Embroidery vs. Screen Printing

:confused:Embroidery and screen printing are the two most popular methods of customizing apparel and promotional items. Embroidery gives more of a high end look as screen printing gives a more relaxed and casual appearance. We will break down the difference of both along with the pros and cons of each to help you decide whats best for you.

Embroidery

Embroidery is the process where a machine stitches a particular design or text onto a product of choice.`Embroidery is typically used on golf shirts, woven’s, jackets & coats, corporate wear, ball & knit caps, tote bags and much much more.

How is Embroidery Priced?
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Embroidery on almost all occasions is priced based on a stitch count. This stitch count is usually broken down per thousand stitches and priced accordingly. Obviously all companies have different pricing strategies. There is a one time setup fee which in our world is called “digitizing.” Digitizing is when a design/logo is converted into a format that an embroidery machine can recognize and sew out. This should always be a one time fee unless the size or details change.

Pros of Embroidery

• Very professional looking.
• Last’s longer than screen printing.
• Discounts for quantity orders.
• Enhance your garment.
• Get your business noticed!

Cons

• Logos may need to be altered due to difficulty of showing shading with thread.
• Very small text is very difficult.
• Little more expensive than screen printing.

Screen Printing

Screen Printing (or serigraphy) is a printing technique that converts a graphic into a multi-layered film (one color per layer, up to four layers), which is then applied onto garments. Unlike Direct to Garment Printing, Screen Printing can print white ink and is most cost effective when your design is a single color. Screen Printing like embroidery is used on almost all type of garments and many types of fabrics.

How is Screen Printing Priced?
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Screen Printing is priced based on the amount of colors used in the design that is being printed. For each color on the design a screen needs to be burned. Each screen that is burned typically has an associated screen charge. When there several amounts of colors in the design along with shading a four color process is needed, which requires four screens. the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, & black are used to reproduce all the colors needed in the design. The next charge will be a charge for ink per screen. Dark colored items cost a little bit more due to needing a white ink under-base. These are the most common ways your screen printing fees will be calculated.

Pros of Screen Printing

• Create high end products with shading and gradients.
• Fairly inexpensive for large discount items.
• Can recreate a very detailed logo. This can not be done with embroidery.
• Large designs typically do not add to the cost.

Cons

• Fading or cracking may occur after many years and several washings.
• Requires a minimum order due to setup time.
• Screen printing on some materials may be cost prohibitive, as special adhesives are required to secure the ink to the garment.

Conclusion on Screen Printing vs. Embroidery That about sums up the basic differences between embroidery and screen printing. We hope this helps. If not, feel free to as questions.