When it comes to custom apparel, one of the most common questions we hear at Sandlot Apparel Decorating is: “Should we choose screen printing, embroidery, or sublimation?”
The truth is that each decoration method has its strengths. The best choice depends on your goals, your apparel, your budget, and how the finished product will be used.
As a full-service apparel decorator serving Michigan’s Tri-Cities and Great Lakes Bay Region, we offer all three decoration methods. That means our customers don’t have to guess which process is best. We help them choose the right solution for their team, business, event, or organization.
So let’s do the Sandlot thing and dive right in, breaking down each option.
Screen Printing: The Champion of Custom T-Shirts
Screen printing remains the most popular apparel decoration method in America, and for good reason. The process pushes ink through mesh screens directly onto the garment, creating vibrant, long-lasting designs.
Best For
- Larger runs of company t-shirts
- Team spirit wear
- Fundraisers
- Event shirts for concerts, plays, family reunions, and Vacation Bible schools
- School apparel of all kinds
- Large quantity orders, such as swag giveaways, company safety milestones, and school field days
Advantages
- Excellent durability
- Bold, vibrant colors
- Cost-effective for larger orders
- Great for cotton garments
- Professional appearance
Considerations
- Set-up costs make very small orders less economical
- Best suited for simpler color counts
If you’re searching for screen printing near you and need dozens or hundreds of shirts, screen printing is often the most economical choice. Before you order, it helps to know how to prepare your artwork for screen printing so your design comes out exactly the way you pictured it.
Embroidery: Professional and Timeless
When businesses want a polished, premium appearance, embroidery is often the clear winner. Using thread instead of ink, logos are stitched directly into the garment, creating texture, dimension, and impressive durability.
Best For
- Corporate apparel
- Employee uniforms
- Polo shirts
- Jackets
- Hats
- Golf outing apparel
Advantages
- Premium appearance
- Exceptional durability
- Professional branding
- Excellent for small logos
- Works well on structured garments
Considerations
- Not ideal for large, detailed artwork
- Higher stitch counts can increase costs
- Some newer high-tech performance fabrics simply do not take embroidery well
When local companies search for embroidery near you, they’re typically looking for polished apparel that represents their brand professionally. Embroidered polos and hats continue to be one of the smartest investments a business can make, which is a big part of why Michigan businesses trust Sandlot with their corporate apparel. Sandlot is uniquely qualified to help here, with multiple machines and a team carrying more than 50 years of combined embroidery experience.
Sublimation: Unlimited Color and Creativity
Sublimation is the newest of the three methods and has transformed the custom apparel industry. Instead of placing ink on top of a garment, sublimation dyes become part of the fabric itself. The result is stunning, full-color graphics that never crack or peel.
Best For
- Athletic uniforms
- Fishing shirts
- Performance apparel
- Corporate performance wear
- Full-color designs
- Individual personalization
Advantages
- Unlimited colors
- No cracking or peeling
- Lightweight feel
- Full garment decoration
- Perfect for moisture-wicking apparel
Considerations
- Works best on polyester garments
- Light-colored fabrics produce the best results
For sports teams, fishing charters, and organizations that want eye-catching graphics, sublimation often delivers results that simply aren’t possible with traditional decoration methods. If you want a closer look at the process, here’s why everyone loves sublimated shirts.
Which Option Is Best for Your Business?
Choose Screen Printing If
You need affordable custom shirts in medium to large quantities.
Choose Embroidery If
You want professional uniforms, polos, jackets, or hats that elevate your company’s image.
Choose Sublimation If
You need vibrant, all-over designs, athletic uniforms, or high-performance apparel.
Why Working with a Full-Service Decorator Matters
One of the biggest mistakes organizations make is trying to force every project into a single decoration method.
A screen-print-only shop will recommend screen printing. An embroidery-only shop will recommend embroidery.
At Sandlot Apparel Decorating, we offer screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, DTF, promotional products, team stores, and custom apparel solutions. Because we provide multiple decoration methods, we can recommend what is truly best for your project.
Sometimes the answer is screen printing. Sometimes it’s embroidery. Sometimes it’s a combination of both. And occasionally, sublimation changes the game entirely.
But all the time, Sandlot is part of the answer.
Looking for Screen Printing or Embroidery Near You?
If you’re searching for screen printing near you, embroidery near you, or custom apparel solutions in Michigan’s Tri-Cities area, Sandlot Apparel Decorating can help. You’ll find us in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland.
Whether you’re outfitting a small business, organizing a company event, managing a sports team, or planning a fundraiser, our team can guide you toward the decoration method that provides the best value and the best results.
Not sure which decoration method is right for your project? Contact Sandlot Apparel Decorating today for a free consultation and custom quote.