Embroidery or printing: which is the best option for Customised uniforms, polo shirts, T-shirts and sweatshirts?
When a company, association, academic group or team wants to produce customised clothing, one of the first decisions to make is whether to choose embroidery or printing.
This choice affects not only the final appearance of the garments, but also their durability, comfort, production cost and the way the visual identity is presented.
Although both techniques allow logos, names, slogans and other graphic elements to be applied to uniforms, polo shirts, T-shirts and sweatshirts, the results can be quite different. Finish, durability, cost, type of design and compatible fabrics are some of the factors that may determine which technique is more suitable.
In this article, we explain the main differences between embroidery and printing, the advantages and limitations of each technique, and the situations in which they work best. This will help you choose the most suitable solution for your customised clothing project.
Embroidery or printing: which is best?
Quick answer: There is no universally better technique. Embroidery is usually the preferred option for professional garments, intensive use and a premium image. Printing is more suitable for detailed designs, large customisation areas, T-shirts and higher-volume production. The best option depends on the type of garment, the design, the intended use and the quantity.
What is embroidery?
Embroidery consists of applying the design directly to the fabric using thread and high-precision industrial embroidery machines. Each machine can produce several embroideries at the same time while maintaining consistent results across all garments.
Depending on the size and complexity of the design, an embroidery can contain between 1,000 and more than 100,000 stitches, creating a raised, textured finish with a premium appearance.
This technique is particularly suitable for:
- Customised polo shirts
- Corporate shirts
- Hoodies
- Jackets
- Softshells
- Professional uniforms
Embroidery offers excellent resistance to wear and washing and is often chosen when the aim is to convey professionalism and durability.
What is printing?
Printing consists of applying the design to the fabric using ink or film, allowing high-definition images, vibrant colours and larger print areas to be reproduced.
There are different printing techniques, each suited to specific requirements:
Screen Printing
Ideal for medium and large quantities, especially when the design uses only a few colours. It offers an excellent cost per unit and high durability.
DTF (Direct to Film)
Permite imprimir logótipos complexos, fotografias, degradês e pequenas quantidades sem necessidade de preparar ecrãs de impressão.
Sublimation
Used mainly on white or very light-coloured polyester fabrics. The ink becomes part of the fabric fibres, providing excellent durability and comfort.
Printing is usually recommended for:
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirts
- Hoodies
- Merchandise
- Sportswear
- Events
- Academic groups
- Customisation with names and numbers
Embroidery or printing: which should you choose?
There is no single technique that is always better. The choice depends on four main factors:
- Type of garment;
- Intended use;
- Design to be applied;
- Number of garments to be produced.
In general:
Embroidery stands out for its professional appearance, durability and premium finish.
Printing offers greater creative freedom, allows small details, photographs and large print areas to be reproduced, and is also more cost-effective for many high-volume projects.
When should you choose embroidery?
Embroidery is recommended when the aim is to convey quality, durability and a professional corporate image. It is particularly suitable for companies whose employees wear the garments daily, such as clinics, restaurants, hotels, sales teams, workshops, technical teams, shops and associations.
It is also an excellent option for garments subject to frequent use and regular washing, provided that the design is suitable for the technique.
The best results are achieved with simple logos, legible lettering and limited small details below approximately 5 mm.
As embroidery is one of the techniques most commonly used at AllKits, you can view many examples in our portfolio of embroidered T-shirts and polo shirts or embroidered sweatshirts and hoodies.
When should you choose printing?
Printing is recommended when the design requires greater graphic detail or when a more visually striking result is desired. It is particularly suitable for large back prints, illustrations, photographs, individual names, numbers and highly detailed logos.
For T-shirts, printing is usually the most suitable technique. As these garments use lighter fabrics, printing avoids the additional weight and stiffness that embroidery can introduce.
For large production runs, printing usually offers a lower cost per unit.
Embroidery vs Printing
| Criterion | Embroidery | Printing |
| Durability | Excellent | Good to very good, depending on the technique |
| Finish | Raised texture and premium appearance | Smooth finish and vibrant colours |
| Very small details | Limited | Excellent |
| Photographs and gradients | Not recommended | Excellent |
| Large areas, such as the back | Less suitable | Ideal |
| Small quantities | Very competitive for small logos | Excellent (DTF) |
| Large quantities | Competitive for small applications | Usually more economical |
| Type of fabric | Medium and heavy fabrics | Light, medium and heavy fabrics |
| Type of design | Simple corporate logos | Creative designs, illustrations, photographs and highly detailed artwork |
| Image conveyed | High quality and elegant | Modern, promotional and creative |
The right choice starts with AllKits!
Customising clothing involves more than simply applying a logo to a garment. The final result should be consistent with the organisation’s image, comfortable for the wearer and appropriate for the context in which it will be used.
The chosen customisation technique should support these objectives. A successful result comes from combining the right garment, well-prepared artwork and an appropriate application method.
At AllKits, we help turn every idea into a customised, functional clothing solution aligned with the identity of each project. Speak to us so we can assess your design and identify the best way to apply it.
Would you like a free quotation? Send us your quotation request or contact us. You can also email us at geral@allkits.pt.
Still have questions? We answer the most frequently asked questions!
In most cases, yes. Embroidery is highly durable and will usually last for the full life of the garment. The durability of printing depends on the technique used. At AllKits, we guarantee that printed designs withstand at least 50 washes.
No. For small logos, the difference may be minimal. As the embroidered area and complexity of the design increase, the cost generally rises.
Yes. Provided that the expected lifespan of the garments is compatible with the anticipated number of washes, printing can be an economical and visually appealing solution.
It depends on the design. Very small elements may lose definition, so the artwork often needs to be adapted to achieve a better result.
Although we use modern machines from leading manufacturers, embroidery still has limitations when reproducing details smaller than 5 mm.
In most cases, embroidery remains the most professional option for polo shirts, particularly when a corporate image is required.
For most projects, printing offers better results, especially when there are large print areas, several colours or complex graphic elements. Embroidery may even damage lightweight base fabrics.
It depends on the type of design. For small logos on polo shirts, jackets or uniforms, embroidery can be very competitive. For T-shirts or complex designs, techniques such as DTF make it possible to produce small quantities to a high standard without setup costs.
Yes. However, embroidery punctures the fabric and may partially affect waterproof performance in the application area. The choice should be assessed according to the type of jacket and its intended use.
Yes. Both techniques can be combined and this often produces excellent results. It is a demanding and complex process, but our team is always ready for a good challenge. Embroidery and printing can also be used in separate areas of the same garment, making it possible to benefit from the advantages of each method.
Ideally, you should provide the type of product, the required quantity, the logo or design file, the location of the customisation and any preference for embroidery or printing.
If final artwork is not available, our team can assist with preparing the file.
Yes. The team assesses the type of product, the design, the intended use and the quantity in order to recommend the most suitable solution.
We prepare a graphic mock-up free of charge and without obligation.