Behind the Thread: What Makes Quality Screen Printing & Embroidery Last

Not All Custom Apparel Is Created Equal

We’ve all been there. You grab a t-shirt at an event, wash it once, and the design cracks like desert pavement. Or you pick up an embroidered hat and by week three the stitching is already coming loose. It’s frustrating, and honestly, it gives custom merch a bad name.

That’s why we’ve always believed quality has to come first. At Sketch Lab, if our name is tied to it, it has to last. No shortcuts, no quick fixes, no “good enough.” Because when someone wears your brand, they’re carrying a piece of your story, and that deserves better than fading ink or flimsy threads.

The Difference Is in the Details

So what actually makes quality screen printing and embroidery stand out? It comes down to three things:

• Inks that last. We use premium, eco-friendly inks that keep their color and resist cracking, wash after wash.

• Threads that don’t quit. Embroidery is all about durability, and we only use threads that hold their shape and vibrancy.

• Tech + craft working together. Our machines are state-of-the-art, but the human touch in design and production makes the difference between something that’s “okay” and something you’re excited to wear again and again.

Why Brands Trust Us With Their Merch

When breweries like Novo Brazil or athletes like Canelo Álvarez trust us with their name, it’s not because we can print a clean logo. It’s because they know the merch is going to live up to their brand long after the launch day photos.

Quality merch becomes part of someone’s rotation--the hoodie they live in, the hat they grab every morning. That’s where the real brand connection happens. And that’s why we take the details so seriously.

Built to Last, From San Diego to Everywhere

At the end of the day, quality isn’t a trend. Styles will change, but people will always want pieces that last. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to, whether it’s 50 shirts for a local fundraiser or 30,000 for a global brand.

From San Diego streets to campuses, arenas, and events across the map, we want every piece we make to honor your steez, built to last, built to rep you.