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Softshell jackets with your logo: embroidery or print?
Softshell has a membrane, and every needle stitch goes through it. Where an embroidered logo still works, when transfer printing is better and what matters on jackets, hoods and gilets.
What is inside a softshell jacket
Softshell is not a simple fabric but a bond of several layers. Most jackets in our collection are made of 3-layer material. This very structure decides how your logo is best applied:
- Outside
- A stretchy outer fabric, often with a water-repellent finish. Some models are 4-way stretch, meaning elastic in every direction.
- Middle
- The membrane: a thin layer that keeps out wind and water while staying breathable. On several of our models, according to the manufacturer, it withstands a water column of up to 10,000 mm.
- Inside
- Usually a soft fleece lining that keeps you warm and is bonded to the outer fabric.
For finishing, this means: anything that pierces the jacket also pierces the membrane. Anything applied with heat has to suit the surface and the stretch. If you want softshell jackets printed with your logo, the collection has jackets with and without a hood, as well as gilets.
Embroidery on softshell: premium, with one caveat
Embroidery looks very clean on the smooth softshell surface and comes across as high-quality – ideal for customer-facing or field teams. The caveat: every needle stitch is a tiny hole in the membrane. On the chest this is usually not an issue, because the logo is small and rain tends to run off at that spot. On large areas, on the shoulders or on the hood, however, the jacket would lose some of its weather protection.
Left or right chest
The classic position, small and clearly visible
Upper arm
For a small second logo or a name
Large embroidery on the back
Lots of holes in the membrane, and the area becomes stiff
Shoulders and hood
Rain hits these directly, so needle holes are risky
Zipped access for embroidery
Some softshell jackets have a zip on the left chest that makes the spot easy to reach when embroidering. Whether your chosen model has such an access is stated in the product description – or we will tell you in the consultation.
From the workshop
Lettering in embroidery: dense and even
The photo shows an embroidered script logo in red and white up close. The letters are made of stitches lying tightly side by side, and the edges are crisp. On a smooth surface such as softshell, lettering like this comes out particularly cleanly. The smaller the logo on the chest, the more important bold letters without hairline strokes become.
Printing on softshell: DTF and flex
For the back, large lettering or multicolour logos, transfer printing is the better choice. The design is pressed on with heat and pressure, no holes are made – the membrane stays untouched. With DTF the design is printed in full colour onto a film and then transferred. Flex is a single-colour cut film, ideal for clear lettering and names.
Because softshell stretches, you need an elastic layer that goes along with the movement. The surface also has to cope with the heat: membrane and water-repellent finish react more sensitively than cotton. That is why we clarify before production how your jacket can be processed.
- 1Print on filmDigital, all colours in one pass
- 2Adhesive powderBonds to the fabric later
- 3Heat and pressureThe press transfers the design
- Strong at
- Large back designs, multicolour logos and lettering – without piercing the membrane
- Less suited to
- Very small, fine logos, where embroidery looks more premium
Jacket, hood or gilet
Depending on the cut, the available areas shift. This is how we classify the three variants in our range:
Softshell jacket
Logo embroidered on the chest, lettering or website printed on the back. The upper arm has room for a small second logo.
Hooded softshell
Chest and back as on the jacket. The hood itself stays free so that it stays watertight.
Softshell gilet
Without sleeves, chest and back remain. Worn over a shirt or jumper, an embroidered chest logo looks especially neat.
How we bring jackets, polos and shirts together into one consistent look is shown on our page embroidered company clothing.
Matching garments
Design them in the shop
Sublimation on softshell?
Side noteSublimation only works on light-coloured polyester: the ink passes into the fibre with heat and cannot be felt afterwards. On softshell that is the exception. In our range, the manufacturer of one model explicitly names the colour White as suitable for sublimation. For dark jackets, embroidery and transfer printing remain the options.
Which solution suits your use
In the end, it comes down to where and how the jackets are worn:
| Use | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Office, reception, client meetings | Embroidery on the chest | Discreet and premium, the jacket looks like a branded product. |
| Field service and building sites in all weathers | Small embroidery on the chest, printed back | Weather protection is kept, and the team is recognisable from behind. |
| Trade fair, event, club appearance | Large print on the back | Stands out and can be read from a distance. |
| Names for each person | Flex on chest or back | Each name cut individually, without needle holes. |
Which clothing works well for trade businesses is covered in our post workwear with your logo for tradespeople.
Keeping the jacket watertight and smart
With the right care, membrane, embroidery and print last a long time. The key points:
- Wash inside out so that nothing rubs directly against the logo or print
- Temperature according to the care label – some of our models are washable up to 40 °C
- Do not use fabric softener, it can clog the pores of the membrane
- Do not iron directly over the print
- Close the zips before washing
You will find more tips in our washing instructions.
Softshell jackets with your logo: FAQ
Will embroidery make my softshell jacket leak?
Every needle stitch is a tiny hole in the membrane. With a small logo on the chest this is usually not an issue. We leave out large embroidered areas, shoulders and the hood.
Does a print hold on the stretchy material?
Yes, as long as the layer is elastic and temperature and pressing time suit the jacket. DTF and flex move with the fabric.
Can I combine embroidery and print on one jacket?
Yes. An embroidered logo on the chest and printed lettering on the back go particularly well together on softshell. We do both in our own workshop in Munich.
Will I see where my logo sits beforehand?
Yes. You receive a print approval – a digital preview with position and size that you approve before production. Delivery takes approx. 7–10 working days.
Planning softshell jackets for your team? Send us your enquiry with your logo and preferred model – we will advise you on position and method free of charge.
Team Shirtplus
Printing and embroidery in our own workshop in Munich. Created with AI support. Last updated: 12 Oct 2026.
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