What is the difference between printing and embroidery?

What is the difference between printing and embroidery?


This is a question we are commonly asked. Embroidery refers to clothing that has a pattern or logo stitched into its fabric. Printing is when a design or logo is printed directly onto the garment.

Printing and embroidery both have their own pros and cons. This short article highlights the difference between the two to help you determine which is right for you.

Printing

Cotton is the most popular fabric for t-shirts printing. The Cotton fibres are great for holding the inks and retaining the quality of the prints. Besides printing benefits, Cotton is the best choice of material for day to day work as they come in a wide range of thickness, perfect for the summer and winters. There are several types of cotton that can be used for clothing and each of them differ slightly, We've broken them down for you below.

Linen

Linen is made from a flax plant and has a textured weave. Linen is breathable thanks to is moisture-wicking and has a lightweight feel that makes it perfect for the summer. the nature of the fabric means that when its damp, its stronger so with repeated washes it will only get better. The downside to Linen t-shirts is that they crease very easy and often require careful ironing.

polyester

Polyester is another popular choice thanks to its washability and durability, after several washes polyester t-shirts will maintain its shape and resist shrinking or stretching. With this in mind it makes is a great option for workwear and sportsman!

However it not all great as it is made from synthetic fibres and contribute to micro plastics in clothing.

Lycra

Lycra is added into shirts to allow them to become more flexible. it’s also often found in athletic apparel as it allows for better ease of movement and stretch.


Garments made with Lycra have a number of advantages besides being able to stretch. Lycra adds comfort, fit, shape retention, durability and freedom of movement. In addition, it is easy to care for, and is wrinkle resistant which saves time and looks fantastic. All of this leads to a high-end quality garment.

Flannel

Flannel is very popular for is brushed texture, making a favourite choice in the winter. its most commonly used for shirts and shackets and has great durability and quality feel to it. although, if you have think you found you perfect material you should bear in mind that it needs to be washed carefully in order to avoid feeling itchy and shrinking.

Poly - cotton

The combination in Poly-Cotton allows both the benefits of Polyester and cotton to make an all-round fantastic t-shirt. Normally the cheaper option, it is perfect for mass printing  for events and workwear. Besides its printing benefits Poly-Cotton provides a light and cool feel. It takes the wrinkle resistance of cotton and the strength of polyester all mixed into one making and is great for everyday use with its soft feel and great shape that holds through any wash.

Still have trouble picking the right martials?

If your still having difficulty choosing the right material for you, do not hesitate to get into contact with our customer service team.

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