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Why Embroidered Patches Are a Better Choice vs Direct Embroidery
When deciding between custom patches and direct embroidery, it’s important to consider factors like cost, versatility, and durability. We offer direct embroidery services on t-shirts, polos, dress shirts, etc., and we do direct embroidery on caps. While direct embroidery may seem like a convenient option, embroidered patches often provide greater flexibility and long-term savings—making them a better choice for businesses and organizations.
Cost Savings That Add Up
Direct embroidery onto garments can cost $3 to $5 per piece. In contrast, embroidered patches typically range between $0.75 to $2 each. Even when factoring in the cost of sewing a patch onto a garment (around $0.50), patches remain significantly cheaper—saving anywhere from 20% to 400% compared to direct embroidery.
For example, outfitting 20 employees with five uniforms each (100 garments total) could save your business an average of $162 simply by choosing patches instead of direct embroidery. Over time, these savings compound as uniforms wear out and require replacement.
Reusability for Long-Term Benefits
One of the biggest advantages of embroidered patches is their reusability. In industries like automotive repair, landscaping, and food service, uniforms often need replacing twice a year due to wear and tear. With direct embroidery, this means paying to redo the embroidery on every new garment.
Patches, however, can simply be removed and sewn onto new uniforms. Re-sewing a patch costs about $0.50, compared to $4 for direct embroidery—resulting in a savings of $3.50 per uniform. For a staff of 20 employees with biannual uniform turnover, this reusability translates into an additional $350 in savings per year.
Small Savings, Big Impact
For small businesses, every dollar counts. By choosing embroidered patches over direct embroidery, a company with 20 employees and a uniform replacement cycle of twice per year can save approximately $512 annually. These savings may seem modest at first, but they quickly add up—helping businesses allocate resources more effectively while maintaining a polished, professional look.
What Is Direct Embroidery?
Direct embroidery is a technique that involves stitching the design directly onto the garment, making it an integral part of the fabric. This method is commonly used for creating logos, text, and other intricate designs on clothing and accessories. Because the design is embroidered directly onto the fabric, it becomes a permanent feature of the garment, providing a sleek and professional look.
Durability and Aesthetics
Direct embroidery is known for its durability and high-quality appearance. The stitched design is resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for work uniforms, sports apparel, and other items that undergo frequent use and washing. The embroidery adds texture and depth to the design, giving it a premium, polished finish that stands out.
Customization and Limitations
While direct embroidery offers a seamless and long-lasting design, it has some limitations regarding customization. Once the patch is embroidered onto the garment, it cannot be removed and reused on another item. This means if you want to use the patch on a different garment, you would need to order a new one, which adds to the cost.
Cost Considerations
Direct embroidery typically costs more upfront compared to other methods like applying embroidered patches. The cost of direct embroidery ranges from $3 to $5 per garment. This higher cost is due to the intricate process of stitching the design directly onto the fabric, which requires specialized equipment and skilled labor.
In summary, direct embroidery is a fantastic option for achieving a high-quality, durable, and professional look on garments. However, it is less flexible in terms of reusability and may incur higher costs compared to other methods like embroidered patches. If you’re looking for a permanent and polished design for your apparel, direct embroidery might be the right choice for you.
What Is Cheaper, Embroidered Patches or Direct Embroidery?
Overall, embroidered patches are more economical and versatile than direct embroidery. You can reuse your embroidered patches on different items, while direct embroidery doesn’t offer this flexibility. Therefore, if you’re looking to save money and desire a patch that offers multiple functions, embroidered patches are the way to go.
What Is the Difference Between Direct Embroidery and Embroidered Patches?
Direct embroidery stitches the design directly onto the material, making it a permanent part of the clothing. Once applied, it cannot be removed or reused elsewhere. On the other hand, embroidered patches are created on a separate piece of fabric and can be sewn or ironed onto garments. This makes them easy to remove and reapply on different items, providing greater flexibility and reuse.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between embroidered patches and direct embroidery depends on your specific needs and budget. However, for those looking for a cost-effective, flexible, and high-quality option, embroidered patches offer distinct advantages. They provide a professional look, can be reused, and are more affordable in the long run.
If you’re interested in high-quality custom embroidered patches, check out THE/STUDIO today! We offer a wide range of customization options to fit your brand’s needs and help you create the perfect patches for your garments.
