- Home
- Decoration
- Screen printing vs embroidery
Screen printing vs embroidery
Screen printing presses ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric, so the print is flat or slightly raised and can cover a big area. Embroidery stitches your logo in thread, so it is raised and textured. Choose printing for big graphics on tees and hoodies, and embroidery for logos on hats, polos and jackets. We do both, usually from 25 pieces per style and color.
- We do both
- Puff print and 3D puff embroidery too
- A sample before bulk
How they compare
Both carry your logo. The difference is ink or thread.
| Compared | Screen printing | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Ink pressed through a mesh screen, one screen per color | Thread stitched into the fabric by machine |
| Look | Flat, bold color. Puff ink rises up. | Raised and textured, with a slight shine |
| Best size | Big graphics, full backs and chests | Small to medium logos on chests, sleeves and hats |
| Detail | Fine lines and gradients are possible | Very small text is hard to stitch clearly |
| Feel | Soft, especially with water-based ink | Thicker, with a stitched surface |
| Best for | Tees, hoodies, sweats and totes | Hats, polos, jackets and fleece |
| What drives the cost | The number of colors and screens, spread over the run | The number of stitches in your logo |
What each one looks like
Each method has more than one look.
Pick by your logo, the piece and the run
- Choose screen printing for big graphics, full backs and many colors on tees, hoodies and totes.
- Choose embroidery for chest logos, hats, polos and jackets, where you want a raised look that lasts.
- Choose puff in print or in embroidery, when you want the logo to stand up.
- Mix them. A printed back and an embroidered chest on the same hoodie is common.
- Not sure? Send your logo and the piece. We will suggest one, and you see it on your sample before bulk.
Questions buyers ask
What is the difference between screen printing and embroidery?
Screen printing presses ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric. Embroidery stitches your logo in thread. A print is flat and suits big graphics. Embroidery is raised and suits smaller logos.
Which lasts longer, screen printing or embroidery?
Both last when they are done well. Embroidery keeps its look for a long time because it is thread. A good screen print stays bright through many washes. Wash the piece inside out to keep either one looking new.
Is embroidery more expensive than screen printing?
It depends on the size, the colors and how many you order. Embroidery is priced by the stitches in your logo, and screen printing by the colors and the screens. Send your logo and we will quote both.
Can you embroider a big design on the back?
Yes, but a big stitched area is heavy and stiff. For a full back, a print usually feels better. We can embroider a small logo on the chest and print the back.
What is puff print?
A screen print with an ink that rises when it is heated, so the graphic stands up off the fabric. It looks different from 3D puff embroidery, which is stitched over foam.
What is the minimum order?
Usually 25 pieces per style and color for clothing, with sizes mixed. Patches on their own start at 100 per design.
Can I see it before the full order?
Yes. We make one physical sample first, for $150 to $500 depending on the design, plus shipping. You see the print or the embroidery before we make the full order.
Your request is ready
Send it to us on WhatsApp, or copy it into an email to contact@sharknits.com.
Want to talk sooner? Book a 15-minute call on Google Meet.
What happens next
- We reply with questions and a quote.
- We make one sample for you to check.
- You approve it, and we make your order.
contact@sharknits.com · +1 647 501 5424
Sharknits is a custom clothing manufacturer for brands in the US, with factories in Lahore and Sialkot and a U.S. corporate office near Chicago.