If you’re trying to decide between embroidery vs sublimation for your next project, neither one is necessarily better. Instead, the right choice depends on the garment, fabric, artwork, how it will be worn, and the look you want. Our team at The Sublimation House offers both embroidery and cut-and-sew sublimation from our in-house Las Vegas operation and ships custom apparel nationwide. Here’s what to know about choosing the right decoration method and how to get started on your next order.
What Is the Difference Between Embroidery and Sublimation?
If you’re new to printing custom apparel and other merchandise, here’s what to know about the difference between embroidery vs sublimation:
Embroidery
Your design is stitched directly into the garment with thread, creating a raised, textured finish. Although there are exceptions, embroidery is generally better for logos, names, and branding on polos, hats, jackets, bags, uniforms, and similar apparel.
Sublimation
Instead of sitting on top of the fabric, heat turns the ink of your design into a gas that bonds with polyester fibers. The design then becomes part of the fabric itself. At The Sublimation House, we also use a unique cut-and-sew sublimation process that allows fabric panels to be printed before they are cut and sewn into the finished garment. Sublimation is a good choice for full-color, edge-to-edge designs and performance apparel.
Is Sublimation Better Than Embroidery for Athletic Apparel?
Sublimation is usually a stronger choice for athletic apparel, jerseys, and moisture-wicking fabrics. The design is incorporated directly into the fabric instead of adding heavier stitches. Our team works with businesses across the country to customize their sports uniforms, performance shirts, names, numbers, sponsor logos, patterns, and all-over designs. Sublimated graphics also don’t crack or peel. Embroidery can still work on athletic apparel, especially for warmups, jackets, hats, and other pieces where a stitched logo makes more sense.
Should You Choose the Garment or Decoration Method First?
Some companies want to buy the apparel first and figure out the decoration method later. Although this can work, the decoration should influence what kind of garment works best. If you prefer embroidery, you generally need a fabric that can support the stitching. It’s also important to consider the size and placement of the logo before you get started.
When it comes to sublimation, the composition of the fabric matters. Polyester and performance fabrics are some of the most common choices for sublimation and cut-and-sew production. Cut-and-sew sublimation gives you more freedom to cover a large portion of the garment with graphics. Unlike embroidery, sublimation allows for edge-to-edge graphics.
Can You Use Embroidery and Sublimation for the Same Brand?
Your business, team, or organization doesn’t necessarily need to choose one method for every piece of branded apparel you’re working on:
- Embroidered polos and jackets for employees
- Embroidered hats for merchandise
- Sublimated performance shirts for outdoor crews
- Sublimated jerseys for sponsored teams or events
No matter which decoration method you want, we help keep the branding consistent with a production method that works best for each garment. We offer a combination of sublimation, embroidery, and screen printing so you can build a broader apparel program instead of forcing every item into one production method.
Embroidery vs Sublimation FAQs
Is embroidery more expensive than sublimation?
The price of your apparel depends on the garment, design, order quantity, and production requirements, so one method is not always cheaper than the other. Embroidery pricing is also determined by stitch count and design complexity, while cut-and-sew sublimation involves producing the customized garment itself. Get in touch and we can talk through your budget and come up with a quote for your next project.
Is sublimation or embroidery better for work shirts?
Embroidery is usually the better choice for polos, jackets, hats, and uniforms when you want a clean stitched logo. Our team usually recommends sublimation for lightweight performance shirts or workwear with larger graphics, patterns, or designs covering more of the garment.
Can you embroider detailed logos?
Yes, you can embroider logos, but if they’re highly detailed, they may need to be simplified. We may recommend thin text lines and detailing so they reproduce cleanly in thread. Our team at The Sublimation House can review your artwork and help prepare it for embroidery before production begins.
Does sublimation fade or peel after washing?
Sublimated artwork becomes part of the fabric itself instead of forming a printed layer on top, so it doesn’t peel or crack like some surface-applied graphics can. How someone takes care of the garment will also matter. Our team at The Sublimation House specifically uses sublimation for durable, full-color apparel designed for repeated wear.
Can sublimation print on dark-colored shirts?
Traditional sublimation tends to work best on white or light polyester. The ink isn’t opaque and can’t cover a very dark base. Instead, cut-and-sew sublimation gives you more freedom because the design is printed onto the fabric panels before the garment is assembled. That makes it possible to create dark backgrounds, full-color patterns, and edge-to-edge designs.
Get Help Choosing Embroidery or Sublimation
Not sure whether your design should be embroidered or sublimated? Send The Sublimation House your artwork and tell us what you’re making, who will wear it, and how it will be used. Our Las Vegas team can help you choose the garment and production method that make the most sense for your project, then handle production in the USA and ship your order nationwide.
