As you start designing your custom clothing, your first major decision will be whether you want to have your design embroidered or printed onto the fabric. Both embroidery and screen printing are excellent choices. Which you choose will depend on the type of result you’re looking for and what your budget is.

Screen Printing

What It Is

Screen printing is a process that uses a stencil-like machine. The stencil is made in your design, and then the paint is squeezed onto the clothing through the screened stencil. It is recommended for custom t-shirts and sweatshirts, as these articles have a flat surface that can be stamped. It’s cost-effective for orders large in number and orders with intricate designs.

What It Costs

Screen printing is an affordable way to customize shirts. The price is mainly determined by the number of colors in your design; with each color you add, the price will go up. The size of your order also affects the cost per piece; much of the cost comes from creating the stencil rather than actually printing each garment.

Embroidery

What It Is

Custom embroidery involves sewing the design onto the fabric. It requires a special type of material that was made to be embroidered on since these fabrics are thicker and can hold the thread better than your average shirt. The result is high-end, durable, and creates a design that pops with the thread that has a sheen to it. Embroidery can be done on basic articles, such as shirts, or others that aren’t flat, such as hats. Because it’s a more involved process than printing, people often choose to have smaller designs embroidered.

What It Costs

Embroidery is pricier than screen printing. The price is determined mainly by the stitch count; the larger the design, the more stitches it will require and thus the more expensive it will be. Size of the order can impact price as well; the larger the order, the lower the cost-per-piece may be. The number of colors you use will not affect the price.

Whether you want screen printing or embroidery, look for a company with an excellent reputation to do the job for you. The Monogram Company offers both services with premium results and quick turnaround times in La Crosse, WI. They have an extensive inventory of clothing options to choose from, but they can special order an item if you want something not in stock. See their options on their website and call (800) 784-9647 for an estimate.