Machine Embroidery
Premium stitched designs with a professional, textured finish
Embroidery is the premium print technique for corporate logos, team branding, and high-end merchandise. It produces the most durable decoration method with a professional 3D texture. Best for simple logos with fewer than 12 colors.
- Stitch density: up to 100,000 stitches per design (standard 10,000-50,000)
- Max colors: 12 thread colors per design (each color = separate needle)
- File format: DST, PES, or EMB digitized file required
- Durability: Outlasts the garment — no fading, peeling, or cracking
- Best for: logos, monograms, corporate branding, team uniforms
What is Machine Embroidery?
Machine embroidery uses automated multi-head embroidery machines to stitch designs directly onto garments using polyester or rayon thread. It creates a premium, raised, textured look that conveys quality and durability — ideal for corporate branding, team uniforms, and premium merchandise.
Technical Specifications
- Stitch Density
- Up to 100,000 stitches per design
- Max Colors
- 12 thread colors per design
- Thread Type
- Polyester (standard) or Rayon (premium sheen)
- Max Embroidery Area
- 12" x 14" (30 x 35 cm)
- Stitch Types
- Satin, fill, running, tatami
- Needle Speed
- Up to 1,000 stitches/minute
- Backing
- Tear-away, cut-away, or water-soluble
- Durability
- Outlasts garment — no fading/cracking
- Hand Feel
- Raised, textured, premium 3D effect
File Requirements
- Preferred Format
- DST (Tajima) — industry standard
- Also Accepted
- PES, EMB, EXP, JEF
- Digitizing
- We digitize from vector (AI, EPS, SVG) for free
- Min. Detail Size
- 1mm line width, 3mm letter height
- Color Specification
- Pantone or thread color chart reference
- Vector Source
- AI, EPS, SVG, PDF (for digitizing)
Best For
- Corporate logos and branding
- Team uniforms and workwear
- Caps, hats, and beanies
- Polo shirts and dress shirts
- Premium merchandise and gifts
- Monograms and initials
Not Ideal For
- Photographic or gradient images (use DTG/DTF)
- Designs with 12+ colors (use DTG/DTF)
- Ultra-thin or stretchy fabrics (may pucker)
- Full-coverage designs (use AOP or sublimation)
- Budget projects (embroidery has higher per-unit cost)
Advantages
- Most durable decoration — outlasts the garment
- Premium, professional appearance with 3D texture
- Works on almost any fabric weight
- No fading, cracking, or peeling ever
- Free digitizing from vector files
- Ideal for corporate and team branding
Limitations
- Limited to 12 colors per design
- Cannot reproduce photographic detail
- Higher per-unit cost than print methods
- Setup time for digitizing (12-24 hours)
- Not suitable for very thin/stretchy fabrics
Compatible Products
Production Details
- Lead Time
- 3-7 business days (includes digitizing)
- Minimum Order
- 1 unit
- Maximum Print Area
- 12" x 14"
- Cost Range
- $5-25 per unit (varies by stitch count)
Care Instructions
- Machine wash in cold or warm water
- Tumble dry on any setting
- Iron safe (avoid ironing directly on stitching)
- Dry cleaning safe
- No special care needed — extremely durable
Embroidery FAQ
Do I need to provide a digitized file?
No. If you provide a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG), our team will digitize it for free within 12-24 hours. Digitizing converts your artwork into stitch instructions (DST format) that the embroidery machine can execute.
How is embroidery priced?
Embroidery pricing is based on stitch count, not color count. A simple logo (5,000-10,000 stitches) costs $5-8 per unit. Complex designs (30,000-50,000 stitches) cost $12-20 per unit. Volume discounts apply for 25+ units.
What is the minimum size for embroidered text?
The minimum letter height for readable embroidered text is 3mm (approximately 0.12 inches). Serif fonts require larger sizes. We recommend sans-serif fonts at 5mm+ for best results.
Can you embroider on caps and hats?
Yes. Cap embroidery is one of our specialties. We use specialized cap frames and can embroider front panels, sides, and back. Standard cap embroidery area is 4" x 2.5" for front panels.
How durable is embroidery compared to printing?
Embroidery is the most durable decoration method available. The polyester thread will not fade, crack, or peel — the decoration literally outlasts the garment itself. This makes it ideal for workwear and uniforms.
What thread colors are available?
We stock 500+ Pantone-matched thread colors. If your brand uses specific Pantone colors, we can match them precisely. Custom thread color matching is included at no extra charge.
Other Print Techniques
Ready to Start Embroidery Printing?
Choose a product, review its template, and prepare artwork for the selected production method.
