It's one of the most common questions we get: "Should I go for embroidery or print?"
The honest answer is that both are good — they're just right for different things. Get the match wrong and you'll either overpay for something you didn't need, or end up with a logo that looks tired after a few washes. This guide explains the difference in plain terms so you can make the right call.
What's the actual difference?
Embroidery is exactly what it sounds like — your logo is stitched directly into the fabric using thread. It creates a raised, textured finish that looks and feels premium. The design becomes part of the garment, which is why it holds up so well over time.
Screen printing transfers ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric surface. It's flat, can cover large areas, and is very good for bold, colourful designs. Each colour requires a separate screen, which affects the cost at low quantities but becomes very efficient at scale.
There are other methods too — heat transfer, vinyl, and direct-to-film — which sit somewhere between the two in terms of cost and application. We'll cover those briefly at the end.
When to choose embroidery
Embroidery is the right choice when:
- The garment is heavyweight — polo shirts, fleeces, softshells, jackets, caps, aprons. The stitching bonds well with these fabrics and won't distort them.
- The logo is going on the chest or sleeve — embroidery works best for smaller, cleaner designs (up to around A5 size). A left chest logo on a polo shirt is the classic use case.
- The workwear needs to last — if your team is washing garments weekly and wearing them in tough conditions, embroidery will outlast any print. The thread doesn't peel, crack, or fade.
- You want a premium finish — there's no getting around it: an embroidered logo looks more established and professional than a printed one on the same garment. For client-facing teams or anyone where first impressions matter, embroidery is worth the extra cost.
At Brandify, the vast majority of our workwear orders — polo shirts, fleeces, chef whites, scrubs, softshells — are embroidered for exactly these reasons.
When to choose screen printing
Screen printing (or heat transfer) is the better choice when:
- The garment is lightweight — t-shirts and thin fabrics can pucker or distort under the weight of embroidery. Printing sits flat on the fabric and won't cause this.
- You need a large design — a full back print, a logo that covers most of a t-shirt, or a design with lots of colour and detail. Print can do things embroidery simply can't at that scale.
- It's for a one-off event or promotion — event crew t-shirts, promotional giveaways, charity run shirts. Print is faster and more cost-effective for garments that aren't being washed 100 times.
- You need lots of colours or gradients — embroidery is limited by thread colours. Complex full-colour artwork, photography-style prints, or gradient designs need to be printed.
The honest cost comparison
Embroidery has a one-off setup cost (digitising your logo into a stitch file), but once that's done, reorders are quick and the cost per garment is very consistent regardless of quantity.
Screen printing has a setup cost per colour (each colour needs its own screen), which makes it expensive for small runs with lots of colours. At high volumes — 50+ garments with a simple design — it becomes very cost-effective.
For most small and medium businesses ordering 10–100 garments at a time, embroidery often works out cheaper overall when you factor in longevity. You're not replacing garments as often.
What about heat transfer and vinyl?
Heat transfer and vinyl are good middle-ground options. They work well on synthetic and technical fabrics — hi-vis, waterproofs, bags — where embroidery isn't ideal. They're also useful for small text, individual names, or personalisation at scale. The finish is flat like print but more durable than standard screen print on certain fabrics.
The quick reference guide
| Embroidery | Screen print | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Polos, fleeces, jackets, caps | T-shirts, hoodies, large back prints |
| Logo size | Small–medium (up to A5) | Any size |
| Durability | Excellent | Good (can fade/peel over time) |
| Finish | Raised, textured, premium | Flat, vibrant |
| Cost at low qty | Moderate | Higher (per colour setup) |
| Cost at high qty | Consistent | Very good value |
| Washing durability | Outstanding | Good with proper care |
Still not sure?
Send us your logo and tell us what you're trying to put it on. We'll give you a straight recommendation and a price for both options if it's genuinely close. No pressure, no jargon.
Brandify is an Essex-based workwear supplier with over 35 years of experience in embroidery, screen printing, heat transfer, and promotional products.