Pick embroidery for polos, jackets and caps with a simple logo, DTG for full-color artwork on cotton, and heat press for names, numbers and performance fabrics. Arklavo offers all three, plus DTF transfers on select items, so the method follows your garment and artwork rather than the other way around. Send your logo and we will recommend one with the proof.
Not sure yet? Request a quote and say what the garments are for.
Start with the garment
| Garment | Usually best | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Polo or button-down | Embroidery | Stitched logos look right on collared staff wear |
| Cap or beanie | Embroidery | Structured fronts hold stitches well |
| Jacket, fleece, softshell | Embroidery | Thick fabric supports thread and the mark stays crisp |
| Cotton tee or hoodie | DTG or embroidery | DTG for color-rich art, embroidery for a clean chest logo |
| Polyester or performance shirt | Heat press | Ink-based printing bonds poorly to synthetic fibers |
| Tote bag or backpack | Embroidery or DTG | Depends on how detailed the artwork is |
Then look at the logo
| Your artwork | Method |
|---|---|
| One to three solid colors, bold shapes | Embroidery |
| Photo, gradient or many colors | DTG |
| Very small text or fine lines | DTG or heat press, not embroidery |
| Different name or number on each piece | Heat press |
| Full-color design on a fabric DTG does not suit | DTF, on select items (ask first) |
If your logo is complicated, our team checks it before production. We either simplify it for stitching or suggest a printed method. File advice is on the artwork guidelines page.
Quantity and wash frequency
There is no minimum order for any method, so quantity affects price rather than eligibility. Single pieces cost more per piece, and discounts start at 10 pieces: 5% at 10 to 23, 10% at 24 to 49, 15% at 50 to 99 and 20% at 100 or more. DTG has no per-order setup fee, which makes it friendly to one-offs, and embroidery digitizing is free.
For items washed every week, such as uniforms, embroidery is the durable default because the logo is part of the fabric. Printed and heat-pressed items last longest when they are washed as the care instructions describe. Event shirts that are worn a handful of times can use whichever method suits the art.
A note on screen printing
Arklavo does not screen print. If you need hundreds or thousands of identical one-color shirts and the lowest possible price per piece is your top priority, a dedicated screen printer is likely a better fit, and we would rather say so than stretch our methods to cover it. For smaller runs, multi-color artwork and orders with mixed styles, the methods above usually serve you better, since none of them needs screens or a large minimum.
Read the method pages
Each method has its own page with artwork limits, fabric guidance and timing: embroidery services, DTG printing services and heat press transfers. Whichever you choose, you approve a free digital proof first, as described on proofs and approval. Production runs about 2 business days after approval, then US shipping takes 3 to 5 business days.
To see products by method, browse embroidered apparel, DTG printed apparel and custom printed apparel.
Common questions
Which decoration method is best for company polos?
Embroidery. A stitched left-chest logo looks professional on a polo and holds up to repeated washing.
Which method is best for a full-color design?
DTG printing on cotton or cotton-rich garments. It reproduces gradients and photographic detail that embroidery cannot.
What should I use for names and numbers?
Heat press. Each transfer is applied separately, so every garment can carry a different name and number.
Does Arklavo do screen printing?
No. For very large runs of identical one-color shirts, a dedicated screen printer may cost less per piece. For smaller or multi-color orders, our methods usually fit better.
Can I mix methods in one order?
Yes. For example, polos can be embroidered and tees printed in the same order. Ask for a quote and describe each item.