How To Create Merch & Uniforms

The HOU Branding Menu 🎨

Branding Methods Explained

Embroidery 🧵

At its core, embroidery is still the same craft it always was: needle 🪡, thread 🧵 and a well calloused thumb. The difference is that today it's computer controlled and moves at lightning speed.

A well executed embroidered logo has a weight, texture and lifespan that print simply can not match. It looks substantial. It lasts. And on the right garment, it elevates everything.

It's our most popular branding method for good reason. But like any method, it has limits. It's worth understanding both before you commit.

What embroidery does well:

• Adds perceived value, embroidery reads as quality, full stop
• Sits on top of the fabric with a raised, textured finish
• Outlasts most other branding methods through repeated washing and wear
• Works across almost every fabric based product, clothing, caps, beanies, bags, towels

Where embroidery has limits:

• Can't reproduce gradients, fades or colour blending, thread is solid colour only
• Fine detail gets lost, text needs to be at least 6mm tall to stitch cleanly
• Very large designs (full back of jacket, for example) can get expensive, pricing is based on stitch count
• Thin keylines around logos increase stitch count and cost and rarely look good, we'll flag this if we see it in your artwork

Best suited to: Clean logos, bold text, simple icons. The less busy the artwork, the better embroidery performs.

Personal Name Embroidery

Want individual names on garments without a full artwork setup? This is the one. Select from our standard fonts and colours, no artwork file needed, no minimum order.

• New orders: no minimum
• Repeat orders: no minimum
• File required: none. choose from standard fonts and colours
• Mix & match across garments, bags and towels ✅
• Available in three sizes depending on the product

👉 Small Personal Name Embroidery - ideal for tops and clothing 👉 Medium Personal Name Embroidery - ideal for towels and bags 👉 Large Personal Name Embroidery - ideal for backs of jackets and large bags

Logo Embroidery

Your logo, stitched. Includes an artwork setup, a physical sample on fabric and a digital mockup for approval before anything goes into production.

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces
• Repeat orders: no minimum
• Accepted files: Vector (EPS, AI) or Raster (JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD etc) redraw service available if needed
• Mix & match across garments, bags, beanies and towels ✅
• Artwork setup, fabric sample and digital mockup included on first order

👉 View Logo Embroidery product page

Cap Embroidery

Same great result as logo embroidery, with a minimum that applies to both new and repeat orders, caps require their own setup due to the curved surface and structured construction.

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces
• Repeat orders: 12 piece minimum
• Accepted files: Vector (EPS, AI) or Raster (JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD etc), redraw service available if needed
• Mix & match across caps and bucket hats ✅
• Artwork setup, fabric sample and digital mockup included on first order

👉 View Cap Embroidery product page

3D Embroidery

Your logo, stitched. Includes an artwork setup, a physical sample on fabric and a digital mockup for approval before anything goes into production.

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces
• Repeat orders: 12 pieces
• Accepted files: Vector (EPS, AI) or Raster (JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD etc) redraw service available if needed
  
• Artwork setup, fabric sample and digital mockup included on first order

👉 View 3D Embroidery product page

DTF - Direct To Film Printing 🎨

With DTF Printing, artwork is printed onto a clear film, coated with adhesive powder and heat pressed onto the garment. It's a multi-step process, but the end result is vibrant, durable and works on almost any fabric.

It sits in a similar space to DTV but with broader fabric compatibility and a particularly strong result on dark fabrics. If DTG is the cotton specialist and DTV is the specialty effects specialist, DTF is the versatile all rounder.

Like every method, it has its limits. But for bold, durable, full colour branding across a wide range of products, it's hard to fault.

What DTF Printing does well:

• Works on almost any fabric type, not limited to cotton like DTG
• Vibrant, full colour results on both light and dark fabrics
• Handles complex designs with fine detail cleanly
• Low setup costs compared to screen printing
• Suitable for small and large runs alike

Where DTF Printing has limits:

• Sits on top of the fabric, coarse or heavily textured fabrics can affect print output
• White ink is used as a base layer and may be slightly visible in certain colour shades, this is a normal characteristic of the process
• Some bruising around the print area on arrival is normal, it reduces after the first wash

Best suited to: Bold, full colour logos and complex artwork across a wide range of fabric types and products.

A note on the process 📝 DTF is a multi-step process. When your order arrives there may be a slight bruise around the print area, this is completely normal and reduces after the first wash.

DTF Printing

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces for clothing, bags or caps
• Repeat orders: no minimum for clothing and bags, 12 piece minimum for caps
• Accepted files: EPS preferred — hi res TIFF also accepted. Redraw service available if needed
• Mix & match across garments and bags: ✅
• Maximum print area: 350mm wide x 450mm

👉 View DTF Printing product page

DTG - Direct To Garment Printing 👕

DTG Printing does what the name says, the ink goes directly from the machine onto the garment itself, with no intermediate transfer or film involved. The result is a soft, smooth, matte finish that looks and feels like part of the garment.

It's the modern answer to screen printing. Full colour, fine detail but no costly colour separation setups. For short runs on cotton, it's hard to beat.

One thing worth knowing upfront: on dark or black garments, DTG Printing produces a slightly vintage, worn in effect. That's not a flaw, it's just how the ink behaves on a dark base. If you want that relaxed, faded look, DTG delivers it naturally. If you need sharp, opaque colour on dark fabric, DTF Printing is the better call.

Like every method, it has its limits. The main one is fabric, DTG only works on 100% cotton as well as some limited natural fibres like hemp.

What DTG Printing does well:

• Soft hand feel with a clean matte finish
• Handles full colour artwork and fine detail cleanly
• No colour separation setup fees, cost effective for short runs
• Water based inks
• Great for lighter weight 100% cotton garments, tees, singlets and tote bags

Where DTG Printing has limits:

• Heavier fleece, polyester and blends don't work, lighter weight 100% cotton fabrics only
• Not suitable for caps or headwear
• Colours on dark garments will appear slightly vintage and worn-in, a thick white base coat is needed under the colour ink to stop it looking dull and that base coat is what creates the effect
• The same applies to marle fabrics, even those sold as 100% cotton contain a small amount of polyester in the marle yarn and the ink won't bond to those fibres. On either dark or marle garments, expect a worn-in, vintage look that develops with washing and wearing.
• Pantone accuracy is approximate, not exact
• Print will fade over time with washing, similar to screen print
• Coarse or textured fabrics can produce uneven results

Best suited to: Short run tees, singlets and tote bags in 100% cotton. Full colour or photographic artwork. Light coloured fabrics for best results.

A note on the process 📝 DTG Printing is a multi-step process. When your order arrives it may have a slight bruise around the print area or feel a little sticky from the pre and post treatment. This is completely normal, it disappears after the first wash.

DTG Printing

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces
• Repeat orders: no minimum
• Accepted files: Vector (EPS, AI) or Raster (JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD etc) — redraw service available if needed
• Mix & match across 100% cotton tees (short and long sleeve), singlets and tote bags: ✅
• Not recommended for hoodies or heavy fleece

👉 View DTG Printing product page

DTV - Direct To Vinyl (aka Digital Transfers) 🎨

If embroidery is the craft method, DTV Printing is the technology method.

A digital transfer is a high performance, machine washable decal, printed digitally and heat applied to the garment. The result is vibrant, detailed and more durable than it sounds.

Where DTV Printing really earns its place is specialty effects. Metallic, glitter, puff, flock, glow-in-the-dark, if you want your branding to do something a flat print can't, there's almost certainly a vinyl media that can do it.

It's also the go-to method for sports. Player names and numbers are the bread and butter of DTV and it handles them better than anything else.

Like embroidery, it has its limits. But for the right artwork on the right product, the results are hard to beat.

What DTV Printing does well:

• Vibrant colours and high detail, handles complex, multi-colour artwork cleanly
• Stretches with the fabric, good for activewear and fitted garments
• Works across a wide range of products and fabric types
• Specialty effect medias available including metallic, puff, glitter, flock, glow-in-the-dark and more
• Great for small runs

Where DTV Printing has limits:

• Sits on top of the fabric rather than into it, less seamless than DTG on some garments
• Not suitable for polar fleece or wool
• Some bruising around the print area is normal on application, it fades after the first wash
• Very fine text may need an outline added to hold its edges cleanly
• Textured fabrics will show some surface texture through the print

Best suited to: Vibrant multi-colour logos, specialty effects, sports numbers and names, small run jobs where setup costs need to stay low.

Standard DTV

The workhorse of the DTV range. Clean, vibrant, durable and suitable for most logos and artwork on most fabric-based products.

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces
• Repeat orders: no minimum
• Accepted files: Vector (EPS, AI) — redraw service available if needed
• Mix & match across garments, bags, caps, and towels: ✅
• Artwork setup, fabric sample and digital mockup included on first order

👉 View Standard DTV product page

Specialty Media DTV — Metallics, Puff, Glitter, Flock & More

Same process as standard DTV, with specialty vinyl medias that add texture, shine or effect. If you want your branding to do something a flat print can't, this is where to start.

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces
• Repeat orders: 12 piece minimum
• Accepted files: Vector (EPS, AI) — redraw service available if needed
• Mix & match across garments, bags, caps and towels: ✅
• Artwork setup, fabric sample, and digital mockup included on first order

👉 View Specialty Media DTV product page

Sports Numbers & Player Names

No artwork setup required, select from standard fonts, sizes, and colours. No minimum order on either, making it easy to add a single name or number as needed.

• New orders: no minimum
• Repeat orders: no minimum
• File required: none, choose from standard fonts, sizes, and colours
• Mix & match across garments and fabric products: ✅

👉 View Sports Numbers product page 👉 View Player Names product page

Supacolour 🌈

Supacolour is a hybrid between digital transfer and screen printing. It gives you the unlimited colour range and fine detail of digital print, without the high setup costs of traditional screen printing.

The result is clean, vibrant, and exceptionally detailed, sharp fine lines, smooth gradients and photographic reproduction are all achievable. For complex artwork that other methods struggle with, Supacolour is often the answer.

Like every method, Supacolour has its limits. But for high detail, high colour accuracy work on smooth fabrics, it's one of the best tools available.

What Supacolour does well:

• Unlimited colours with high vibrancy
• Ultra high detail, handles fine text, colour gradients and photo reproduction cleanly
• Pantone colour matching available
• Metallic gold and silver available as well as reflective options
• High stretchability, suitable for stretch fabrics
• Eco friendly inks, no vinyl, no PVC, OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified
• Works across a wide range of garments, bags and caps

Where Supacolour has limits:

• Sits on top of the fabric, not suitable for polar fleece or wool
• Textured fabrics will show some surface texture through the print
• Cannot be put in the dryer
• Some bruising around the print area on arrival is normal, it reduces after the first wash

Best suited to: Complex, high detail artwork on smooth fabrics. Full colour, gradients, fine text and photographic designs where colour accuracy matters.

A note on the process 📝 Supacolour is a multi-step process. When your order arrives there may be a slight bruise around the print area, this is completely normal and reduces after the first wash.

Supacolour

• New and repeat artwork minimum: 20 pieces for clothing and caps
• Accepted files: EPS only, with fonts outlined, redraw service available if needed
• Mix & match across singlets, tees, polos, hoodies, jumpers, jackets, bags, and caps: ✅
• Maximum print area: 380mm wide x 420mm

👉 View Supacolour product page

Supaetch 🧢

Supaetch is a decoration method built specifically for caps and beanies. A suede patch is laser cut and etched with your artwork, then sewn onto the product with overlocked edges for a clean, finished look.

It's a distinct aesthetic, slightly vintage, tactile and different from anything embroidery or print produces. Not for every brand, but for the right one it stands out.

Like every method, it has its limits. It's available on selected products only and isn't suited to items that need frequent washing.

What Supaetch does well:

• Creates a distinct, tactile finish that embroidery and print can't replicate
• Patch shapes can be contoured to match your artwork
• 11 suede patch colours to choose from
• Overlocking thread can match the patch, match the product or be a contrasting colour

Where Supaetch has limits:

• The result varies, artwork and colour selection matter more with this method than most
• Available on selected cap and beanie ranges only
• Not suited to items that need frequent washing

Best suited to: Caps and beanies where a distinct, patch based look suits the brand aesthetic.

Supaetch

• New and repeat artwork minimum: 20 pieces (same style and colour)
• Accepted files: EPS only — redraw service available if needed
• Maximum etchable area: 100mm wide x 100mm
• Available on: Atlantis and Legend Headwear ranges only

👉 View Supaetch product page

Name Badges 🏷️

Name badges are one of those details that are easy to overlook and immediately noticeable when they're missing. A staff member without one is just a person in a uniform. A staff member with one is approachable, professional and easy to identify.

They're also one of the simplest and most cost effective branding touchpoints available, worn every day, at eye level, in direct conversation with customers.

What name badges do well:

• Instantly make staff identifiable and approachable
• Reinforce brand presence at the point of customer contact
• Available in plastic, aluminium and wood to suit different brand aesthetics
• Pin or magnet fittings available, magnets are kinder to fabric
• No minimum order, order one or one hundred

Where name badges have limits:

• Not suitable for roles where staff aren't customer facing
• Wooden badges aren't suited to wet environments 

Best suited to: Any customer facing role, retail, hospitality, corporate, healthcare, events, and education.

Name Badges

• Minimum order: 1
• Fully customisable with staff names, titles and company logo in full colour
• Available in plastic, aluminium, and wood
• Pin or magnet fittings available
• Accepted files: EPS only, with fonts outlined, redraw service available if needed
  
  

👉 View Name Badges collection

While embroidery and the print methods above are all about fabric and garments, UV printing is for hard surfaces, think promotional products, accessories and merchandise rather than clothing.

UV printing works by curing ink instantly as it's applied, ultraviolet light follows directly behind the print head, turning liquid ink to a solid on contact. The result is a sharp, durable, vibrant finish that bonds directly to the surface.

Because the ink cures instantly, layers can be built up before the colour is even added. This opens up some interesting possibilities, raised texture effects, highlighted elements within the artwork and a high gloss varnish finish that adds real visual pop. It's a level of detail and dimension that flat print simply can't achieve.

Like every method, it has its limits. But for branding items that other methods simply can't touch, it's the right tool for the job.

What UV printing does well:

• Prints directly onto hard surfaces, wood, metal, plastic, glass, acrylic and more
• Vibrant, high detail results with excellent colour accuracy
• Durable finish, resists scratching, fading, and wear
• Layered varnish enables raised texture effects and highlighted artwork elements
• High gloss varnish finish available for added visual impact
• Eco friendly, UV inks cure without solvents

Where UV printing has limits:

• Hard surfaces only, not suitable for fabric or garments
• Highly textured or irregular surfaces can affect print quality
• Not suitable for items that flex significantly when in use

Best suited to: Promotional products, branded merchandise, corporate gifts and accessories. Pens, USB drives, drink bottles, phone cases, coasters, keyrings. If it's hard and flat, UV printing can most likely brand it.

UV Printing

• New artwork minimum: 12 pieces
• Repeat orders: no minimum
• Accepted files: Vector (EPS, AI) or Raster (JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD etc) — redraw service available if needed

👉 View UV Printing product page

Engraving ⚡️

Laser engraving uses a frickin' laser beam to vaporise the surface of a material, leaving a permanent, clean mark. No ink, no transfer, just the material itself, altered.

It's precise, highly legible, and particularly well suited to small items where other methods simply can't hold the detail. The go-to for timber and metal promotional products.

Not suitable for clothing, bags, or headwear — this one is strictly for hard goods.

What engraving does well:

• Permanent, deep marks that won't fade, peel or wash off
• Highly legible, handles fine detail and small text cleanly
• No inks or consumables, the finish is the material itself
• Ideal for timber and metal promotional products and gifts

Where engraving has limits:

• Hard goods only, not suitable for clothing, bags, or headwear
• Available on a limited selection of products, check the branding options on each product page or ask us

Personal Name Engraving

A personal touch with no minimums and no setup fees. Choose from our standard font selection and let us know the names in your checkout notes.

• Minimum order: none
• Setup fee: none (fee applies if artwork mockups are required)
• Font: standard selection
• Maximum size depends on the product being engraved

Company Logo Engraving

Your business logo on promotional products. A setup fee applies as mockups are prepared for your approval before production begins.

• Minimum order: none
• Setup fee applies — add it here before placing your order
• Mockup prepared for approval before production

👉 View Laser Engraving product page

Screen Printing 🖨️

Still thinking screen printing? Let's talk.

Screen printing was the industry standard for garment printing for decades and for very, very, high volume, very simple artwork jobs, it still has a place. But for most people reading this page, one of the newer methods will give you a better result at a lower cost with a faster turnaround.

Here's why we made the switch in 2024.

Screen printing requires a separate screen and setup for every colour in your artwork. One colour logo? Manageable. Four colour logo? Four screens, four setups, four times the cost before a single shirt is printed. The newer digital methods, DTG, DTF, and Supacolour, handle full colour artwork in a single pass with no colour separation setup at all.

Because of this it needs serious volume to make economic sense. The setup cost is fixed regardless of how many pieces you print, which means it only becomes cost effective at quantities most customers simply don't need.

From a workplace health and safety point of view, traditional screen printing requires a lot of upper body strength and it's physically demanding. Often creating sore backs and triceps after a hard day on the screens. Screen printing also takes up a huge amount of space and creates a lot of chemical waste clean up from the inks themselves and the solvent used.

Cleaning screens means someone has to put on a full hazmat like suit to avoid breathing in any of the chemical vapour. And waste sediment has to be filtered and collected by a waste disposal company. We used the space we gained when we decommissioned our screen printing area to add 4 brand new speciality machines, a dedicated clean room for 2 of the machines and a fully functioning laundry with washing machine, dryer and clothes line!


When screen printing still makes sense:

• Very high volumes, typically 500 pieces or more of the exact same print
• Simple artwork, one or two colours maximum
• Long lead times aren't a problem, offshore production runs can take 12 weeks or more

For everything else, the better call is:

• 👉 DTG - full colour on 100% cotton, short runs, no setup costs
• 👉 DTF - full colour on almost any fabric, vibrant on dark garments
• 👉 Supacolour - high detail, photographic reproduction, Pantone accurate

Do you still offer screen printing? We don't do it in-house anymore, the newer printing methods have made it redundant for most jobs. For very high volume runs where it still makes sense, we manage the whole job through our partner studios. Same service, same point of contact, we just don't have the triceps of steel from manual squeegees to show for it anymore.

👉 View Screen Printing product page