If you want to customize your clothing with your logo, design, or message, you have two main options: Embroidery or Screen printing. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and preferences. Let us compare and help you decide which one is better for your custom apparel.
1. Quality
Embroidery is a process of stitching your design onto the fabric using a needle and thread. It creates a raised and textured look that adds dimension and depth to your clothing. It is ideal for small and simple designs such as logos, monograms, or names. It can also handle multiple colours and gradients with ease.
Screen printing, on the other hand, is a process of applying your design onto the fabric using a stencil and ink. It creates a flat and smooth look that blends well with the clothing. It is ideal for large and complex designs such as images, graphics, or slogans. It can also produce vibrant and sharp colours that stand out.
2. Durability
Embroidery is very durable and can withstand washing, drying, ironing, and wearing without fading or peeling. It can also resist stains and wrinkles better than screen printing. However, embroidery can also be prone to snagging or tearing if the threads are not properly secured or if the clothing is rubbed against rough surfaces.
Screen printing is less durable and can fade or crack over time due to washing, drying, ironing, or wearing. It can also be affected by stains and wrinkles more than embroidery. However, screen printing can also last longer if the ink is cured properly, and if the clothing is washed and dried with care.
3. Cost
Embroidery is more expensive than screen printing because it requires more time, labour, and materials to produce. The cost of embroidery depends on the size, complexity, and number of colours of your design, as well as the type and quality of the fabric you choose. Embroidery also has a higher setup fee than screen printing because it requires digitising your design into a format that can be read by the embroidery machine.
Screen printing is cheaper than embroidery because it requires less time, labour, and materials to produce. The cost of screen printing depends on the size, number of colours, and quantity of your design, as well as the type and quality of the fabric you choose. Screen printing also has a lower setup fee than embroidery because it requires creating a stencil for each colour of your design.
4. Appearance
Embroidery has a professional and elegant appearance that suits formal and casual clothing alike. It can add value and prestige to your custom apparel and make it look more refined and sophisticated. Embroidery can also enhance the texture and feel of your clothing and make it more comfortable to wear.
Screen printing has a casual and trendy appearance that suits sporty and fashionable clothing alike. It can add style and personality to your custom apparel and make it look more fun and creative. Screen printing can also enhance the colour and contrast of your clothing and make it more eye-catching.
Conclusion
Embroidery and screen printing are both great options for customizing your clothing with your own design. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses that you should consider before making your choice. Embroidery is better for small and simple designs that require high quality, durability, and elegance while screen printing is better for large and complex designs that require low cost, vibrancy, and trendiness. Ultimately, the best method for your custom apparel depends on your personal preference, budget, and purpose. Both services are available at Blackberry Uniforms in Kisumu.
Source: Medium.com | @mandla.nyindodo
