Customization Methods
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Customization Methods

Wondering which customization method is best for your project or want to learn more about the process? You’ve come to the right place. Simply click the customization methods below to learn more about it and discover its pros and any limitations.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a popular decoration method that uses a squeegee to press ink through a fine mesh screen directly onto a product’s surface. A film of your design is created and applied to the screen, blocking off areas where ink shouldn't pass. Only the parts of the screen that match your design allow the ink through, transferring it precisely where it’s needed.

Each color in the design is applied one at a time, meaning a separate screen is required for every color. That’s why setup costs increase with multi-color designs—more colors mean more screens and more preparation.

Close up of a screen print machine being used

Benefits

  • Vibrant Colors: Bold prints on light/dark fabrics.
  • Durable Prints: Withstands frequent washing.
  • Cost-Effective: Lower per-unit cost for bulk orders.
  • Scalable Across Products: Use the same design across multiple products.

When to Choose Screen Printing

  • You need bold, vibrant designs, especially on dark garments.
  • You're ordering in bulk (great for events, teams, or large campaigns).
  • Your design is simple (1-4 colors) and doesn’t require intricate detail.
  • You want to apply the same design to a range of product types and sizes.

How it Looks & Feels

  • Feel: Slightly raised with a smooth texture. Can feel stiff or plasticky on large, solid areas.
  • Best for: Cotton or cotton-blend materials.
  • Finish: Bold, matte colors that really pop on fabric.
Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is a precision-based method that uses focused laser beams to burn away the top layer of a product’s surface, creating a clean and detailed design. This process is controlled digitally by a laser engraving machine, ensuring consistent results across each item.

We use two main types of lasers: YAG lasers and CO2 lasers. The choice of laser depends entirely on the material being engraved. YAG lasers are ideal for creating tonal effects that match the product’s original finish, while CO2 lasers are typically used for engraving on coated metal surfaces, such as pens. Both methods deliver a permanent, high-quality imprint that lasts the lifetime of the product.

Close up of a laser engrave machine

Benefits

  • Highly Durable: Resistant to wear, perfect for frequent-use items.
  • Eco-Friendly: No ink or chemicals used in the process.
  • Precision Output: Delivers detailed, elegant finishes on metal and wood.
  • Premium Feel: Ideal for upscale items and special occasions.

When to Choose Laser Engraving

  • You want a long-lasting, sophisticated imprint on metal or wood products.
  • Your item will be used frequently or in tough environments.
  • You’re aiming for a high-end presentation with subtle, permanent branding.

How it Looks & Feels

  • Feel: Seamless and smooth, integrated directly into the material.
  • Best for: Metal, wood, and coated surfaces.
  • Finish: Tonal or colorless, often subtle but elegant in appearance.
Embroidery

Embroidery is a premium decoration method where your design is stitched directly onto a product using threads. After digitizing your artwork into a stitch pattern, the design is programmed into an embroidery machine, which sews the imprint using up to 12 thread colors. This method doesn't require screens, allowing for fast color changes and efficient production. It’s a classic and stylish way to showcase logos on apparel, bags, and hats.

Close up of hats being embroidered on a multi-item embroidery machine

Benefits

  • Premium Look: Delivers a textured, raised appearance for a professional, high-end finish.
  • Full-Color Stitching: Supports multicolor logos without extra setup fees.
  • Durable & Long-Lasting: Resists wear and fading; withstands many wash cycles.
  • Fabric Versatility: Performs well on hats, jackets, polos, and bags.
  • No Fading: Maintains vibrant colors over time without peeling or washing out.

When to Choose Embroidery

  • You want a long-lasting, refined finish on fabric-based products.
  • Your logo or design has multiple colors and should retain its look over time.
  • You’re decorating items like hats, outerwear, or branded uniforms.
  • You need a textured and three-dimensional effect that enhances your design.

How it Looks & Feels

  • Feel: Textured and raised, especially prominent on thicker garments like hats or jackets. The backside may feel slightly stiff depending on the stitch density. Less noticeable on lighter fabrics like polos and t-shirts.
  • Best for: Apparel, headwear, and accessories with fabric surfaces.
  • Finish: Threaded, dimensional look that adds depth and tactile interest.

Order Size Limitations

  • Small Orders: Cost-effective for short runs, with no added charges for multicolor logos.
  • Bulk Orders (50+): Economies of scale apply, though larger designs with high stitch counts can increase production time and cost.
  • Design Complexity: Intricate, fine-detail artwork may be harder to replicate and more costly. Consider embroidered patches or digital alternatives for better results.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG)

Direct-to-Garment or DTG printing is a digital printing technique where designs are printed directly onto a product using specialized printers and fabric-safe inks. Much like printing on paper, DTG printers jet full-color ink directly into textile fibers, which are then heat-cured to ensure durability. The result is a high-resolution imprint with fine detail and vibrant color.

Because the design is transferred digitally, DTG printing is ideal for rapid production and offers levels of detail and color variation that are hard to achieve with traditional screen printing methods.

Close up of a Direct-to-Garment IMprint on a t-shirt

Benefits

  • High Detail & Color Range: Excellent for full-color, photographic, or gradient-heavy designs.
  • Soft Feel: Ink soaks into the fabric, creating a smooth, natural finish.
  • One Setup Cost: No need for screens or plates; great for quick changes or testing new designs.
  • Small Run Friendly: Perfect for custom pieces, limited drops, or on-demand production.

When to Choose DTG

  • You want intricate, multi-color, or photo-quality designs.
  • You're producing small quantities or one-off apparel.
  • You need a soft, fabric-integrated imprint that feels natural to wear.
  • You're aiming for fast turnaround without setup delays.

How it Looks & Feels

  • Feel: Extremely soft—ink is absorbed into the fabric and doesn’t add noticeable texture. On darker garments, the print may feel slightly heavier or stiffer.
  • Best for: Light-colored, 100% cotton garments like t-shirts and hoodies.
  • Finish: Matte with subtle blending; rich in detail and color transitions.

Order Size Limitations

  • Small Orders: Cost-effective due to minimal setup; ideal for testing new designs or limited runs.
  • Large Orders: Less efficient compared to screen printing due to slower speeds and higher ink costs.
  • Large Print Areas: Not ideal for oversized prints, as production time and cost can increase.
Direct-to-Film (DTF)

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is a modern decoration technique that allows full-color designs to be printed onto a special transfer film and then heat-pressed onto a garment. Unlike DTG or screen printing, the design is not applied directly to the fabric—instead, it’s transferred via film, making it more versatile and efficient across various materials.

DTF excels in capturing intricate designs and multi-color graphics while requiring minimal setup, making it a popular option for small to mid-sized custom orders.

Close up of a Direct-to-Film printer in the process of printing a design

Benefits

  • One Setup Fee: No screens or plates required, ideal for small-batch production.
  • Vivid Colors & High Detail: Great for detailed artwork, multi-color graphics, and photo-quality prints.
  • Fabric Versatility: Applies well to cotton, polyester, blends, and other fabric types.
  • Quick Turnaround: Fast production with minimal prep time.

When to Choose DTF

  • You have a multi-color or complex design with fine detail.
  • You’re producing a small or mid-size run (under 50 units).
  • You want vivid, long-lasting prints across a variety of garment types.
  • You’re looking for a quick, cost-effective alternative to screen printing.

How it Looks & Feels

  • Feel: Smooth with a slightly plastic-like finish—softer on light fabrics, slightly more rigid on thicker materials. Softens with washing and wear.
  • Best for: T-shirts, hoodies, totes, and other cotton or poly-blend apparel.
  • Finish: Glossy to semi-matte appearance with crisp, vibrant colors.

Order Size Limitations

  • Small to Medium Orders: Highly cost-effective due to minimal setup requirements.
  • Larger Orders: Possible but may carry a higher per-unit cost compared to screen printing.
  • Design Complexity: Ideal for detailed or colorful designs; no restrictions like halftone or color limits found in other methods.
CMYK Screen Print

CMYK screen printing is a process that uses four ink colors—Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black)—to reproduce full-color images and realistic artwork. Each color is printed in layers using individual screens, with small dots of ink overlapping to create a wide spectrum of hues. This method is ideal for detailed, photographic designs and produces long-lasting imprints that hold up well over time.

Unlike traditional single-color screen printing, CMYK allows for smooth gradients and multi-color imagery, making it a strong choice for complex visuals.

Close up of a CMYK print on a t-shirt

Benefits

  • Full-Color Reproduction: Excellent for photographic or artwork-heavy designs.
  • Smooth color Transitions: Allows for gradient effects not possible with DTG or spot color printing.
  • Durable: Produces long-lasting, wash-resistant prints suitable for heavy-use apparel.
  • Cost-Effective for Bulk Orders: Economical when printing medium to large volumes (30+ items).

When to Choose CMYK Screen Print

  • You need a full-color design with photographic detail or smooth gradients.
  • You're placing a medium or large order, such as uniforms, merchandise, or campaign apparel.
  • You’re printing on light-colored, natural-fiber garments and want vivid results.
  • Your artwork includes many colors and fine transitions that go beyond basic screen printing.

How it Looks & Feels

  • Feel: Similar to standard screen printing, but can feel slightly thicker if large areas of color are used.
  • Best for: Light-colored cotton garments like aprons, uniforms, and t-shirts.
  • Finish: Matte with detailed, full-spectrum imagery and layered ink textures.

Order Size Limitations

  • Small Orders: Not as cost-effective due to the complexity of color separations and multiple screen setups. DTG or DTF may be better suited.
  • Large Orders (30+): Significantly more economical with cost savings scaling with volume.
  • Design Limitations: May not be ideal for extremely fine or intricate details; other digital methods may yield sharper results.