Wholesale branding costs follow different curves depending on the method. Embroidery is cheap on small orders but expensive on large; debossing is the opposite; sublimation only works on certain fabrics. This calculator gives you the per-piece and total-order cost for every common method, so you can pick the cheapest option that fits your design and quantity — and avoid paying twice for a method that doesn’t suit your product.
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How each method costs out
Every customisation method has two cost components: a one-time setup (digitising, screens, dies) and a per-piece running cost. At small quantities the setup dominates; at large quantities the per-piece dominates. The crossover points determine which method is cheapest for your order.
| Method | Setup cost | Per-piece cost | Works on | Best at quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery | $25–70 (digitising) | $0.40–3.00 (by stitch count) | All except leather | 50–2,000+ |
| Screen print | $20–100 (per colour/screen) | $0.25–1.80 | Apparel, canvas | 200+ |
| Sublimation full-print | $20–40 (artwork) | $1.50–3.50 | 100% polyester apparel only | 100+ |
| Heat transfer / DTG | $10–20 | $0.80–2.00 | Apparel | Under 100 |
| Debossing (heated die) | $80–180 (die) | $0.20–0.50 | Leather, synthetic | 500+ |
| Laser engraving | $15–30 (file prep) | $0.30–0.80 | Leather, synthetic | 100+ |
| Raised PU / silicone badge | $50–120 (mould) | $0.60–1.50 | All | 300+ |
Oxfit Sports offers all seven methods in-house at our Sialkot factory. Specify which one in your quote request, or ask us to recommend based on your design and quantity.
Method-by-method notes
Embroidery
The default for logo branding on gloves (cuff), rash guards (chest), gi jackets (sleeve and back), and gym vests. Quality depends on thread (bonded nylon or polyester) and stitch density. Oxfit uses up to 12-needle commercial embroidery machines for multi-colour logos at production speed. The digitising setup is one-time: once a logo is digitised it can be used on every future re-order at zero additional setup cost.
Screen print
Best for large designs on apparel where embroidery would be slow or expensive. Each colour requires a separate screen, so a 4-colour design costs 4× the single-colour setup. Per-piece runs are fast — Oxfit can screen-print thousands of vests in a day once screens are ready. Doesn’t work on leather (ink won’t adhere properly) and is harder on stretch-knit rash guards.
Sublimation
The full-print option. Ink is heat-pressed directly into 100% polyester fibres, allowing complete design coverage including full team kits, geometric panels, and photographic prints. Won’t work on cotton, leather, or anything with under 70% polyester content. Oxfit uses sublimation for rash guards, MMA shorts, and tracksuit panels. Per-piece cost depends on size of the printable area, not on design complexity.
Heat transfer / DTG (Direct-to-Garment)
Lowest setup cost, highest per-piece. Cost-effective for small orders (under 100 pieces) or for samples and prototypes. Oxfit uses heat transfer for one-off OEM samples before scaling up; production runs above 100 pieces are usually cheaper via embroidery or screen print.
Debossing
The premium option for leather goods. A heated metal die presses the design into the leather, creating a recessed mark without ink. Lasts the life of the glove. Setup is expensive ($80–180 for the die), so it’s only economical above 500 pieces — but per-piece cost is the lowest of any method. Oxfit Sports debosses logos onto cowhide cuffs and palm panels on premium OEM orders.
Laser engraving
Alternative to debossing for leather. Slightly lower setup (no metal die needed — laser uses a digital file) but slightly higher per-piece. Good middle-ground for buyers ordering 100–500 pieces who want a premium leather mark.
Raised PU / silicone badge
For 3D-effect branding. A pre-moulded plastic or silicone badge with your logo is stitched onto the garment or glove. Used on cuffs of premium boxing gloves and the chest of fight kits. Setup includes the mould (high) but allows full-colour 3D logos that flat methods can’t replicate.
Common buyer mistakes Oxfit sees
- Choosing the method before knowing the quantity. Buyers often spec embroidery for an 800-piece run when debossing would be cheaper and look more premium. The Oxfit team will always recommend the right method for your tier — ask.
- Over-complicating the design at low quantity. A 3-colour 15,000-stitch embroidery on 50 pieces is expensive per unit because the digitising and density costs spread across few items. Simplify the design to 1–2 colours and <6,000 stitches for sub-100 orders.
- Trying to sublimate on cotton. Won’t work. Sublimation only bonds to polyester. Oxfit will refuse orders specifying sublimation on cotton fabrics rather than ship something that’ll fail in the first wash.
- Skipping the digital mockup approval step. Always free at Oxfit. Skipping it is how buyers end up with a logo that’s off-centre, wrong colour, or 8 mm too small on the cuff.
Indicative price table — 250 pieces, simple 1-colour logo
| Method | Setup | 250 × per-piece | Total order | Effective per-piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery (simple logo) | $30 | $112.50 | $142.50 | $0.57 |
| Screen print 1-colour | $30 | $87.50 | $117.50 | $0.47 |
| Heat transfer | $15 | $250.00 | $265.00 | $1.06 |
| Sublimation (apparel only) | $25 | $500.00 | $525.00 | $2.10 |
| Debossing (leather only) | $120 | $75.00 | $195.00 | $0.78 |
| Laser engraving (leather only) | $20 | $125.00 | $145.00 | $0.58 |
Live Oxfit quotes will vary with the specifics of your design, fabric, and current materials market — these numbers are illustrative for planning. Use the calculator above with your real quantities for a clearer picture.
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Send your design (Adobe Illustrator or PDF), product type, and quantity to Oxfit’s quote request form — we’ll reply within 24 hours with method recommendations, real Oxfit pricing, and a free digital mockup before sample stage.
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