Comparison of Basic Process Costs
Standard Mass Production:The per-unit cost for standard screen printing is approximately 3–10 RMB, while basic machine embroidery costs about 10–30 RMB; embroidery costs are 2–5 times higher than standard printing.
Equivalent Quality Benchmark: When matching color fastness and pattern detail, the total cost of embroidery is **3–4 times** higher than reactive printing; the price gap widens further for high-end, intricate embroidery.
Breakdown of Cost Differences Across Dimensions
Digitization/Programming Costs:Screen printing setup fees range from tens to hundreds of RMB. Embroidery requires professional technicians to meticulously adjust settings based on stitch count; fees for complex patterns can reach over a thousand RMB-5–10 timesthat of printing.
Material Costs: Costs for embroidery-specific consumables-such as threads, backing paper, and hot-melt film-are over **40% higher** than the dyes and pastes used in printing; this cost proportion increases further for large-area embroidery.
Labor/Time Costs: Machine embroidery is much slower than printing; while printing can produce hundreds of items per hour, embroidery may only complete a few. The cost per unit of time is 3–6 times higher than printing.
Small-Batch Scenarios: The smaller the order volume, the more significantly the per-unit cost of embroidery rises; for small orders, embroidery costs can even exceed 10 timesthe cost of standard printing.