Embroidery vs Screen Print: What’s Best For Your Brand?
Picture this: you've got your logo ready, your garments picked out, and you're excited to bring your branded merch to life. But then comes the big question—embroidery or screen printing?
Here's the thing: these two decoration methods create completely different looks and vibes.
Embroidery gives you that raised, textured, premium feel with a 3D effect that stands off the fabric.
Screen printing delivers vibrant, smooth, flat designs with incredible detail and bold graphics that make a statement.
The method you choose determines whether your design reads as polished and professional or bold and modern—whether it works for corporate settings or casual everyday wear. And if you pick the wrong one? Your design might lose crucial details, your colors won't pop the way you imagined, or worse, you could overspend on the wrong approach.
Whether you're launching your first company merch line, outfitting your team, or scaling up to a full apparel collection, understanding embroidery vs screen printing is essential for getting the exact look, durability, and value you want.
Let's break down everything you need to know about embroidery vs screen printing so you can make the smartest choice for your brand.
What's the Difference Between Embroidery and Screen Printing?
Embroidery uses threaded needles to stitch your design directly into fabric, creating a textured, dimensional look that screams premium quality. Think polo shirts with logos, branded hats, or that sharp left-chest design on a hoodie.
Screen printing applies ink layers onto fabric through mesh screens, producing vibrant, detailed graphics that can cover large areas. It's the go-to method for bold t-shirt designs, colorful graphics, and photo-realistic images.
Both methods have their sweet spot, and choosing the wrong one can cost you money and compromise your brand's appearance.
Cost Comparison: Embroidery vs Screen Printing Pricing
The most cost-effective option actually depends on your specific project and all the details from quantity, design details, etc.
When Embroidery Is More Affordable
For smaller orders under 50 units with compact designs, embroidery often wins the pricing battle. Since embroidery doesn't require the extensive setup that screen printing does, you're not paying for multiple screens or complex preparation. A small left-chest logo on 25 polos? Embroidery is your wallet's best friend.
When Screen Printing Saves You Money
Screen printing becomes increasingly cost-effective as your order size and design size grow. Larger designs and higher quantities benefit from screen printing's economies of scale. Once those screens are made, printing hundreds or thousands of shirts becomes much more affordable per unit. Planning a company event with 200 branded tees featuring a full-front design? Screen printing will always deliver better value.
Quality & Durability: Which Method Lasts Longer?
Embroidery is universally regarded as the premium decoration method. That raised, textured finish communicates quality and professionalism, which is exactly why corporate wear, uniforms, and high-end branded merchandise lean heavily on embroidery. This perceived quality justifies a higher price point for your end customer, making embroidered products ideal when you want to position your brand as premium.
The stitched construction also means embroidered designs hold up well through countless washes and years of wear. They won't crack, peel, or fade as some prints do over time.
Screen printing offers exceptional durability when done correctly with quality inks and can still create a premium, luxury feel based on the design. Modern screen printing techniques produce vibrant, long-lasting designs that maintain their color and detail through heavy use.
Design Considerations: What Works Best Where?
Your design itself should heavily influence your decoration method choice.
Choose Embroidery For:
Designs with clear, defined details and distinct sections of color
Text logos or simple graphics
Small to medium-sized designs (typically under 5 inches)
Designs with limited color palettes (embroidery thread comes in virtually any color, but highly complex gradients don't translate well)
Choose Screen Printing For:
Photo-realistic images or highly detailed artwork
Designs with gradients, shading, or intricate color blending
Large graphics that cover a significant fabric area
Designs requiring more than 8-10 colors
Best Applications: Where Each Method Shines
At Atlanta Merchandise Group, we've decorated thousands of products, and we've learned exactly which method works best for each item and placement.
We Recommend Embroidery For:
Hats and caps: Embroidery is the industry standard for headwear. The structured fabric of caps is perfect for embroidered logos, and the dimensional quality looks sharp from every angle.
Left chest designs: That classic logo placement on polos, button-ups, jackets, and quarter-zips works beautifully with embroidery. It's professional, polished, and perfect for corporate branding.
Large chest designs on sweaters and hoodies: Embroidery on fleece and knitwear creates an elevated, boutique aesthetic. The texture complements the fabric weight perfectly.
We Recommend Screen Printing For:
Large designs on t-shirts: When you want that bold statement graphic covering the full front or back of a tee, screen printing is your answer. The ink sits smoothly on the fabric, remains flexible, and showcases intricate details that embroidery simply can't replicate.
All-over prints and oversized graphics: Screen printing allows for creative freedom with placement and scale that embroidery can't match.
High-detail artwork: Detailed illustrations, photographs, or designs with subtle color transitions need screen printing's precision.
Making Your Decision: Quick Reference Guide
Still not sure? Here's your cheat sheet:
Choose embroidery if you want:
Premium, professional appearance
Small to medium designs
Decoration on hats, polos, or outerwear
Orders under 50 units with smaller designs
Classic branding that communicates quality
Choose screen printing if you want:
Vibrant, large-scale graphics
Photo-realistic or highly detailed designs
Cost efficiency on larger orders
Full-front or full-back t-shirt designs
Maximum creative flexibility
Why Work With Atlanta Merchandise Group?
Choosing the right decoration method is just the beginning. At Atlanta Merchandise Group, we don't just take your order and run it through a machine—we partner with you to make sure your design looks its absolute best.
Here's how we approach every project: We start by looking at your actual design file. Is it intricate with lots of fine details? Does it have gradients or photo-realistic elements? Or is it a clean logo with solid colors? These details tell us immediately which method will make your design pop.
Next, we consider your garment. A heavyweight fleece hoodie? Embroidery will look stunning. A soft cotton tee with a large graphic? Screen printing is the move. We've decorated thousands of products, and we know exactly how different fabrics interact with each decoration method.
Then we talk about your vision. Are you going for that elevated, corporate aesthetic? Embroidery communicates premium quality. Want bold, eye-catching graphics for an event or retail line? Screen printing brings that energy.
We're not here to upsell you on the more expensive option—we're here to guide you to the production method that makes your design shine while respecting your budget and timeline. That's the Atlanta Merchandise Group difference.
Ready to Get Started?
The embroidery vs screen printing debate doesn't have a universal winner—it has the right choice for YOUR specific needs. Now that you understand the cost factors, quality differences, design considerations, and ideal applications for each method, you're equipped to make a confident decision.
Want personalized guidance for your next custom apparel project? Let's talk. Email us at sales@atlantamerchgroup.com or book a discovery call to walk you through your options and help you choose the decoration method that makes your brand shine.