Signs & Large Format Print
Embroidery and print – how they differ in practice
Embroidery is a logo stitched with thread directly into the fabric. It is raised, has a distinct texture and looks substantial. Its price depends mainly on the stitch count, i.e. on the size and density of the logo, rather than on the number of colours to the degree it does with other techniques.
Print is ink or a transfer applied to the surface of the fabric. It gives full colour, fine lines, small text and even photos. For large graphics – e.g. a full A4 on the back – it is many times cheaper than embroidery and much lighter on the garment.
There is no single better technique. There is a technique better suited to the garment, the size of the logo and how the clothing will be used.
The fabric itself matters too. A thin T-shirt with elastane copes badly with dense embroidery – the material puckers around the logo. A thick fleece or a knit with a pronounced weave, on the other hand, makes it hard to print small details evenly. That is why, before suggesting a technique, we ask what the logo is going on.
Comparison: embroidery, transfer print and dye-sublimation
| Embroidery | Transfer print | Sublimation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best on | polo shirts, jackets, softshells, caps | T-shirts, hoodies, bags – cotton and blends | light-coloured polyester and sportswear |
| Logo size | small and medium (chest, sleeve) | from a small logo up to A4 | even the whole garment surface |
| Detail and gradients | limited, small text runs together | yes, full colour | yes, full colour and photos |
| Look | raised, smart | smooth, slightly perceptible | imperceptible, dye inside the fibre |
| Value on short runs | depends on logo size | good, no printing plates | good for sportswear |
| With us | not done in-house | yes, in-house | yes, in-house |
Sublimation only works on polyester and only on light fabrics, because the dye has to penetrate the fibre and cannot cover a dark background. So we use it mainly for sports shirts and team kit.
What clothing print costs with us
| Item | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A4 print on a T-shirt | 20–49 pcs | approx. €3.30 |
| A4 print on a T-shirt | 50–99 pcs | approx. €2.35 |
| A4 print on a T-shirt | from 100 pcs | approx. €1.90 |
| Print on a hoodie | from 20 pcs | approx. €4 |
| Print on a cap | from 25 pcs | approx. €2.60 |
| Heat-pressing a customer-supplied transfer – T-shirt | — | approx. €0.80 |
| Folding and bagging in a poly bag | — | approx. €0.15 |
These are branding prices. The cost of the T-shirt, hoodie or cap itself depends on the model, fabric weight and size range, so we give it in the quote. You can also supply your own clothing – then we charge only for the print.
Example: 60 T-shirts with an A4 logo on the back come to approx. 60 × €2.35 = approx. €140 net for the print alone. Ordering 100 pieces, the print would cost approx. €185 – only approx. €45 more for 40 extra T-shirts. Details on the promotional clothing and textiles page.
When embroidery, when print – our advice
Choose embroidery when:
- the logo is small and goes on the chest or sleeve of a polo shirt, jacket or softshell,
- the clothing needs to look smart – reception, showroom, sales reps,
- it is for baseball caps, where embroidery simply looks better,
- the garment is washed very often at high temperatures.
Choose print when:
- the graphic is large (back, A4 front) or has many colours and gradients,
- you are ordering T-shirts for an event, a race or a fair – for one season or one occasion,
- each piece needs different text, e.g. a name or player number,
- price matters at a few dozen pieces.
Often the best answer is a combination: a small embroidered logo on the chest and a large print on the back. If you want an embroidered logo, we will tell you honestly when it makes sense, and we will produce the printed part ourselves.
- 24 hexpress printing (UV inks need no drying)
- approx. 3 daysstandard lead time
- up to 14 dayslarge and custom projects with installation
Plus courier delivery. Tell us your date — we plan production around it.
Caring for printed clothing so it lasts
Most complaints about clothing prints result from washing, not from the print itself. Pass a few simple rules on to staff or participants:
- Wash garments inside out.
- Stick to the temperature on the care label, usually 30–40°C.
- Do not use bleach or aggressive stain removers on the print.
- Do not tumble dry on high heat.
- Do not iron directly over the print – only inside out.
When ordering, prepare your logo as a vector. A low-resolution file printed at A4 will come out blurred; more on this in our guide to vector logos.