Screen Printing vs Embroidery for Team and Company Apparel

Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen onto a garment and is best for large quantities and multi-color designs on jerseys and t-shirts. Embroidery stitches thread directly into the fabric and is best for logos on polos, hats, and corporate apparel where a premium, durable finish matters. Burghardt Sporting Goods does both in-house in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Screen printing vs embroidery: which should I choose?

The right method depends on your design, your garment, and your quantity. Here is the short version, followed by detail on each.

Factor	Screen Printing	Embroidery
Best for	Jerseys, t-shirts, large runs, bold graphics	Polos, hats, jackets, bags, logos
Priced by	Number of colors in the design	Number of stitches in the design
Large quantities	Very cost-effective at volume	Cost stays consistent per piece
Small detail / small text	Handles fine detail and gradients well	Limited on very small text
Durability	Long-lasting; can fade over many years	Extremely durable; does not fade
Look and feel	Flat, smooth, full-color	Raised, textured, premium

What is screen printing and when is it the best choice?

Screen printing is a technique where ink is squeezed through mesh screens directly onto a garment. Pricing is based on the number of colors in a design, because each color requires a different screen. At Burghardt Sporting Goods, screen print production is done in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Screen printing is the best choice for team jerseys, fan t-shirts, and any large order with a bold, graphic design. Because the setup cost is spread across the run, the per-piece price drops significantly as quantity goes up. It is the standard method for printing sports jerseys at volume.

What is embroidery and when is it the best choice?

Embroidery is a process where thread is stitched directly into the fabric of a garment. Pricing is determined by the number of stitches in a design. At Burghardt Sporting Goods, embroidery is also done in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Embroidery is the best choice for corporate apparel, coaches' polos, hats, and jackets, anywhere a logo should look premium and last for years. The stitched finish is raised and textured, does not fade, and signals a higher-end product. It is ideal for company-branded apparel and staff uniforms.

Are there other jersey decoration methods?

Yes. Beyond screen printing and embroidery, Burghardt Sporting Goods offers two additional decoration methods, each suited to specific needs.

• Heat Press A machine transfers vinyl onto a garment. This method is ideal for customizing a jersey with an individual name, number, or one-off design. Burghardt Sporting Goods can also provide on-site heat press t-shirts for tournaments and events.
• Sublimation Sublimation customizes uniforms with no restrictions on color, design, name, or number, because the design is dyed directly into the fabric. It is the best choice for full-color, all-over uniform designs. Burghardt Sporting Goods provides sublimated uniforms to hundreds of teams throughout the Milwaukee area. These are not done in-house.

How do I decide which method to use?

1. Start with the garment. T-shirts and jerseys point toward screen printing or sublimation. Polos, hats, and jackets point toward embroidery.
2. Count your colors and your quantity. Bold multi-color designs on large runs favor screen printing. A single logo on premium apparel favors embroidery.
3. Consider the impression you want. Embroidery reads as premium and corporate. Screen printing reads as team and spirit wear. Sublimation reads as a full custom uniform.
4. Ask about names and numbers. Individual player names and numbers are often added by heat press even on a screen-printed or sublimated jersey.

What artwork format do I need to provide?

For the cleanest result, artwork should be provided in vector format. Vector files have an extension of .ai, .eps, or .pdf. If you do not have vector art or are starting from scratch, the Burghardt Sporting Goods Team Sales staff can guide you on choosing art and relaying it to the in-house graphic designers.

Where can I get team and company apparel decorated near Milwaukee?

Burghardt Sporting Goods handles screen printing, embroidery, heat press, and sublimation in-house at its New Berlin, Wisconsin location, serving schools, teams, and businesses across southeastern Wisconsin. The Team Sales and custom counter staff manage orders from artwork through delivery. The store is located at 15333 W National Avenue, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Milwaukee. Phone: 262-790-1170.

You can't beat Burghardt.