Embroidery or DTF?
Embroidery sews your logo in thread; DTF presses a full-color print onto the fabric. Each is the better choice for some garments and some art, and wrong for others. Answer four questions and see which one fits, with the reasons from how we make them.
Checked October 1, 2026 by G Bros in Carson, California.
Which one for your logo?
We’d make it with
Embroidery
- The classic finish for polos, caps and jackets: stitched logos look sharp and last.
- Embroidery lasts the life of the garment; DTF lasts dozens of washes, cold.
A DTF print works here too: the studio prices both side by side.
How each is made
Embroidery. Your logo is turned into a stitch file once (digitizing), then sewn thread by thread on our machines. It is the most durable decoration there is, and it is what makes a polo or a cap look official. The price follows the number of stitches, not the number of colors.
DTF. Your design is printed in full color onto a film, coated with a fine adhesive powder, cured, then heat-pressed onto the garment. Photos, gradients and any number of colors, on cotton, polyester and blends, with no screens and no minimum.
Side by side
| Trait | Embroidery | DTF printing |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Raised, shiny thread | Full color, satin finish |
| Feels | Raised; the backing shows inside | A thin, flexible layer |
| Colors | Up to 15 threads | Any, photos too |
| Best from | 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Setup | A stitch file, once, kept | None |
| Lasts | The life of the garment | Dozens of washes, cold |
| Fabrics | Polos, caps, fleece, twill | Almost anything |
What each is best for
Embroidery
- Staff polos, work shirts and uniforms
- Caps and beanies
- Jackets, fleece and bags
- A name on each shirt
Not for: Photos, color blends and tiny lettering under a quarter inch. We can simplify art for thread, or print it with DTF instead.
DTF
- 1 to 50 pieces
- Photos and full-color art
- Designs with many colors
- Mixed garments in one order
Not for: Big runs of simple 1 to 3 color designs, where screen printing costs less. The studio compares them for you.
What we make on each garment
| Garment | Embroidery | DTF |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts | Yes | Yes |
| Polos | Yes, the usual choice | Yes |
| Jackets | Yes, the usual choice | Yes |
| Caps | Yes, the usual choice | Yes |
| Beanies | Yes, the usual choice | No |
| Hoodies | Yes | Yes |
| Sweatshirts | Yes | Yes |
| Youth tees | Yes | Yes |
| Women’s tees | Yes | Yes |
Ready when you are
Every order gets a free proof from a real person in our shop before we make anything. Questions? Call (424) 570-0185 or stop by 1007 E Dominguez St, Suite B, Carson.