Is branded apparel worth it, and how do you avoid a closet full of it?

A uniform has to be comfortable enough to wear all day and needs replacing. A gift has to be something the person would wear anyway. A product has to be something a stranger would pay for. These pull in different directions, and trying to make one shirt do all three is how you end up with a box in the back room.

Printing is cheaper, handles detailed artwork and wears out. Embroidery costs more up front, looks more formal and lasts. Neither is better. Match it to how the garment gets used and how often you want to reorder.

A low per-item price usually comes with a minimum order, and the real question is what a small reorder costs six months later when you hire somebody. Ask for both numbers. A slightly higher price with an easy reorder often costs less over a year.

Print on demand means no inventory and no money tied up, which suits an occasional design or a one-off run for an event. It usually costs more per item, gives you less control over quality, and the work leaves the area. Worth knowing which you are choosing rather than discovering it.