The history of embroidery can be traced back all the way to the 9th and 10th centuries, where the earliest examples were found in Sweden. Since then, humans have been using the practice to give their fabrics a distinguished look. Embroidery can provide a feeling of quality and uniqueness to any article — especially a shirt.
Embroidery is used to customize a shirt to help stand out from what you find in stores. Many people opt for an embroidered look when they shop for polos — whether it be for their business, their sport of choice or just for wearing around the town. Embroidered polos give anyone a clean look, and in order to get the best result for your wallet and your wardrobe, you need to understand everything that goes into choosing the best polos for embroidery.
Benefits of Embroidery over Screen Printing
When it comes to adding a logo or your own customization to a polo, you have two options — embroidery and screen printing. There are several factors that weigh into that decision:
COSTS
The first thing most people look at when making this decision is how much the process will affect their bottom line. Although embroidery may seem more expensive initially, you have to take into account how large your logo is and how many colors you’ll be using.
If you’re hoping to add a large logo that will cover the back of a shirt, then you’ll want to go with screen printing — it’s usually the more cost-effective option for large-scale logos. However, if you want a crisp logo that will look nice for years to come, then you’ll want to stick with embroidery.
How many colors will your logo use? When screen printing, you’re adding extra cost every single time that you add a new color, since a new mesh screen is required for each color. With embroidery, the cost of set-up is the same as a screen printing project, but you never have to add a new screen. With embroidery, what you pay at the beginning is what you’ll pay overall. With Thread Logic, there are no stitch counts and no minimum orders, meaning you only pay for what you need.
DURABILITY
In terms of durability, you can’t beat embroidery — especially when you’re using heavier garments, such as polo shirt fabrics. Screen printing is more suited for lighter fabric, like t-shirts. However, when you run a screen-printed product through the washer and dryer a few times, you’ll realize how easily the look can fade and even begin to peel off the clothes.
Embroidery is better suited for polo shirts, hats, and jackets because it provides a time-tested result that will last longer and look better. Not only is it a more durable method of clothing decoration, but it provides a feeling of quality that can’t be replicated with screen printing. When you embroider, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting a product that will look good and stay reliable for years (and plenty of washes) to come.
Best Polo Shirt Fabrics for Embroidery
Once you’ve settled on working with embroidery for your polo shirt, it’s time to determine what fabric type to select. There are three fabric types to choose from:
- 100% cotton
- 100% polyester
- a blend of the two
To decide which fabric will make the best company polo shirts, there are a few things to consider:
WHO’S WEARING THEM?
Who will be wearing your polo shirts? There isn’t an inherent difference between picking out the best polos for men and the best polos for women, but you may want to reach out to your employees and ask them if they have any preferences.
WHERE WILL THEY WEAR THEM?
What type of environment will your employees be working in? Will they be working in a hot kitchen or taking to the streets on a warm summer day? You’ll want to go with something that is stain, fade and wrinkle-resistant — namely, a polyester product. While polyester is a less comfortable fit, it’s more suited for wear, tear, spillage and any other distorting.
If your employees are working in more of a sit-down, office setting, you’ll want a material like cotton. Cotton is the most comfortable option, making it suitable for long-term employees who want to feel good at work and won’t be washing their polo regularly.
If you want a blend of both, you can opt for a cotton/poly blend. These are a great choice for uniforms, as they are fit for a variety of temperatures and give a mix of comfort and ease of care. It’s a win-win for those torn between cotton and polyester products.
Best Polos for Embroidery
Create custom polos anyone would love to wear with our bestselling polo shirts:
Port Authority Dry Zone Grid Polo
This is our best-selling polo! The Port Authority Dry Zone Grid Polo is made of durable, moisture wicking fabric delivering a high quality experience at an affordable price. With a wide choice in colors, you are sure to find something for everyone on your team.
Clique Spin Pique Polo
If you are looking for a quality and versatile polo, you can't go wrong with the Clique Spin Pique Polo! This polo offers a modern and clean look made with 100% polyester fabric comfortable enough for all-day wear.
Port Authority Silk Touch Performance Polo
The Port Authority Silk Touch Performance Polo is moisture-wicking and snag resistant. Your polo will hold its color longer than most, thanks to PosiCharge® technology. This polo is high quality and high performing for a great price!
How to Wear A Polo Shirt
Here are some fun tips on how to look your best in your new company polo:
DOS
When wearing your polo, it’s okay to button one (or more!) of the buttons. It adds a level of professionalism to your look and makes your entire outfit seem more, well, buttoned-up. Speaking of professionalism, it’s okay to keep your shirt either tucked or untucked, depending on the length.
We recommend building a core collection of solid colors, such as gray, black, and blue. These colors work well with many logos and are a popular choice. Once you feel more confident, you can venture into more boldly-colored polos to brighten up a Friday at work.
DON’TS
Undershirts and layers are out. When you’re wearing your polo, you don’t need to layer up with an undershirt or another polo underneath. Stick with one polo and bring a sweatshirt to wear over it in case you get cold. Also, gone are the days of popping the collar. Say hello to a modern look! Shirt pockets can hardly hold anything useful in them, and they end up just sagging in the wash and getting caught and stretching, which leads to a sloppier look.
A good company polo gives your employees a clean, sharp image while not compromising their comfort and mobility. Once you’ve picked your polo, reach out to Thread Logic and order your team’s custom polos. You’ll get free logo set-up, no stitch counts or minimum orders. You’ll end up with a product that you and your team will love!