Sublimation vs Screen Printing vs Embroidery: Which Decoration Method is Best?

Sublimation Printing

Dye sublimation is the dominant decoration method for modern team jerseys. The design is printed onto transfer paper and then heat-pressed into the fabric, which embeds the dye directly into the polyester fibres. The result is a print that does not crack, peel or fade and that allows unlimited colours, gradients and photographic detail at a single price point. Sublimation only works on polyester or high-polyester blends.

Screen Printing

Screen printing pushes plastisol or water-based ink through a stencil onto fabric. It produces vivid, opaque colour and is cost-effective for simple, multi-colour designs at higher volumes (typically 50+ pieces per design). It works well on cotton t-shirts, polos and hoodies, but each colour adds to the unit cost and very fine detail is difficult.

Embroidery

Embroidery stitches your logo into the garment with thread. It signals quality and durability, which is why it is the default choice for club crests on polos, tracksuits and corporate uniforms. Embroidery has a stitch count cost rather than a colour cost, so simple, bold logos are cheapest.

Which Should You Choose?

For full-colour custom jerseys with player names and numbers, choose sublimation. For simple two- or three-colour graphics on cotton off-pitch wear, choose screen printing. For premium, durable logos on polos and outerwear, choose embroidery. Many clubs combine all three across a single kit range.

Need help deciding for your order? Send us your designs and quantities and our team will recommend the right method for each garment.