Embroidery vs. Screen Printing vs. DTF: Choosing a Decoration Method
When you order logo apparel, the garment is only half the decision. How the logo goes on — the decoration method — changes the look, the feel and what makes sense for your quantity. We offer embroidery, screen printing, DTF and DTG. Here is how the three most common compare.
Embroidery: stitched and polished
Embroidery stitches your logo into the fabric with thread. It has a raised, textured, professional look, which is why it is the go-to for polos, jackets, fleece and caps — the apparel people wear to work and to meet clients. Some premium brands, like Cutter & Buck, are embroidery only.
The price shown on a product covers a logo up to a set number of stitches. Denser or larger designs, extra locations, and metallic or 3D puff thread cost more, and your e-proof spells that out before you commit.
Screen printing: the classic for T-shirts
Screen printing presses ink through a screen onto the shirt, one color at a time. It is the traditional choice for event shirts, team shirts and giveaways. The price shown on our site covers a one-color print in one location, up to 12″ × 15″. More ink colors or extra locations are priced on your e-proof.
Screen printing starts at 12 pieces. For a smaller order, we will quote it for you — or consider DTF.
DTF: full color, great for small runs
DTF (direct-to-film) prints your design in full color onto a film, which is then heat-pressed onto the garment. Because it handles full color in one pass, it suits detailed or multi-color logos, and it is usually the better choice for small runs. On T-shirts, DTF starts at 6 pieces.
You pick a print size when you order, from about 4″ × 6″ up to about 11″ × 15″, and the price shown covers one location at the size you choose.
Quick guide
Polos, jackets, fleece and caps for staff or clients: embroidery. A one-color logo on a stack of event T-shirts: screen printing. A detailed full-color logo, or only a handful of shirts: DTF. Each product page shows which methods are available and the minimum for that item.
Still not sure? Send us your logo and tell us what the apparel is for, and our team will recommend a method. Your free e-proof shows how it will look before anything is made.
