When it’s time to outfit your staff in branded apparel—polos, jackets, scrubs—you’ll hit a common crossroads: print or embroidery? The right answer depends on more than just cost. It’s about durability, perception, and how each piece reinforces your brand in the eyes of patients and staff.

Here’s a clear-eyed breakdown of the pros, cons, and decision points that actually matter when you’re ordering apparel for your medical practice or ambulatory surgery center.

Embroidery: Durable, Professional, and Perceived as Premium

Why offices love it: Embroidery carries weight—literally and figuratively. The stitched texture adds depth and professionalism to apparel, especially for polos, jackets, and lab coats. Patients perceive it as more permanent and polished, and your staff is more likely to take pride in how they look when wearing it.

Best for:

• Polo shirts, button-ups, and jackets
• Front-desk or leadership roles
• Practices with a luxury or high-trust brand feel

Drawbacks: Embroidery is typically more expensive and has limitations with small or intricate logo elements. It also adds weight to lightweight garments (like thinner scrubs) and can feel bulky if overused.

Print: Flexible, Affordable, and Ideal for Casual Wear

Why offices love it: Printed apparel—especially screen printing—is cost-effective and great for high-quantity orders. It allows for more color flexibility and works well on soft materials like scrub tops, t-shirts, or warm-up jackets. For teams that change apparel often or rotate seasonal items, printing makes sense.

Best for:

• Scrub tops, casual tees, outerwear for back-office staff
• Short-term uniforms or promotional use
• Practices looking to stretch a tight budget

Drawbacks: Printed logos can fade over time, especially with frequent industrial laundering. They don’t carry the same professional visual weight as embroidery and may cheapen the look if the logo isn’t designed well for print.

Decision Time: What Actually Matters

When choosing between print and embroidery for your team, ask:

• How long do we want this item to last? Embroidery can outlast multiple seasons of wear, especially for outerwear. Print may need replacing sooner.
• How do we want patients to perceive our brand? Embroidery sends a message of permanence and professionalism. Print can still look great—but needs strong design and fabric quality to carry it.
• What’s our staff’s workflow? If your staff is in direct contact with patients all day, elevated apparel matters. For back-office or occasional wear, printing may be just fine.

Hybrid Approach? Smart Practices Do Both

Many clinics are splitting their merch strategy. Embroidery for front-facing roles and print for back-of-house or volume orders. That way, every dollar works harder—and every staff member looks the part.

For example, an ASC might give embroidered polos to check-in staff and surgeons, while support teams wear printed scrubs or branded zip-ups. See how ASCs are using branded apparel strategically here.

The Bottom Line

There’s no universal “right” answer—but there is a smart one for your specific goals. Embroidery wins on perception and longevity. Print wins on flexibility and cost. Choose based on the experience you’re trying to create—for patients and for your team.

Need help making the right call? Explore curated apparel ideas based on your specialty and team structure.