Embroidery vs sublimation
Embroidery stitches thread onto almost any fabric, light or dark, cotton or polyester, for a raised and durable look; sublimation dyes the design into white or light polyester, so it feels like nothing and never cracks, but it can't be used on cotton or dark garments and can't print white. Choose embroidery for logos on mixed garments, sublimation for all-over prints on white polyester sportswear.
What it is
Embroidery
Machine embroidery stitches the design into the fabric with thread, color by color, from a stitch file made by digitizing the artwork.
What it is
Sublimation
Sublimation turns special ink into a gas with heat so it dyes polyester fibers, leaving the print in the fabric with no feel at all.
| Embroidery | Sublimation | |
|---|---|---|
| Look and feel | Raised thread on the surface | No feel: the dye is in the fibers |
| Fabrics | Almost anything: cotton, polyester, blends, fleece, canvas | White or light polyester (or poly-coated items) only |
| Dark garments | Works on any color | Not possible: the dye can't be lighter than the fabric |
| Detail and colors | Bold shapes, a few thread colors | Photos, gradients and all-over prints |
| Durability | Usually outlasts the garment | Very durable; won't crack or peel |
| Best uses | Logos, names, caps, polos, bags, towels | Sports jerseys, mugs, all-over print tees |
Which should you choose?
Choose embroidery for
- Cotton, blends or dark garments
- Logos and names on polos, caps and bags
- A textured, premium look
Choose sublimation for
- All-over prints on white polyester
- Team jerseys with full-color graphics
- Hard goods like mugs and tumblers
Going with embroidery?
From logo to stitch file in minutes
Upload your logo and Embrizo digitizes it with satin, fill and underlay tuned for the fabric, shows a realistic stitch preview and the stitch count, and saves the file for any machine.
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See your logo stitched before you order
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- Digitize and preview any image
- Realistic stitch preview and sew-out
- Download free ready-made designs
- No credit card needed
Embroidery vs Sublimation questions
The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.
What is the difference between embroidery and sublimation?
Embroidery stitches thread onto almost any fabric, light or dark, cotton or polyester, for a raised and durable look; sublimation dyes the design into white or light polyester, so it feels like nothing and never cracks, but it can't be used on cotton or dark garments and can't print white. Choose embroidery for logos on mixed garments, sublimation for all-over prints on white polyester sportswear.
Can you sublimate on cotton?
Not directly. Sublimation dyes polyester fibers, so on cotton the print washes out. Embroidery works on cotton without any special coating.
Can you embroider on sublimated jerseys?
Yes. Many teams sublimate the jersey design and embroider names, numbers or a crest on top, using a cut-away stabilizer and a ballpoint needle.
Which is more durable?
Both are very durable. Sublimation can't crack because it's dyed in; embroidery can outlast the garment, though thread can snag on rough surfaces.
More comparisons
How embroidery is pricedReady to embroider your logo?
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