You’ve made up your mind. The company needs arbetskläder med tryck — perhaps jackets, t-shirts or vests with the logo on them. But then comes the question that stops most people: which printing technique should you choose?
It is not obvious. Screen printing, transfer printing and embroidery solve various problems, and choosing the wrong method can cost you both money and appearance. I’ve seen companies order 200 shirts with transfer print and be disappointed when the print starts to come off after ten washes. It can be avoided — if you know what you are looking for.
Screen printing — for those who order in volume
Screen printing is the classic method for printed workwear. Paint is pressed directly through a fine template (a “screen”) straight into the fibers of the fabric. The result sticks firmly and lasts a long time — professionals in the industry usually say that a good screen print can handle 50+ washes without fading significantly.
There is a catch.
Each color requires its own template, and those templates cost money to make. This makes screen printing expensive at small volumes but almost unbeatable affordable for large orders. If you are going to produce workwear with print for 50 people or more, this is probably the best option you have.
The technology is best suited for simple logos with clear colors — a company name, a symbol, a slogan. Photorealistic subjects with hundreds of shades are more difficult to reproduce. But for the vast majority of companies’ needs for workwear with print, screen printing works great.
Transfer printing — fast, flexible and ideal for small runs
Transfer printing works differently. The motif is printed on a special film and then heated to the garment with a press. It requires no expensive templates, no minimum order quantities, and no long delivery time.
Do you want to have work clothes with print for three people at an event next week? Transfer printing.
The method also handles complex subjects well — gradients, photographs, many colors at once. This is a clear advantage over screen printing when the subject is detailed.
But keep in mind: transfer pressure is not as durable. The quality varies greatly depending on who is performing the printing and what film they use. Inferior suppliers give you pressure that cracks or loosens after just 15-20 washes. Better suppliers deliver prints that last significantly longer — but you need to actively ask for it. Request samples if you can.
For printed workwear that is used daily in harsh environments — construction, warehouses, workshops — transfer printing is generally a worse choice than screen printing or embroidery.
Embroidery — when quality and durability are most important
Embroidery is something completely different. Here, a machine sews the motif directly into the fabric with thread. There is no pressure that can come off, no film that can crack. An embroidered patch on a jacket looks the same in year three as day one.
That is why embroidery is the standard in many industries with high demands on presentation — hotel, restaurant, security, banking. If you work with customers face-to-face, it’s hard to beat a professionally embroidered logo on printed workwear.
The craft costs more. And complex designs with thin lines or a lot of text can be difficult to sew in — machines have physical limitations on how little they can work. But for logos with a clear shape and the right size, embroidery is the most elegant option you can find for your printed workwear.
One more thing: embroidery is heavier than print and can feel stiff on thin fabrics. On fleece, thicker cotton and jacket material, it fits perfectly. On a thin tank top, this is not the right method.
Which method suits your needs?
Straight comparison:
| Screen printing | Transfer printing | Embroidery | |
| Sustainability | Very high | Intermediate (varies) | Extremely high |
| Best for | Big series | Small series, detailed motifs | Professionell presentation |
| Cost per garment | Low in volume | Low regardless of volume | Higher |
| Complex Motifs | Limited | Works well | Limited |
| Minimum quantity | Often 20–50+ | No requirements | Often 1–10 |
Can you order workwear with print in large volumes with a simple logo — screen printing. Do you need a small number with a complicated motif quickly — transfer printing. Do you value durability and professional impression regardless of the number — embroidery.
What to ask your supplier
Regardless of which method you choose for your printed workwear, there are three questions you should always ask:
How many washes can the pressure withstand in normal use? A serious supplier of workwear with print should be able to answer that.
Can I see a sample of my specific fabric? The same technique can give completely different results on polyester compared to cotton.
What happens to the print on dark fabrics? Screen printing and transfer printing sometimes require a white coaster colour — this affects the end result.
If you know what you’re asking for, it’s hard to be scammed.
The final word
Screen printing, transfer printing and embroidery are three different answers to the same need for printed workwear — and none of them is best in all situations. The right choice depends on how many garments you need, how complicated the motif is and how tough the garments will be used.
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