Sublimation vs. Screen Print vs. Embroidery — Which To Choose And Why.
Three genuinely different processes, each suited to a different kind of design. Here's how to pick.
Sublimation: Unlimited Colour, Zero Texture
Dye is infused directly into the fabric fibres, so the design becomes part of the fabric — no texture, no peeling, and effectively unlimited colours and gradients. This is the standard for full team kits with all-over graphics, like the jerseys in our case study. It works best on 100% polyester fabric in light colours.
Screen Printing: Cost-Effective At Volume, Limited Colours
Ink is pressed through a stencil screen onto the fabric surface — fast and cost-effective at larger quantities, but each colour needs its own screen, so designs with many colours or gradients get expensive fast. Best suited to simple logo placements in 1-4 colours.
Embroidery: Durable, Premium Feel, Priced Per Stitch
Thread is stitched directly into the fabric — the most durable option, and it reads as premium (crests, wordmarks, player names). Priced by stitch count rather than colour count, so simple logos are cheap and highly detailed designs get expensive. Not suited to large all-over graphics.
A Quick Way To Decide
- All-over graphic, gradients, or unlimited colours needed → sublimation
- Simple 1-4 colour logo, larger quantity, tight budget → screen print
- Crest, wordmark, or player name that needs to feel premium and last → embroidery
- Most full kits combine sublimation for the main design with embroidery for a crest
Send a reference image and we'll tell you which method — or combination — fits your design and budget. See our teamwear and football kit pages for examples of each in production.