DTF vs Embroidery vs Screen Print vs DTG
Four ways to put your logo on workwear — each one right for a different fabric, budget and finish. Here's exactly how they compare, and how to pick the correct method first time. Embroidery and DTF printed in-house, under one roof.
DTF suits almost any fabric — including lightweight and performance polyester — and prints full colour with no setup. Embroidery gives the most premium, hard-wearing finish on heavier cottons. Screen print wins on cost for high-volume runs with few colours. DTG is best for full-colour designs on soft 100% cotton in low quantities. Brand Me Now runs both DTF and embroidery in-house in Birmingham, so a single order can mix methods without anything being outsourced.
What each one actually is
Plain-English breakdown of how each works, what it's best for, and what to watch out for. DTF and DTG are both printing — priced the same, the difference is the fabric. Embroidery and screen print are separate processes.
DTFDirect-to-Film transfer
From £1.35 / logoA full-colour design is printed onto film, then heat-pressed onto the garment. No screens, no thread limits, no setup fee — just a thin, flexible, durable print that handles gradients and photographic detail.
Best when you're decorating mixed fabrics, performance polyester, or a complex multi-colour logo.
EmbroideryStitched thread
From £1.50 / logoYour logo is digitised and stitched directly into the fabric on our twin-head and 15-head Tajima machines. The most premium, tactile and hard-wearing finish — it lasts as long as the garment.
Watch out: not suited to lightweight polyester ≤160gsm — stitching puckers and the backing shows through. £15 one-off digitisation (waived on first orders over £100).
Screen PrintInk through a stencil
Bespoke quoteInk is pushed through a separate screen for each colour. There's a setup cost per colour, but once the screens are made the per-unit price drops fast — making it the cheapest option at volume.
Best when you're ordering large runs of tees with a simple, few-colour design.
DTGDirect-to-Garment print
From £1.35 / logoThe other printing method. A specialist inkjet prints the design straight into the fabric, so it feels soft and built-in rather than sitting on top — ideal for full-colour artwork on soft 100% cotton, even in single quantities. Same price as DTF; the difference is the fabric, not the cost.
Best when you're after the softest finish on cotton tees. For polyester, hi-vis or mixed fabrics, we'll print it with DTF instead.
The comparison table
Every method against the things that actually decide which one you should use.
| DTF | Embroidery | Screen Print | DTG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Full colour on any fabric | Premium, durable logos | High-volume, few colours | Full colour on cotton |
| Suits polyester / hi-vis | Yes — ideal | Not lightweight | Limited | No |
| Full colour & gradients | Yes | Thread colours only | Per-colour | Yes |
| Durability | Excellent | Outstanding | Excellent on cotton | Good |
| Feel on garment | Thin, smooth film | Raised & textured | Soft to medium | Softest — in-fabric |
| Setup cost | None | £15 digitisation* | Per colour (bespoke) | None |
| Minimum order | Low / none | Low | Higher (volume) | One-off welcome |
| From price / logo | £1.35 | £1.50 | Bespoke quote | From £1.35 / logo |
Printing (DTF and DTG) from £6.95 down to £1.35 per logo as quantity rises, with no setup — DTF for any fabric, DTG for soft 100% cotton, same price. Embroidery from £7.50 down to £1.50. *£15 digitisation is a one-off per logo, waived on first orders over £100. Up to 4 positions per garment and methods can be mixed — setup applies per unique logo, not per garment.
Lightweight polyester? Don't embroider it.
Performance polos, hi-vis and technical fabrics at 160gsm or under are too thin and stretchy for stitching. Embroider them and you get puckering around the design, with the backing showing through from the other side.
The fix is simple: print these with DTF. It lays flat, holds full colour, and survives industrial washing — exactly what light technical workwear needs. We'll always flag this before we quote.
Which method should you use?
Match your job to a method. When in doubt, send us the garment and the artwork — we'll tell you straight.
Workwear decoration FAQ
The questions we're asked most about choosing a decoration method.
Which workwear suppliers do both embroidery and DTF in-house?
Should I choose embroidery or DTF for polo shirts?
Can you embroider lightweight polyester?
What's the difference between DTF and screen printing?
DTG vs DTF — which is better?
How much does DTF and embroidery cost?
What's the most durable workwear decoration?
Can one garment have more than one decoration method?
Decorated in-house in Birmingham
DTF printing and embroidery both run on our own floor — nothing outsourced, so a single order can mix methods and stay on one timeline.
Not sure which one you need?
Send us your garment and your artwork. We'll recommend the right method, flag any fabric issues, and quote it — embroidery and DTF both done in-house, right here in Birmingham.