Want to create a custom polo shirt but don't know whether to choose embroidery or print? We'll help!
Want to create affordable custom polo shirts , but don't know whether to go with embroidery or printing? It's a legitimate question, and users often contact us for advice! By following the steps on our website to create your dream polo shirt, after choosing the brand, model, color, and size, you'll soon have to decide which method to use to personalize it. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, the possibilities are numerous. However, we can safely say that the most popular techniques are direct digital printing (DTG), screen printing , and embroidery. At burger-print.nl , we offer all three customization techniques… And in this article, we've highlighted the main differences between fabric printing (in its various variations) and embroidery. This will make it easier to decide how to best produce your polo shirts and custom apparel.
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Personalization technique #1: direct printing
A cutting-edge technology, direct-to-garment (DTG) digital printing works very similarly to the standard printers we all have at home. The difference is that—rather than printing on a blank sheet of paper—it prints directly onto the fabric with special, non-toxic, and eco-friendly water-based inks! This technique allows for high-quality prints (obviously if the uploaded file has a high resolution) of complex images with different color tones and shades, on both light and dark fabrics, keeping colors sharp and vibrant. It's certainly an efficient and flawless method, but it depends on the intended use of the polo shirt you want to customize! A partially negative aspect is the resistance of the print to washing, which tends to be lower than that of screen printing. Furthermore, photographs don't look their best on synthetic fabrics, which are usually shinier than, for example, cotton. So, when should you rely on direct digital printing for affordable customized polo shirts ? Our advice is to use direct digital printing for polo shirts in these cases:
- when you want to make a few pieces (economical technique for printing even just one piece),
- you want to print a drawing with lots of colorful details,
- It is not an item of clothing intended for everyday use, but rather a special polo shirt to keep in the wardrobe and to show off on important occasions (to avoid exposing it to numerous washes that would ruin the print).
If you want to customize large quantities of polo shirts (for example for company uniforms, sports teams, school groups, etc.), the best solution is to find the following two techniques.
Personalization technique #2: screen printing
Screen printing is one of the earliest printing methods. Technically, it requires a more complex process than digital printing and is therefore only suitable for large print runs (minimum 50 pieces) because it saves on fixed production costs. The design to be created is broken down into primary colors using specific software (from one to four colors). The printing frames are then created (one for each color) and placed on the screen printing carousel. At this point, printing begins on the products, which are then placed in a special oven to bond the inks to the fabric. We recommend screen printing when you want to print simple, single-color designs or when you want to print multiple T-shirts with the same design in a single run. The results of screen-printed polo shirts customized with screen printing are excellent, as the print is resistant to washing. For this reason, it is also suitable for customizing uniforms that are often machine-washed at high temperatures.
Personalization technique #3: embroidery
Embroidery is undoubtedly the most durable and refined customization technique. The most frequent requests for this technique come from companies, who want to personalize uniforms with names, numbers, writing, simple logos, or small stylized designs in a few colors. However, we also receive requests from individuals who want to personalize their style with a highly refined, yet above all authentic and unique polo shirt, as if they were creating their own personal brand! Polo shirts shirts are among the items most suited to embroidery customization. On our website , burger-print.nl, you'll find numerous styles in cotton piqué (characterized by a honeycomb weave) and single jersey (a denser and more uniform yarn) on which to apply your preferred symbol. Embroidery is perfect, for example, for personalizing uniforms or professional clothing (such as that of hotel, restaurant, and retail staff) with small company logos, enhancing the garments and giving them added value compared to digitally or screen-printed uniforms. Having a work uniform is essential for a company. It not only conveys a sense of greater professionalism, it also helps instill a greater sense of belonging among employees. This is why, even in contexts where uniforms are not necessary, employers often choose to adopt them solely as a "sign of belonging." This makes employees feel like they're all part of the same team , a group working toward a common goal. Embroidery is a nearly permanent customization, as it's firmly bonded to the fabric and is unlikely to wear out. Our recommendation is to use this technique when you want to give your polo shirt a more elegant look and want this extra touch to last forever. Not just for company uniforms, but also, for example, as a special gift for someone who will enjoy wearing it and treasure it as a keepsake.
All things considered, for the perfect custom polo shirt…
…there's no single solution! Follow your personal taste to choose the style you want to achieve (whether you want to add a photo with many shades, a single-color design, a logo, text, or whatever you like). To decide on the best printing technique, review the details on the three methods in this article. Generally speaking, we can summarize them as follows:
- direct digital printing is ideal for printing highly detailed images with many shades of color on polo shirts, in small quantities to limit costs;
- screen printing is perfect for printing writing or designs on a large number of polo shirts (at least 50 pieces) with a maximum of four colours (spot colours);
- Embroidery is the most refined and sophisticated technique and adds a touch of originality and exclusivity to polo shirts.
For any other questions or specific issues, contact our support chat!
