Printing or embroidery on textiles: what’s best for your project?

Introduction
Customising clothing is a powerful way to build your brand, express visual identity, and stand out in the market. When it comes to choosing between printing and embroidery, a range of factors come into play: fabric type, purpose of the garment, budget, and the look you want to achieve. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each technique.

Machine embroidery – elegance and durability

Machine embroidery is the process of stitching a design with threads controlled by a computer. It’s considered a premium option due to its long-lasting quality and refined appearance. A growing trend is printed embroidery – a combination that merges classic printing with embroidery for a unique aesthetic.

Advantages:
✔ Durability – doesn’t fade, wash out, or wear off.
✔ Professional look – adds a sense of prestige.
✔ Versatility – works well with various fabrics: cotton, polyester, jersey, leather.

Disadvantages:
✖ Higher cost – especially for small runs or intricate designs.
✖ Limited detail – hard to reproduce small elements or colour gradients.
✖ Thickness – may feel bulky on lightweight garments.

Textile printing – colour and precision

Textile printing is the process of transferring an image onto fabric using various methods: screen printing, sublimation, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, or heat transfer. It has gained popularity thanks to its precision and ability to reproduce complex graphics.

Advantages
✔ High detail – ideal for rendering fine elements and shadows.
✔ Vivid colours – especially effective for bold logos.
✔ Cost-effective for large runs
✔ Lightweight – doesn’t alter the fabric’s structure, ensuring comfort.

Disadvantages
✖ Less durable – the print may fade over time.
✖ Fabric limitations – not all fabrics are suitable for printing.

There are also hybrid techniques available – such as printed embroidery or embroidered print, which combine the strengths of both methods for a unique effect.

Comparison of Techniques: Embroidery vs Textile Printing

When choosing between embroidery and textile printing, several key factors come into play. Durability is one of the main advantages of embroidery — it is highly resistant to wear and washing, making it ideal for long-term use. In contrast, textile printing offers medium durability, especially when exposed to frequent washing or abrasion.
In terms of appearance, embroidery provides a raised and elegant look, giving garments a premium and professional feel. Textile printing, on the other hand, creates a flat but vivid finish, allowing for vibrant colours and a modern aesthetic.
Looking at cost, embroidery tends to be more expensive, particularly for small quantities, while textile printing is more cost-effective for larger production runs.
When it comes to detail, embroidery has limitations, especially with very fine lines or complex graphics. Textile printing excels in this area, offering high precision and the ability to reproduce intricate designs.
Finally, considering comfort, embroidery can be less comfortable on thin fabrics due to its texture and thickness. Textile printing maintains the original feel of the fabric, ensuring greater comfort for the wearer.
In summary, the choice depends on your priorities — whether you value durability and elegance, or detail, colour, and comfort.

When to choose embroidery?

• You need prestigious, long-lasting branding for uniforms or formal wear.
  
  
• You want to emphasize your brand’s status.
  
  
• The project is simple, without gradients.
  
  
• Quality matters as a company’s calling card.

When to choose printing?

• The design has fine details, shadows, or complex graphics.
  
  
• You need an economical solution for large batches.
  
  
• You value lightness and comfort in wearing.
  
  
• You’re interested in digital printing that offers precision and rich colours.

Conclusion

Choosing between embroidery and printing depends on the type of project, material, budget, and desired effect. Embroidery stands for durability and prestige. Printing offers precision and efficiency for mass production. Increasingly, combined methods are used to create unique products. If you’re unsure which to choose, contact us!
At Four zeros, we’ll help you select the best technique for your project and deliver high-quality printing and embroidery that meet your expectations.

A breakthrough for short runs and prototyping

In the world of print, where speed and flexibility are key, adopting cutting-edge technology can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of your projects.
Four zeros is proud to introduce its latest addition – the iEcho PK0705 digital cutting machine. This equipment opens up new possibilities for precision cutting, creasing, and marking, especially in small-run production and prototyping. It perfectly complements our digital printing capabilities, allowing us to deliver even the most demanding projects faster and with greater accuracy.

What makes the iEcho PK0705 stand out?

The iEcho PK0705 is an intelligent cutting system that combines advanced features with a compact design. With its automatic feeder, vacuum system, and built-in computer, the machine delivers:

• Precise cutting of various materials such as cardboard, corrugated cardboard, polymeric foam, and synthetic substrates.
  
• Creasing and marking, enabling the creation of complex packaging and promotional materials.
  
• Automatic positioning with a CCD camera, eliminating manual setup errors.
• Cutting speeds of up to 1000 mm/s with a cutting accuracy of ±0.1 mm.

Why does it matter for your projects?

1. Fast production of short runs. Traditional packaging or POS material production often requires the creation of cutting dies – an expensive and time-consuming step when working with small volumes. The iEcho PK0705 solves this problem by enabling die-free production that is both fast and cost-effective.
2. Unlimited prototyping. For designers and advertising agencies, the ability to quickly create a prototype is priceless. With the iEcho PK0705, you can efficiently test different versions and speed up decision-making.
3. Personalisation and unique projects. In a world that values individuality, creating unique shapes and designs is a competitive advantage. The iEcho PK0705 allows you to bring even the most complex ideas to life.

Examples of applications

• Packaging: custom-shaped boxes with windows, inserts, or additional elements.
• Promotional materials: stands, displays, hang-tags, and labels in unusual shapes.
• Prototypes: fast creation of packaging models for presentations.
• Personalized products: unique solutions for marketing campaigns, events, or corporate gifts.

Why choose Four zeros?
Four zeros is a print centre focused on innovation and quality. Thanks to the iEcho PK0705, we offer:

• Fast order turnaround, especially for short runs.
  
  
• Greater flexibility in design and production.
  
  
• High quality thanks to precise cutting and creasing.
  
  
• The ability to create unique solutions that were previously impossible.

Conclusion

The launch of the iEcho PK0705 at Four zeros print centre is a step into the future and a response to growing market demands. We offer even better quality, speed, and flexibility. If you’re looking for a partner who can bring your most complex ideas to life, contact us today.

Four zeros – your ideas, our precision.

In a world where first impressions matter, it’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. That’s why custom-shaped PVC signs are gaining popularity not only in offices, exhibitions, and retail spaces but also in public areas, schools, hotels, and government buildings. They’re lightweight, long-lasting, resistant to environmental influences, and most importantly – they can be shaped exactly the way you want.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What makes PVC signs stand out
• How you can customize them
• Where they’re most commonly used
• Why Four zeros is the right place to order them

What are PVC signs and why are they so popular?

Printed PVC signs are a smart way to stand out in public spaces and build a consistent brand image. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a lightweight, strong synthetic material widely used in advertising and visual communications. The foamed version is extremely light yet resistant to impact and outdoor conditions. It’s easy to cut, shape, bend, and print on.

Advantages of PVC as a signage material:

• Lightweight – perfect for mounting on walls, doors, or stands
  
  
• Weather-resistant – rain, sun, and wind are no problem
  
  
• Durable – doesn’t chip or fade over time
  
  
• Smooth surface – ideal for UV printing
  
  
• Easy to process – can be cut into custom shapes
  
  

That last point is a big reason why custom-shaped PVC signs are becoming a go-to option for brands that want to stand out.

What do we mean by “custom shape”?

Unlike traditional rectangles, PVC signs can take on virtually any shape. With precise CNC milling or laser cutting, we can produce:

• Signs in the shape of your logo
  
  
• Rounded-corner signage
  
  
• Cutouts mimicking objects (bottles, leaves, arrows, etc.)
  
  
• Dimensional letters and shaped text
  
  
• Decorative multi-layer PVC elements
  
  

They’re a great alternative to standard informational signs, suitable for everything from sleek interior design to dynamic retail environments.

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Where are custom-shaped PVC signs used?

The possibilities are nearly endless — the only limit is your imagination. Here are some of the most common use cases:

• Offices and institutions – nameplates, room numbers, department signs
  Shops and retail spaces – sale signage, new collections, price tags, or brand name signs
• Exhibitions and galleries – minimalist exhibition design or decorative art elements.
• Hotels and guesthouses – room numbers, reception signs, modern “Do Not Disturb” signs
• Schools and kindergartens – colourful, playful signs that both engage and educate children.
• Urban environments – aesthetic and durable signage for bike routes, parks, and viewpoints featuring the city’s logo.

How do we make custom PVC signs at Four zeros?

At Four zeros, we focus on quality and detail. Every project is treated individually, whether you need five signs or five hundred.

Step 1: Design file
You can send us your design or let our team create it for you. We’ll help choose the right format, colors, material thickness, and mounting method.

Step 2: Shape selection
Thanks to CNC and laser cutting technologies, we can cut any shape, even highly complex or unconventional shapes.

Step 3: UV printing
We use direct UV printing on PVC. ensuring the graphics are resistant to abrasion, moisture, and sunlight.

Step 4: Finishing and mounting
We offer mounting holes, standoff fixings, double-sided tape, or magnetic systems, depending on the location and type of installation.

Why order PVC signs from Four zeros?

• Quality – we work with high-end equipment and trusted materials
  
  
• Speed – fast turnaround, even for custom projects
  
  
• Flexibility – every project is truly one-of-a-kind and we take that into account
  
  
• Creativity – we’ll help you find the best design approach
  
  
• Support – we’ll  assist you with installation, use, and storage

Conclusion: a small sign, a big impact

Custom-shaped PVC signs combine lightness, strength, and visual appeal. They can be both subtle and vibrant, it all depends on your needs and creativity.One thing is certain: a well-designed PVC sign isn’t just informative, it enhances your brand and adds character to your space.

Get in touch with us today, we’ll bring your idea to life, in any shape you choose.
Four Zeros — light in weight, strong in impact.