Branding Guide
Embroidery or Print?
Which garments and logo positions suit embroidery, which suit print, and why hi-vis is usually printed. Not sure? Our design team will advise you.
Branding guide
Embroidery or print? How to choose
Both look great when they're on the right garment. The fabric, where the logo goes and how big it is will usually decide which method works best.
Embroidery stitches your logo into the fabric with thread, which gives a raised, premium finish that lasts as long as the garment. Print bonds your design onto the surface as a flexible transfer, so it's lightweight, handles full colour and fine detail, and suits large designs and technical fabrics.
At a glance
What each method does best
Choose embroidery for
- A premium, professional look on customer-facing staff
- Polos, shirts, fleeces, softshells, sweatshirts, knitwear and aprons
- Small to medium logos on the chest, sleeve or collar
- Caps and beanies
- Heavy wear and frequent washing, because the stitching outlasts the garment
- Logos with solid blocks of colour and clear outlines
Choose print for
- Hi-vis, safety and waterproof garments
- T-shirts, sports and performance tops, and other lightweight or stretchy fabrics
- Large designs, such as a company name across the back
- Full-colour logos, gradients, photos and very fine detail or small text
- Names, numbers and role titles such as SUPERVISOR or FIRST AIDER
- Event and promotional t-shirts on a tighter budget
By garment
Which method suits your garments?
Our usual recommendation for each garment type. If you'd like something different, add a note when you order and our design team will check it for you.
| Garment | Best method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Polo shirts | Embroidery | The classic left-chest logo. Piqué fabric holds stitching well and looks smart. |
| T-shirts | Light, soft fabric. Print stays flexible and suits large front or back designs. A small embroidered chest logo works on heavier tees. | |
| Shirts & blouses | Embroidery | A neat, corporate finish on the chest or collar. |
| Sweatshirts & hoodies | Embroidery on the chest, print on the back | Thick fabric is ideal for stitching. Large back designs are lighter and better value printed. |
| Fleeces | Embroidery | Print doesn't sit well on the fluffy pile. Embroidery looks crisp. |
| Softshells, gilets & padded jackets | Embroidery on the chest or sleeve | A premium look that lasts. We can print large back designs. |
| Waterproof jackets | Needle holes can let water through the waterproof membrane. A transfer keeps the jacket sealed. | |
| Hi-vis vests, jackets & polos | Light, flexible branding that won't pucker thin fluorescent fabric. Ideal for large back text. See the hi-vis section below. | |
| Sports & performance tops | Stretchy, moisture-wicking fabrics need branding that moves with them. | |
| Aprons & tunics | Embroidery | Stands up to commercial washing in kitchens, salons and cafés. |
| Caps & beanies | Embroidery | The standard for headwear, and it looks great on the front panel or cuff. |
| Work trousers | Embroidery | A small logo on the leg or pocket. It's hard-wearing. |
| Bags | Either | Embroidery for a premium look. Print for large or full-colour designs. |
By position
Which areas suit which method?
As a rule of thumb, smaller logos on the chest, sleeve and headwear are best embroidered, and large areas like the back are best printed.
The most popular position. Usually around 7–10cm wide. It looks smart on polos, shirts, fleeces, softshells and jackets.
A small logo, flag or web address. Embroidery on heavier garments, print on t-shirts and hi-vis.
Headwear is almost always embroidered, for a raised, hard-wearing logo.
Large designs up to around A3 size. A print stays light and flexible. A large embroidery would be heavy, stiff and costly.
Big, bold or full-colour designs on t-shirts and hoodies.
Small, discreet logos and names that need to last.
Hi-vis & safety
Hi-vis is usually printed
We print almost all hi-vis and safety clothing, especially when you want large branding such as your company name across the back.
- Light and flexible. Hi-vis fabric is thin. Dense stitching can pucker it, while a print sits flat and moves with the garment.
- Keeps the reflective tape clear. Logos are placed around the reflective bands, never over them.
- Protects the high-visibility area. Hi-vis garments need enough fluorescent fabric on show to meet their safety class, so we keep branding to a sensible size.
- Built for big back text. SECURITY, STEWARD, your company name or a site contractor logo can be read from a distance.
- Waterproof stays waterproof. There are no needle holes in hi-vis rain jackets.
A small embroidered chest logo is possible on heavier hi-vis items such as sweatshirts and softshells. Just ask.
Embroidery
Stitched to last
Our in-house embroidery gives a raised, textured finish that keeps its colour through hundreds of washes. It's the natural choice for polos, shirts, knitwear, fleeces, jackets, aprons and headwear.
Any colour, any size
Our in-house printed transfers handle single-colour and full-colour designs, fine detail and large back prints. They're applied with heat and pressure, so they stay flexible on t-shirts, sportswear, waterproofs and hi-vis.
FAQs
Embroidery and print questions
Which lasts longer, embroidery or print?
Embroidery is the most hard-wearing and usually outlasts the garment itself. Our printed transfers are also very durable when the garment is washed as directed. Wash it inside out, and don't iron directly over the print.
Can I have embroidery and print on the same garment?
Yes. A popular combination is an embroidered logo on the chest with a large printed design on the back, for example on hoodies, softshells and jackets.
Why is hi-vis usually printed?
Hi-vis fabric is thin and lightweight, so a print sits flat without puckering. It's also ideal for large back branding, and it keeps the reflective tape clear. Hi-vis waterproofs stay waterproof because there are no needle holes.
My logo has lots of colours and fine detail. Which should I choose?
Print reproduces gradients, photos and very small text best. Embroidery works brilliantly for most logos, but very fine detail or tiny lettering may need simplifying. Our design team will advise you if it does.
Can you embroider waterproof jackets?
Stitching creates small holes in the waterproof membrane, so we normally recommend a printed transfer on fully waterproof jackets. Tell us if you'd prefer embroidery and we'll talk you through the options.
I'm still not sure. What happens if I choose "Not sure, advise me"?
Just upload your logo and pick the position. Our design team will look at your logo and the garments in your order, recommend the best method, and get in touch before anything goes into production.
Still not sure? Leave it with us
Choose "Not sure, advise me" when you add your branding, or get in touch. We've been branding uniforms in-house since 1997 and we'll recommend what will look best on your garments.
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Talk to our team about branded uniforms, embroidery and bespoke garments.