Short answer
There are four common ways to put a logo on activewear: embroidery, silicone, print (including sublimation) and heat transfer. The right choice depends on the fabric and the look you want, not on cost alone. A logo on a stretch knit behaves differently from a logo on a woven jacket, and the same artwork can look sharp in one method and cheap in another. Decide the method and the labels together before production starts, because both are ordered alongside the garment.
The four methods
**Embroidery.** Thread stitched directly into the fabric. It looks premium and lasts, which is why it dominates outerwear, hoodies and caps. On thin stretch knits it can pucker or feel stiff against the skin, so it usually belongs on heavier garments or on a small chest placement.
**Silicone.** A raised, rubbery logo applied with heat. It reads as modern and technical, and it is popular for leggings, sports bras and performancewear. It holds up to repeated washing and stretching, which is exactly what activewear needs. Small details need to be simplified, because silicone cannot reproduce fine lines.
**Print, including sublimation.** Ink printed onto the fabric surface, or dyed into it with sublimation. Sublimation only works on polyester and actually becomes part of the fabric, so it never cracks or peels. It is the right answer for all-over prints and for logos on polyester performancewear. On cotton-rich or dark fabrics it is not an option.
**Heat transfer.** A printed film applied with heat. It handles multiple colours and fine detail well and works on most fabrics, including nylon and cotton blends. It is often the most flexible option for small runs, though the feel is slightly firmer than sublimation.
Labels are a separate decision
A logo is not only on the outside. Most brands need three pieces of labelling, each from a different supplier: a **main label** with your brand name inside the back neck, a **care and content label** carrying fibre composition and washing instructions, and a **hang tag** for retail.
All three carry their own production minimums, set by the label and print suppliers rather than the garment factory. This is the most common surprise for first-time buyers: a short garment run with fully custom labelling can cost more per unit in trims than in fabric. If your first order is small, stock labels plus your own printed hang tag is often the sensible compromise.
What to decide before you order
**Where the logo goes.** Chest, sleeve, hem, waistband, back yoke or all-over. Placement affects both the method and the cost.
**How big it is.** Very small logos lose detail in embroidery and silicone. Very large ones on stretch fabric need a method that moves with the garment.
**Whether it needs to survive stretch.** A logo on a waistband or thigh panel stretches every time the garment is worn. Sublimation and silicone handle that better than a stiff transfer.
**What your artwork actually is.** A raster image is not production-ready. Vector artwork, or a clean high-resolution file, saves a revision round.
How this fits the production process
Branding sits between fabric approval and bulk production, and the development piece is where you see the logo on real fabric before committing to 200 pieces per style. That is the point of sampling.
Our [factory page](/factory) shows the decoration work we do, [production process](/production-process) explains where branding fits, and [how it works](/how-it-works) covers the six steps from enquiry to delivery. To price a specific treatment, send your artwork and placement through the [request form](/rfq).
Buyer questions
Can I put my own logo on ready-stock styles?
Ready-stock mixed orders are wholesale supply of current stock, with a total order minimum of 20 pieces. Adding your own branding is part of custom production rather than the ready-stock programme, because branding is applied during manufacturing. The two routes are separate.
Which logo method is cheapest?
It depends on quantity and fabric more than the method itself. For very small runs, heat transfer is usually the most flexible because no tooling is needed. For polyester performancewear, sublimation is often the best value because the logo is dyed into the fabric.
Will a printed logo crack after washing?
Sublimated logos will not, because the print becomes part of the polyester fibre. Applied transfers and silicone can eventually lift if cured incorrectly or washed at very high temperatures. We test the decoration during sampling so you see the result before bulk.
Can you do embroidery on leggings?
Usually not on the legging itself, because embroidery on a thin four-way stretch knit can pucker and feel uncomfortable against the leg. It works well on hoodies, jackets and heavier tops. On leggings, silicone or sublimation is the better answer.
Do I need my own labels, or can I use yours?
You can use your own, and most private label brands do. Your labels come from specialist suppliers, so they carry their own minimums. If your first order is small, we can start with stock labels and your own printed hang tag, then move to fully custom labelling as volume grows.
What artwork do you need?
Vector files are ideal. If you only have a raster image, send the highest resolution version you have and we will tell you whether it is production-ready or needs redrawing.
How long does branding add to production?
Branding runs alongside garment production rather than after it, so it does not extend the timeline on its own. Bulk production is planned at 20 to 30 days, with sample lead time at 7 to 15 days.
Ready to price your own order?
Send your styles, quantities and target market — we will confirm availability, MOQ and shipping before you commit.