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You have picked the perfect item to rally the team at work. Now you are asking yourself, “What type of decoration should I use on this …?”.
You aren't alone. I've received this same question countless times over my career of putting company's logos on apparel and gear. It's a question that everyone asks themselves when preparing their corporate team order. And with all the options available to customize your order, choosing the right decoration method to match your vision for the order can feel overwhelming. But no sweat! Your Threadfellows team is here to help you make the best decision for your order. Let's take a minute and break it down the way our experts do when helping you consider all of the options.
Before we get too far into it, let me assure you there is no right or wrong answer. We pride ourselves in having best in class quality on all of our decoration methods and as long as quality in craftsmanship exists, it's more about your preferences and matching your vision rather than what is right or wrong.
Let's get Started! Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Logo:
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How "loud” do you want it to be? Do you need this to be clearly recognizable for logistical reasons related to a job task? Are you at an event where you need it to be a large billboard for your brand? Or do you want subtle and understated?
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What's the demographic of the people that will be wearing it? Are they buttoned up financial professionals? Video game designers? Home builders? Healthcare professionals? Different audiences will gravitate towards different looks.
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How complex is the logo? Do you have a lot of small details? A ton of colors?
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What have you done in the past? If you've love it before, chances are you'll love it again. But then again, sometimes it's good to mix it up!
Now Let's Look At Your Order:
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What fabrics are you applying your logo to? Different decoration types perform stronger on different fabrics. Fuzzy Fleece vs. Puffy Outerwear vs. Performance T-Shirts. You get the idea. You'll want to know the different fabrics you are planning to determine the right method.
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Is there a Brand Logo on the item already? What decoration method did the brand use for their logo? Here are some examples: On this Nike DRI-FIT Polo, the Nike Swoosh is printed on the Left Sleeve. On this Columbia Fleece Jacket, the Columbia logo is a Patch on the Left Chest. And on The North Face Backpack, The North Face logo is applied using Embroider.
Have all your answers? Great! Now we line up your answers with some options.
Quick Reference
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Patch Style |
Overall Look |
Logo Detail |
Durability |
Best For |
Product Recommendations |
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Embroidery |
Classic & Professional |
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Traditional Logos, Premium Apparel |
Polos, Hats, Jackets, Quarter-Zips |
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Logo Fusion |
Modern & Polished |
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Detail & Multi-Colored Logos |
Performance Apparel, Polos, Bags |
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Patches |
Retail Inspired & Textured |
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Logos with Personality |
Hats, Outerwear, Bags |
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Screen Printing |
Bold & Colorful |
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Large Graphics & Artwork |
T-Shirts, Sweatshirts |
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Zipper Pulls |
Subtle & Branded |
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Finishing Touches |
Jackets, Bags |
Now, let's dig a little deeper...
Embroidery
Embroidery stitches your logo directly onto apparel with for a classy, professional application that is highly durable and pure polish. The OG form of customization and the most popular by Threadfellows shoppers. You'll actually notice a lot of brands like Johnnie-O, Vineyard Vines and The North Face using Embroidery for their Brand Logos.
Great For:
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Traditional Logos that are not text heavy.
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Durability! It lasts forever. It does not wear off. Perfect for audiences that are going to put the garment through a long life. You can learn more about caring for an Embroidered Logo here.
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Gives off traditional, elevated vibes. Works great for brands like Brooks Brothers or Peter Millar.
Stay Away From:
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Text heavy logos or logos with fine details.
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The traditional feel might not mesh with some brands. It might feel a little too "old school" for brands like Bad Birdie.
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Not great for Lightweight Fabrics. Embroidery should be used on a sturdy fabric that won't be weight down.
Our Take: If you walked into our office and asked, "What's the safest bet?" we'd probably hand you an embroidered polo. It's timeless, incredibly durable, and gives almost any logo a polished, professional finish. There's a reason it's still our most popular decoration method.
Logo Fusion
Logo Fusion uses a four-color process (CMYK) and first-rate inks to print your logo onto carrier film, then applies seamlessly to fabrics via heat and pressure. Logo details will be crisp and Color Registration on-point! This premium decoration method creates the appearance of a direct print while maintaining exceptional durability and detail. It's one of our favorite ways to reproduce complex logos because it captures crisp lines, gradients, and small text that traditional embroidery simply can't. The result is clean, modern, lightweight, and incredibly sharp.
Great For:
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Logos with lots of small text or intricate details
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Modern brands like Bad Birdie that want a sleek, printed appearance
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Lightweight performance apparel
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Multi-color logos and gradients
Stay Away From:
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Large logos with a lot of color filling
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Products that have weather treating on them
Our Take: When someone tells us, "Our logo has way too much detail," Logo Fusion is usually where the conversation starts.
Patches
Patches are one of the fastest-growing decoration trends in branded apparel. Instead of applying your logo directly to the garment, your logo is first created as a patch and then attached to the apparel. The result? A premium, retail-inspired look that can range from rugged and outdoorsy to sleek and modern.
Great For:
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With a variety of different Patch Options – Embroidered Patches, Flex Patches, Woven Patches, Leather or Faux Suede Patches – you are sure to find a look and feel that matches your vibe.
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They work great on product categories like Hats, Jackets and Bags
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A Woven Patch can work well on Layering products like Quarter Zips and everyday apparel like Polos.
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Providing a retail-inspired branding look.
Stay Away From:
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Very thin performance fabrics or product categories like T-Shirts. The weight of the patch isn’t going to work well here.
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Budget-focused orders. There is an additional cost associated with decorating with a patch. This might not work if you have a tight budget.
Our Take: If your goal is "I want this to look like I bought it in a retail store," patches deserve a serious look. A subtle upgrade that people notice without knowing exactly why. If you are headed in this direction – you’ll want a rundown of our different Custom Logo Patches.
Screen Print
Screen printing is a traditional ink application (up to 5 colors) directly to the garment. This method layers your logo onto the fabric using the robust inks heat cured for durability. It’s a go-to choice for large graphics, vibrant colors, and high-volume orders. It's ideal when you want your artwork to make a statement.
Great For:
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Product categories like T-shirts and Sweatshirts/Hoodies
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Large logos. Maybe you want a full-chest or full-back logo…this decoration is for you!
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Cotton-blend fabrics. Event apparel. Spirit wear. Tough teams (landscaping, construction, etc.)
Stay Away From:
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Fuzzy or textured fabrics. This isn’t going to work for those Fleece Jackets.
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Premium fabrics. Weather treated or poly/performance materials.
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Logos with over 5 colors.
Our Take: If your logo needs to be seen from across the parking lot, screen printing is probably your answer.
Zipper Pulls
Sometimes the coolest branding isn't the biggest. Custom zipper pulls replace standard zipper tabs with your logo or message, adding a subtle premium touch.
Great For:
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Displaying your brand is a subtle, tasteful way.
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Products like Jackets, Backpacks and Cooler Bags. It's going to require a primary zipper to showcase your logo on a zipper pull.
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A secondary logo application to give your garment some extra oompf!
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Premium employee gifts.
Stay Away From:
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Orders where you want “loud” logos and maximum logo visibility is important.
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Budget-conscious projects. There is an additional cost associated with decorating with a patch. This might not work if you have a tight budget.
Our Take: It's one of those little details that makes people think, "Wow...they thought of everything."
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best decoration method for custom apparel?
If only there were one magic answer! The truth is, the best decoration method depends on your logo, the product you're decorating, the fabric, the look you're going for, and your budget. Embroidery is a great all-around choice for a classic, professional look, while Logo Fusion is a great option for detailed logos and lightweight performance apparel. Patches bring a little more personality, and screen printing is hard to beat for bold graphics on T-shirts and sweatshirts.
What is the most durable apparel decoration method?
Embroidery is one of the most durable decoration methods and a great choice for apparel that's going to get plenty of wear. Patches can also be incredibly durable, depending on the material and application. The good news? You don't have to choose between something that looks good and something that lasts. With the right decoration method for the right product, you can have both.
Is embroidery or screen printing better?
This is a little like asking whether sneakers or loafers are better. It depends on where you're going! Embroidery creates a raised, polished look that works especially well on polos, jackets, hats, and other structured apparel. Screen printing applies ink directly to the garment and shines on T-shirts, sweatshirts, large graphics, and colorful designs. Both are great—the trick is matching the method to the job.
What decoration method is best for a detailed logo?
If your logo has tiny text, intricate details, gradients, or a whole rainbow of colors, traditional embroidery may not be your best bet. Logo Fusion or certain patch styles can reproduce those details much more clearly. Don't worry if your logo looks a little complicated—there's almost always a decoration method that can make it work. Sometimes we just need to get a little creative.
What is the best decoration for a polo shirt?
Embroidery is a classic choice for polos for good reason. It creates a polished, professional look without taking over the garment. Logo Fusion and some patch styles can also work beautifully if you're going for something a little more modern or retail-inspired. When in doubt, send us the logo and the polo you're considering. We'll help you figure out what plays nicely together.
What is the best decoration for hats?
Embroidery and patches are both fantastic choices for hats. Traditional embroidery gives you that classic, instantly recognizable look, while patches open the door to different materials, textures, colors, and dimension. If you're trying to make a hat feel more like something you'd pick up at your favorite outdoor or lifestyle brand, a patch is definitely worth considering.
Can any logo be embroidered?
Technically, almost any logo can be embroidered—but that doesn't mean every logo should be. Tiny lettering, super-fine lines, and intricate details can get a little lost when translated into stitches. In those cases, we may recommend simplifying the artwork or choosing a different decoration method. Our goal isn't just to put your logo on something. It's to make sure it actually looks good when we get it there.
Does the fabric affect which decoration method I should choose?
Absolutely. Fabric matters more than you might think. Fleece, lightweight performance fabrics, puffy outerwear, T-shirts, and structured hats all behave differently when decorated. What looks fantastic on a sturdy polo may not be the best choice for a lightweight performance tee. That's why we look at the product and the logo together when recommending a decoration method.
What file should I provide for my logo?
Vector artwork is the gold standard. PDF, AI, and EPS files are preferred because they give us the cleanest artwork to work with. JPEG files can work, too, but they may need a little extra preparation before your logo is ready for decoration. If you're not sure what you have, send it our way. We'll take a look.
Deciding on the best decoration method for your order can be daunting and we hope this extra bit of information helps. And if you still can't decide? Talk it out with one of our experts! This is what we do, so let us help. You can reach us Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-6:00PM CST at 844-588-6275. Or email us anytime at customercare@threadfellows.com.
Remember, there is no right or wrong. Only what is right for you!
Need custom apparel? From polos and quarter zips to hats and jackets, Threadfellows will help you choose products that not only look great on day one, but continue looking great for years to come. You’ll Love Wearing Your Logo!