How to Spot Cheap vs. Quality Embroidery and Screen Printing (Before You Buy!) 

Ever bought a custom T-shirt or hoodie and thought, “Wow, this looks amazing!”—only for it to fall apart after one wash? Been there. The threads come loose, the print cracks, and suddenly that “custom gear” feels more like a regret. But hey, it doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s walk through how you can spot the good stuff before you hand over your money.

Embroidery: What to Watch For

Let’s talk embroidery in Adelaide. Bad embroidery is super easy to spot (and hard to unsee). Think weird gaps in the stitching, threads poking out everywhere, or fabric that bunches up like it's trying to hide. If it looks rushed, it probably was.

On the flip side, good embroidery feels solid. The stitching is tight, smooth, and clean—no frayed bits or random loops. It should look like someone took their time and actually cared about your design. And trust me, you’ll notice the difference when it lasts more than just a couple of wears.

Screen Printing: Looks Can Be Deceiving

Now let’s get into screen printing in Australia. Cheap screen printing is like a sticker that’s begging to peel. You’ll see prints that crack after one wash, colours that don’t line up, or ink so thick it feels like cardboard. Not fun to wear—and definitely not what you paid for.

Good screen printing? It blends into the fabric. It’s soft, bright, and doesn’t fall apart after a trip through the laundry. You want something that feels like it belongs on the shirt—not like it was glued on last minute.

T-Shirt Printing: The Feel Test

If you’re after T-shirt printing in Adelaide, don’t just go by the design. Ask for a sample or photo of past work. Better yet—touch the print if you can. Does it feel like part of the shirt? Or like something that’s going to flake off after a few wears?

Also, take a quick look at the stitches. If they’re already loose now, imagine them after a wash or two. (Spoiler: it’s not going to be pretty.)

Final Word: Don’t Settle for Cheap

At the end of the day, your custom gear should last. No one wants to waste money on prints that crack or threads that unravel.

That’s where AESS comes in. We do embroidery and printing right—no shortcuts, no cheap tricks. Just clean work that holds up. Want gear that actually lasts? Reach out to AESS today.