When most people think of garment printing, t-shirts are usually the first thing that comes to mind. But the world of custom clothing printing extends far beyond the humble tee. At Crescent Print in Edinburgh, we work across a wide range of garment types , hoodies, polo shirts, workwear, sportswear, bags, and more , offering the same quality and expertise across every item we produce.
If your printing needs go beyond t-shirts, this guide will help you understand the options available and which garment types best suit your particular purpose.
Hoodies and Sweatshirts
Hoodies and sweatshirts are the second most popular garment type after t-shirts, and for good reason. They offer a larger print area, a premium feel, and year-round versatility. For student groups, sports teams, corporate events, and creative brands, a well-printed hoodie often becomes a treasured wardrobe staple rather than a disposable promotional item.
Both screen printing and DTG work well on hoodies and sweatshirts, with embroidery an excellent option for a premium chest logo on higher-end fleece or zip-up styles.
Polo Shirts
For customer-facing businesses, hospitality, retail, trade services, and leisure facilities, polo shirts strike the ideal balance between professional and practical. They’re smarter than a t-shirt but more comfortable and breathable than a formal shirt.
Most polo shirts are printed with a left chest logo using embroidery or heat transfer, though DTG is also suitable for specific styles. We can supply polo shirts in a wide range of corporate colours to match your brand identity.
Workwear and Hi-Visibility Clothing
Businesses in the construction, logistics, events, and maintenance industries often need printed workwear that meets safety standards as well as looking professional. We supply hi-visibility vests, jackets, and tops that can be personalised with company names, logos, and employee names.
Workwear needs to be both durable and wash-resistant, making screen printing and embroidery the methods of choice for most applications.
Sportswear and Performance Fabrics
Printed sportswear presents unique challenges because many performance fabrics are polyester or blended, and standard DTG printing doesn’t adhere as well to synthetic fibres. For sportswear, we typically recommend heat transfer, dye sublimation (for all-over printing), or specific performance-compatible screen printing inks.
Whether you need kits for a football team, branded vests for a running club, or cycle jerseys for a charity event, we can advise on the most appropriate production method.
Tote Bags and Accessories
Printed tote bags have become a staple promotional item, particularly for events, retailers, and businesses in the creative and lifestyle sectors. A well-designed tote bag is carried publicly, providing ongoing brand visibility at a modest cost.
We print on canvas and cotton tote bags using screen printing and DTG, and can accommodate everything from simple single-colour designs to full-colour photographic artwork.
Other Accessories
Beyond garments, we can also apply custom printing to a range of other accessories:
Caps and beanies (embroidery is typically most appropriate)Aprons (popular for hospitality, catering, and craft businesses)Tote bags and shoppersDrawstring bags and sports backpacks
Embroidery Across Garment Types
It’s worth highlighting embroidery as a distinct option for many garment types beyond t-shirts. Embroidery is particularly well-suited to:
Polo shirts and smart casualwearCaps, beanies, and hatsHoodies and fleece jacketsWorkwear of all kinds
The raised, textured finish of embroidery adds a premium quality feel that printing alone doesn’t replicate. For businesses and organisations where brand presentation is important, embroidery can elevate the perception of even a modestly priced garment.
Choosing the Right Garment for Your Purpose
The best garment for any printing project depends on who will wear it, how they’ll use it, and what impression you want to create. Some useful questions to consider:
Is this for everyday wear or a specific event? Everyday garments warrant a higher investment in base quality; single-event items can use more economical blanks.
Will it be laundered frequently? Workwear and sports clothing gets washed constantly. Durability of the print and the garment itself is paramount.
What image do you want to project? A tech startup and a construction company have very different brand needs, even if both want a company garment.
Is this a gift or a uniform? Gifts benefit from a more premium feel; uniforms prioritise consistency and practicality.
Our team at Crescent Print will help you navigate these decisions. With years of experience across the full range of garment types, we know which combinations of garment, method, and design will deliver the best result for your specific brief.
Get in touch via crescentprint.pro or visit our Edinburgh shop to discuss your garment printing project, whatever it involves.
