Your Guide to Apparel Customization Methods
7 Ways to Customize Your Branded Apparel
By LogoSportswear | Updated on August 24, 2023
There are many ways to decorate or customize a piece of clothing, and every printing method uses a technique that yield unique results. To truly bring out the beauty of your logo, brand name, or artwork, it's important to choose the right printing method for your custom apparel. Read on to find the best customization option for your business, budget, and brand.
1. Embroidery
Embroidery is a popular decoration method for custom apparel. This method creates a handmade-looking stitch to render your logo or any design into the fabric. At LogoSportswear, we prepare a digitized version of the logo you submit or turn your image into a three-dimensional format that's ready for application on the apparel.
Consider the following pros and cons of this customization style before ordering merchandise such as caps, jackets, or polo shirts:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It gives your design a professional appearance, making it perfect for | It is not recommended for designs that have very small details like lengthy text, tiny font sizes, or fine lines that are drawn close together. |
| A long-lasting and durable method; the design retains its shape and resists fading even after multiple washes. | It's challenging to create gradients or faded out colors on an embroidered design. |
| A versatile decoration method you can apply on almost any type of clothing, from sweatshirts, T-shirts, denim pieces, to caps. | A large area of solid color can be challenging to stitch onto a thin or stretchy fabric. |
2. Screen Printing Method
Screenprinting is a manual process that involves putting a silk screen over the garment you're decorating and then dragging the brightly colored ink across the shirt with a squeegee. With screenprinting, your design comes out crisp, clear, and sharp. Compared to other printed results, screenprinted designs have a softer feel and they last long with proper care and maintenance. Check out the advantages and disadvantages of this popular printing method to see if it's the best fit:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Screenprinting applies to a wide range of fabrics including cotton and most types of polyester. | You must order at least 72 pieces of apparel to avail this decorative method. |
| It is recommended for designs with vibrant colors or designs on dark-colored apparel. | The design must only have one or two colors per placement for the application to be cost-effective. |
3. CAD-Cut Printing
CAD-Cut printing is a method you usually see on custom sportswear. In this process, logos or designs are cut out of an adhesive material in their exact shape. A high-heat press is used to print a reversed design onto the fabric. At LogoSportswear, we use high-performance print-cut technology to create contour-cut designs applied to the garments. Check the list below to see if this printing method would work for your apparel:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An excellent choice for blended fabrics such as polyester/cotton or tri-blends. | The design method is only suitable for some fabrics, especially the ones that are too thin or stretchy. |
| Perfect for those who need athletic uniforms with different team names and numbers. | Your design would be limited to solid colors only. |
4. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing
DTG printing, which is shorthand for digital direct printing, is a method similar to screenprinting. The difference is with DTG, a digital inkjet printer applies the design directly onto the garment. If you compare DTG with screenprinting, digital printing works with a broader range of file formats, including vector, digital photos, or high-resolution bitmap images. It also works on several fabrics such as 100% cotton fabrics, tri-blend, 50/50, and light-colored polyester garments. Consider some of the pros and cons of this method below:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No minimums are required to qualify for this order, unlike screenprinting. | A costly option for those with a limited budget. |
| Digital printing method is perfect for full-color designs like T-shirts with photos. |
5. Sublimation Printing
Sublimation is used for dry-performance fabrics with moisture-wicking properties. Unlike other methods where a layer of ink or film is applied to the garment, sublimation uses extreme heat to bond color to polyester fibers.
Use the list below to see if this method is the best fit for your athletic or sports apparel:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Results in high-quality prints that have vibrant colors and showcase the fine details. | Limited to white garments only, which means you can't use this method on dark-colored t-shirts or other apparel. |
| A durable and long-lasting decorative method that doesn't peel, fade, or crack after multiple washes. | Only suited to garments made of 100% polyester that have moisture-wicking properties. |
6. Appliqué Embroidery or Sewn-on Tackle Twill
Sewn-on twill or appliqué embroidery involves sewing or embroidering a piece of polyester/cotton twill onto the garment. Each piece usually spells out a name or completes a number on the apparel. The appliqué gives the embroidered design a three-dimensional look. Here are some considerations when finalizing this as your decorative method:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The final embroidered design is highly durable, machine-washable, and doesn't shrink. | The colors are limited only to solid colors, so you can't use faded or gradient hues on the design. |
| Ideal for custom sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, and team uniforms that will be used for a long time. | Available only to strong foundation fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool. |
7. Laser Etching
Laser etching or engraving uses advanced laser technology to create a clean and precise rendition of the artwork or image. The method gives any logo an upscale, professional look with a subtle tone on tone design. We can apply sophisticated designs to unusual areas like across zippers and seams or down the sleeves.
Check out the pros and cons list below to see if it's the correct decoration method for your apparel:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A highly accurate and precise method that showcases small details in your design. | Costly and not budget-friendly compared to other customization styles. |
| Laser etching can be applied on various fabrics, including cotton, linen, polyester, and fleece. | Requires a minimum order quantity of 12 pieces. |
Create Custom Apparel with the Right Decoration Method
Now that you've learned and considered all decoration methods, you can choose the best one for your custom apparel and your budget. The available customizations are listed according to the style of the T-shirt, hoodie, sweatshirt, or hat you select. If you're unsure about experimenting with different methods, don't hesitate to turn to the experts. At LogoSportswear, our helpful sales team can help you find the perfect decoration method for your project. Call us at 877-535-5646 from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.