How to Choose the Right Customization Technique for Your Merch

At GameOnKits, we believe the way you customize your merchandise is just as important as the product itself. Choosing the right method defines not only the look but also the longevity and overall quality of your merch.

Each technique has its strengths — durability, color accuracy, detail, or finish. Depending on the product, the right choice may vary. To make things easier, here’s a breakdown of the most popular customization methods for apparel and objects.

Apparel: T-shirts, Hoodies & More

Screen Printing

Best for bold and vibrant colors. Classic, long-lasting, and clean. Perfect for logos and designs with a few solid colors. Pantone matching is available. Great for event tees, uniforms, or flat designs that need impact.

How it works: Ink is pushed through a stencil screen onto the fabric. Each color requires its own screen. Prints are heat-cured for durability.

Embroidery

Best for a premium look. Adds texture and a professional touch. Ideal for polos, caps, and jackets. Designs are extremely durable.
Limitations: Small text or intricate details may be lost, and thread colors may not match Pantones exactly. Lead times may be longer.

How it works: The design is digitized into a stitch file, and embroidery machines sew it directly into the fabric with colored threads.

Transfers (Heat Transfer / DTF / Flex)

Best for detailed, multi-colored, or photo-like designs. Smooth finish, great for small runs and gradients.
Limitations: Less durable than embroidery, but unbeatable for full-color artwork.

How it works: Designs are printed on a transfer sheet, then bonded to the fabric with heat and pressure.

Objects: Mugs, Pens, Bottles & More

Screen Printing on Objects

Great for flat, even surfaces (tote bags, notebooks, mugs). Strong colors, reliable finish.

Pad Printing

Perfect for small or curved items (pens, keyrings). Works best with simple designs.

How it works: A silicone pad transfers the ink onto the object’s surface with precision.

Laser Engraving

The sleek, subtle option. Creates permanent, tone-on-tone marks by etching into the surface (metal, glass, wood, leather). Ideal for premium gifts.

How it works: A laser beam engraves directly into the material, leaving a permanent, fade-free mark.

Quick Tips

Want bold & timeless → Go Screen Printing
Want premium & textured → Embroidery
Want colorful & detailed → Transfers / UV Printing
Working with small merch → Pad Printing
Want sleek & subtle → Laser Engraving

Key Considerations

Detail level: Tiny text doesn’t suit embroidery; gradients don’t work in screen printing.
Color accuracy: Thread colors can’t match Pantones exactly; some methods are CMYK-based.
Durability vs. look: Embroidery lasts longest; printing is best for vivid designs but may wear faster.
Surface limits: Curved or textured items can restrict certain techniques.
Budget & volume: Screen printing is cost-effective for large orders; transfers work better for small runs.

At GameOnKits, we’ll always guide you toward the option that matches your vision most closely. Not every design is technically possible, but we’ll do our best to ac