Brands today need more than a logo. They need apparel that tells a story. Custom apparel printing brings your ideas to life through Screen printing, Embroidery, DTG, DTF, and other creative techniques. Whether you’re launching merch, outfitting your staff, or creating memorable event wear, the right printing style can transform simple clothing into powerful brand experiences.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how each printing method works, when to use them, how they compare, and how to choose the right one for your next project.
What Is Custom Apparel Printing?
Custom apparel printing is the process of adding your logo, artwork, or message onto clothing such as shirts, hoodies, hats, and uniforms. It allows businesses, creators, sports teams, events, and brands to turn blank garments into personalized pieces that reflect who they are.
Custom printing has become more popular than ever. Companies use it to strengthen their brand identity. Creators rely on it to build merch lines. Teams use it for unity and recognition. And individuals love the chance to wear something unique and meaningful. From growing brand awareness to building community, custom apparel printing has become an essential part of modern branding.
How Custom Apparel Printing Helps Your Brand
Build Strong Brand Recognition
Every person wearing your printed apparel becomes a moving advertisement. When your logo, colors, and typography stay consistent, people begin recognizing your brand instantly. A well-printed shirt or hoodie can make your business memorable long before someone walks into your store or visits your website.
Boost Team Identity and Customer Loyalty
Custom apparel helps people feel connected. Staff members feel more unified when they wear branded shirts. Event participants love taking home a souvenir that commemorates the experience. Loyal customers enjoy wearing designs that make them feel part of your community. Apparel creates emotional attachment in a way few other marketing assets can.
Cost-Effective Long-Term Marketing
Digital ads disappear the moment you stop paying for them. A printed hoodie or shirt lasts months or even years. Every wash, every wear, and every public outing becomes free advertising. It’s one of the most cost-efficient marketing strategies available today.
Popular Apparel Printing Styles Explained
Below are the most widely used printing styles, each with its own strengths. Understanding these will help you choose the right method for your project.
Screen Printing Apparel
Screen printing is the classic, highly trusted method most people think of when they hear “custom shirts.” It works by pushing ink through mesh screens onto fabric.
It’s best suited for cotton shirts, sweatshirts, fleece, and most everyday apparel. This method shines when you need vivid colors, high durability, and large quantities. Bulk orders become much more affordable with screen printing.
However, it’s not the best choice for small batches or extremely detailed designs since each color requires its own screen.
Perfect uses include merchandise drops, uniforms, event shirts, and promotional apparel.
Embroidery on Custom Apparel
Embroidery gives clothing a premium, textured, professional look. Instead of ink, your design is stitched with high-quality thread.
Embroidery works beautifully on hats, polos, jackets, hoodies, and corporate apparel. It’s one of the most long-lasting decoration methods and instantly elevates your brand image.
It’s ideal for logos and clean, simple artwork. Highly complex or photo-realistic designs are not recommended for embroidery. If you want your brand to look polished and high-end, embroidery is the way to go.
For more in-depth comparison between methods, check out our full post on Embroidery vs. Screen Print: The Deathmatch here.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing
DTG printing functions like a high-resolution inkjet printer designed for clothing. It works best for small quantities and designs with many colors or tiny details.
Artists and creators love DTG for its flexibility. It requires no screens, no setup for multiple colors, and allows you to print one-offs easily. The downside is that DTG prints are typically less durable than screen printing and perform best on 100 percent cotton garments.
Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing
DTF has grown rapidly in 2025 and is now one of the most versatile printing styles. It works on almost any fabric, including blends and textured materials.
It’s perfect for small to medium orders and provides strong color vibrancy. While the feel of the print is slightly different from DTG or screen printing, it offers excellent flexibility for a wide range of apparel.
Sublimation, Heat Transfer and Specialty Finishes
Sublimation is ideal for all-over designs, athletic uniforms, and polyester garments. The ink becomes part of the fabric, leaving a smooth, permanent finish.
Heat transfer is great for metallic, glitter, vinyl, and unique textures that can’t be produced with traditional ink.
Specialty finishes like puff ink, metallic foil, glow-in-the-dark and discharge printing help fashion brands and merch creators stand out with unique visual effects. If you want your apparel to feel artistic or distinctive, these techniques offer powerful creative possibilities.
Custom Hoodie Printing — What You Need to Know
Hoodies are one of the most popular items in custom apparel today. They’re comfortable, functional, and ideal for both businesses and creators.
The best decoration methods for hoodies are screen printing and embroidery. Screen printing gives you bold, graphic visuals, while embroidery adds a professional, textured finish.
You can place designs on the chest, back, sleeves or even the hood. Just make sure your artwork is bold and readable, especially when printing on thick fleece materials.
Costs depend on factors like quantity, print locations, hoodie weight, and fabric type. If you want the best results, choose high-quality blanks and keep your design clean and impactful.
How to Choose the Right Printing Style for Your Apparel
Consider Your Design Complexity
- Highly detailed artwork → DTG or DTF
- Bold logos → Screen printing
- Minimalist, corporate look → Embroidery
Understand Your Order Size
- Bulk orders: Screen printing = best value
- Small orders: DTG or DTF
- Mixed fabric items: DTF
Match Technique to Apparel Type
- Hoodies → Screen printing + embroidery
- Polos → Embroidery
- T-shirts → Screen print, DTG, DTF
- Hats → Embroidery
Cost Breakdown: What Affects Custom Apparel Printing Prices?
Several factors influence pricing:
- The quantity of items you order
- The number of colors in your artwork
- Where the design is printed on the garment
- The type and quality of the fabric
- The printing method you choose
- Your required turnaround time
If you want to lower your cost, simplify your design, reduce print locations or increase your order quantity. Even small adjustments can significantly reduce the price per piece.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Apparel
Try to avoid submitting low-resolution artwork or artwork with blurry edges. Always use high-quality files, ideally vector art or 300 dpi. Make sure your colors contrast well with the garment color so your design is easy to read.
Avoid cluttering your apparel with too many details or too many print locations. Clean, intentional design almost always performs better.
Finally, double-check placement. A design that’s too high, too low or off-centered can ruin an otherwise great print.
Choosing the right printing method is only part of the equation. The fabric itself plays a major role in how a design looks, feels, and holds up over time. Different materials absorb ink differently, which affects vibrancy, durability, and comfort. That’s why knowing the best fabrics for printing on apparel helps ensure your custom apparel not only looks good on day one but continues to perform after repeated wear and washing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best method for custom apparel printing?
Screen printing is usually best for bulk orders, embroidery is perfect for premium apparel and DTG or DTF are ideal for small orders or detailed designs.
2. How long does screen printing last?
High-quality screen prints can last well over a hundred washes when cared for properly.
3. Is embroidery more expensive than printing?
Yes, embroidery is typically more expensive because of the threadwork and machine process. However, it delivers a long-lasting, professional finish.
4. What is better: DTG or screen printing?
DTG is better for colorful, highly detailed artwork and small quantities. Screen printing is better for durability and bulk orders.
5. What is the minimum order for custom hoodie printing?
Minimums vary by provider, but most require at least a dozen hoodies for screen printing. DTG and DTF often have no minimums.
Final Thoughts — Which Printing Style Is Best for You?
Every printing style has its strengths, and the right one depends on your artwork, quantity, garment type and budget. No matter what you choose, high-quality printing can elevate your brand instantly.
With more than 20 years of experience, MLXL uses a combination of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to deliver beautiful, durable and consistent results on every project. Our team is here to help you choose the best printing method and bring your vision to life.
Ready to Create Custom Apparel You’ll Be Proud Of?
Share your idea with our team and we’ll help you turn it into a design you can wear. Request a custom quote, upload your artwork or talk to one of our print specialists today.
Your brand’s next great piece of apparel starts here.