Embroidery vs screen print on hoodies and sweatshirts
Embroidery for a left-chest logo that has to look like a uniform. Screen print for a big graphic at 48 pieces or more. That is the rule of thumb; here is the math and the exceptions from Battle Born Clothing's shop.
Cost side by side
| Quantity | Left-chest embroidery | 1-color screen print (dark) | One-time fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | $6.00 | Quoted per job | $18.99 digitizing / $20 screen |
| 48 | $5.50 | $4.59 | $18.99 digitizing / $20 screen |
| 144 | $4.00 | Quoted per job | $18.99 digitizing / $20 screen |
At 48 pieces, a one-color print is about a dollar cheaper per piece than embroidery. Add a second ink color and that gap closes because each color is a screen and a per-piece charge. Embroidery has no color charge: a four-color logo stitches at the same rate as a one-color logo.
Art size
- Embroidery: practical up to about 4 inches wide on the left chest. Larger embroidery is stitch-heavy and quoted per design.
- Screen print: up to about 12 by 10 inches on the chest and 13 by 14 inches on the back.
If your design is a wordmark or a small crest, either works. If it is a full graphic, it is a print.
Durability and feel
Embroidery is the most durable decoration we do; Rapos polyester thread holds color through years of washing. Plastisol print is also durable but sits on the surface and can crack after a few hundred washes if ironed or dried hot. Water-based and discharge prints soak into cotton-rich fleece and feel like nothing is there.
Which blank
| Blank | Embroidery | Screen print |
|---|---|---|
| Independent IND4000 / SS4500 | Excellent | Excellent (plastisol or water-based) |
| Port & Company PC78H / Gildan 18500 | Good | Good (plastisol) |
| Comfort Colors 1566 / Independent PRM4500 (dyed) | Excellent | Water-based or discharge recommended |
| Carhartt (authorized, quoted) | Standard | Not recommended |
The common combination
Many orders use both: an embroidered left-chest logo and a printed back. Each location is priced on its own; the quantity tier is the whole order. Small full-color runs under 48 go to DTF.
Questions
Can you embroider a full back?
Yes, quoted per design. It is usually several times the cost of a printed back, so we suggest print unless the look specifically calls for stitching.
Does screen print work on zip hoodies?
On the back, yes. We do not recommend printing across the zipper.
Which is better for a 20-piece order?
Embroidery or DTF. Twenty pieces is below the point where screens pay for themselves.