Fabric & decoration
Screen print vs DTG vs heat transfer vs embroidery: which to choose
Use embroidery for logos and crests on polos and sweatshirts, screen printing for bold artwork in larger quantities, DTG for full-colour or photographic artwork, and heat transfer for names, numbers and small logos. Whatever the method, on knitwear the decoration goes onto cut panels before the garment is sewn.
Key takeaways
- Embroidery is the standard for uniform logos and school crests on polos and sweatshirts.
- Screen printing (plastisol, water-based, puff) suits bold artwork and larger runs.
- DTG prints full-colour and photographic artwork directly onto the garment.
- Heat transfer is used for names, numbers and small logos.
- On knitwear, decoration is applied to cut panels before sewing, for accurate placement.
The quick comparison
| Method | Best for | Look and feel | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen print | Bold, limited-colour artwork | Solid colour layer; puff adds 3D | T-shirts, hoodies, event wear |
| DTG (direct-to-garment) | Full-colour, photographic artwork | Soft, ink sits in the fabric | Multi-colour designs |
| Heat transfer | Names, numbers, small logos | Smooth film on the surface | Personalisation, sportswear |
| Embroidery | Logos, crests | Raised, textured, premium | Polos, sweatshirts, caps |
| Chenille & appliqué | Large varsity-style lettering | Thick, tactile | Sweatshirts, hoodies |
Screen printing
Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, one screen per colour. Plastisol is opaque and durable, water-based ink has a softer hand-feel, and puff gives a raised effect. Because each colour needs its own screen, screen printing is most efficient for designs with few colours and for larger quantities.
DTG (direct-to-garment)
A specialised inkjet prints the design directly onto the fabric. It handles gradients, photographs and many colours without extra screens, so it suits detailed, multi-colour artwork.
Heat transfer
The design is printed onto a carrier and applied with a heat press. It works well for names, numbers and small logos, and for personalising individual garments within an order.
Embroidery
A computerised embroidery machine stitches thread into the fabric. It is the standard for uniform logos and school crests because it looks premium and lasts. On knits, the panel is backed with water-soluble film or non-woven interlining so the fabric doesn’t stretch or pucker while it is stitched.
Chenille and appliqué
Chenille (towel embroidery) makes thick, looped lettering. Appliqué stitches a shaped piece of fabric onto the garment. Both are popular on sweatshirts and need a fabric with enough body to carry them.
Why decoration happens before sewing
In our process, printing and embroidery are done on cut panels, before the garment is sewn together. A flat panel gives accurate, consistent placement, and we can check every decorated panel before it moves on.
How to choose
- Look at the artwork. A few solid colours point to screen print or embroidery, and many colours or photos point to DTG.
- Look at the garment. Polos and sweatshirts usually get embroidery, T-shirts usually get print.
- Think about washing. Uniforms that are washed often do best with embroidery or well-cured screen print.
- Names and numbers call for heat transfer.
- Give the position in centimetres from a reference point (for example 18 cm below the high-point shoulder).
Final thoughts
No method is best everywhere. The right one depends on the artwork, the garment and how it will be worn and washed. Send us the logo file and tell us how the garments will be used, and we will recommend a method and placement before sampling.