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Customization Methods

Not sure which customization method is right for your promo product? We’re here to help!

Click on any of the options below to see how it works, what it’s great for, and what to keep in mind. It’s all laid out simply - no guesswork, no hassle.

Screen Printing: A Tried-and-True Classic

Screen printing is one of the most popular ways to decorate promo products - and for good reason! This method uses a mesh screen and a squeegee to press ink right onto the surface of your item. A special film of your logo or design is applied to the screen, so the ink only goes where it’s supposed to - giving you a clean, precise result every time.

Each color in your design is printed one at a time, so multi-color artwork needs a separate screen for each color. That’s why multi-color designs can sometimes incur additional costs - more screens mean more prep behind the scenes!

Image of a woman using a screen print machine

Why Choose Screen Printing?

  • Bright, Bold Colors: Perfect for both light and dark fabrics - your logo really stands out.
  • Built to Last: These prints hold up well, even after lots of washes.
  • Budget-Friendly for Bulk: The more you order, the more you save. Great for big events or teams!
  • One Design, Many Products: Use the same design across different items and sizes with ease.

Best Time to Use Screen Printing

  • You want bold, vibrant prints, especially on darker garments.
  • You're placing a larger order (ideal for teams, events, or promotions).
  • Your design uses 1 to 4 solid colors and doesn’t need fine details.
  • You plan to use the same artwork on a variety of products.

What It Looks & Feels Like

  • Feel: Slightly raised with a smooth texture. Large, solid areas might feel a bit stiff.
  • Works Best On: Cotton or cotton-blend fabrics.
  • Finish: Matte and vibrant - colors that really pop!
Laser Engraving: Clean, Precise & Built to Last

Laser engraving uses a high-powered laser beam to carefully etch your design into the surface of a product. It removes a thin top layer to reveal a sharp, detailed mark that won’t fade or wear over time. Because it’s all digitally controlled, every piece comes out crisp and consistent.

We use two types of lasers, depending on the material:

  • YAG lasers create subtle, tone-on-tone designs that blend beautifully with the item’s finish.
  • CO2 lasers are great for coated metal surfaces - like pens, giving you a sleek, permanent mark.

No matter the method, laser engraving gives you a professional, long-lasting imprint that keeps your brand looking sharp for years to come.

Close up of a laser engrave machine

Why Choose Laser Engraving?

  • Built to Last: Durable customization that resists fading, chips, and general wear - perfect for items that get used often.
  • Eco-Friendly Choice: No ink, no chemicals - just clean, precise engraving.
  • Sharp & Detailed: Creates fine lines and elegant detail, especially on metal and wood..
  • Upscale Look: Great for premium giveaways, corporate gifts, or special occasions.

Best Time to Use Laser Engraving

  • You need a durable, permanent mark on metal, wood, or certain coated products.
  • Your item will be used daily or in rugged environments.
  • You want a clean, high-end look that feels subtle and professional.

What It Looks & Feels Like

  • Feel: Smooth and flush with the surface - engraved directly into the material.
  • Works Best On: Metal, wood, and coated finishes.
  • Finish: Sleek and tonal - often subtle, always sophisticated.
Embroidery: Classic, Professional & Built to Impress

Embroidery adds a polished, high-end touch by stitching your design directly onto the product using colored threads. Your artwork is first digitized into a custom stitch pattern, then stitched by machine - using up to 12 thread colors for rich, vibrant results.

There’s no need for screens, so switching colors is quick and production runs smoothly. Embroidery is a timeless choice that looks great on apparel, hats, bags, and more - perfect for giving your brand a clean, professional finish.

Close up of a hat being embroidered

Why Choose Embroidery?

  • Premium, Professional Look: Embroidery adds texture and dimension, giving your logo a clean, high-end finish that stands out.
  • Full-Color Flexibility: Multicolor designs? No problem. Stitch up to 12 colors - no extra setup charges.
  • Tough & Long-Lasting: Won’t fade or wear out. Holds up wash after wash, even with frequent use.
  • Versatile on Fabric: Looks great on hats, jackets, polos, bags - the options are endless!
  • Color That Stays Bright: No peeling, fading, or cracking. Just vibrant thread that lasts.

Best Time to Use Embroidery

  • You want a refined, durable decoration on fabric-based items.
  • Your logo includes multiple colors and should stay sharp over time.
  • You're branding gear like hats, outerwear, polos, or uniforms.
  • You’re going for a textured, elevated finish that brings your design to life.

What It Looks & Feels Like

  • Feel: Raised and textured - slightly more noticeable on thicker items like jackets or caps. On lightweight fabrics like polos or tees, it’s more subtle. You may feel a bit of structure on the inside depending on the stitch density.
  • Works Best On: Apparel, hats, and accessories made with fabric surfaces.
  • Finish: Threaded and dimensional, adding depth and a tactile feel.

Things to Know About Order Size & Design

  • Smaller Orders? Embroidery works well - even with multicolor logos.
  • Larger Orders (50+)? Cost per piece goes down, though big, dense designs can take longer and may increase production time.
  • Detailed Artwork? Very fine detail may be tough to stitch cleanly. For intricate logos, ask us about embroidered patches or digital options that preserve the look.
DTG Printing: Full-Color, High-Detail, Fast

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a digital method that prints your design straight onto fabric, just like printing on paper, but with inks made for textiles. The ink soaks into the fibres and is then heat-cured, giving you a vibrant, high-resolution imprint that lasts.

Because everything is done digitally, DTG is perfect for detailed artwork and full-color designs. It’s great for short runs, fast turnarounds, and jobs where traditional screen printing can’t capture the detail or color variation you need.

Close up of a Direct-to-Garment Imprint on a t-shirt

Why Choose DTG Printing?

  • Incredible Detail & Color: Perfect for photo-quality images, gradients, and full-color designs with lots of depth.
  • Soft, Natural Feel: The ink soaks right into the fabric—no raised texture, just smooth, wearable comfort.
  • Easy Setup: No screens or plates needed, so it’s great for quick changes, testing new designs, or one-off pieces.
  • Ideal for Short Runs: Perfect for custom orders, limited edition drops, or small-batch apparel.

Best Time to Use DTG Printing

  • Your design is intricate, multicolor, or includes photo-style imagery.
  • You’re printing in small quantities or want unique, one-off pieces.
  • You’re after a soft-touch imprint that blends into the fabric.
  • You need a fast turnaround without setup delays.

What It Looks & Feels Like

  • Feel: Extremely soft - since the ink becomes part of the fabric, there’s no thick or raised feel. On darker garments, prints might feel slightly heavier due to the white underbase.
  • Works Best On: 100% cotton, light-colored t-shirts, hoodies, and casual wear.
  • Finish: Matte with smooth blending - great for detail, color transitions, and tonal variety.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Small Orders? DTG is a cost-effective choice with minimal setup - great for testing new looks or limited runs.
  • Larger Runs? Screen printing may be more efficient due to faster speeds and lower ink costs.
  • Oversized Prints? DTG works best with standard print areas - very large prints may take longer and cost more.
Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing: Versatile, Colorful & Efficient

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is a modern method where your full-color design is printed onto a special transfer film first, then heat-pressed onto the garment. Unlike DTG or screen printing, the design isn’t printed directly on the fabric - this transfer process makes DTF great for a wide range of materials.

DTF shines at handling detailed, multi-color designs with minimal setup, making it a smart choice for small to medium-sized custom orders that need flexibility and quality.

Close up of a Direct-to-Film printer in the process of printing a design

Why Choose Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing?

  • One Simple Setup: No screens or plates needed, making it perfect for small-batch and custom runs.
  • Bright, Detailed Prints: Handles intricate designs, multi-color graphics, and photo-quality images with ease.
  • Works on Many Fabrics: Great on cotton, polyester, blends, and more—versatility you can count on.
  • Fast Turnaround: Quick production with minimal prep means your order moves faster.

When DTF is the Right Choice

  • Your design has lots of colors or fine details.
  • You’re ordering small to medium quantities (usually under 50 pieces).
  • You want vibrant, durable prints on a variety of fabric types.
  • You need a speedy, cost-effective option that beats screen printing setup.

What It Looks & Feels Like

  • Feel: Smooth with a slight plastic feel - softer on lighter fabrics and a bit firmer on thicker materials. It softens naturally after washing and wear.
  • Works Best On: T-shirts, hoodies, totes, and cotton or poly-blend apparel.
  • Finish: Glossy to semi-matte with crisp, vibrant colors that really pop.

Order Size & Design Notes

  • Small to Medium Runs: Very cost-effective thanks to minimal setup.
  • Larger Orders: Possible but may cost more per unit compared to screen printing.
  • Design Complexity: Perfect for detailed and colorful artwork - no limits on halftones or colors like some other methods.
CMYK Screen Printing: Full-Color, Photo-Realistic Prints

CMYK screen printing uses four key ink colors - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black), to create full-color images with rich, realistic detail. Each color is applied in layers through separate screens, with tiny dots of ink overlapping to produce smooth gradients and a wide range of hues.

This method is perfect for detailed, photographic designs and delivers durable prints that stand the test of time.

Unlike traditional single-color screen printing, CMYK lets you capture complex visuals with smooth color transitions and vibrant multi-color effects.

Close up of CMYK inks in a CMYK printer

Why Choose CMYK Screen Printing?

  • Full-Color Precision: Perfect for photo-quality prints and designs packed with artwork detail.
  • Smooth Color Blends: Creates gradients and color transitions that you won’t get with DTG or standard spot colors.
  • Built to Last: Durable, wash-resistant prints made to handle heavy wear.
  • Great Value on Bulk: Cost-effective when ordering medium to large quantities (30+ pieces).

When CMYK Screen Printing Makes Sense

  • You need detailed, full-color designs with smooth gradients.
  • Your order is medium to large - think uniforms, merch, or campaign gear.
  • You’re printing on light-colored, natural fabrics and want bright, vivid results.
  • Your artwork has lots of colors and fine transitions beyond basic screen printing.

How it Looks & Feels

  • Feel: Like classic screen printing, but can feel a bit thicker if large color areas are used..
  • Works Best On: Light-colored cotton garments like t-shirts, aprons, and uniforms.
  • Finish: Matte, with rich full-color detail and a layered ink texture.

Order Size & Design Notes

  • Small Orders? Less cost-effective due to complex color separations and screen setups - DTG or DTF might be a better fit.
  • Large Orders (30+)? Much more affordable with savings increasing as volume grows.
  • Design Details? Very fine or intricate designs may be better suited to digital printing methods for sharper results.
Printing Method Best For Design Complexity Order Size Feel & Finish Key Benefits
Screen Printing Bold, simple designs; bulk orders (50+) 1-4 colors; less detail Large orders (50+ pieces) Slightly raised, matte Durable, cost-effective for bulk, vibrant colors
Laser Engraving Metal, wood; premium, long-lasting marks Detailed, tonal designs Any size Smooth, integrated into material Permanent, eco-friendly, upscale finish
Embroidery Apparel, hats, bags; textured, professional Multicolor logos; moderate detail Small to large orders Raised, textured, slightly stiff on thick fabrics Durable, premium look, multicolor without extra setup
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Intricate, multicolor, photo-quality designs Highly detailed, full-color Small runs, one-offs Soft, fabric-integrated, matte finish Soft feel, no setup fees, great for small runs
Direct-to-Film (DTF) Versatile fabrics, small to medium orders Multicolor, detailed Small to medium (under 50) Smooth, slightly plastic feel, softens over time Quick turnaround, fabric versatility, vivid colors
CMYK Screen Printing Photographic designs on light fabrics Full-color with gradients Medium to large (30+ pieces) Matte, layered ink texture, slightly thicker Smooth color blends, durable, cost-effective in bulk

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