Embroidery Do’s & Dont’s

Interested in Embroidery, you say? Think it’ll elevate your custom order or brand. Well, it’s a high possibility it will, but there are a few things to keep in mind including when to use embroidery, what to expect and how to avoid issues. Let’s get into it…..

First off well stitched embroidery adds a professional, more expensive look to items which is great for businesses or organizations that want to stand out. Since embroidery takes on a totally different process from traditional printing, there will be a few Do’s and Don’ts to make sure things move along without a hitch. Let’s start with the Do’s.

DO’S

DO: Keep a simple design

Simple shapes and lettering can keep your design looking professional and legible. Designs with a lot of detail can get lost in translation especially if you plan to put it on something like a hat or as a left chest logo for example. 2 or 3” is not a lot of space to work with for intricate details. If you need help with your artwork and making sure it will digitize and embroider well, we can help!

DO: Limit thread colors

Less is more when it comes to embroidery. One to four thread colors is ideal. But also know we can accommodate up to twelve colors in a design for the ambitious ones out there!

DO: Be mindful of image size and placement

Keep in mind that the maximum size of your embroidered artwork will change from garment to garment. For example, say you want your logo on a hat and a polo shirt. Because the max size on each item is different, your logo will not come out looking the same for each. That is why it is advised to get a separate digitized file for each garment so that size specs are appropriate.

DO: Order early enough

Embroidery is not a quick process, just getting a file digitized for an order can take up to one day. Depending on how many stitches are in your design, how many placements, and the total amount ordered you should make it a point to order way in advance so the job can be done correctly.

DONT’S

DONT: Expect small details to show with embroidery

Small details like the space between tiny shapes or letters will not digitize well. Avoid texture, gradients, and tiny text in your design. The smaller and more complicated, the worse it will be.

DONT: Think larger will be better

Large embroidered designs work well on jackets, not so much on t-shirts. Designs on tees and polos do well reasonably placed on the upper left chest.

Finally keep in mind that not all items are created equal and suited for embroidery.

Pricing varies from product to product. The cost to embroider a polo will not be the same as the cost to embroider a hat, even if they use the same artwork.

Make sure that your logo or artwork will read well no matter what it is embroidered on. Pick thread colors that compliment the apparel color, but has enough contrast to stand out.