Fully Sublimated vs. Embroidered Logos: What's Best for Your Team Apparel?

At Rise Sportswear, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality custom apparel for athletes, teams, and fitness enthusiasts. Our primary production method is heat sublimation, but we also offer embroidery for clients who prefer a traditional look for certain garments. While both methods produce professional and durable results, understanding their key differences can help you make the best decision for your next order. Let's dive into a detailed comparison of fully sublimated sportswear logos and embroidered logos.

Embroidery: Timeless Craftsmanship with a Premium Feel

Embroidery is a well-known, high-end technique where a logo or design is stitched directly onto a garment using thread. It's popular for creating raised, textured designs that stand out visually and add a classic, premium touch to apparel.

Key Features of Embroidered Logos:

1. Tactile Texture

The most noticeable feature of embroidery is its raised texture. You can physically feel the stitched design on the fabric, giving the garment a distinct look and feel.

2. Digitization Process

Before embroidery begins, your logo must be digitized. This means converting a high-resolution image into a stitch file that guides the embroidery machine. Complex designs with intricate details require more time to digitize and more stitches, which increases production time and cost.

3. Durability

Embroidered logos are highly durable and can withstand frequent washing without fading or peeling. This makes embroidery ideal for garments subject to heavy wear and tear, such as uniforms, jackets, and caps.

4. Cost Considerations

Embroidery tends to be more expensive than sublimation, especially for large or intricate designs. This is because each logo requires significant thread and machine time. Additionally, the more logos or intricate details added, the longer the production process and the higher the cost.

Best Use Cases for Embroidery:

Team jackets, polos, caps, and thicker fabrics.

Apparel where a premium, textured logo look is desired.

Items with small or simple logos that don't require too many stitches.

Sublimation: Modern Precision with Limitless Creativity

Heat sublimation is our signature production method at Rise Sportswear. This advanced process involves digitally printing designs onto special paper, then transferring the design onto fabric using high heat and pressure. The heat allows the ink to bond directly with the fabric fibers, resulting in a smooth, vibrant, and long-lasting finish.

Key Features of Sublimated Logos:

1. Vivid Colors and Complex Designs

Unlike embroidery, sublimation allows for unlimited color options, gradients, and intricate designs without additional cost. Whether you want a simple logo or a full-color graphic with complex patterns, sublimation can handle it all with precision.

2. No Added Weight or Texture

Fully sublimated sportswear designs are infused directly into the fabric, meaning there's no added weight or texture. This ensures maximum comfort for athletes, as the garment remains lightweight and breathable.

3. Fast Production Time

Since sublimation doesn't require digitization or manual stitching, the production process is much faster. Once your design is finalized and converted to the correct file format (vector files such as .PDF, .AI, or .PSD), we can quickly print and transfer it onto your apparel.

4. Cost Efficiency

Sublimation is typically more cost-effective than embroidery, especially for large or complex designs. Whether you need a single logo or an entire garment covered in custom artwork, the price remains relatively consistent.

Best Use Cases for Sublimation:

Performance apparel such as T-shirts, shorts, and jerseys.

Designs with vibrant colors, gradients, or intricate patterns.

Large orders with tight deadlines.

Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?

Feature:

1. Embroidery

Appearance: Raised, textured look

Durability: Extremely durable for long-term use

Design Complexity: Limited by thread count and stitchability

Comfort: Can add bulk and stiffness

Production Time: Longer, especially for complex designs

Cost: Higher, especially for large designs

2. Sublimation

Appearance: Smooth, vibrant, integrated into fabric

Durability: Highly durable with proper care

Design Complexity: Unlimited; handles intricate designs well

Comfort: No added weight or texture; very breathable

Production Time: Faster; ideal for tight deadlines

Cost: More cost-effective for large orders

Why Rise Sportswear Prefers Sublimation

At Rise Sportswear, our focus is on heat sublimation because it allows us to offer unmatched design flexibility, faster production, and lightweight, breathable apparel—perfect for athletes and activewear enthusiasts. Sublimation lets us bring your boldest ideas to life with vivid colors and seamless prints that won't crack, fade, or peel over time.

However, we understand that some clients prefer the classic look and feel of embroidery. That's why we offer both options to meet your specific needs. Whether you want a fully sublimated sportswear design for your performance wear or embroidered logos on team jackets, we've got you covered.

Choosing between embroidery and sublimation depends on your design requirements, budget, and timeline. If you want a traditional, textured logo with a premium feel, embroidery is a great option. But if you're looking for vibrant, detailed designs with quick turnaround times, heat sublimation is the way to go.

At Rise Sportswear, we're here to help you every step of the way. Whether you need fully sublimated performance gear or embroidered team apparel, our goal is to deliver high-quality products that meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Have questions? Feel free to reach out—we're always happy to assist!

Visit RiseSportswear.com to learn more or place your order today!