As a promotional products professional, you should know about the popular decoration techniques for one of the most requested product categories, apparel. In this post, we’ll go over the five most widely-used apparel decoration methods, their benefits, and how to best use them.

1. Embroidery: The first and most traditional method of decoration is embroidery. The origin of embroidery can be dated back to 30,000 BC, with fossilized remains that show evidence of hand-stitched clothing, boots and hats.

Putting aside the history lesson, embroidery is the most popular technique to customize apparel. Embroidery involves stitching thread into a garment or accessory, like hats, socks and bags, to create a logo or design. The stitching of the embroidered threads creates a dimensional effect with minimal fading.

Since threads themselves can add bulk to a design, it’s better to choose this decoration method for thicker fabrics like polos and jackets. This is a great option for corporate apparel, like polos and dress shirts, as well as bags. Embroidery isn’t suitable to recreate all logos and artwork. Complex logos with small lettering, details and shading are difficult to recreate.

1. Screen Printing: With the screen-print method, which is also called silkscreen, an image is transferred on to the printed surface by ink, which is pressed through a stenciled screen (hence the name) using a squeegee. Each color in a logo or design gets a separate screen. So, if the logo has 3 colors, then 3 screens need to be created.

This method is long lasting, with many ink colors to choose from. Gradients can be achieved and a variety of items can be decorated like shirts, pens, mugs and more. Since each color used in a design will need its own separate screen, the more colors the design has, the more expensive the order becomes. Generally, screen printing is best for larger order quantities with designs that use less than 4 colors.

1. Sublimation: Also known as dye sublimation, this method requires a special system of printers, inks, paper and heat press. A design or logo is printed on this paper and is then heat sealed onto the promotional product. With this process, the ink combines with the promotional product it is applied to, creating a seamless design.

Sublimation allows for vibrant colors with photorealistic quality, and the possibility of larger, seam-to-seam designs. It’s perfect for complex designs with many colors. Unlike screen printing, the setup is the same no matter how many colors are used.

Sublimation is best for promotional items that are coated with polyester. Garments should contain polyester and hard goods should be coated with polyester to produce the most vibrant results. The higher the percentage of polyester in the garment, the more vibrant the end result will be. The color of the item matters – sublimation is best for light colored items.

1. Heat Transfer: A heat transfer is an ink-based design, usually on transfer paper, that is applied to the garment with a heat press. Heat triggers this special ink to create an adhesive on the opposite side of the transfer paper. The ink then sticks to the fabric, the transfer paper is peeled away and the design remains. Heat transfers allow for full color high-definition designs.

Heat transfers are great for smaller quantities, they are thin, flexible and the design variety achievable with transfers makes them a great option for sports apparel, fashion and unique designs.

1. DTG Printing: Direct-to-garment printing, also known as DTG, is a process that involves printing a digital image directly onto apparel. This method requires pre-treatment of garments to ensure that the ink gets properly adhered. Direct to garment printing allows for photo quality images without color limitations.

DTG is best for smaller order quantities or one-offs. It is recommended to use fabrics that are at least 50% cotton, although it is possible to get good results with different materials if they are pretreated before printing. This is also a great solution for complex designs and seamless printing over difficult areas such as zippers and seams.

What apparel decoration technique do you prefer? Let us know on our Facebook page!

This info was presented in our recent webinar, Decoration Techniques & Selling Points. Missed it? Watch the recording here.

Did you know we host monthly webinars on topics just like this one? Find out about our webinar lineup here.