Printed or Embroidered Towels? Which Branding Lasts
By The Velocity Wear Team
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Printed towels get about two hundred searches a month in the UK. The people searching usually want their logo on a towel and assume printing is the obvious way to do it. On cotton terry, it usually isn't. Let's look at why, and at the three branding methods that last.
Why printing struggles on terry towels
A cotton towel is covered in thousands of tiny loops. That's what makes it absorbent. Ink sits on the tips of those loops rather than on a flat surface, so detail breaks up, colours look patchy, and the print can feel stiff where the loops are coated. After repeated hot washes, prints on terry tend to fade and crack faster than on smooth fabric.
Printed towels work much better on velour or microfibre, which have a flat, sheared surface. That's why most full-colour printed beach towels are velour. They look great but aren't as absorbent as cotton terry.
Embroidery
Thread stitched into the towel sits on top of the loops with a topping layer that holds them flat. It's durable through hot washing, looks premium, and has a texture that suits towels. Best for logos, names, monograms and simple icons.
Woven labels
A small woven label sewn into the hem or side. Very subtle, very hotel. Ideal when you want quiet branding and to avoid any stitching across the towel face.
Dobby borders
A flat woven band across the towel near each end. It gives a towel a finished, premium look and a smooth surface that's perfect for embroidery. Hotels and spas love this combination.
Comparing the options
- Detail: printing on velour wins; embroidery handles bold logos; woven labels handle small text.
- Durability through hot washes: embroidery and woven labels win.
- Absorbency: cotton terry with embroidery or labels wins over velour.
- Luxury feel: embroidery on a dobby border is hard to beat.
- Full-colour photos: printed velour only.
What we do
We make 100% combed cotton towels branded with embroidery, woven labels and dobby borders. We don't print onto towels. If you need a photo-printed velour beach towel, a specialist printer is the right choice.
Designing for embroidery
Simplify your logo: drop tiny text, thicken thin lines, and choose one or two thread colours. See embroidered towels for sizes and placement.
Quick checklist before you order
- Do you need full colour, or will a stitched logo do?
- Will towels be washed hot and often?
- Is absorbency important?
- Embroidery, woven label, dobby border, or a combination?
Costs over the life of the towel
A printed velour towel may cost less upfront, but if it fades after a few months of hot washing, you replace it sooner. An embroidered cotton towel costs more initially and keeps looking good far longer in commercial use. For a hotel, gym or spa washing towels daily, cost per use usually favours embroidery.
Where printed velour still makes sense
For one-off events, photographic designs, or retail beach towels sold as souvenirs that won't be laundered commercially, printed velour can be the right choice. It's about matching the method to how the towel will be used, not one method being always better.
Combining methods on one range
Some businesses use embroidered cotton for everyday operations and a printed velour towel as a retail souvenir. The two can share colours and a logo, so the brand still feels consistent.
Ordering
Minimum 50 per design, five sizes from 30 × 80 cm to 90 × 180 cm, 10 to 15 working days from artwork approval. See wholesale towels.
