With so many different options out there for decorating your custom apparel or promotional products, it can be tricky to figure out which decoration method is the right fit for your project. Each technique—whether it’s embroidery, screen printing, digital printing, heat transfer, or vinyl transfer—has its own set of strengths, limitations, and best-use scenarios. Below, we've broken down the most popular branding methods to help you choose what works best for your uniforms, teamwear, or branded gear.

To make things easy, we have explained our most common forms of branding below.

EMBROIDERY

Embroidery remains a top choice for custom uniforms and apparel. We start by digitising your logo, essentially translating your artwork into a format our embroidery machines can read. This process swaps out the colors and lines of your logo for thread, letting us select the perfect thread shades and stitch a sample. After your approval, the file uploads to our high-capacity industrial machines. Garments are “hooped” to keep them in place, the design is programmed, and the embroidery process begins, stitching your logo directly onto each item.

When to Use Embroidery as a Decoration Method

Embroidery stands out on polos, jackets, woven shirts, caps, and bags—basically any fabric item where you want a professional, textured look. It’s super versatile and works across most styles of apparel and accessories, making it a favourite for work uniforms or branded merchandise that needs to look sharp and last long.

Embroidery is Ideal for…

• Polo Shirts
• Hats, Beanies & Visors
• Jackets & Outerwear
• Sweatshirts & Layering
• Backpacks & Bags
• Embroidered Towels & Blankets
• Much more

Benefits of Embroidery as a Decoration Method

• Brings a premium, textured finish to your design, boosting perceived value and professionalism.
• Works on items that don’t lay flat, such as hats and bags.
• Highly durable, withstanding frequent washing and wear—ideal for uniforms and team apparel.
• Creates a long-lasting impression, perfect for businesses that want their branding to endure.

Drawbacks of Embroidery as a Decoration Method

• Limited to fabric items and can get pricier as more colors are added.
• Very small lettering or intricate details may not translate well in thread.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a classic technique where ink is pressed through a stencil (or screen) onto your apparel or products. It’s super versatile, letting you print bold, vibrant designs on everything from t-shirts to drinkware. Each color in your design requires a separate screen, so simpler logos work best for this method.

When to Use Screen Printing as a Decoration Method

Screen printing is perfect for larger runs (typically 50+ items), making it a go-to for events, sports uniforms, or company giveaways. It’s most cost-effective when you stick to four colors or fewer, so it’s great for straightforward, eye-catching logos and graphics.

Screen Printing is Ideal for…

• T-Shirts
• Activewear & Sports Apparel
• Screen Printed Sweatshirts & Hoodies
• Promotional Pens & Custom Printed Notebooks
• Custom Drinkware
• Screen Printed Electronics
• Custom Golf Balls
• Much more

Benefits of Screen Printing as a Decoration Method

• Best value for bulk orders—especially for custom uniforms or event gear.
• Delivers vibrant, durable prints that really pop, even on dark colors.
• Can be applied to a wide range of surfaces and products, not just apparel.

Drawbacks of Screen Printing as a Decoration Method

• Less practical for small orders or one-off items because of setup costs and screen creation.
• Prices can rise quickly with complex, multi-color designs.

Heat Transfer Printing

Heat transfer is a step up from DIY iron-on methods. Our advanced digital heat transfer process uses precision heat and pressure to bond your graphics directly onto fabric, making it a strong choice for sports apparel and teamwear. This technique allows for full-color, detailed designs without the cost of extra thread or multiple screens.

When to Use Heat Transfer as a Decoration Method

Heat transfer is ideal when you want vibrant, full-color designs with fine detail—especially for smaller orders or when individual personalization (like player names or numbers on uniforms) is needed. It’s also a smart, cost-effective choice if you’re working with tight budgets or quick turnarounds, thanks to minimal setup requirements.

Heat Transfer is Ideal for…

• T-Shirts
• Activewear & Sports Apparel
• Sweatshirts & Hoodies
• Backpacks & Bags
• Teamwear
• Team Uniforms & Jerseys

Benefits of Heat Transfer as a Decoration Method

• Low setup costs make it great for small batches or custom uniforms.
• Allows for unlimited color options and sharp, detailed designs.
• Perfect for personalization—names, numbers, or unique graphics.
• Available in a variety of finishes and styles, including eco-friendly options.

Drawbacks of Heat Transfer as a Decoration Method

• Large designs can get pricey and may feel less breathable on the fabric.
• May not last as long as embroidery or screen printing with heavy use or frequent washing.
• Not recommended for materials sensitive to high heat, like some synthetics.
• Can’t iron directly over printed areas.

DTG Printing

Digital printing, also known as direct to garment (DTG) printing, works like printing a photo from your computer—your design is printed straight onto the fabric using high-resolution, full-color technology. This method is awesome for complex, detailed logos or graphics-heavy designs, especially if you want a small run without sacrificing quality.

When to Use Digital Printing as a Decoration Method

DTG printing is a top pick for small orders, or when your artwork includes gradients, lots of colors, or intricate details that would be tough to reproduce with thread or screens. It’s also a great way to get a digital look on your uniforms or team gear that matches exactly what you see on your screen.

Digital Printing is Ideal for…

• Notebooks
• Water Bottles & Drinkware
• Electronics
• Promotional Products
• T-Shirts
• Activewear & Sports Apparel
• Printed Sweatshirts & Hoodies

Benefits of Digital Printing as a Decoration Method

• No screens or color separations needed, so it’s fast and easy to set up.
• Prints ultra-fine detail in unlimited colors—perfect for logos with gradients or photo-quality images.
• Cost-effective for short runs or one-off designs.

Drawbacks of Digital Printing as a Decoration Method

• For big orders, digital printing can be pricier than screen printing.
• Some DTG printers only work on 100% cotton fabrics.
• May not be as fast as screen printing for large volumes.
• Printing multi-color designs on dark fabrics can be tricky with some machines.

3D Embroidery

3D puff embroidery adds a bold, raised effect to your logo, using a foam pad placed under the stitching. This creates a standout look with real depth, most commonly seen on custom hats and caps but also great for heavier fabrics like sweatshirts and workwear. If you want your branding to literally pop, 3D embroidery is the way to go.

When to Use 3D Embroidery as a Decoration Method