What is Embroidery

Embroidery is the process in which an image or design is stitched onto fabric. Using various types of threads, any image, word, or shape can be embroidered onto any material. Most often, embroidery is used to display business names or logos onto apparel for uniform purposes. Embroidery is often used on a variety of types of clothing for merchandise and advertisement.

By using special embroidery machines, you can prepare any embroidery design for stitching (digitally, of course). The image will take shape and be permanently displayed on the article of clothing. The machine will then transmit that image onto the chosen piece of apparel using clusters or a series of stitches.

Embroidery offers several benefits over other forms of image printing. Some of these include:

  • Permanent placement – While other printing forms can be worn away due to repeated wash and wear, embroidery is much sturdier. Colors do not fade or peel and will withstand many washing cycles.
  • Highly durable – The thread used for embroidery is always thin and flexible, allowing the design to be shaped to any body part. Sleeves, legs, or even heads under hats can be fitted with any design.
  • Tight and tough – As the stitches are tight and close, they are unlikely to get undone. Plus, they are resistant to damage that may occur, allowing the image to keep its shape for a long time.

Tags and patches

Designs don’t have only to be stitched directly onto clothing. You can also use embroidery to create tags or patches.

Tags are small labels, usually containing names or words. The word is embroidered into a small strip of fabric which can then be affixed to an article of clothing. If the tag needs to be relocated to another garment, you can simply unstitch and restitch into place. This is ideal for name tags used in workplaces or for uniforms.

Patches are usually larger images, words, or phrases that are stitched into a bigger piece of fabric. Often attached to an ironable adhesive patch, people mostly use them for logos or artwork. Many brands and companies use patches for advertising that people can stitch or iron onto their clothing.

Preparing for a custom embroidery order

Custom embroidery options are as varied and variable as the ideas that create them. Many specific details must be considered when placing an order for custom embroidery, including: 

Placement of embroidery

Where will the embroidery be needed? Typically, most embroidery is done for uniform purposes, depicting the company name or logo or an employee’s name or rank. There are a few locations that are embroidered, and most are found on the front of the garment, such as:

  • Above or on the chest pocket
  • Along the center of the chest (below the collar)
  • On one or both sleeves (above the elbow or below the shoulder)

Alternatively, some companies have a larger logo or name on the back, running along the shoulders and below the collar. This is ideal for businesses with employees whose backs are visible to the customer, such as baristas in coffee shops.

Most often, the default for chest positioning is on the left side, as this allows for easy identification by customers. When placing an order, it may be necessary to specify if this is desired on the other side. Due to the tight, surface-level nature of embroidery, it cannot be done anywhere where buttons or zippers are, so this must also be kept in consideration.

Details of design

The specific details found within a design can prove problematic with embroidery. Any designs incorporating small text or dots will be difficult to achieve with accuracy. Gradients and shading also prove problematic. This is due to the threading nature of the fabric used in the stitching. For this reason, most embroidered logos tend to include thick lines, solid colors, or words. Generally, it is good practice to ensure all lines are at least 0.3cm thick and text is at least 0.5cm in height. 

Colors in the design

Though not every color is available, embroidery can replicate a vast majority of them. Using specifically dyed threads can help to create almost any shade. Though, as previously mentioned, graduated or shaded colors are very difficult to create. Solid colors are ideal, with most embroidery using black, white, or red as the most common colors.

Size of the embroidery

The size of the embroidered design often depends on its location on the garment. Larger designs are better suited for areas like the center of the chest or back, while logos on pockets, sleeves, or hats are typically smaller and simpler. Super-large designs may feel overpowering, while extra-small ones can be hard to see.

Here are some general size guidelines that many embroidery companies follow:

  • For hats, beanies, or cap logos: no larger than 4cm x 5cm
  • For chest or sleeve logos: no larger than 7cm x 7cm or 4cm x 10cm
  • For statement logos: no larger than 20cm x 8cm

As logos get smaller, the design should also be simpler. We recommend creating alternative versions of your logo for smaller embroidery sizes.