Screen Printing Vs Embroidery for T-shirts

There are various ways you can transfer an image or graphic onto a T-shirt.  Unless you want to use the old iron-on method, you should consider screen printing or embroidery as the best option to meet your needs.  Each one has its own set of benefits and disadvantages. 

Screen printing involves the use of a squeegee, ink, and a screened frame.  Embroidery involves the use of a computerized embroidery machine and thread.  This machine is very similar to a sewing machine.

You will find that screen printing is typically less expensive than buying embroidered merchandise.  It costs more to create lots of embroidered products even with a computerized machine.  Therefore, you may strongly want to consider using screen printing instead when ordering items in bulk.  You will save plenty of money.

It is also much easier to use bigger designs with screen printing.  Smaller details can also pose a problem.  When using embroidery for smaller details and text, it will be much more difficult than with screen printing.  It can create designs and logos with ease as long as the screen does not break.

One of the biggest advantages of going with screen printing is that you'll have more options.  Embroidery can only be used on cloth.  Screen printing can be used to transfer images on a wide range of materials in addition to cloth.

One of the final advantages of screen printing is that you can match virtually any color.  If you need an exact color for an embroidered job, then you will need to find thread that is of that exact color which may be difficult.  Colors are not a problem  with screen printing since you simply need to prepare the ink correctly.

While embroidery suffers all of these disadvantages when compared to screen printing, it does make up for it.  You will find that embroidered T-shirts will last much longer than those made using screen printing.  The screen print will eventually start to peel off or crack.  The color will also begin to fade especially after you wash it a few times.  Most people agree that an embroidered T-shirt looks much more stylish and professional. 

Screen printing and embroidery are two of your main options for transferring images to a T-shirt.  Screen printing is typically less expensive and can produce images with smaller details more effectively.  You can also use this method to transfer images to other materials besides cloth which is not true with embroidery.  However, the images will start to fade, crack, or peel off after you wash it a few times.