No matter what type of company you own or work for, branded workwear has a range of benefits. It’s a fantastic way to spread brand awareness, as your employees automatically become walking advertisements; not only do they demonstrate that your company exists, but they offer people the reassuring image of your company out and about, working in the community and having an impact.
This can be especially powerful in small towns; when potential clients develop an association between the faces of your employees and your brand, they can often foster a sense of familiarity and security with your company which is more effective than any marketing campaign. Branded workwear can help to create an association between your company and the quality of your work in more visible spaces, and can help to offer clients a sense of security during home visits.
Branded uniforms also have a positive impact on your staff. Wearing branded clothing, whether that’s a T-shirt with your logo or a fully heat-resistant suit emblazoned with your badge helps employees to develop a sense of belonging and association to the business. Not only can this help them to feel safe and supported, but it can improve the quality of their work, as they will want to represent their team well.
When it comes to branding your uniforms, there are two popular methods of doing so. These are screen printing and embroidery. In this article, we’ll explore the difference between screen printing and embroidery, so that you can work out which is the best option for you.
Screen printing is an ancient artistic method, with examples dating back to the Song Dynasty in China (960-1279 AD). It works by applying inks or dye to a surface by applying pressure over a stencil, and has been used in the decorative arts for centuries. During the 60s, it became particularly popular as a method for decorating clothes, and has since become a ubiquitous way of applying logos and fun prints alike to shirts, t-shirts, and hoodies.
Embroidery also has a history which dates back centuries, with some of the earliest examples also to be found in China during the Warring States period (5th-3rd Century BC). It’s a simple process, in which a needle is used to decorate fabric and other materials with threads or yarn, though it can also support the addition of extra materials like beads and buttons. Due to the time, detail and degree of precision which can be put into making beautiful embroideries, it was considered a sign of skill and class to be able to create or own embroidered objects. It’s now a popular method for designing and decorating logos, as it can be used with accuracy to create robust signage.
As well as their aesthetic differences, these two methods of customizing clothing vary in terms of their practical strengths and weaknesses. In order to help you decide whether embroidery or screen printing is the best option for your workwear, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each.
Cost
TL;DR The difference between printing and embroidery is that printing quickly becomes more expensive with more colors.
There’s no perfect, golden rule to determine which method will cost more, as the cost of your branded uniform can be drastically influenced by a number of factors, including the number of pieces you wish to order, the size of your design and the complexity of your design,
However, there are some useful aspects to consider. With All Season’s Uniforms, as with most other companies, the cost of screen printing will increase with the addition of each new color. Each new color requires a new mesh to be applied, and this is reflected in the price of screen printing. In contrast, colors can be alternated between with relative ease for embroidered designs. This means that, for complex designs, embroidery is often the cheapest option.
Durability
TL;DR When it comes to durability in the embroidery vs print battle, embroidery is the victor.
Embroidery is often the most durable option as well. This is because the yarn is physically integrated through the fabric, giving it a greater degree of structural stability than the ink which is applied in the screen printing process. In contrast to embroidery, screen printed logos can crack and fade quickly, especially if they are not well cared for.
However, this is not a damning verdict for screen printing. Whilst embroidery may look more professional for a longer period of time, there are cases in which a cracked or faded logo is preferable to a polished, accurate look. For example, in bars and music venues, faded designs on t-shirts may represent the aesthetic of the business better than an embroidered polo.
Compatibility with garment material
TL;DR When it comes to compatibility in the embroidery vs printing debate, printing wins as it is compatible with more materials.
For thinner or cheaper items of clothing, embroidery can be a problem. The thread has the capacity to pucker or break thinner materials, such as the fabric used to produce T-shirts. As such, screen printing has the advantage when you’re emblazoning cheaper items of clothing or T-shirts. Though there are occasions which call for more robust decoration and clothing, a screen-printed T shirt is ideal for creating beautiful displays which don’t need to be worn every day. This is ideal if you want to create a uniform for a pop-up, festival or charity event. However, it’s important that you let your staff keep their shirts, or that they are donated afterwards to avoid wasting materials.
Color Accuracy
TL;DR Color accuracy is generally better with screen printing, making it the best color option in the printing vs embroidery quest.
If it’s very important that you have exactly the right color, then screen printing is likely to be the best option. As screen printing uses inks and dyes to create seperate layers of color, it’s always possible to blend colors to create exactly the shade you use in your brand. With threads, in contrast, you’re likely to be more limited to the thread colors that the company has in stock. Whilst this range of colors may still be comprehensive, the exact accuracy is likely to be lower.
Hopefully, this information will mean that you’re ready to make the best decision for your business’ branded workwear. All Seasons Uniforms are ready to help you with the best screen printing and embroidery whichever way you decide to go.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.