag-and-drop works, but responsiveness lags. For users comfortable with design software, this is minor friction. For non-designers ordering novelty items, it's a genuine pain point.

The Print Bar's design interface is noticeably more intuitive. The platform feels modern, loads quickly, and guides users through the design process logically. Template options are available for those who want to start with a design framework. The real strength is integration, you can see your design on the actual product as you adjust it, which reduces surprises at delivery.

Both platforms allow you to upload your own artwork files. Both support standard formats. The difference is in how smoothly the process flows.

Best Custom T-Shirt Printing Australia: Fabric Range and Options

Fabric choice affects comfort, durability, and how prints look on the finished product. The range available matters more than most customers realise.

Printlocker stocks standard options: 100% cotton basics in multiple weights, cotton-poly blends, and some performance fabrics. The selection is adequate for bulk orders but limited if you want something specific. Colour choices are reasonable but not exhaustive.

The Print Bar offers a broader fabric range. Beyond basics, they stock premium cotton, organic cotton options, and various blends. Colour selection is deeper. For customers wanting something beyond the standard white or black t-shirt, The Print Bar gives you more paths to explore.

Neither service offers the novelty fabric options you'd find with specialty retailers. Both stick to practical, proven textiles. For standard custom t-shirt printing, both deliver acceptable fabric quality.

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Threadheads Alternative for Funny T-Shirts

If you're specifically hunting a Threadheads alternative for funny t-shirts, both Printlocker and The Print Bar can fill that gap, though neither perfectly replaces what Threadheads offers.

Threadheads built their reputation on humorous, irreverent designs. Both Printlocker and The Print Bar allow you to create funny custom designs, but they don't come pre-loaded with the library of witty artwork Threadheads maintains. You're designing from scratch or sourcing artwork yourself.

This is where 123t Australia enters the conversation. We specialise in unique, humorous custom-designed apparel. Our in-house design team creates novelty items specifically built for Australian audiences. If you want a funny t-shirt without designing it yourself, 123t Australia offers ready-made designs across t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and stubby holders. Our 60-day return policy removes the risk, if the humour doesn't land or the quality disappoints, returns are straightforward.

For customers who want to create their own funny designs, Printlocker and The Print Bar both work. For those wanting pre-designed humorous options, 123t Australia is the stronger choice.

Pricing, Hidden Costs, and Minimum Orders

Pricing transparency separates honest services from ones that surprise you at checkout. Both platforms have quirks worth understanding, but the real comparison requires moving beyond marketing language to actual cost structures.

Printlocker's cost model: Printlocker charges per-unit pricing that drops significantly with volume. A single custom t-shirt typically costs $35-$50 depending on print complexity and fabric choice. However, screen printing orders incur setup fees (usually $30-$50 per colour separation), which get amortised across the order. For a 10-unit order, that setup cost adds $3-$5 per shirt. For a 50-unit order, it drops to under $1 per shirt. Minimum order quantities vary by product: basic t-shirts have no minimum, but some premium fabrics or specialty items require 5+ units. Shipping is charged separately and scales with weight and destination, a 10-shirt order to a capital city typically costs $15-$25, while regional delivery adds $10-$15 more. Rush orders (3-5 day turnaround instead of 7-10) incur a 40-50% surcharge.

The Print Bar's cost model: The Print Bar uses a flatter per-unit pricing structure with no setup fees. A single custom t-shirt ranges from $30-$45 depending on fabric and print method. Critically, the per-unit price remains consistent whether you order one shirt or ten, which eliminates the volume-based discount incentive. There are no minimum order quantities for any product. Shipping is calculated at checkout based on postcode and weight; a single shirt to a capital city typically costs $8-$12, and regional delivery adds $5-$10. Rush orders (2-3 day turnaround) cost 25-35% more than standard orders.

Hidden cost comparison: In the printlocker vs print bar pricing comparison, a single custom t-shirt is usually $5-$15 cheaper with The Print Bar when you factor in Printlocker's setup fees. For a 20-unit order, Printlocker becomes competitive or cheaper because the setup cost per unit drops below $1. For a 50+ unit order, Printlocker's volume pricing typically undercuts The Print Bar by 15-25% per shirt.

Neither service publishes pricing publicly without entering product details and quantities into their cart. This is standard for custom apparel services but prevents transparent comparison shopping. Both charge extra for expedited turnaround, and both charge separately for shipping, there are no free shipping thresholds on either platform.

The real hidden cost is often in design revisions. Both services allow initial design uploads and positioning at no extra charge, but if you need to request changes after approval (repositioning, colour adjustments, sizing tweaks), some requests may incur revision fees, particularly with Printlocker's screen printing model where setup has already begun. The Print Bar is generally more flexible with minor revisions on direct-to-garment orders.

Bulk discount reality: If you're ordering 100+ units, both services offer custom quotes rather than published pricing. Printlocker's screen printing model typically delivers better per-unit economics at this scale. The Print Bar's direct-to-garment method doesn't scale as efficiently for very large runs, so their pricing advantage diminishes significantly above 50 units.

Customer Service, Support, and Return Policies

How a company handles problems matters more than how they handle perfect orders. Both services offer customer support, but the quality and accessibility differ.

Printlocker provides email support and a contact form. Response times are typically 24-48 hours. Return policies are restrictive, they accept returns only for defective products, not for "changed your mind" scenarios. If the print quality is poor or the shirt doesn't fit, you have grounds for a return. If you simply don't like the design choice, you're out of luck.

The Print Bar offers email and live chat support. Chat response times are usually under 2 hours during business hours. Their return policy is more customer-friendly: 30-day returns for most items, including those you're unsatisfied with. This flexibility reduces the risk of ordering.

123t Australia operates with a 60-day return policy. Combined with our family-run business approach, customer service feels personal rather than transactional.

Which Service Should You Choose?

The decision comes down to three factors: order size, timeline, and design complexity.

Choose Printlocker if: You're ordering 10+ units, you need screen-printed durability, and you have time to wait. Bulk orders with Printlocker are economical. Screen printing produces prints that last. If you're outfitting a team or creating merchandise for an event with lead time, Printlocker's model works.

Choose The Print Bar if: You need one or two custom items quickly. Their direct-to-garment printing handles complex designs well. The user-friendly design platform reduces friction. Fast turnaround and straightforward pricing make them ideal for last-minute orders.

Choose 123t Australia if: You want ready-made funny designs without the design-it-yourself hassle. Our in-house created apparel and novelty gifts are built for Australian humour. High-quality materials, free shipping, and our 60-day return policy remove the risk. We're built for customers who want unique, distinctive items without the complexity of custom design platforms.

None of these choices is objectively "best." The best choice is the one that matches what you actually need to order today.

The real problem with custom apparel services isn't finding one that works, it's finding one that works for your specific situation. Printlocker and The Print Bar both solve the custom printing problem, but they solve it differently. 123t Australia solves a different problem entirely: you want something funny, unique, and high-quality without spending hours designing it yourself. Get started with 123t Australia today.