By Jons Spot Editorial | Toronto, July 2026
Toronto, July 5, 2026 — Embroidery has pulled ahead of screen printing as the preferred decoration method for premium corporate apparel in Canada, according to order data and decorator feedback from Jons Spot.
Polo shirts, outerwear, and branded hats are increasingly ordered with embroidered logos because the finish looks more polished and survives years of washing. Screen printing remains the dominant method for large designs on t-shirts, hoodies, and event merchandise where cost-per-piece matters more than longevity.
When to choose embroidery
- Best for: Polo shirts, hats, jackets, and corporate gifts.
- Strengths: Premium textured look, extremely durable, professional appearance.
- Weaknesses: Less suited to large, multi-color designs; higher cost for very detailed artwork.
When to choose screen printing
- Best for: T-shirts, hoodies, event merch, and large designs.
- Strengths: Lower cost at volume, vibrant colors, soft hand feel on cotton.
- Weaknesses: Setup costs make small runs expensive; less durable on heavy-wash items like hats.
DTF: the flexible alternative
Direct-to-film transfers let decorators print detailed, full-color artwork on almost any fabric without the setup of screen printing. It is increasingly used for small corporate gifts and prototypes where embroidery would be too limiting.
Updated July 5, 2026, with current decorator observations from the Jons Spot production floor.