Printing & Embroidery Guide
Choose the right finish for your custom apparel. Compare methods, understand what affects your quote and prepare your artwork with help from iLogo.
Which method suits your order?
| Consideration | Screen printing | Embroidery | DTF printing | Sublimation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best starting point | Repeated designs for teams, events and bulk orders | Logos, names and insignia with a stitched finish | Full-colour artwork and small quantities | All-over designs and performance wear |
| Typical garments | T-shirts and suitable apparel | Polos, shirts, caps and outerwear | T-shirts, hoodies and compatible garments | Suitable polyester sportswear |
| Finish | Ink printed onto the fabric; feel varies with ink and coverage | Raised thread detail | A printed transfer bonded to the fabric | Dye enters suitable fabric, without a raised transfer layer |
| Quantity | Available from 5 pieces; larger repeated runs can spread setup costs | Available from 5 pieces, subject to garment and design | From 1 piece on eligible products | Confirmed for the garment and production requirements |
| Check before choosing | Colour count, fabric and print area | Small lettering, fine detail and fabric weight | Fabric compatibility and the feel of large solid prints | Fabric composition, garment colour and coverage |
Understand the finish
Screen printing
Ink is applied through a prepared screen. It works well for repeated artwork, particularly clear logos and designs with a limited number of colours. Extra colours and print locations can add setup and production costs.
Embroidery
Your artwork is converted into a stitch file and sewn onto the garment. It is a popular choice for corporate polos and insignia. Fine lines and tiny lettering may need simplifying; large stitched areas can feel heavier.
Direct to Film (DTF)
Artwork is printed onto film and transferred to a compatible garment using heat. It suits detailed, full-colour designs and smaller orders. Large solid areas have a more noticeable surface feel than small, spaced-out designs.
Dye-sublimation
Heat transfers dye into suitable polyester fabric. It suits performance apparel and all-over graphics. Fabric composition and base colour matter; conventional sublimation is not the same process as printing onto a standard cotton T-shirt.
Plastisol & rubber-effect finishes: These describe ink or finish options rather than separate alternatives to screen printing. Share the look and feel you want so our team can confirm the appropriate process and availability.
What affects your quote?
There is no single price for a printed or embroidered logo. The quote depends on:
- Garment: Product, fabric, construction and size range.
- Quantity: Total pieces and how many share the same artwork.
- Decoration: Method, artwork size and number of locations; colour count for screen printing or stitch count for embroidery.
- Personalisation: Individual names, numbers or different designs.
- Delivery: Required date, destination and single or multiple addresses.
Decoration minimums differ from garment manufacturing minimums. Tailormade apparel starts at 30 items; specifications and feasibility are confirmed before ordering.
Artwork & approval checklist
What to send
- Your original logo or artwork file. Vector artwork is useful for logos; send the highest-quality original image available for photographs.
- The garment, colour, quantity and size breakdown.
- Decoration positions and approximate dimensions.
- Required colours, any individual names or numbers, delivery postcode and target date.
Only have a screenshot or an idea? Send it for review. We offer design help and will explain any artwork changes needed.
What to approve
- Quote & specifications: Confirm the garment, method, quantity and delivery arrangements.
- Artwork mock-up: Check spelling, placement, dimensions and colours. A digital mock-up shows the proposed layout; it does not reproduce the physical fabric or finish.
- Production details: For embroidery, review stitch-file and strike-off approvals as applicable. Agree any physical sample requirements before production.
iLogo coordinates production with manufacturing partners, quality checks and dispatch. Screen colours can differ from the finished garment; discuss colour-critical work before approval.
Common questions
Which method is best for a corporate logo?
Embroidery is a common choice for polos and shirts. Screen printing can suit repeated printed logos, while DTF can suit detailed full-colour artwork. Send your logo, garment and quantity so we can recommend a suitable option.
Can I order just one printed T-shirt?
Yes, DTF is available from one piece on eligible products. Screen printing and embroidery start at five pieces, subject to the garment and design. Browse small-quantity options or ask us to check your requirements.
Is embroidery always better than printing?
No. Embroidery gives a stitched texture, but some photographs, gradients and very fine details are better suited to printing. Choose based on the artwork, fabric, finish and intended use.
Will the same design work on every fabric?
Not necessarily. Fabric composition, colour, weight and surface affect the result. We check compatibility before recommending a method, particularly for stretch fabrics, performance wear and large decoration areas.
How long will my order take?
Standard delivery is 7 days for single-item orders, 14 days for bulk orders and 20 days for tailor-made orders, after artwork approval. Shipping is free for all orders. Share any required event date before ordering; urgent requests need a feasibility check.
How should I care for decorated apparel?
Follow the garment label and the care instructions supplied for your order. Avoid ironing directly over printed areas. Washing and drying requirements depend on both the fabric and decoration method.
Let us help you choose
Send your artwork, garment, quantity and required date. Our team can help with product selection, design and a suitable decoration method.
