Reference Guide
A complete reference for 12 decoration methods used in promotional products. What each method does, which products it works on, file requirements, production times, and when to use it.
Last updated: April 2026 · 12 methods · Comparison table + decision matrix
Best for: Full-color designs, photographic prints, small runs (1-50 units)
DTG printers spray water-based ink directly onto fabric, similar to an inkjet printer. This allows unlimited colors and photographic-quality prints without screen setup costs. DTG is the most common method for on-demand single-unit production.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Unlimited (CMYK process)
Durability
Good — 30-50 washes with proper care
Turnaround
2-5 business days
Best materials
100% cotton (works best); poly blends possible
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Versatile decoration on polyester, nylon, cotton blends, and performance wear
DTF prints a design onto a special transfer film using inkjet technology, then heat-presses it onto the product. DTF works on fabrics that DTG can’t handle well — including polyester, nylon, and blends — making it popular for performance wear and synthetic fabrics.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Unlimited (CMYK process)
Durability
Very good — comparable to screen printing
Turnaround
2-5 business days
Best materials
Cotton, polyester, nylon, blends, leather
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Corporate apparel, polos, caps, jackets — premium, professional look
Embroidery stitches thread directly into the fabric to create a design. It produces a raised, textured finish that conveys quality and durability. Embroidered logos don’t fade, crack, or peel — the stitching typically outlasts the garment.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Unlimited thread colors
Durability
Excellent — outlasts the garment
Turnaround
3-7 business days
Best materials
Polos, fleece, caps, bags, towels, jackets
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Large runs (50+ units) with simple, bold designs using 1-6 colors
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil onto the product. Each color requires a separate screen. Setup costs are higher for multi-color designs, but per-unit cost drops significantly at volume. Screen printing is the most widely used decoration method for bulk promotional products.
Min. run
24+ units (traditional); 1 unit (on-demand providers)
Colors
1-6 (cost increases per color)
Durability
Excellent — withstands 50+ washes
Turnaround
5-10 business days
Best materials
Cotton, cotton-poly blends
File format
EPS
Pros
Limitations
Best for: All-over prints, vibrant full-color designs on white or light polyester
Sublimation uses heat to convert dye into gas, which permanently bonds with polyester fibers. The result is a vivid, all-over print that won’t crack, fade, or peel — because the dye becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Unlimited (CMYK process)
Durability
Excellent — the dye is part of the fabric
Turnaround
3-5 business days
Best materials
White or light-colored polyester only; polymer-coated hard goods
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Hard goods, drinkware, phone cases, awards, signage — any flat or slightly curved surface
UV printing applies ink to a surface and instantly cures it using ultraviolet light. It works on virtually any material — metal, glass, wood, acrylic, leather, plastic — making it the go-to method for hard goods and promotional items.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Unlimited (CMYK process)
Durability
Very good — strong adhesion, scratch-resistant
Turnaround
3-5 business days
Best materials
Metal, glass, wood, acrylic, leather, plastic
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Awards, trophies, tumblers, pens, corporate gifts — permanent marking
Engraving cuts or etches a design into a hard surface using a rotating cutting tool or laser. The mark is permanent and will not fade, peel, or wear off. Engraving is the standard for awards, recognition items, and high-end corporate gifts.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Single color (material’s natural contrast)
Durability
Permanent — the design is part of the material
Turnaround
3-7 business days
Best materials
Metal, glass, wood, acrylic, leather
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Names, numbers, personalization — sports uniforms, workwear, event merchandise
Heat transfer vinyl is cut into a design shape using a plotter or laser cutter, then heat-pressed onto the product. It’s ideal for individualized items: player names on jerseys, employee names on workwear, or numbered event shirts.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Per-color layers (1-3 typical)
Durability
Good — 25-40 washes
Turnaround
2-5 business days
Best materials
Cotton, polyester, nylon
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Pens, golf balls, USB drives, irregularly shaped promotional items
Pad printing transfers ink from an etched plate to a product using a soft silicone pad. The pad’s flexibility allows it to conform to curved, uneven, or recessed surfaces — making it the standard for promotional items that can’t lie flat.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
1-4 spot colors
Durability
Good — varies by surface preparation and ink type
Turnaround
3-7 business days
Best materials
Plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, rubber
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Serialized items, tech accessories, drinkware, precision marking
Laser etching uses a focused laser beam to vaporize a thin layer of material, creating a permanent, high-precision mark. It’s fast, consistent, and requires no consumables (ink, thread, or film) — making it efficient for high-volume production.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
Single color (material contrast)
Durability
Permanent — etched into the surface
Turnaround
2-5 business days
Best materials
Metal, wood, glass, acrylic, leather, anodized aluminum
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Journals, portfolios, leather goods, premium packaging
Debossing presses a design into a material — typically leather, paper, or heavy cardstock — creating an indented impression. It produces a subtle, tactile finish associated with luxury and craftsmanship.
Min. run
1 unit (digital) / 25+ units (die-based)
Colors
Colorless (impression only); optional foil fill
Durability
Permanent — the design is pressed into the material
Turnaround
5-10 business days
Best materials
Leather, heavy paper/cardstock, bookcloth, suede
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
Best for: Single-color logos on workwear, athletic jerseys, specialty finishes (metallic, reflective)
Colored vinyl material is cut into a design shape using a plotter or laser cutter, then heat-pressed onto the product. Vinyl produces a smooth, slightly raised finish and is available in metallic, reflective, glitter, and glow-in-the-dark options.
Min. run
1 unit
Colors
1-2 colors per application
Durability
Good — 25-40 washes
Turnaround
2-5 business days
Best materials
Cotton, polyester, nylon, performance fabrics
File format
PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers
Pros
Limitations
| Method | Min. Run | Colors | Durability | Best Materials | Turnaround | File Format | Cost Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTG | 1 unit | Unlimited (CMYK process) | Good — 30-50 washes with proper care | 100% cotton (works best); poly blends possible | 2-5 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Consistent per unit |
| DTF | 1 unit | Unlimited (CMYK process) | Very good — comparable to screen printing | Cotton, polyester, nylon, blends, leather | 2-5 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Consistent per unit |
| Embroidery | 1 unit | Unlimited thread colors | Excellent — outlasts the garment | Polos, fleece, caps, bags, towels, jackets | 3-7 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Increases with stitch count (design complexity) |
| Screen Printing | 24+ units (traditional); 1 unit (on-demand providers) | 1-6 (cost increases per color) | Excellent — withstands 50+ washes | Cotton, cotton-poly blends | 5-10 business days | EPS | Low at volume, high for small runs |
| Sublimation | 1 unit | Unlimited (CMYK process) | Excellent — the dye is part of the fabric | White or light-colored polyester only; polymer-coated hard goods | 3-5 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Consistent per unit |
| UV Printing | 1 unit | Unlimited (CMYK process) | Very good — strong adhesion, scratch-resistant | Metal, glass, wood, acrylic, leather, plastic | 3-5 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Consistent per unit |
| Engraving | 1 unit | Single color (material’s natural contrast) | Permanent — the design is part of the material | Metal, glass, wood, acrylic, leather | 3-7 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Varies by material and design area |
| Heat Transfer | 1 unit | Per-color layers (1-3 typical) | Good — 25-40 washes | Cotton, polyester, nylon | 2-5 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Low per unit for simple designs |
| Pad Printing | 1 unit | 1-4 spot colors | Good — varies by surface preparation and ink type | Plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, rubber | 3-7 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Low at volume; setup fee per color |
| Laser Etching | 1 unit | Single color (material contrast) | Permanent — etched into the surface | Metal, wood, glass, acrylic, leather, anodized aluminum | 2-5 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Low per unit; fast production |
| Debossing | 1 unit (digital) / 25+ units (die-based) | Colorless (impression only); optional foil fill | Permanent — the design is pressed into the material | Leather, heavy paper/cardstock, bookcloth, suede | 5-10 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Die setup fee; low per unit at volume |
| Vinyl | 1 unit | 1-2 colors per application | Good — 25-40 washes | Cotton, polyester, nylon, performance fabrics | 2-5 business days | PNG with transparent background (300 DPI) for Printful; EPS for other providers | Low per unit for simple designs |
Match your product need to the recommended decoration method.
| What you need | Recommended method |
|---|---|
| Full-color design on cotton t-shirts | DTG |
| Full-color on polyester or performance wear | DTF or Sublimation |
| Corporate polos, caps, and jackets | Embroidery |
| Large run (50+), simple logo, 1-4 colors | Screen Printing |
| Player names and numbers on jerseys | Heat Transfer / Vinyl |
| Tumblers, mugs, phone cases, hard goods | UV Printing |
| Awards, trophies, pens, corporate gifts | Engraving or Laser Etching |
| All-over print on white polyester | Sublimation |
| Journals, leather goods, premium packaging | Debossing |
| Metallic or reflective finish on apparel | Vinyl |
| Pens, golf balls, irregularly shaped items | Pad Printing |
On Brikl, the decoration method is configured at the product level. When you browse the Supplier Marketplace, each product shows which methods are available. You select the method during product setup, configure artwork in the Design Tool, and the rest is automatic.
Orders route to the correct fulfillment partner based on the product’s decoration method. DTG goes to one partner, embroidery to another, engraving to a third.
A single store can sell products across multiple decoration methods. Orders split automatically at checkout — no manual coordination.
Artwork is configured once in the Design Tool. Every order includes the correct production file for the decoration method — no re-keying or manual file prep.
Yes. On Brikl, each product in a catalog is mapped to a specific fulfillment partner and decoration method. A single store can include DTG t-shirts, embroidered polos, engraved tumblers, and printed business cards — orders split automatically at checkout.
The standard format is DST (a stitch file). However, some fulfillment partners like Printful accept a PNG file and handle the digitization automatically — no separate DST file required.
DTG prints directly onto fabric and works best on 100% cotton. DTF prints onto a transfer film first, then heat-presses it onto the product — working on cotton, polyester, nylon, blends, and even leather. DTF is more versatile but produces a slightly different texture.
Embroidery and sublimation are the most durable. Embroidered logos outlast the garment. Sublimated designs become part of the fabric and won’t crack, peel, or fade. Screen printing is also extremely durable at 50+ washes.
The decoration method is determined by the product and fulfillment partner. When you browse the Brikl marketplace, each product shows which decoration methods are available. You select the method during product setup, and orders route to the right producer automatically.
DTG and DTF are typically the most cost-effective for single-unit production because there are no setup fees. Heat transfer vinyl is also inexpensive for simple text and numbers.
Browse the marketplace, set up your store, and let Brikl route orders to the right producer. No credit card required.