What are the six decoration methods?
Included in the price
Dye sublimation
Dye sublimation is a print process that dyes the design into polyester: ink is turned to gas with heat and bonds inside the fiber, so the print is part of the fabric. Edge-to-edge designs weigh no more than a plain garment and never crack or peel.
- Works on
- Polyester-rich fabrics (80%+)
- Colors
- Unlimited, gradients and photo detail
- Watch for
- No white ink on a dark fabric; not for cotton
Priced by ink color
Screen printing
Screen printing is a method where a stencil for each color lays ink on the surface of the garment, and heat sets it. The result is solid, opaque color, and it is the natural partner for cotton-rich tees and hoodies.
- Works on
- Light or dark garments, cotton to polyester
- Colors
- Spot colors matched to Pantone
- Watch for
- Each extra color adds a screen and cost
Quoted on request
Embroidery
Embroidery is your mark sewn into the garment in thread, for crests, club marks, chest scripts and staff polos. It wears for years and gives a raised, textured finish.
- Works on
- Polos, fleece, jackets, caps, bags
- Colors
- Thread shades chosen to match your colors
- Watch for
- Very fine detail and small lettering fill in
Quoted on request
Stitched tackle twill
Stitched tackle twill is cut twill fabric, shaped into numbers and letters and stitched down around the edge: the traditional game-day finish on football, hockey and baseball. Printed numbers are offered too, when weight matters more.
- Works on
- Game jerseys and sweaters
- Colors
- Single or layered, in your colors
- Watch for
- Heavier than a print; suited to game wear
For one-offs and add-ons
DTF transfer
DTF (direct-to-film) is a full-color print on a transfer film, bonded to the garment with heat. With no setup per design, it is the method for one-off names, replacements and photo-style art on cotton.
- Works on
- Cotton, blends, most performance knits
- Colors
- Full color, including white
- Watch for
- A surface layer; sublimation lasts longer on game jerseys
Included in the price
Own labels and sewn color panels
Own labels mean neck, care and size labels that carry your brand, never a supplier's. Sewn color panels build colors in as separate pieces of cloth sewn together, for hoops, yokes and mesh side vents.
- Works on
- Every garment in the range
- Colors
- Any number of panels
- Watch for
- Panels add sewing time per garment
How do the decoration methods compare?
Sublimation vs screen printing vs embroidery, tackle twill, DTF and sewn panels
| Method |
Best on |
Colors |
Finish |
Price basis |
| Dye sublimation |
Polyester jerseys, shorts, singlets (80%+ polyester) |
Unlimited, gradients and photo detail |
Dyed into the fiber: no added weight, nothing to crack or peel |
Included in the price |
| Screen printing |
Cotton-rich tees and hoodies; light or dark garments |
Spot colors matched to Pantone |
Solid, opaque ink on the surface |
Priced by ink color |
| Embroidery |
Polos, fleece, jackets, caps, bags |
Thread shades matched to your colors |
Raised and textured; very fine detail fills in |
Quoted on request |
| Stitched tackle twill |
Game jerseys and sweaters |
Single or layered, in your colors |
Traditional game-day finish; heavier than a print |
Quoted on request |
| DTF transfer |
Cotton, blends, most performance knits |
Full color, including white |
A surface layer bonded with heat |
No setup per design; suits one-offs |
| Own labels and sewn panels |
Every garment in the range |
Any number of panels |
Built into the garment |
Included in the price |
Whatever applies to your order is itemized in the written quote before you commit.
Sublimation or screen printing: which lasts longer?
On a polyester jersey, sublimation. The design is dyed into the fiber, so there is no surface layer to crack, peel or wash off, and it adds no weight however many colors the design has.
Screen printing lays ink on top of the cloth, which is what cotton-rich tees and hoodies need, because sublimation cannot color cotton. On those garments, screen print, embroidery or DTF is the right choice.
Why sublimation needs polyester
What artwork should we send?
- Send vector artwork where you can: AI, EPS, PDF or SVG, with text converted to outlines.
- For a print, a raster image needs to be large enough at its finished size; send the biggest file you have.
- Note the Pantone number beside every color that must come out exact.
- Only have a photo or a sketch? Send it. We prepare the artwork and show it to you in a free digital mockup before anything is made.
Which fabric suits which method
What the price includes