All Embroidery Created Equally?

Is all embroidery created equally – NO! The quality of embroidery can vary greatly. What should you look for when judging embroidery quality?

• When setting up your order does the embroiderer ask questions about the colors, sizing and placement of the logo?
• Are your questions answered before your logo is embroidered?
• Can you request sample shirts to check sizing before placing your final order?
• Are you able to approve a proof before your order is processed? Can you request an embroidered sample shirt or hat?
• Is your order received in an organized and timely manner? Are your shirts steamed and neatly folded?
• Is your embroidery beautifully stitched in the correct thread colors? Did you receive the correct sizes? Is the quality of the garments as good as you expected?

If the quality of the garments, embroidery and service doesn't meet your standards then its time to look for a new embroiderer!

Embroidery Tips

Have an usual custom embroidery project that needs special consideration? Want "multi-media" shirts with printing, embroidery and rhinestones? Need pants embroidered with full leg designs? Look for a decorator who specializes in the desired technique and leave extra time for projects that require additional set-up and running time.


Want a polo that's "different" for your embroidered business logo? Did you locate a designer polo that's perfect but the price tag doesn't fit your budget? Ask your embroiderer for a cheaper alternative!

Embroidery On The Bill?

Can hats be embroidered on the bill and side? Occasionally I receive requests for custom embroidery on the bill and side of caps. Often these inquiries include images of hats with this type of design. We've all seen these designs so it must be doable, right? While its possible to embroider a small logo on the side of a hat its not feasible to embroider on the bill after the hat has been assembled.

Due to embroidery machine limitations, hat front designs must be started approximately ¼ inch above the brim, thus preventing the embroiderer from embroidering to the brim. When embroidered the bill area, the needle must penetrate the bill at a high speed while maintaining consistent thread tension from the upper thread and lower bobbin thread. Because the brim is supported by a heavy piece of cardboard, the needle can't penetrate this thickness to make a stitch. Thus, the bill can only be embroidered before it is assembled.

So, what about the bill designs you've seen? Those hats are from large quantity runs where it was cost effective to have the design embroidered before the caps were assembled. While the embroidered bill look is "cool", most orders aren't large enough to consider having the hats embroidered before they are sewn together.

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 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.

Screen Printing Vs. Embroidery - Get The Right Look!

Sometimes screen printing is the prefered decoration method over embroidery because it creates the right look. A logo that looks great printed in a distressed style cannot be recreated in the same way with embroidery but you can create a different type of distressed look with embroidery. Screen printing can reproduce fine details such as small stylized fonts; outlining and color gradations. In embroidery, small fonts many need to be increased in size or converted to a block font, outlining may need to be eliminated and color gradations may be possible if there is enough room to make them work.

More on the way...

Add Pizzazz to Your Threads!

Besides rayon and polyester threads, speciality threads such as metallic, solar activated and multi color are used for different custom embroidery applications. Most people are familiar with metallic thread which is available in a variety of colors including gold, silver and copper. Because metallic thread is more difficult to embroider with it isn't suitable for every application but it can add sparkle to a holiday design. Solar active thread, which looks like white thread until it is exposed to sunlight, comes in basic colors such as red, blue, green, yellow and purple. This thread can produce surprising results. Imagine a wedding dress that appears to be white until the bride exits from the church! Another nice effect is produced by using multi color thread to create a camo look. This thread looks great in a wide column font on hats. Expect to pay more for speciality threads but when used correctly, these threads give pizzazz to your design!

One last thread to come!