Embroidery: Did You Know?

Wearing custom embroidered business attire used to be difficult if you weren't build like the average person. But, today's styles have more sizing options. Here are some examples:

Its easy to find custom embroidered polo shirts and custom embroidered jackets in sizes up to 6X. No more trying to find a style that is "close" to what everyone else is wearing.

It's easy to find embroidered button down shirts and polo shirts in ladies plus sizes so everyone can wear a shirt that fits rather than wearing a "tent".

Embroidery Questions Answered

Question: Can a full front embroidered design be embroidered on a T?

Answer: No, due to the light weight of T-shirt material only small, less stitch intensive designs can be embroidered on a T-shirt.


Question: Can artwork taken from a website be used for an embroidery set-up?

Answer: It depends on the logo. A web image will have a low, 72 dpi resolution. If the logo is fairly basic and doesn't contain a lot of detail then the web image may work but if it contains small detail or text in an unusual font then a higher resolution image is needed to accurately transfer the artwork into stitch format.

Embroidered Apparel: Did You Know?

Ladies, tired of wearing over-sized baseball hats? Now you can order women's custom embroidered hats sized with a lower profile, smaller circumference and a shorter bill and get a better fit!


Do certain types of clothing give you allergy problems? Try wearing apparel made from bamboo such as custom embroidered bamboo polo shirts. Bamboo products are naturally anti-microbial and are made with little use of pesticides or fertilizers so you'll be more comfortable.

Switch Embroidered Fabrics?

Can the same embroidery design be used on different fabrics? Yes, with some exceptions. An embroidered design that was originally digitized for custom embroidered denim can be embroidered on a pique knit with some minor editing to maintain the clean edges of the design. The same design can be used for fabric that has "pile" such as custom embroidered polar fleece as long as it is edited to accomodate for the fleece.

Embroidered Logo Boost!

How can you make your custom embroidered hats logo stand out? Choose a hat style that has a contrasting brim or sandwich (edge of the brim) that is the same color as a color in your logo and watch your embroidered logo POP!

Embroidered Logo Check

We receive lots of logos from customers. Most of them are well-designed and represent the business accurately but occasionally I view a logo and wonder what type of business it represents.

Does your custom embroidered logo work for your business? Does it help brand your corporate image or does it make people wonder what your business is about?

Your logo should:

1. Be clearly readable
2. Convey the type of business
3. Give your approach to business (tag line)
4. Be unique
5. Be memorable
6. Translate into a variety of mediums such as letterhead, business cards, embroidery and print advertising.

If your logo doesn’t satisfy these requirements its time to update your logo!

Better Fonts For Embroidery?

Generally speaking, fonts with a thicker column width are better for embroidery. When choosing a font, the size of the lettering and the type of fabric are important considerations. If the embroidery is going on fabric that has a loose weave ( pique knit) or pile (polar fleece) a font with wider columns will work better. If your text is very small, a block font will look better than a serif or script font.

Stock Embroidery: Questions Answered

Use a Stock Embroidery Design?

A stock embroidery design is a logo that has been set-up for embroidery. It is digitized so that it can be embroidered on most fabrics. Stock designs are available for just about any subject and are organized by category such as sports and animals. Using a stock design is a good way to lower your cost rather than paying to have artwork digitized.


Can The Colors Be Changed In a Stock Design?

Each individually colored area in an embroidery design can be changed to another color but additional areas of color can’t be added without requiring design editing.


Can Text Be Added To a Stock Design?

Text can be added to a stock design but there must be enough room for the design and the text when the item is hooped (placed in a circular hoop) for embroidery.

Embroidered Logo On Pocket?

Q: Is the embroidery set-up for custom embroidered hats the same as for polo shirts?

A: No, an embroidered design must be specifically set-up for hats but a design that is set-up for hats will work for polo shirts.



Q: Can an embroidered left chest logo be easily adjusted to a jacket back size?

A: No, the logo must be redone because different stitch types are needed for a large design.



Q: Can a logo be embroidered on the pocket of custom embroidered pocket polo shirts?

A; Only very small designs can be embroidered on a pocket unless the pocket is embroidered before being attached to the shirt. Most embroidered logos are located above the pocket or on the right side of pocket polo shirts.

Embroidery Questions Answered

Embroidery Questions Answered

Here are answers to some of the most common embroidery questions that I’ve received:


Q: “Can I change the colors in my artwork?”

A: Yes, you can change your colors. When an embroidery design is set-up it has different areas that a thread color can be assigned to.


Q: “Do the number of colors in a design effect the price?”

A: No, unlike screen printing the number of colors in an embroidered design don’t effect the price unless there is an excessive number (more than 15 colors).


Q: “What size is a left chest logo?”

A: Most left chest custom embroidered logos, otherwise know as “heart” logos, are 3.5” to 4” wide or tall depending on the orientation and the detail in the design.

Don't Forget Value!

If you expect to get some return from your investment then don’t buy shirts that no one will wear. What about purchasing your own shirts at a discount and just paying for embroidery? That may work if you find quality shirts at a good price but most embroiderers charge more for “embroidery only” so most likely you’ll pay more if you purchase shirts separately.

You’re safest choice is to ask your embroiderer for a style that works for your purpose. If you want cheaper embroidered polo shirts for a give-away they can suggest a style that is a good value and will be worn. If your shirts are for a business where your employees get dirty or there is a high employee turnover, less expensive shirts may work because you must provide new shirts frequently to replace stained items and cover new employees. If you need shirts for a professional business environment, better quality shirts will help your staff present a professional image. In addition, better quality shirts will stay looking good longer so you won’t have to order shirts as often. Remember; consider the value of the style – not just the price.

Cheap Embroidered Polos Less Expensive?

It’s time to order more embroidered polo shirts. You want to keep the cost down so you’ll order cheaper polos with a simple, smaller design. That should keep your cost down, right?

Not necessarily. If you choose minimally priced shirts with a smaller design that may work if you’re giving away the shirts but what about the impression you’ll create? If you distribute cheap shirts will your company be viewed as a “cheap” company? Will your shirts be worn (providing you advertising) or will they be used as cleaning rags?

Decorate Polo Shirt Back?

You want to advertise your new business with custom embroidered polo shirts. Your employees need a professional look when they’re seen locally so you’ve decided that they need embroidered polo shirts. But, you’d also like to have your web address and phone number on the back of the shirts. Will that work for polo shirts?

Don’t put a full back design on the back of polo shirts. If you need large scale information such as your location, phone number or web address use screen printed T-shirts. Don’t try to combine the function of two styles into one shirt. Choose good quality polo shirts for a professional office setting and T-shirts for longer distance advertising.

Embroidered Shirt Color

Lets say the colors in your logo are green, blue and black. You can change the black to white so it will be readable on black embroidered shirts but white thread might not have the same visual effect. To avoid possible problems have your logo set-up on a light and a dark background. Consider the shirt color to be one of the colors in a design that alternates with another color in your logo if that color is used as the shirt color. For example, your logo colors are red, black and yellow embroidered on white shirts. If you want yellow shirts substitute white thread for yellow in your logo and you maintain your colors. Always proof your logo colors against the shirt color before your shirts are embroidered and you won't have any surprises.

Logo Colors

You've had your logo designed and it looks great.  You decide to order custom embroidered polo shirts but before  placing your order you realise that you forgot to consider possible shirt colors when having your logo designed.  You know white shirts will work but you'd prefer a darker color. You really want black shirts but black is a color in your logo.  Can the black in your logo be changed to white so you can choose black shirts? The easy answer is "Yes" but there are issues to consider.

Resize Your Embroidered Logo?

Changing the size of an embroidered design is easy right?  No!  Sometimes a logo can be adjusted 10-20% but usually an embroidered design needs to be redigitied when a significant size change is necessary.  For example, lets say you have a logo that's set-up for custom embroidered hats.  Some of the text is small but the logo looks good.  Can it be resized for a visor?  Most likely not.  Although the width for a hat design is the same as a visor the height isn't.  While a hat design is 2" high a visor is only 1" high.  Unless your hat logo is 1" high or less you won't be able to resize the log for visors without making adjustments such as eliminating small text and other unessential details.

Limit Your Designs

When digitizing, what you see in your digitizing software doesn't always embroider in the same size or shape. Text and shapes must be adjusted to compensate for the "push and pull" in embroidery. How will you learn these skills without a machine? There are many concepts to learn before a digitizer can create nice-looking designs that run well. Rather than trying to digitize your own designs limit the number of designs you'll start with and have an experienced digitizer set-up those designs. Instead of spending time and money on embroidery software use those resources to market your product.

Set-Up Your Own Embroidered Designs?

You’ve decided to create your own line of embroidered clothing. You’ll start with at least ten different embroidered designs but you plan to create over a hundred. You call a few embroiderers to see what the cost is to have samples made. After reviewing your quotes you realize that the digitizing fees (set-up fees) seem too costly - $25.00 to $100.00 for a small embroidered design. Why so expensive?

Considering that you’re fairly proficient with Photoshop should you purchase embroidery software to set-up your own designs? No! In addition to the software cost which can be $2,000 or more it takes at least two years of full-time practice to become an average digitizer. You can take classes but watching an embroidery machine run well-digitized designs is the best way to learn how to digitize. How will you do that without a machine?

SMX Marketing Event!

This week I’m stepping aside from my usual discussion about custom embroidered shirts because I want to tell you about an exciting event –The SMX Search Marketing Expo, held October 6-8th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. If you’re involved in online marketing you won’t want to miss this thrilling event packed with thought-provoking speakers, on-point seminars and essential networking opportunities. See you there!

Logo Sizing?

You’re creating artwork for your custom embroidered polo shirts and hats. What size should your logo be for a left chest logo? How about for the back of a hat? Here’s a sizing list:

Left/ right chest logo – 3.5” – 3.75” (may be 3.25” to 4” depending on the logo)

Hat Front - 4” wide x 2” high (some vertically orientated designs may be up to 2 ½” high)

Hat Back – a web address, location or short tag line arced around the keyhole opening works best

Hat Side - 2” x 2”

Visors - 4” wide x 1” high

Jacket Back - 10” to 12” wide or high (can be more for larger jackets)

Shirt Back - 6” wide (web address)

Names - size to work with corresponding logo

Children’s - size in proportion to garment

Embroidered Polo Shirt Shrinkage

Follow these tips to reduce custom embroidered polo shirt shrinkage:

1. Select polo shirts made from a cotton/polyester blend, 100% polyester or a preshrunk cotton fabric.

2. Avoid washing in hot water and drying in a hot dryer. Dry fewer shirts at a time to lessen dryer time or line dry.


How much will 100% cotton polos shrink? 100% cotton polos can shrink 10% - 20% of the shirt size. Therefore, expect more shrinkage with larger sizes.

Artwork Check

You created artwork to use for your custom embroidered polo shirts. Have you checked it carefully to be certain it will work for embroidery? Are all elements in the design centered? Do you have too much text? Is your text too small? Do you have too much detail? Is your business name large enough?

Most left chest logos are 3.5 - 4” wide or high depending on which dimension is greater. When your artwork is correctly sized is it readable from a short distance? Remember, if it’s difficult to read when printed, it will be harder to read when embroidered. Having artwork that works well for embroidery is essential to creating a readable embroidered logo. If you’re not sure if your artwork will work, ask your embroiderer!

Prevent Fading of Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts

If you’ve had trouble with Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts fading here are some tips to prevent this:

1. Choose a lighter shirt color. Dark colors will loose more dye when washed.

2. Choose a blend or 100% polyester fabric. Cotton fibers will loose more dye when washed.

3. Turn items inside out before washing. Wash in cold water and use a low temperature dryer for minimal time.

Distance to View Embroidered Logo?

You’re having custom polo shirts embroidered and a sample is being sent to you so you can approve it before your order is processed. At what distance should you view your sample? Three feet. Yes, you can examine the embroidery closely to check the stitching quality but when looking at your sample from a readability viewpoint check your logo from a close distance as if your logo was worn by someone you're meeting. This is when your embroidered logo will advertise for you so it must look good and be readable!

Unnecessary Details

We've discussed what information you need to give when ordering Custom Embroidered Basic Polo Shirts. Are there details that you don't need to specify when having your logo embroidered?

Logo Size - you can mention the general size of the logo (whether it is heart-sized or full back for example) but you don't need to give the exact measurements.

Text Size - you don't need to indicate the font point size or whether it is bold.

Information To Order Embroidered Shirts?

You’ve decided to order Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts. What information do you need to place your order besides sizes and quantities? Here are some details to consider:

Size – Who will wear the shirts: men, women or children? Do you need tall or extended sizes?

Style – What general style do you need: polo shirts, button down dress shirts, ladies knit or camp shirts? Do you need different neckline options?

Color – Need an unusual color?

Details – What details do you want: pockets, contrast trim, long sleeves, coordinating short and long sleeve styles?

Fabric – Do you need a particular fabric: cotton, blend or 100% polyester? Do you want a performance fabric such as wrinkle-free, dry fit or moisture management?

Fit – Need a fitted style that has spandex or darts for the women?

Feel - Want a very soft fabric?

Past Issues – Fading, or shrinkage? Too hot? Sizing problems?

Why Buy Organic Cotton Polo Shirts?

Organic cotton polos are more expensive. Why buy them? Do they feel better or are they better for the environment? Organic cotton polo shirts are made from cotton that is grown without the use of pesticides and fertilizers that are harmful to the environment, wildlife, farmers and surrounding community. Unlike conventionally grown cotton, organic cotton farmers are required to utilize farming methods that add nutrients back into the soil by practicing yearly crop rotation. This practice raises the organic content in the soil. This increased organic content helps produce a more naturally balanced soil that has better moisture retention and beneficial insects. Although the initial conversion to organic farming is expensive the long term advantages are well worth the investment. When you wear Custom Embroidered Organic Cotton Polo Shirts you know you’re helping to create a healthier environment.

Pocket Polos – Where Should Your Logo Be Located?

Most business logos are located above the pocket on Custom Embroidered Pocket Polo Shirts. You may have seen a small design such as a monogram on a pocket but most business logos are too large to fit on a pocket.

Embroidering a logo above the pocket isn’t a problem except if your logo needs to be seen at all times and if items in the pocket such as rulers, pens and paper aren’t covering your logo. What are your options?

1. Raise your logo
2. Locate your logo on the right chest side
3. Have your logo embroidered on a patch that is sewn on the pocket
4. Have a second embroidery location such as on a sleeve

Advantages of Embroidery?

So, what are the advantages of embroidery? Embroidery thread catches the light and gives the design a three-dimensional quality. Although embroidered text can’t be as small as printed text, the satin stitches used to create text give the logo a rich look that has a higher perceived value. Also, different thread colors can be used in a logo without increasing the cost unlike screen printing where each color means adding an additional screen charge.

How do you choose whether custom embroidery or screen printing is better for you? Base your decision on what type of garment is being decorated and what is the purpose of the decoration. If you want to advertise your business name, location and phone number around town while you run your weekly errands; screen printing will work for you. Simplify your front design and add the details in a full back design. If you need shirts for a business presentation choose embroidered dress shirts or nice quality polo shirts to create the right image.

Artwork for Screen Printing & Embroidery – The Same?

Artwork for screen printing and embroidery is the same, right? WRONG! Generally speaking, you can screen print finer detail than you can embroider. That small text with the black outline won’t work for embroidery. You’ll have a cleaner design if you eliminate the outline and enlarge the lettering. Can’t enlarge the text? Then maybe you should eliminate it. What about that great font you found with the narrow column widths and serifs. It might look sharp when printed but fine detail won’t show up well when embroidered on pique Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts where there is a tendency for the stitches to sink into the fabric.

Green Polos?

Gone green with your polo shirts? I don’t mean choosing polos in a shade of green such as forest, hunter or pistachio. I mean are you wearing a polo made from a green fabric such as bamboo or organic cotton? If you haven’t gone GREEN you need to check out the advantages of purchasing green polo shirts.

First – bamboo. Why buy Embroidered Bamboo Polo Shirts? Bamboo can be constructed into a wonderful fabric that has these natural properties:

• Anti-microbial
• UV resistant
• Absorbent

Polo shirts constructed from bamboo are easy to care for. They can be machine washed even though they have a silk-like appearance. Growing bamboo is easy on the environment because it requires little water, no chemicals and it matures quickly. You’ll love wearing bamboo polo shirts because the material is soft to the touch and it’ll keep you cool and comfortable by helping to regulate your body temperature.

Screen Printed Polos?

Sometimes a customer will request a quote for Custom Embroidered Basic Polo Shirts and they’ll ask for an embroidery and a screen printing price. Why? They want embroidery but they want to see how much cheaper screen printing will be. Screen printing is great for T’s, sweats and jackets but it tends to cheapen the look of polo shirts and hats. Although you might save some money by having your polo shirts screen printed in the long run you’ll loose more by having created a lesser image for your business. Resist the temptation to save a few dollars on shirts while loosing big on advertising. Wearing custom embroidered polo shirts is one of the least expensive forms of advertising. Don’t create the wrong impression by choosing screen printing for polo shirts!

Uneven Text?

You’re viewing an embroidery file that your embroiderer emailed. It contains the embroidery set-up for your Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts. When looking closely at the text and you notice that it looks uneven and some letters are taller than others. Will your text embroider unevenly? Most likely not. When setting up embroidery the digitizer must accommodate for the push and pull of embroidery by adjusting the length of letters and other elements in an embroidered logo. Depending on the shape of the letter, some letters must be lengthened to compensate for this so they will be even when embroidered.

Understanding Fonts

Need a particular font for your custom embroidered logo? No problem – it can be digitized. What is digitizing? Digitizing is the process of translating a true type font into stitch format so it can be embroidered. But, there may be a digitizing fee depending on how many items you order. Want to avoid this cost? Ask your embroiderer to show you their stock fonts and you might find something close that will work just fine and you’ll be able to avoid a digitizing fee.

Pick Your Favorite Font!

In addition to being able to resize a stock embroidery font, the fonts can be kerned, slanted, spaced, lengthened, widened and sometimes thickened to customize a basic font. Often when you request embroidery with stock text your embroiderer will show you a few possible fonts so you can pick your favorite for your custom embroidered shirts!

What Is A Stock Embroidery Font?

A stock embroidery font is a font that your embroiderer has in his embroidery software. Unlike a true type font that is suitable for printing, an embroidery font has been set-up for embroidery and consists of stitches. Most embroiderers have a collection of fonts including script, block, serif and specialty fonts. In addition, there are fonts for extra small and large lettering. Stock fonts are great for adding text to a stock design, names, numbers and “text only” logos.

PMS Matching: Shirts and Trade Booths

Recently a customer asked a good question about PMS matching. The request was for Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts that would match the same PMS color as a trade show booth. Is this possible? Yes. Is it practical? Not really. While it is often possible to find the PMS (Pantone Matching System) color of a fabric, the closest match to a fabric is a textile PMS color. With an item such as a trade show booth most likely you‘re using a different type of substrate (not fabric) so you’ll have to match the two items using the general PMS color against the textile PMS color and they might not match exactly. Another issue is that fabrics are washed and may loose some dye (fade) and not match after extended use. Also, different materials can appear to look different under different types of light because some materials will reflect light while other substrates will absorb it. Given all the variables how should you proceed? Find your shirts first and have your booth made to match the shirts.

Easy Changes

Generally speaking, you don’t want to drastically change your embroidered logo colors because your “colors” are part of your branded image. But, you can make slight changes to get more versatility from your logo. For example, if your logo has lots of colors, often you can change the color of the embroidered shirt if you make sure your business name can be clearly seen on the new shirt color. If your business name is usually in navy thread but you want to wear a navy colored shirt consider using a contrasting color, such as white, that is in your logo. If you choose a color that isn’t already in your logo then you’re introducing a new color but if you stick with a color that is already in your logo then you haven’t changed the basic look of your logo.

Your Logo: Should You Always Use the Same Colors?

Sometimes customers ask if it’s okay to change the colors in their custom embroidered logo. They’d like to change the color of their Custom Embroidered Corporate Apparel shirts because they’re tired of wearing the same colored shirt; but, their logo won’t show up well against the shirt color they want to wear. If you switch to a different colored shirt then your logo might be noticed more because it has a new look. But, are you sacrificing the branded imaged that you’ve worked so hard to establish?

Above the Pocket

If you decide to place your logo on the left side in most cases the logo will need to go above the pocket. Why? Because the arm of the embroidery machine needs to fit inside the pocket while the logo is embroidered unless it is embroidered before the pocket is attached to the shirt.

Coming: Should you always use the same colors in your logo?

Embroidery On the Pocket

You need to order Custom Embroidered Pocket Polo Shirts for your group. Where should your embroidery be located? You can place your design across from the pocket on the right chest side but most heart-sized logos are placed on the left side even if there is a pocket. If you decide to use the left side should your logo be on or above the pocket?

Design Placement

Have you ever requested that an embroidered design be located in an unusual location on a shirt and been disappointed by the location of the embroidery? Avoid having this problem by working with your embroiderer to find a design placement that works for you. Have your embroiderer print out your design or use an embroidered sample. Place this sample against a shirt to see how the placement looks. If you have more than one logo and the logos will be seen at the same time, check your placement with both designs attached (pinned or taped) to the shirt while the shirt is being worn. Take note of the placement and your embroidery should be placed correctly on our next order of Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts.

Artwork Rights

Be sure to discuss whether you own the artwork and embroidery files once your samples are complete. Some people assume that if they paid for the work they own it but others believe that the rights to artwork and digitized embroidery files belong to the person who created the file. Work out the details ahead of time such as what files and paperwork will be transfered to you so if your ideas are successful, you can easily move production to another facility.

Production Time

Get an idea of your production time schedule but understand that this is somewhat dependent on the number of design revisions you'll need. If you have a deadline to meet make that known to your embroiderer, but at the same time, give your project plenty of time. The tendency is to be in a hurry and set an unrealistic time frame - avoid this. Also consider when is a good time to work on your designs. Most decorators have slower time periods during the year depending on what type of work they specialize in. An embroiderer who will give you plenty of attention during his slow season probably won't be as helpful during his rush season.

Find The Right Embroiderer

Okay, it’s a week later. Does your logo look fine to you? If it does its time to get a second opinion. Show it to a friend. Does your logo “work” for them too?

After your idea is finalized its time to find an embroiderer. Not every embroiderer does this type of work. Ask potential decorators if they’ve done this work before and if they can show you samples. Also inquire about how revisions will be handled. Is there a charge for each revision or are you allowed some changes before additional cost is incurred?

Get Your Idea On Paper

After you finalize your idea put it on paper so that someone else can visualize what you want. A sketch is best if you’re not familiar with any type of graphics software but you can also discuss your idea in a paragraph. Be descriptive so someone can visualize what you want. Discuss the elements of your design such as the size, colors, shapes and textures. After finishing your design put it away for a day or so to give yourself a chance to reevaluate it with a fresh perspective at a later time. Then review your idea and decide whether it still looks “right” to you. Are changes necessary? If so, make your adjustments and put your work aside again.

Need Production Samples?

You’ve got a great idea for a decorative clothing line. You want to set-up a web site to promote your idea but you need samples for web pictures. How do you get samples made? What will the cost be? Can any embroiderer do this work? If your idea works and you need to go into production what is involved in making the transition from samples to production?

Embroidery Friendly?

You've purchased a bag that you want to have embroidered. You call an embroiderer to inquire about their services and the embroiderer asks, "Is it embroidery friendly?" What does that mean?

Items must be hooped to be embroidered and an embroidery needle must be able to go through the material. If the items is a large unflexible bag, it must fit on the embroidery machine. Also, there must be enough room for the embroidery arm to fit underneath the embroidered area. Sometimes this is a problem when embroidering on a pocket because the arm cannot fit under the entire area of the embroidered design.

Not sure if your bag is embroidery friendly? You might need to show it to your embroider or send them a picture. Haven't bought your bag yet? Purchase your bag from your embroider. They can show you a wide selection of bags that are embroidery friendly.

Ready To Decorate!

So, you've done your homework and you've decided to have your own shirts embroidered or printed. Just make sure that your decorator understands any conditions that your franchise may have such as the correct printing size. If you can provide a previously decorated shirt that will be helpful for your decorator if there are questions about colors or other issues.

Artwork Fees

You may be charged an artwork fee depending on whether you require embroidery or screen printing and the quality of the file you provide. Try to obtain an artwork file from your franchise office. If you receive your logo in different file formats send all the files to your decorator so they can choose which file will work best. Even if you supply a usable artwork file, some decorators will charge a set-up fee to cover the cost of adjusting the file to work for the particular decoration process.