Embroidery vs Screen Printing: Which Custom Apparel Should You Go With?

Embroidery and screen printing are the main two methods for adding logos to clothing and apparel. Navigating the world of print-on-demand, you’re often faced with a crucial decision: should you opt for the timeless elegance of embroidery or the bold, contemporary appeal of screen printing? These choices are central to defining your brand’s aesthetic. If you’re finding it hard to choose between these two distinct styles, don’t worry. We’re here to guide you through the ins and outs of embroidery and screen printing, helping you determine which method best fits your needs.

What is Embroidery and Screen Printing?

With embroidery, the logo is reproduced by stitching threads directly into fabric. The actual stitching process is fully automatic and performed by computerised embroidery machines. Most commercial embroidery machines have 12 or more sewing heads with up to 15 needles per head. This means that 12 items can be embroidered simultaneously and the logo can use up to 15 thread colours. The first process is to make a program for your logo. This is called digitising. The end result is a program or logo file that can be uploaded to the embroidery machine and instructs the machine what to stitch. The garments are manually “hooped” and loaded onto the machine by the machine operator.

With screen printing, your logo is reproduced by squeezing inks through mesh screens directly onto your garments. A separate mesh screen is required for each colour in your logo so designs with many colours cost more than simple one colour designs. Just like embroidery, the screen printing process has been partly automated but garments are individually loaded and unloaded by the operator. Once printed each garment travels through a tunnel dryer which cures or sets the print.

What's the Advantages of Embroidery and Screen Printing?

Embroidery:

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle and thread. Historically a handcraft, modern techniques now often employ machines for embroidery, significantly reducing the time required for intricate designs and enabling mass production.

Versatility: There are various embroidery styles to choose from, including flat and puff embroidery, or patches. This variety makes embroidery a flexible option as different embroidery styles accommodate different fabrics.

For instance, embroidery patches work well with hats and beanies. Flat and puff embroidery work perfectly with tougher fabrics like denim.

Durability: Embroidery designs use sturdy polyester threads. These threads withstand bleaching, commercial laundry, and the frequent rubbings of industrial environments. Their durability is why you find embroidery motifs on military uniforms.

Professional look: Embroidery designs give garments a professional look that communicates experience and quality. It’s why they're featured on corporate and military uniforms to sell a brand and establish rank.

Cost is independent of colors: The cost of embroidery doesn’t include the number of colors in your design. You’ll get a flat rate for your pallet (up to 15 colors with our machines) and a variable cost of stitch count. This pricing maximizes your freedom to be creative with colors.

Custom Embroidered Baseball Jersey	Custom Embroidered Football Uniform	Custom Embroidered Hockey Shirts	Custom Basketball Jersey

Screen Printing:

Screen printing gained popularity in the printing and fashion industry due to its durability and versatility, allowing for high-quality prints on various materials. Often used for bulk orders, screen printing is favored for producing vivid graphics on apparel, posters, and other products.

Cost-effective for large orders: Bulk orders use one mesh screen on multiple units. This practice limits the cost of making the screens while spreading all costs among the printed units.

Suitable for light and special garments: Screen printing doesn’t involve impactful needles. It’s therefore applicable to delicate garments like high-visibility jackets and weatherproof coats.

Suitable for small texts: Screen printing captures greater detail than embroidery. For instance, small texts are hard to embroider without affecting readability, but this isn’t a problem for screen printing.

Suitable for gradient colors: Screen printing allows you to create detailed images on a screen. This ability enables the printing of complex designs that use gradient colors, such as rainbows and logos that involve gradients and color fades.

Custom Print Soccer Jersey	Custom Print Soccer Jersey	Custom Print Soccer Jersey	Custom Print Soccer Jersey

Which Should You Go With at Fansidea?

Fansidea's custom apparel including embroidery and screen print. For baseball jerseys, basketball jerseys, football jerseys, hockey jerseys, softball jerseys, embroidery is generally the best choice. Embroidery on these items is perceived as more prestigious. Embroidery is generally best for hoodies, varsity jackets and hat too. For soccer uniforms, performance t-shirts and most of golf polo shirts, screen printing is the best choice. Embroidery is often too “heavy” for these and you may notice “puckering” around the logo because the stitching creates tension. Screen printing has a “softer handle” than embroidery so is much better for large logos and designs.

Now that you know more about embroidery and screen printing, you’re better placed to pick between them, and we’d love to help. Whether you’re looking to create stunning custom designs your jerseys or shopping for personalized sports apparel, our team at Fansidea is eager to work with you.