Home / Customization Techniques
Nine Ways to Brand It
Customization
Sublimation, DTF, DTG, screen and silicone printing, thread and chenille embroidery, tackle twill and vinyl — every decoration method done in-house and matched to your exact colors. Here’s how each one looks, feels and where it works best.
Play Bold. Wear Bold.
Three Ways We Decorate
Every technique falls into one of three families. Jump to any method for how it looks, what it suits and what fabrics it works on.
01 – 03
Ink printed onto or into the fabric for anything from bold spot colors to photo-real artwork.
04 – 06
Transfer
Graphics made separately, then heat-pressed on. Great for detail, texture and personalization.
07 – 09
Stitch
Thread and fabric sewn into the garment for a premium, textured, built-to-last finish.
01 · Print
Sublimation Printing
Finish: Zero hand feel — fully breathable
Heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds with polyester fibers, so your design becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top. No cracking, peeling or fading — and no limit on colors, gradients or all-over artwork.
- ✓Unlimited colors, gradients and photo detail
- ✓Edge-to-edge, all-over coverage
- ✓Won’t crack, peel or wash out
02 · Print
DTG Printing
Finish: Soft, printed-in feel
Direct-to-garment works like an inkjet for fabric — water-based ink is printed straight into the fibers. It reproduces photographs and complex, many-color artwork with a soft finish and no set-up screens.
- ✓Photo-realistic, full-color detail
- ✓No screens — ideal for short runs and one-offs
- ✓Soft, breathable water-based inks
03 · Print
Screen Printing
Finish: Bold, opaque ink with a slight raised layer
The classic. Each color is pushed through its own mesh screen in a thick layer of ink, giving bold, solid color that stands up to heavy wear. The more pieces you print, the better the value.
- ✓Strong, solid spot colors
- ✓Excellent durability wash after wash
- ✓Best value on larger quantities
04 · Transfer
DTF Printing
Finish: Thin, flexible and stretch-friendly
Direct-to-film prints your full-color artwork onto a special film, backs it with adhesive and heat-presses it onto the garment. You get vivid color and fine detail on almost any fabric and any garment color.
- ✓Full color on dark and light garments
- ✓Fine lines and small text stay crisp
- ✓One method across mixed fabric types
05 · Transfer
Silicone Printing
Finish: Raised, soft-touch 3D texture
Silicone is built up in raised layers to create a rubbery, three-dimensional print you can feel. It flexes with the fabric and gives logos and lettering a premium, technical look.
- ✓Stands out from flat prints
- ✓Flexible and stretch-friendly
- ✓Premium finish on performance wear
06 · Transfer
Vinyl Stickers
Finish: Smooth, clean-edged and opaque
Solid-color vinyl is precision-cut by machine, weeded by hand and heat-pressed onto the garment. It’s the go-to for clean, sharp lettering — and the easiest way to give every piece its own name and number.
- ✓Sharp, crisp edges
- ✓Easy individual names and numbers
07 · Stitch
Embroidery Thread
Finish: Raised, textured stitch work
Your design is digitized and stitched directly into the garment with high-sheen thread. It’s the most durable, most premium way to carry a logo — from small chest crests to appliqué and full-back designs.
- ✓Premium, long-lasting finish
- ✓Appliqué, borders or full coverage
- ✓Holds up to repeated washing
08 · Stitch
Chenille Embroidery
Finish: Plush, raised loop texture
Chenille uses looped yarn to build thick, fuzzy, raised letters and patches — the signature texture of the varsity jacket. Usually finished with a felt border for that classic award-letter look.
- ✓The authentic varsity look
- ✓Bold letters, mascots and patches
- ✓Felt-bordered or stitched edges
09 · Stitch
Tackle Twill
Finish: Layered fabric with stitched edges
Pieces of twill fabric are cut to shape, layered and stitched down around the edges. The result is bold, multi-layer lettering and numbers with the stadium look of a pro jersey.
- ✓Bold, layered letters and numbers
- ✓Pro-jersey finish
- ✓Built for heavy-use game gear
Compare Techniques
A quick side-by-side to narrow it down. Not sure? Send us your design and we’ll recommend the right method for every placement.
| Technique | Look & Feel | Colors | Fine Detail | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sublimation | Dyed into fabric, no feel | Unlimited + gradients | Photographic | All-over sportswear on polyester |
| DTG | Soft, printed-in | Unlimited | Photographic | Short runs on cotton |
| Screen | Bold, opaque ink layer | Solid spot colors | Medium–high | Bulk orders, bold logos |
| DTF | Thin, flexible film | Unlimited | Very fine | Detailed art on any fabric or color |
| Silicone | Raised, rubbery 3D | Solid spot colors | Medium | Performance and gym wear |
| Vinyl | Smooth, clean-edged | Solid colors | Sharp, simple shapes | Names and numbers |
| Embroidery | Stitched thread texture | Multiple thread colors | Medium | Crests, caps, polos, jackets |
| Chenille | Plush raised loops | A few solid colors | Bold shapes | Varsity letters and patches |
| Tackle Twill | Layered fabric, stitched | Solid fabric colors | Bold letters | Jerseys and varsity jackets |
Mix techniques on one garment
Most of our best pieces combine two or three methods — a chenille front letter, an embroidered back script and tackle twill sleeve numbers on a varsity jacket, or a sublimated jersey finished with vinyl player names. Tell us the look you want and we’ll recommend the right technique for every placement.
How It Works
From artwork to finished gear in four steps.
01
Send Your Design
Share your logo, colors and roster — a sketch or reference photo works too.
02
Get a Free Mockup
We send a visual proof with the recommended technique for each placement.
03
Approve & Produce
Once you sign off, everything is made in-house and color-matched to your proof.
04
Delivered Ready
Finished, packed and shipped to your team, school or store.
Customization Questions
Which customization technique is right for my order?
It depends on your fabric, design and quantity. As a rough guide: sublimation for all-over color on polyester sportswear, screen printing for bold logos on larger runs, DTF or DTG for detailed full-color art on smaller runs, and embroidery, chenille or tackle twill when you want a premium, textured finish. Send us your design and we’ll recommend the best fit.
What’s the difference between DTF and DTG printing?
DTG prints ink directly into the garment and works best on cotton. DTF prints your design onto a film that is then heat-pressed on, so it works on almost any fabric and garment color, including polyester and dark garments.
Can you sublimate on cotton, wool or dark fabrics?
No. Sublimation bonds with polyester fibers and needs a white or light base. For cotton, wool or dark garments we use DTF, screen printing, embroidery or chenille instead.
What’s the difference between chenille and tackle twill?
Chenille is made from looped yarn and has a plush, fuzzy, raised texture — the classic varsity-letter look. Tackle twill is flat twill fabric cut to shape, layered and stitched down, giving the crisp look of pro jersey letters and numbers.
Can I add individual names and numbers?
Yes. Vinyl, tackle twill, sublimation and DTF all handle individual personalization. Just send your roster with names, numbers and sizes.
What artwork files should I send?
Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) are best. High-resolution PNG or JPG files work for most print methods. If you only have a low-resolution logo, send it anyway and our team will advise on the next step.
Play Bold. Wear Bold.
Send us your logo and colors — we’ll send back a free mockup with the right technique for every placement, no commitment.