So you’re in charge of ordering a new batch of amazing apparel for your team---lucky you! Creating a fresh new look for your custom swag is our idea of fun. We're all about helping you create custom apparel, from a classic cotton tee to a decked-out denim jacket.  

You have two important choices ahead of you. One is the type of garment you’re going to choose---we’ve got a wide range of styles, available in pretty much any color you need. The other is the decoration method you want to use to apply your design: screen printing or embroidery.

Application 101

Here's how screen printing and embroidery bring your design to life:

Screen printing is like using a giant stencil. We place a special mesh plate over your garment, then squeegee thick ink through it to create a precise image. This type of application is great for bold graphics and big orders.

Embroidery is like drawing with a sewing machine. It uses colorful thread to stitch a precise design directly onto the fabric. It gives clothes a textured feel and works really well for smaller designs or text. 

Screen Printing: The Highlights

Best for Bigger, Bolder Designs: Screen-printed designs can incorporate a lot of shading and effects, including intricate gradients. 

Casual and Laid-Back Look: This application is ideal for a relaxed and informal look. (Think of your favorite band tee or a vintage-inspired design.)

Maximum Size and Space: Screen printing can cover huge areas of fabric, so if you have a large design in mind, this is definitely the way to go.

Unlimited Color Options: Inks used in screen print have literally thousands of color options, which means you can create truly unique and vibrant designs.

Shorter Overall Lifespan: Screen-printed designs can be susceptible to cracking or fading over time, especially with frequent washing or rough handling. You’ll need to be gentle with your favorite tees!

Most Cost-Effective for Large Orders: If you need to put in a large order, screen-printed garments will give you the most bang for your buck.

Embroidery: What You Need to Know

Best for Small, Simple Designs: Unlike screen printing, embroidery uses thread to build the design, so intricate details may be challenging to reproduce clearly. Simple designs with bold lines work great here

Large Text Works Best: Due to the stitched nature of embroidery, reading very small text can be difficult. It's best to stick with larger, bolder fonts.

Classic and Professional Look: The raised stitching has a sophisticated look, perfect for professional wear, uniforms, or personalized monograms.

Eye-Catching 3D Effect: Embroidery adds a tactile dimension to your design, making it stand out from the fabric and adding visual interest.

One Price for All Colors: Unlike screen printing, where the number of colors used affects the price, embroidery costs are primarily based on the number of stitches needed to create the design. This means you can incorporate up to 15 thread colors without paying extra.

Durable and Fade-Resistant: Embroidery designs are stitched directly onto the fabric, making them highly durable and resistant to fading, even with frequent washing. This is a major advantage for items that will be worn and washed often.

Cost-Effective for Lower Quantities: For smaller orders with a higher number of thread colors, embroidery can be better value than screen printing because it costs less to set up each thread color than it would to set up the different ink colors.

The Best Option for Your Apparel

Often, the decision on what application to use comes down to the type of garment or item you want to get. For example, you can’t screen print backpacks because there’s no way to secure them on the press for flat, smooth printing. And we recommend avoiding dense embroidery on a T-shirt because it will make the fabric pucker awkwardly.