Choose the method around the garment
There is no single best decoration method for every team item. Start with the fabric, the artwork’s size and location, and how the garment needs to move. A full-pattern playing jersey, a training shirt and a small cap crest may call for different approaches. This guide compares common methods; it is not a promise that every method is offered on every TeamTone product. Confirm the available construction before committing to a design.
Sublimation: colour within a compatible fabric
Dye sublimation uses heat to transfer dye into a compatible substrate, commonly polyester sportswear fabric, rather than building the design as a surface ink layer. It is useful to discuss when the brief includes extensive colour blocking or integrated patterns. Ask whether the garment is printed before assembly and how seams affect artwork alignment. Do not assume a cotton item or an existing dark jersey can receive the same process. Roland DG’s sublimation guidance explains the relationship between the dye and compatible materials.
Screen printing: a focused graphic treatment
Screen printing applies ink through a prepared screen to selected areas. It is worth comparing for repeated team graphics where a logo or wordmark is the main decoration rather than an all-over design. Ask how ink coverage feels on the proposed fabric and whether stretch, curing and dye migration have been considered. A large solid graphic and a small crest can feel different even when printed with the same process. Screen-printed transfers and direct screen printing are related but distinct production approaches; ask which one a quote describes.
Embroidery: stitched identity with a physical finish
Embroidery creates the design with thread. It can suit a compact crest on suitable apparel, but the stitch density, backing and fabric must work together. Very dense artwork can be a poor match for a lightweight, stretchy garment. Ask to see how small lettering and fine edges will translate into stitches, and consider the feel of the reverse against the skin. Madeira’s performance-wear guidance highlights these fabric and stabilisation considerations. Simplifying a crest for stitching should be approved, not treated as an automatic substitution.
Compare like-for-like quotes and samples
Give each supplier the same artwork size, placement, garment specification, quantities and personalization list. Ask whether individual names and numbers use the same method as the main logo. Request a sample or a clearly described production reference where practical; a digital illustration cannot show texture or stiffness. Compare total order scope rather than an isolated print price. Setup, artwork preparation, garment choice and quantity can affect the quote, so no method is universally the cheapest.
Keep the final decision practical
For a detailed all-over jersey, discuss compatible sublimation options. For a repeated localized graphic, compare suitable printing methods. For a small stitched identity on an appropriate garment, discuss embroidery. Then confirm washing instructions and how future replacement pieces will be handled. TeamTone reviews the feasible options for your actual request before production. Never approve a method purely because the digital preview looks sharp.