Printing vs. Embroidery: Which is Best for Customised Products?
Author: Sarah Roberts
Do you need help deciding between printing and embroidery for your customised products? We can help you make the choice based on your design, budget, and vision.
The choice is an important one, as printing and embroidery both produce different end results—printing offers a flat, graphic design, while embroidery provides a textured, dimensional look.
The cost of each is different, too, so this is another key consideration, particularly if you’re ordering high volumes of your product.
As a leading supplier of branded promotional merchandise, we work with both printing and embroidery techniques on a daily basis, so we can provide advice on which is best for your products.
Here’s what we suggest…
Order the Best Custom Printed & Embroidered Products From Flashbay
At Flashbay, we provide high-quality promotional items that are expertly customised to showcase your business or brand. Whether it’s your logo, slogan, or bespoke design, we ensure a professional finish that highlights your brand.
Our wide range of products includes custom hats, t-shirts, tote bags, and much more, perfect for promoting your business at events or in the workplace.
Our services include complex full colour Photo Printing, classic Screen Printing, beautiful Embroidery, and more, all completed to an incredibly high standard that reflects your brand’s commitment to quality.
View our complete catalogue of products today to see what’s on offer.
What’s the Difference Between Embroidery & Printing?
Photo printing and embroidery are two popular methods for customising personalised or promotional products, each offering distinct advantages. We’ve created a brief breakdown of the two and have discussed these in more detail below:
Embroidery Methods
Printing Methods
Involves…
Stitching designs directly into fabric
Transferring designs onto fabric or products using ink or digital methods
Finish
Textured and 3D look
Flat, smooth, and vivid design finish
Items ideal for…
Polo shirts, hats, and uniforms (as well as thicker fabrics)
T-shirts, tote bags, drinkware, notebooks, and electronic items
Cost
More expensive
Most cost-effective, especially for larger/bulk orders
Volume of products
Any (becomes more cost-effective the more units ordered)
Any (becomes more cost-effective the more units ordered)
Benefits
Long-lasting durability
Professional, premium, textured look
Works well on fabrics
Ideal for bold and vibrant colours
Smooth finish
More cost-effective for large orders
Photo Printing
Photo printing transfers high-resolution images directly onto the surface of a product, making it ideal for detailed designs, vibrant colours, and photographic quality. This method works well on items like tote bags, t-shirts, drinkware, or notebooks.
Photo printing provides a smooth, vivid finish and is often a cost-effective choice for smaller runs or highly detailed designs.
What's the Difference Between Screen Printing & Photo Printing?
Screen printing uses a stencil and mesh screen to apply ink onto a surface, great for bold, vibrant designs on fabrics.
Photo printing, on the other hand, utilises digital technology to directly transfer detailed, high-resolution images onto materials.
While screen printing is ideal for larger quantities and durability, photo printing excels in capturing intricate details and is suited for smaller or more customised projects.
Embroidery
Embroidery, in contrast, involves stitching designs directly into fabric using thread, creating a textured, three-dimensional look. It’s perfect for adding a polished, professional feel to items such as hats, polo shirts, or jackets.
Embroidery is extremely durable and holds up well after multiple washes, making it a great choice for long-term branding. The process is more detailed and time-intensive but the results can be stunning.
Choosing Printing vs Embroidery Based on Your Product Type
Of course, the cost of your products isn't the only thing you need to take into account. The actual products that you are customising will greatly affect whether printing or embroidery will be the best choice.
For example, embroidery isn’t actually possible on certain products (i.e., non-fabric items), so printing will be your only option. But where printing and embroidery are both available, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind.
Design Complexity
When choosing between photo printing and embroidery, it’s important to consider how each handles detailed designs.
Photo printing is ideal for intricate or multi-coloured designs, as it accurately captures fine lines, gradients, and subtle colour transitions. This makes it perfect for complex artwork or photographs.
In contrast, embroidery struggles with small text, thin lines, and detailed patterns, which can lose clarity during stitching.
Embroidery works best for simple, bold designs with fewer colours, as too much complexity can affect the quality and readability.
Ultimately, your choice should depend on the level of detail in your design and how important it is to maintain those details.
Fabric Compatibility
The fabric of your promotional printing apparel plays a key role in deciding whether photo printing or embroidery is the better option.
Photo printing works best on smooth, flat fabrics like polyester or cotton, as these materials allow for vibrant and detailed designs. Lightweight items like t-shirts or tote bags are great candidates for this technique.
In contrast, embroidery is ideal for thicker, textured fabrics like polo shirts, jackets, or hats, like our trendy Shade bucket hat. Its durability makes it perfect for heavier materials, adding a premium, long-lasting touch.
For example, logo embroidery on a polo shirt creates a professional look and stands up well to regular wear.
Purpose of Your Products
Choosing between photo printing and embroidery also depends on the purpose of your products.
For example, if you’re making affordable trade show freebies like our Spirit tote bags or T-shirts, you’ll likely focus on cost and vibrant designs. In this case, photo printing is a great option—it’s eye-catching and budget-friendly.
On the other hand, if your products are for workwear, durability and a polished look are more important. Embroidery is the better choice here, as it provides a high-quality, long-lasting finish that keeps your logo intact through wear and washing.
All Flashbay apparel comes with a 1-year warranty as standard for extra peace of mind. Always match your design method to the purpose and lifespan of your promotional items.
What Products Is Photo Printing Best For?
Photo printing is a great option for products that need vibrant, detailed designs and are meant for wide distribution. These include:
Trade show apparel, such as t-shirts and caps, where colourful, attention-grabbing designs can make an impact.
Tote bags are another excellent choice since they’re practical, cost-effective, and offer high visibility for your brand.
Electronic items like phone cases, power banks, and USB drives. These products often have small spaces where detailed logos or designs can stand out.
With its flexibility and creativity, photo printing is a smart choice for promotional items that leave a lasting impression.
What Products Is Embroidery Best For?
Embroidery is a great option for promotional products that need to be durable, professional, and high-quality. It’s great for…
Workwear like uniforms, because the stitched designs hold up well to regular washing and wear while still looking polished.
Branded merchandise like our Drift hats and polo shirts also work well with embroidery, as the textured designs add a touch of sophistication and help your brand stand out.
Fabric keyrings (like our JetTag style), which can be attached to keys for a business premises, or to hand out at events or conferences.
Embroidery is especially effective on thicker fabrics, ensuring logos or designs stay bold and vibrant over time.
Order Quality Embroidered or Printed Garments From Flashbay
At Flashbay, you can order high-quality embroidered or printed garments and promotional products quickly and efficiently.
With our rapid turnaround times and factory-direct prices, we make it easy to get the customised items you need, whether for corporate use, events, or giveaways.
Our expertise ensures top-notch results that showcase your branding beautifully while staying within your budget.
Choose Flashbay for reliable service and professional craftsmanship. Fill out a Quick Quote form today with the required details, and we’ll be quickly in touch with a personalised price list for your items.
FAQs
Does Print or Embroidery Look Better on Apparel?
Both produce fantastic results, but embroidery creates a more luxe-feeling product, which can be good if your business is positioned as high-end. Photo printing is a more widely available and versatile option, which works well for all business types. Flashbay’s Photo Printing is clean, crisp and bright.
When Will My Flashbay Embroidered or Printed Products Be Delivered?
Delivery times vary depending on the product and can be as quick as 7 working days. Please check individual product pages for detailed information.
Do You Offer Product Samples?
Yes, samples can be requested before placing your order. Contact our sales team today to learn more and discuss your requirements.
Author: Sarah Roberts
