Screenprinting vs. Transfers vs. Embroidery

As with most things these days, it is the case that there are too many choices for embellishment rather than not enough. Which method should you choose? Screen printing? Heat Transfers? Embroidery? Well, it depends on what look you are trying to achieve, what purpose the products (shirts, caps, totes) are being used for and the quantity you are looking to order. Here's a quick rundown on the different embellishing methods most commonly used and the pros and cons to each method.

Screen printing:
Screen printed shirts are everywhere and are probably the most common method used. Screen printed items are used for shirts, towels, promotional products, etc. A majority of the t-shirts you see out in the marketplace are screen printed.

How it works:
A design is divided into layers, a screen is made for each color and then the garment is screened by color one after the other. Of course this is a simplified description of the process but should give you the gist of how it works.

Pros:
Screen printing is great for large runs of the same design (at least 36) and if there are minimal colors. T-shirts are the most commonly screen printed item, however polo shirts and totes may also be screen printed. The cost per item is usually lower when screen printed because of the larger run requirements.

Cons:
High setup cost . Setup charges are usually per screen per color per side. Larger runs required each time to make it economically worthwhile.

Heat Transfers:
There are many forms of heat transfers however the most common are vinyl and plastisol transfers.

How it works:
Designs are either cut from vinyl, screen printed on release paper or printed on transfer paper and then are heat pressed on a garment.

Pros:
Transfers are great for small runs, generally less than 36 pieces or when you want full-color or custom printed garments such as names and numbers. If printed on transfer paper, designs can be full-color, even a photograph. There are generally no setup fees for transfer printing. No minimum requirements.

Cons:
Higher cost per garment. Some transfers will only work on light garments.

Embroidery:
Embroidery has the highest perceived value or quality out of all the embellishing methods. Embroidered apparel is seen nearly everywhere: banks, hotels, corporations, small businesses, gifts, etc.

How it works:
Stock embroidery fonts or designs are generally available however custom designs need to be digitized by a skilled digitizer using specialized software. Once a stitch file is created, it is inputted into a computerized embroidery machine and the design comes to life by using threads.

Pros:
Higher perceived value. Lower or no minimum requirements. Flexible, same design can be embroidery on different garments and products.

Cons:
Higher cost, digitizing fee, certain limitations on size and effects of the design.

Regardless of which method you choose, great results can be achieved if you ask the right questions. Hopefully, this little quick comparison of the different methods will help you in your decision making process.

Promotional Product of the Month!

Desk Clock/Travel Clock

Stylish yet functional. Keep your business in front of your customers with this nifty desktop clock. It's small, sleek and fits perfectly on any desk.

Great desk or travel clock includes time, date and temperature.


* Displays time, date and temperature
* Includes batteries


Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Size: 5"w x 1-7/8"h x 1/2"d

Product Colors: Silver

Set-Up Charge: $50 per color

Production Time: 5 Business Days

Standard Imprint Method(s):

* Screen Print: Front Center, 1"w x 1-1/4"h, 1 color(s) max

Notes:

* Imprint Color: White only

Min. order 50 pieces
$8.59 each
*shipping cost not included

Promotional Product of the Month!

Roll-Up Beach Mat

All work and no play is no fun so why not give your employees a gift that reminds them that they need to relax and rejuvenate every so often. Remember, happy employees are usually more productive!

This large mat is perfect for a day at the beach.

Convenient roll up capability Front pocket for additional storage Large size

Materials: Natural straw

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Size: Folded: 10"w x 13"h x 2-3/8"d, Unfolded: 36-5/8"w x 70-3/4"l

Item Colors: Black, Red, Royal Set-Up Charge: $50 per color

Production Time: 5 Business Days

Standard Imprint Method(s): Heat Transfer: Front, 8"w x 2-1/2"h, 4 color(s) max

Min. order 24 pieces
$15.59 each
*shipping cost not included

Some Assembly Required...

Like technology, fashion trends evolve and change rapidly. The next time you're at the mall, look around and you'll probably see Ed Hardy products at various stores. You can quickly identify Ed Hardy caps by its extensive embroidery all over the the cap including the brim. If you check out caps at a sports store such as Footlocker, you'll often see sports caps with embroidery on the brim as well. Very cool indeed. So it's no wonder why we often get customers asking us to embroider on the brim or to embroider on a cap front from top to bottom. Many people are puzzled when we have to inform them that this is not possible.

"Why? I've seen caps like this at so and so" people will ask. The reason is that in order to embroider on a cap, it needs to be mounted on a frame and a minimum amount of space is required above and below a design. Embroidering on the brim of a finished cap will also break the needles even if it could be mounted on the machine. The caps that you see at retail stores are embroidered on flat pieces of fabric prior to the cap being assembled which is how companies like Ed Hardy can achieve their final products.

When you have caps embroidered, the finished product is most likely a blank finished product which has already been assembled. But there's no need to worry, there are still plenty of areas to embroider on a cap: the front, back, either side and sometimes even on the adjustable strap if there is one. So remember, it's not that embroidery shops don't want to make you the latest and greatest fashion item...it's just that sometimes some assembly is required.

Promotional Product of the Month!

Collapsible Trunk Organizer

Marketing research shows that it is a lot cheaper to retain your existing customers than it is to attain new ones. A great way to do this is by showing your appreciation by rewarding your customers with a small token of your appreciation. A little friendly gesture will go a long way. This week's product of the week is fun yet functional!

Organize your life by starting with your trunk! This practical gift folds down for easy storage and shipping, then expands to hold an array of products from groceries to tools.

Folds down and secures closed for easy shipping and storage Features two large compartments, perfect for auto essentials, groceries or sports equipment

Materials: 70D nylon, frosted polypropylene plastic (0.8mm) front, 210D polyester and foam at bottom

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Size: 14-1/4"w x 12"h x 24-1/2"d

Item Colors: Black

Set-Up Charge: $50 per color

Standard Imprint Method(s): Screen Print: Front, 6"w x 1-1/2"h, 1 color(s) max

Notes: Not intended for use by children.

Min. order 35 pieces
$17.49 each

*shipping cost not included

Stand Out, Be Different!

Okay, so the title of this blog could apply to a lot of things but this is Threads Talk after all so for the purpose of the post it will pertain to logo placement. People always ask how large the embroidery logo should be and where to place it. The basic rule of thumb is that a left chest logo should be no wider than 4 inches and a cap logo should be no taller than 2.5 inches. Polo shirts are the most popular garment to embellish and the standard placement is on the left chest. While the left chest makes sense as it can easily be seen when shaking hands and talking face to face, why not venture out and do something a little different?

Embroidering your logo on the sleeve or on the back of the shirt below the collar are two great options. You can embroider your logo on one or both of these areas in place of or in addition to the left chest. Most companies have a website these days so strategically embroidering your website address on the back of your shirt below the collar is a terrific idea. Why you ask? Think about how many times you're standing in line at the bank, waiting for your plate lunch, to use the restroom, at the grocery store, etc. Chances are someone is standing behind you and sure enough they'll be looking at the URL on your back. Go ahead, stand out, be different.

What is Digitizing?

This is a question I get asked quite a bit and understandably many people do not know much about it. Digitizing is the art of converting a logo or design into a data format that embroidery machines understand. It is a popular misconception that since embroidery machines are computerized that all the embroiderer has to do is scan an image and the computer will do the rest. Unfortunately, it's not like "Weird Science" where you simply input images and PRESTO, there it is! Unlike screen printing, what you see on paper or screen is not what you will always get. Every detail of the design needs to be traced by the digitizer and then the correct type of stitching needs to be applied in order to create beautiful embroidery. Some digitizers are better than others which explains why the same logo can come out looking entirely different.

Here are a few key things to know to make sure your design will be digitized at its best:

1) Provide the digitizer/embroiderer a high resolution image of your design. Vector files such as Adobe Illustrator and eps files work the best but a high resolution jpeg (300 dpi) will work just fine too. Remember (GIGO, Garbage In, Garbage Out). If you provide a low quality design, it is highly likely you will end up with low quality embroidery.

2) Let the embroiderer know what you plan to embroider and what size you want it to be. A jacket back logo vs. a left chest logo will need to be digitized differently. The type of material the logo will be embroidered on will also determine how the design will be digitized.

3) The digitizing fee is based on complexity.

4) Digitizing requires specialized software and is not something anyone can do using Photoshop. A Digitized file is very different from a Digital file.

5) Once you have your design digitized, you can use the file over and over without paying the digitizing fee again unless major edits are required.

Hopefully, this bit of information provides some clarification and gives you a greater appreciation of the art of digitizing. Happy stitching!

Cost Effective Marketing in Tough Economic times

It's no secret that these economic times have been tough on everyone. The first thing most businesses do is cut back on their advertising budget. As many of us learned in marketing 101, this is a big NO-NO. In fact, we were told by our professors that in slow times, we should actually increase our advertising because most of our competitors are cutting back and our business would be on the top of our customers' minds once they decide to make purchases again. Easier said than done, believe me, I understand. Although many of us can't afford to run more tv or radio commercials or any at all, we all can afford to capitalize on the greatest advertising of all..word of mouth. And a great way to do this is through embellished apparel. Whether you decide to do screen printing or embroidery or hand out products with your business name and logo on it, people start talking and generally that's a good thing for your business. Every time you walk in a restaurant, a bank, a salon, or your son's baseball game with your shirt or cap with your business logo on it, you are a walking advertisement and are creating an opportunity for people to ask about your business. So even in these harsh economic times, you CAN increase your advertising and be cost effective about it. Let's turn the "R" word into rejuvenate.