How to Choose the Right Embroidery Service for Your Brand

Whether you’re outfitting a corporate team, branding a school uniform, or creating custom merchandise for an event — choosing the right embroidery and printing method can make all the difference. With nearly a century of expertise behind us, Doree has helped thousands of businesses across Brisbane and Australia bring their brand to life. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know.

“The right embroidery method doesn’t just display your logo — it communicates the quality and values of your brand.”

1. Understanding Your Options: Embroidery vs. Printing

The first step in choosing the right service is understanding the difference between embroidery and printing. Both deliver outstanding results, but they suit different needs, garment types, and brand aesthetics.

Custom Embroidery (2D & 3D)

Embroidery uses thread stitched directly onto fabric to create a raised, textured design. It’s ideal for:

• Polos, uniforms, and corporate workwear
• Caps, hats, and headwear
• Jackets, hoodies, and outerwear
• Any garment where a premium, long-lasting finish is required

2D embroidery creates a flat, crisp finish — perfect for detailed logos and text. 3D (puff) embroidery adds a raised foam layer beneath the stitching, giving a bold, dimensional look that works especially well on caps and premium workwear.

Screen Printing

Screen printing applies ink directly onto the fabric surface, making it the go-to method for:

• Large bulk orders of T-shirts and casual apparel
• Full-colour or multi-colour graphic designs
• Event merchandise, promotions, and giveaways
• Cost-effective branding at scale

2. Heat Seal & Vinyl Transfers: A Modern Alternative

Heat seal printing is a versatile and precise technique where a design is transferred onto fabric using heat and pressure. Doree offers two types:

• Vinyl Transfer — Cut vinyl lettering and graphics in a single colour. Great for names, numbers, and simple bold designs on sportswear and workwear.
• Ultra Colour Transfer — A full-colour digital transfer process that allows for photographic-quality prints. Ideal for complex, multi-colour artwork on smaller run quantities.

3. Badges, Patches & Epaulettes: Specialist Embroidery

For organisations that require specialist branded accessories, Doree offers a full range of custom badges, embroidered patches, and epaulettes.

• Badges & Patches — Woven or embroidered onto twill backing, then heat-sealed or sewn onto garments. Popular with schools, emergency services, sports clubs, and corporate uniform programs.
• Epaulettes — Custom-made shoulder boards for aviation, hospitality, maritime, and military uniforms. Precision-crafted to your exact specification and rank insignia.

4. Pro Tips Before You Place Your Order

After nearly 90 years in the industry, here’s what our team recommends to every new customer:

1. Send a vector file (.AI or .EPS). Vector artwork gives our digitisers the sharpest base to work from and ensures your logo is reproduced with maximum accuracy. JPEG and PNG files can work but may result in a less precise stitch outcome.
2. Consider your stitch count. More stitches = higher quality and durability, but also higher cost. Our team will advise the optimal stitch count for your logo size and garment type.
3. Order in bulk where possible. The set-up costs (digitising, screen preparation) are fixed regardless of quantity — so the more you order, the lower your per-unit cost becomes.
4. Choose the right method for the fabric. Some fabrics respond better to embroidery (thicker, woven materials) while others suit printing (lightweight T-shirt cotton). When in doubt, ask us.
5. Request a sample. For large orders, we recommend a sample run first. It’s a small investment that saves time, money, and surprises down the line.

5. Why Choose Doree?

Doree has been Brisbane’s most trusted embroidery and printing company since 1934. As Queensland’s largest embellishment company, we combine nearly a century of craft with state-of-the-art computerised machinery to deliver results that are consistent, durable, and professional.

• 90+ years of embroidery expertise
• Queensland’s largest embellishment company
• State-of-the-art computerised embroidery machines
• Full in-house production — no outsourcing
• Fast turnaround with Australia-wide shipping
• Dedicated team ready to guide you through every step

Ready to Get Started?

Contact Doree today for a personalised quote. Our team is here to help you find the right embroidery or printing solution for your brand.