The decoration method you choose changes how a garment looks, feels, and holds up in the wash — and it can change your unit cost significantly. Here’s how the two most common methods compare.
Screen Printing
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil directly onto the fabric. It’s cost-effective at scale, supports detailed multi-color artwork, and works well on almost any fabric weight.
- Best for large, detailed, or multi-color graphics
- Lower cost per unit at higher volumes
- Soft hand-feel achievable with the right ink type (e.g. water-based or discharge)
Embroidery
Embroidery stitches thread directly into the garment, producing a raised, textured logo that reads as premium. It’s the standard choice for small logos, hats, and structured pieces.
- Best for small logos, wordmarks, or icon-based branding
- More durable than most print methods over repeated washing
- Higher cost per unit, and less suited to large or highly detailed artwork
Which Should You Choose?
A simple rule of thumb: choose embroidery for small, durable branding moments (a chest logo, a hat), and screen printing for bold graphic statements. Many brands use both within the same collection to get the best of each.