Embroidered vs Printed Workwear: What’s Best for Your Business?

Embroidered Workwear v Printed

One question we get asked a lot is which is better, embroidered workwear or printed workwear? Well the answer is both! Here we dip into the pro’s and con’s of each type of uniform…

When it comes to branded uniforms, the choice between embroidered vs printed workwear can significantly impact your team’s image, comfort, and the longevity of your branding. Both options offer advantages, but which is best for your business?

In this guide, we compare embroidery and print finishes in terms of durability, appearance, cost, and suitability for different industries, helping you make the right choice for your team.

🎨 1. Branding Appearance: Professional Look & Feel

Embroidery

• Offers a high-end, professional look — ideal for customer-facing roles
• Threads are stitched directly into the garment, giving a textured, 3D finish
• Suitable for logos, names, and simple icons

Print

• Offers a flatter, cleaner look, great for large designs or detailed graphics
• Ideal for multi-coloured prints or large logos on the back of garments
• Suitable for all types of uniform as well as promotional items & event wear

✅ View our Embroidered Workwear
✅ View our Printed Workwear Options

🛠️ 2. Durability: Long-Term Use vs Occasional Wear

Embroidery

• Extremely durable — withstands frequent washing, tumble drying, and daily wear
• Ideal for long-term uniforms and industries like construction, trades, and hospitality

Print

• Modern DTF logo printing is much more durable than old-style printing; we reckon you can wash a DTF print 50 times before it may start to degrade. It may fade or crack with repeated washing
• You can use it as uniform if you wash the items inside out for longevity. Given it’s cheaper, it’s also ideal for promotional t-shirts or event wear

🔧 Best for: Builders, electricians, mechanics, retail staff
📢 Best for: Events, giveaways, temporary teams

💰 3. Cost Considerations: Upfront vs Volume Efficiency

Embroidery

• Slightly higher initial cost due to setup and the threading process
• Cost-effective in smaller runs or for recurring use, as the branding lasts longer

Print

• Generally more affordable for larger volumes or bulk promotional orders
• Setup is often quicker and cheaper, making it ideal for smaller orders

💡 Tip: For large teams, combine embroidery for polos and jackets with print on hoodies or tees to balance quality and budget.

🧼 4. Care and Maintenance

• Embroidered garments can usually be machine-washed without issue; the design won’t peel or crack
• Printed garments may require more care — wash inside-out, avoid high heat, and don’t tumble dry excessively

📌 Embroidery = Low maintenance
📌 Print = More delicate care required

🧑‍💼 5. Industry Suitability: Who Should Choose What?

🤔 Still Not Sure? Use Both!

Many businesses mix and match branding methods depending on the garment type or usage:

• Embroidered logos on polo shirts and jackets
• Printed logos or messages on hi-vis vests and t-shirts

At Dynamic Embroidery, we offer in-house embroidery and heat transfer printing, so you can choose what works best — or combine both for a complete uniform solution.

📦 Need Help Deciding? Get Expert Advice

We’re here to help you choose the perfect finish for your workwear. Whether you need a smart, embroidered uniform for daily use, or a cost-effective printed set for an upcoming event, we can tailor the solution to suit your business.

👉 Explore Our Embroidered Workwear

👉 Explore Our Printed Workwear

📞 Contact Us for a Free Quote

✅ Quick Summary: Embroidery vs Print