Imagine you run a business that offers stellar products and has no trouble keeping its team fully motivated. You also have realistic goals you continually strive toward. However, you can’t seem to get your brand in front of the right people.
Using branded apparel is a great component of a solid marketing strategy, but it can be difficult to decide between screen printed logos and embroidery designs. Let’s explore the key differences between logo embroidery and screen printing so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Logo Embroidery
Embroidery uses a needle to pass through the fabric and create a design with colored floss or thread. There are a handful of different ways to handle this process. One of the most common is hand embroidery, which involves a single person stitching patterns onto fabric.
It’s popular among DIY users and high-end fashion designers. Direct embroidery uses a machine to stitch a design into a fabric. This is typically much faster and more accurate compared to embroidering by hand.
When working with a professional, this is likely the method they’ll use. Machine embroidery also allows users to take a digitized design on a computer and embroider it onto fabric. The possibilities are virtually endless with this functionality.
Key Nuances
Embroidery ideas are great for projects that require longevity and durability. These designs are highly resistant to general wear and tear, making them great for tee shirts.
This also means the design won’t be affected by frequent washing. Overall quality is another major selling point of embroidered designs.
The added texture embroidery provides will create inherent value. For instance, imagine choosing between two different tee shirts. One has a screen printed design, while the other is embroidered.
Assuming both designs are similar, the embroidered design will seem more valuable. There’s also something to be said about the amount of work that goes into embroidery as opposed to screen printing. This added quality makes embroidery ideal for corporate apparel, promotional products, and uniforms.
While embroidery offers amazing results, you’re limited in terms of how many colors you use.
This method isn’t ideal for designs that have complex color palettes. The same can be said for designs with gradients. Keep this in mind when moving forward.
Screen Printing
This method forces ink through a mesh screen and onto the surface of a fabric. It’s a bit more involved than embroidery, and it often takes more time to complete.
Users can create a stencil by making segments of the screen impervious to ink. The ink that’s allowed to pass through will form the desired image.
A printing screen consists of mesh fabric that’s tightly stretched across a wooden or metal frame. Screens were made of silk in the past, but they’re made of synthetic materials like terylene today. Stencils can consist of a variety of materials, such as fabric or paint.
They’re applied to the screen by placing them directly onto it or through a photo-sensitive emulsion. You can also paint designs directly onto the screen.
Before a design is transferred, the screen is coated with a thin layer of emulsion. The design is placed against the screen after the emulsion dries.
The screen is then rinsed to leave only the design remaining. Users will apply the design to the fabric to print the design. You must repeat the process for each desired color, as only one can be applied at a time.
Key Nuances
Screen printing allows for the application of vibrant colors and complex designs. These can give your fabric a much more captivating appearance. In some cases, the design could look photorealistic.
As previously mentioned, there are limitations to the number of colors you use. There’s also a chance screen printing could have trouble producing certain shades or color details.
Screen printing is best for products that have a casual appearance or need to attract attention with their vibrant colors. For instance, this process is often ideal for promotional products.
Choosing Between Embroidery vs Screenprinting
There’s no universal answer to this question, as the best choice will depend on your needs. For instance, a brand that wants the extra value embroidery provides can benefit from this option.
Companies that need fast, low-cost production should choose screen printing in most cases. However, it’s imperative to choose a reputable provider before moving forward.
This will have a large impact on your results. When searching for someone to work with, consider their reputation. Focus on brands that have a large amount of positive feedback.
You should also pay attention to fake reviews. These typically contain many of the same keywords and are posted in batches.
Do they have examples of their past work on their website? This is one of the best ways to narrow down your options. Avoid companies that can’t clearly illustrate what they’re capable of.
Turnaround time is another key attribute to consider. No matter how outstanding their quality is, they might not be the right fit if they take too long to finish your project. Pay attention to their pricing, as well.
It’s in your best interest to avoid the cheapest companies you find. This often indicates they cut corners and don’t prioritize quality. However, you don’t need to spend as much money as possible.
There’s a point of diminishing returns regarding your budget, and paying more won’t always get you better results. Somewhere in the middle of the price range is often the best option.
Finally, how’s their customer support policy? You should have no trouble getting in touch with them when problems arise.
Make Your Decision Carefully
It’s essential to make your decision carefully when choosing between logo embroidery and screen printing. This will help ensure you keep your marketing strategy robust and have no issue getting your brand in front of the right audience.
Big T Printing aims to seamlessly handle our customers’ expectations and provide stellar results. We pride ourselves on fast delivery times that don’t sacrifice quality. You’ll learn more about the many benefits we can offer when you get in touch with us today.