Oct 31, 2026Buying Guides
Embroidery vs Sublimation for Custom Baseball Jerseys
Raised 3D lettering or full-coverage print? A factory-side comparison with two real orders: 700 embroidered pieces and 1,728 sublimation pieces.
The two crafts we run in-house produce very different jerseys. Sublimation dyes your design into the fabric; embroidery raises it off the fabric. Choosing wrong usually costs a re-order - so here is a factory-side comparison, backed by two recent US orders: 700 embroidered pieces and 1,728 sublimation pieces.
Sublimation: unlimited colors, lightest feel
Sublimation prints edge to edge with zero added weight: gradients, pinstripes, mascots and player names all dye directly into the mesh. It is the right choice for photographic artwork and colorful team identities - like the Farr Falcons jersey with a cartoon falcon on the chest and player names printed on the back. It is also the budget-friendly option, starting at $5.5 per piece.
Embroidery: texture buyers can feel
By contrast, embroidery stitches the design onto the garment with raised, dimensional thread. It is the craft behind our recent 700-piece order - two black jersey designs with MEXICO chest lettering and San Judas artwork, embroidered on our own machines at about $10 per piece.
How to choose in 30 seconds
Choose sublimation when your design has many colors, gradients or photos, when weight matters in hot weather, or when budget is tight. Choose embroidery when you want a classic, tactile look - lettering, crests and figures - and a jersey that feels like a collectible. Many teams combine both: sublimated pinstripe bodies with embroidered front lettering.
So which way to go? Both crafts run under our own roof - no third-party workshops - so mixing them in one order adds no extra handoffs. Send your design and we will quote both versions side by side - the comparison usually makes the decision obvious.
