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Embroidery vs heat seal branding - which is the right choice for your workwear?

Embroidery vs heat seal branding - which is the right choice?

8 minute read

You can make your business really stand out with custom-branded workwear.

Get it right, and it can become a badge of pride for your team and a great way to market your business.

These are the most popular branding options:

Embroidery
Heat seal (heat transfer)

If you’re wondering which is best for you, don’t worry, we’ll cover the basics in this guide.

From costs to benefits, we’ll break everything down to remove the guesswork from branding your workforce.

WHAT IS EMBROIDERED WORKWEAR?

Embroidered workwear is a fun, eye-catching way to show off your brand.

Your logo gets stitched right into the fabric, giving it a sleek, professional finish that really stands out. From polos to fleeces, you can add custom embroidery to all kinds of gear.

It’s a simple but powerful way to help your team look sharp and make a great first impression.

The fabrics suitable for embroidery are:

Silk
Wool
Linen
Fleece
Cotton
Polyester

The type of fabric you go for will depend on the workwear you need.

For example, if your workers are outside in the cold, they’ll likely need fleeces. If your team are working in the heat, they’ll likely need cotton tops.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF EMBROIDERY?

Not only do embroidered logos on workwear look professional, but they can also withstand a lot of wear and tear.

However, it’s not always the right choice for every team.

Knowing the pros and cons of embroidery will help you decide if it’s the best option for your workwear.

Pros:

Durable stitches
High-quality finish
Professional appearance
Resistant to frequent washing
Suitable for use on various fabrics
Thread colours to match any branding design
Maintains appearance following wear and tear

Cons:

Not suitable for large designs
Less cost-effective than other methods
May cause puckering on lightweight fabric
May damage waterproof and hi-vis materials
Not possible to accurately embroider intricate designs

WHAT IS THE HEAT SEALING TECHNIQUE?

Heat seal branding is a cost-effective way to customise your team’s workwear.

Instead of stitches, this customisation method uses heat and pressure to transfer designs onto various fabrics.

Fabrics suitable for heat sealing are:

Nylon
Polyester
Polyester-cotton blends

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF HEAT SEAL BRANDING?

Heat sealing is a good alternative to traditional embroidery techniques.

Just like embroidery, the heat seal method has several benefits, but there are a few things to consider too.

Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of heat seal branding.

Pros:

Cost-effective
Fast turnaround
Large range of colour options
Suitable for large, intricate designs

Cons:

Prone to fading and cracking over time
Potential for inconsistent colour shades
Time-consuming when customising large workwear orders
Not well-suited to curved or shaped garments, such as hats

When you order custom clothing with SMI, we’ll help you choose the best branding technique for your logo design.

Chat to our team to find out more.

EMBROIDERY VS HEAT TRANSFER - WHICH IS BETTER FOR WORKWEAR?

Both embroidery and heat sealing techniques provide professional, long-lasting results.

Whatever your workwear needs, choosing the right customisation method is key to your workforce’s comfort and your company image.

Customisable workwear includes:

Whether you’re customising uniforms or PPE, eye-catching branding can help to attract more business and make your team look smarter.

On the flip side, low-quality logos can damage your organisation’s reputation. So be sure to work with a branding company you can trust to avoid providing your team with uncomfortable, unattractive uniforms.

Here’s how embroidery and heat sealing weigh up against each other:

	EMBROIDERY	HEAT SEAL
Appearance	Premium, textured finish	Smooth, vibrant, and flat design
Durability	Extremely durable, lasts as long as the garment	Durable but may peel, crack, or fade over time
Comfort	Can feel stiff on lightweight fabrics	Soft and flexible, better for thinner garments
Design compatibility	Simple or bold logos with solid colours	Complex or colourful logos with fine detail
Turnaround time	Time-consuming for large orders	A quick option for bulk orders
Maintenance	Machine washable and suitable for tumble drying	Wash inside out at low temperatures, avoid tumble drying, and ironing over the design
Cost	Higher cost	Budget-friendly
Best for	Fleece, wool, cotton, and polyester garments	Hi-vis clothing and thinner fabrics

Need a little advice?

Chat with our friendly team today - they’re happy to help.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMBROIDERY AND HEAT SEAL?

Let's break it down:

Embroidery is best for workwear made from fleece, wool, cotton, or polyester. The durable stitches have a premium appearance and typically last as long as the garment itself.
Heat sealing is best for complex logos with vibrant colours. Transfers won’t damage the integrity of hi-vis materials, making them a good choice for outdoor workwear.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORKWEAR BRANDING

Don’t decide how to customise your team’s workwear on a whim. Plan ahead to make sure your custom garments look as good as possible.

Think about the following when customising your workwear:

Workwear budget - Depending on order size, heat seal is a budget-friendly way to brand your uniforms.
Logo size - The finished result varies between both methods and is influenced by logo size, colours, and design.
Type of fabric - Embroidery is best for thicker fabrics and heat seals provide a better finish on lightweight materials.
Clothing shape - Heat seal transfers won’t stick well to seams or rounded areas, such as the front of a hat. Embroidery can be added to lots of shapes and fabric thicknesses.
Maintenance - Embroidered logos are more resistant to washing and drying. If your team’s uniforms need to be washed frequently, heat seal transfers will deteriorate more quickly.
Type of workwear - Does your team need hi-vis or waterproof clothing? Are their uniforms made from thick or lightweight materials? Embroidery can damage hi-vis and water-resistant materials, but is a great option for heavyweight fabrics.

Need more help choosing between heat seal and embroidered workwear?

Share your logo with us and we’ll recommend the best customisation technique for your design.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO ORDERING CUSTOM WORKWEAR

Once you’ve chosen how to brand your workwear, it’s time to make your first order.

Kitting out your entire workforce in custom uniforms can feel overwhelming.

Take the stress out of the process by following our step-by-step guide:

Create a company logo. You can do this yourself or hire a professional. Choose a visually appealing design that promotes your business and showcases your company values.
Select your team’s workwear based on their daily tasks and working conditions. Think about durability and function, as well as the clothes’ appearance.
Get sizing information from your team.
Work out how many garments you need in each size.
Choose your customisation method and make sure your digital logo is in the right format. Request a final proof before committing to the design.
Order all custom workwear from the same place to keep quality consistent and remove the stress from your uniform rollout.

Read our complete guide to branding your workforce for more advice.

ORDER BRANDED UNIFORMS WITH SMI

We’re proud to bring high-quality custom workwear to teams in several sectors.

Whether you need branded hi-vis jackets for construction workers or custom eco-conscious uniforms, we’ve got you covered.

Order workwear from SMI and benefit from:

Expert support
97% stock availability
5PM cut-off for next day delivery
Own delivery fleet in key regions
2-day dispatch on branded workwear
A custom, user-friendly online ordering portal
Workwear options to fit every budget and PPE need

We’re a trusted single source supplier. Switch to SMI and enjoy a smooth rollout of high-quality branded uniforms.

FAQs

Which is better, heat transfer or embroidery for workwear?

The best uniform branding method depends on your budget and workwear needs.

Embroidery is more durable and resistant to wear and tear. Heat transfer is the better option for vibrant colours and complex logo designs.

Do embroidered shirts last longer?

Embroidered shirts typically last longer than workwear branded with heat seal transfers.

Washing and regular wear don’t impact the appearance of embroidery over time. In comparison, heat transfers can fade or peel after several washes.
Is embroidery or heat seal cheaper for uniform branding?

Embroidery is more expensive than branding uniforms with heat transfers. This method costs more because of its complex and time-consuming process.

Can I use both embroidery and heat seal on the same garment?

It is possible to use a combination of embroidery and heat seal branding on the same garment.

Embroidery is a good option for small logos, and heat transfers are ideal for adding larger designs to your team’s workwear.

How long does heat seal last on workwear?

Heat seal transfers can last as long as the garment itself with proper care and maintenance.

Vinyl transfers can peel and crack over time, but it’s possible for heat transfers to stay in good condition for over 50 washes.

The lifespan of heat seal branding on workwear will be determined by the quality of the transfer. If professionally applied and washing guidelines are followed correctly, they tend to last longer.