Embroidery and vinyl
Two ways to put your logo on workwear
Embroidery and vinyl print, what each one looks like and how to choose between them.
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Compare embroidery and vinyl
Both carry your logo well. They look different, suit different garments and need the same artwork from you.
Embroidery
- Best for
- Polo shirts, heavier T-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts, caps and some jackets. Branding on the chest, the sleeve or the front of a cap. A back design is possible but can feel stiff.
- Finish
- Your branding is stitched into the garment in thread. It sits raised and has a textured finish.
- Durability
- Stands up to heavy use and washing. Avoid a hot tumble dry, which can shrink the garment around the stitching.
- Artwork we need
- Send a PDF, JPEG, CorelDraw or vector file. You can supply your own artwork, or we can create it for you. Digitising your logo for stitching is a one time setup, and we match the thread to the closest standard colour.
Vinyl print
- Best for
- T-shirts, hi-vis, large back prints and bold text. Also waterproof shells, where stitching is not suitable.
- Finish
- Cut from coloured vinyl and heat pressed at around 165°C. It lies flat with sharp edges and solid colour.
- Durability
- Wash it inside out, never iron over the print and go easy on fabric conditioner.
- Artwork we need
- The same as embroidery. Send a PDF, JPEG, CorelDraw or vector file. You can supply your own artwork, or we can create it for you.
Embroidery
Stitched in thread and built for hard wear
Embroidery stitches your branding into the garment with thread. The result is raised with a textured finish that suits polo shirts, heavier T-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts, caps and some jackets.
It stands up to heavy use and washing. A back design is possible but can feel stiff, so embroidery usually goes on the chest, the sleeve or the front of a cap.
- Raised, textured finish
- Stands up to heavy use and washing
- Suits polos, hoodies, caps and some jackets
Vinyl print
Flat, sharp and bold
Vinyl print cuts your branding from coloured vinyl and heat presses it onto the garment at around 165°C. It lies flat with sharp edges and solid colour.
It suits T-shirts, hi-vis, large back prints and bold text, and waterproof shells where stitching is not suitable.
- Flat finish with sharp edges
- Solid, bold colour
- Suits T-shirts, hi-vis and big back prints
Questions about embroidery and vinyl
Should I choose embroidery or vinyl?
For a small logo on a polo, a hoodie or a cap, embroidery usually looks best. For a large back print, bold text or hi-vis, vinyl is usually the better fit.
We suggest a method when we quote. Ask if you would prefer the other method.
What artwork do you need?
Send a PDF, JPEG, CorelDraw or vector file of your logo. You can supply your own artwork, or we can create it for you.
For embroidery we digitise your logo into a stitch file. That is a one time setup per logo, and you can ask us for your digitised file after your order.
Where can my branding go?
Left chest is the standard position. Right chest, centre chest, sleeve and back prints are options too. Centre chest works when there is no zip or buttons in the way.
Cost depends on the size of the design and, for embroidery, the stitch count. On hi-vis we keep your branding clear of the reflective bands.
How do I look after embroidered and printed workwear?
Wash vinyl printed garments inside out, never iron over the print and go easy on fabric conditioner. Avoid a hot tumble dry for embroidery, which can shrink the garment around the stitching.
For more, read our aftercare guide.
Not sure which to choose?
Tell us the garments you have in mind and we'll suggest the right method when we quote.