It's a question we get asked a lot - should we embroider or print our uniforms?
Spoiler alert: there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
In this article we dive into the factors to consider when choosing which way to go.
First of all, branding garments is at the very heart of what we do and we firmly believe no uniform is complete without some inclusion of your brand identity, even if it is just a small logo mark on the back of your cuff!
When deciding on the method, we've narrowed it down to two key factors to consider:
- Type of garment/s
- Logo detail and size
Let's explore them in a bit more depth!
What types of garments are you wanting to brand?
Some garments are better suited to particular branding methods than others, for example lightweight garments are generally better paired with printing. Think t-shirts and singlets - yes, you can embroider them but a print will give a smoother, lighter weight finish in keeping with the overall garment aesthetic.
Then there are some garments that simply cannot be printed, such as polar fleece and knitted garments. For polar fleece, this is due to its fabrication. The fluffy textured surface means the print is not able to adhere to the surface. With knitted garments, we can apply a print, however, it won't last very well due to the low density weave of the fabric making it likely the print will stretch apart or split. For these garments, it is best to use embroidery!
How detailed is your logo and how big do you want it?
While embroidery can capture a good level of detail, it is here that printing really shines! If your logo has fine details or a subtle gradient of colour, we recommend choosing printing as your branding method.
If bigger is better in your world and you want a large logo or design across the front or back of your garments, it's up to you to choose which way to go - both will look amazing! But embroidery on large designs is definitely not as cost-effective as printing. For a dense design about the size of an A4 page, it can take upwards of 4 hours to stitch out!
So there you have it - a few things to keep in mind about printing vs embroidery. If you're still not sure which way to go, feel free to contact us, we'd love to have a chat about what will work best for you!