Quick Answers
- Short version: Embroidery for polos, hats, jackets, and anything that gets washed hard. Screen printing for t-shirts, hoodies, and big or bold graphics — especially in volume.
- Most durable: embroidery — stitched thread outlasts the garment and survives hundreds of industrial washes
- Best value at volume: screen printing — per-piece cost drops fast, with the best price at 48 pieces and up
- Minimum order: none for embroidery, 12 pieces per design for screen printing
- Full color or photos? neither — use DTF transfers, which have no minimum and unlimited color
- Best company uniform programs use both: embroidered polos and jackets for the daily uniform, screen-printed tees and hoodies for crews and events
Embroidery vs. Screen Printing at a Glance
| Embroidery | Screen Printing | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Polos, hats, jackets, fleece, workwear, bags | T-shirts, hoodies, event & crew shirts, totes |
| Look & feel | Raised, textured, premium | Smooth, bold, printed-on |
| Durability | Highest — outlasts the garment | Very good — can soften over years of heavy washing |
| Minimum | None | 12 per design |
| One-time setup | Digitizing fee (logo kept on file) | Screen fee per ink color |
| Color | Unlimited thread colors, no upcharge | Up to 6 ink colors; priced per color |
| Best price point | Small logos, any quantity | Larger graphics, 48+ pieces |
| Turnaround | 7–10 business days | 7–10 business days |
How Each Method Works
Embroidery stitches your logo directly into the fabric with commercial multi-head machines. The result is textured, professional, and effectively permanent — the thread usually outlasts the shirt. Your artwork is converted to a stitch file once (called digitizing) and we keep it on file, so reorders are fast.
Screen printing pushes ink through a fine mesh screen onto the garment, one screen per color. It lays down bold, vivid graphics and gets cheaper per piece as the run grows, which makes it the go-to for t-shirts, hoodies, and anything with a large or colorful design.
There is also a third option worth knowing: DTF (direct-to-film) transfers print full-color artwork with no minimum and no setup — perfect when you need detailed or photographic graphics on just a few pieces.
Durability: Embroidery Wins the Wash Test
If your gear gets worn and washed hard — daily uniforms, jobsite workwear, kitchen shirts — embroidery is the most durable decoration available. Stitched thread holds color and shape through hundreds of industrial wash cycles and barely fades. Screen printing is also durable for normal wear, but after years of heavy, high-heat washing a print can eventually soften or crack. For a uniform someone wears five days a week, embroidery is the safer long-term choice.
Cost: It Depends on Size and Quantity
There is no flat winner on price — it comes down to how big your logo is and how many pieces you need.
- Embroidery is priced by stitch count, so a small left-chest logo is inexpensive while a large, dense back design costs more. There is no minimum, which makes it ideal for small orders and one-off reorders.
- Screen printing has a one-time screen fee per ink color, then a low per-piece cost that drops as the order grows. At 48 pieces and up it is usually the most economical way to decorate t-shirts and hoodies.
Rule of thumb: small logo on a polo or hat, or a small batch — embroidery. Large graphic on a stack of shirts — screen printing. For exact numbers, see our pricing page or send your art and quantities for a free quote.
Which Garments Suit Each Method
Reach for embroidery on:
- Polos and button-downs — the classic professional uniform
- Hats, beanies, and caps
- Jackets, fleece, and softshells (thread sits better than ink on thick fabric)
- Bags, blankets, and heavy-duty workwear
Reach for screen printing on:
- T-shirts with a front or full-back graphic
- Hoodies and sweatshirts with bold designs
- Event, fundraiser, and crew shirts ordered in quantity
- Spirit wear and giveaway tees
For individual names and numbers — like a roster or jobsite ID — we add heat-applied vinyl or name embroidery ($6.00 per garment) on top of either method.
Building a Company Uniform Program? Use Both.
The smartest uniform programs mix the two. A typical setup looks like this:
- Embroidered polos and jackets for the everyday professional uniform — durable, sharp, and easy to reorder for new hires
- Screen-printed t-shirts and hoodies for crews, events, and casual Fridays — affordable in volume and great for bold branding
- Embroidered hats to round out the look
Ordering for a whole team or multiple locations? A company store lets staff order approved, pre-branded gear on demand while you keep branding consistent. And if your crews need safety gear, see our custom hi-vis workwear guide.
How to Order
- Send us your logo, the garments you have in mind, and your quantities.
- We recommend the best decoration method for each piece and send a free quote with a digital proof.
- You approve, we produce — usually 7–10 business days.
- Pick up in Petoskey or we ship anywhere in the country.
First time ordering custom gear? Start with our step-by-step ordering guide.
Embroidery vs. Screen Printing FAQs
Which lasts longer, embroidery or screen printing?
Embroidery. Stitched thread holds up through hundreds of industrial washes and usually outlasts the garment itself. Screen printing is durable for normal wear but can soften or crack after years of heavy, high-heat washing.
Which is cheaper?
It depends on logo size and quantity. Embroidery has no minimum and is economical for small logos and small orders. Screen printing has a setup fee per color but the lowest per-piece cost at higher quantities, usually best at 48 pieces and up.
Can you embroider and screen print on the same order?
Yes. Most company programs mix both — embroidered polos and jackets alongside screen-printed tees and hoodies — all on one order with one proof.
What is the minimum order for each?
Embroidery has no minimum, so you can order a single piece. Screen printing has a 12-piece minimum per design.
Which is better for polos and hats?
Embroidery. The raised, textured stitching gives polos, hats, and jackets a clean, professional, higher-end look that ink printing can't match on those fabrics.
Do you keep my logo on file for reorders?
Yes. We keep your digitized embroidery file and screens on record, so reorders are fast and your branding stays identical every time.
Embroidery → · Screen Printing → · Uniforms Guide → · View Pricing →
Call (231) 347-6347 or email us — Mon–Fri 8am–4pm, Petoskey, MI.
