Most uniform sets use both. Polos, caps, beanies and jackets usually get embroidered for a clean company mark that holds up to weekly wear. Tees and hoodies usually get screen printed or DTF printed, depending on the artwork and quantity. We decide piece by piece, and one order can mix methods and still look like one uniform.
How each piece usually lands
| Piece | Usual method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Polos | Embroidery | A stitched chest logo looks professional and lasts |
| Caps and beanies | Embroidery or a patch | Thread and patches suit the surface |
| Jackets and heavier pieces | Embroidery | Holds up on thick fabric |
| Tees | Screen printing or DTF | Larger prints, lighter feel, lower cost per piece |
| Hoodies | Screen printing, DTF or embroidery | Depends on the artwork, size and placement |
When to stitch
Embroidery is the go-to for customer-facing staff, office crews and anyone in a polo. The raised thread reads as quality, and embroidered pieces are generally very durable. Setup is hand digitizing, $50 to $100 per design, and we keep your stitch file so reorders match.
When to print
Printing makes sense for large back designs, full-color artwork and lightweight tees for hot job sites. Screen printing fits larger runs of simple designs. DTF handles full-color art, stretch fabrics, smaller quantities and placements that are hard to screen print. Our DTF vs screen printing post covers that choice in more detail.
Reorders for new hires
The second batch is where uniform programs slip. Because we keep your stitch file, straightforward reorders on the same garment and placement don’t need new digitizing. One polo for one new employee is still an order we’ll run, though a single piece costs more than a batch. Tell us when an order is a reorder and we’ll check the blank, since brands change colors and retire styles.
Names, sizes and delivery
Employee names can go alongside the company mark. Send the roster exactly as each person wants their name, with a size next to every one. We can deliver one box to the office, pack individual orders, or set up an online store so each person picks their own size.
Get a uniform quote
Send the garments, head count, artwork and the date people need to be wearing them. We’ll recommend a method for each piece. Standard turnaround is two weeks. Start on our custom work uniforms page.
A few questions we get
Can you decorate shirts we already bought?
We only decorate blanks we supply, so we can replace anything we get wrong. Send us the style you like and we’ll help source it.
Which polo brands do you carry?
Nike, Adidas, TravisMathew, Port Authority and OGIO are common requests. We confirm availability before quoting.