Apparel decoration has been used for centuries to enhance the appearance of clothing and create a unique style. From the intricate embroidery on a wedding dress to the bold graphics on a t-shirt, there are countless ways to decorate apparel. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of apparel decoration, their history, and their modern applications.
Embroidery
Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric with needle and thread. It has been used for thousands of years, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt and China. Embroidery can be done by hand or by machine and can be used to create intricate designs, monograms, and logos. Embroidery is commonly used on uniforms, jackets, hats, and other high-end apparel. Embroidery pricing is usually determined by how many stitches the artwork has to make and the number of garments you are decorating.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a printing method in which ink is applied onto a substrate (usually fabric, paper, or plastic) through a stencil or mesh screen. The stencil is created by blocking out areas that are not meant to be printed, leaving open spaces through which the ink is transferred onto the substrate. The ink is pushed through the stencil using a squeegee, which creates a clear and vibrant image. Screen printing is commonly used for t-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, and other materials, and is popular for its ability to create durable, long-lasting prints with vibrant colors. Pricing for screen printing is figured out by how many colors the artwork is, how many locations you’re printing on the garment, and the total quantity of garments being printed.
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer is the process of transferring a design from a special paper or patches onto fabric using heat and pressure. For non-patches, the design is printed onto the paper, and then heat and pressure are applied to transfer the design onto the fabric. Heat transfer is commonly used for many apparel types, hats, and bags. There are many options for types of heat transfers. This is a great option if you have a lot of colors in your artwork, especially if you’re running a limited quantity of items. There are also a lot of fun treatments you can choose from, like glitter, puffy, metallic, and many more. Pricing usually depends on the type of transfer, its size, quantity, and the cost to apply it to the chosen garments.
Direct-to-Garment Printing
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a digital printing method that applies ink directly onto the fabric of a garment. DTG printing is versatile and cost-effective for small runs but has a limited color range and works best on 100% cotton fabrics. It’s a great option for full-color designs and quick turnaround times, but traditional screen printing may be better for large runs or designs.
Applique
Applique is the process of attaching a piece of fabric to another piece of fabric to create a design. The fabric is cut into shapes and then sewn onto the garment. Applique is commonly used on sweatshirts, jackets, and other high-end apparel and is typically used to give the apparel that collegiate or baseball uniform look.
Design
Many decoration methods can be combined into one garment. You may see a hat with screen print or heat transfer and embroidery over the type. Other instances in that multiple decoration methods are used as when imprinting in various locations. You may do a left chest heat transfer for a super detailed multi-color logo and do a company name in one color on the sleeve.
Here is a beautiful example of multiple decoration methods on one garment location. Here we see “ETHICA” in applique, the leaf in screen print, and “CANADA” in embroidery.
One of the best things you can do is work with our team to get creative on your designs for a more retail-inspired look. 2023 is a great year to liven things up with your apparel – the possibilities are endless!