Embroidery

Embroidery is a very stylish way to decorate or personalize your apparel. Embroidery is very versatile and can be done on many garments. Embroidery is the top choice for headwear. Embroidery is also recommended for jackets, hoodies, polo shirts, t-shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, bags, towels, blankets, patches and much more.

Ask us if embroidery is the best choice for your project.

Embroidery can be done on most garments however there are a few limitations. Think of embroidery in the same way as drawing with a crayon. It’s difficult to get fine details with a crayon, embroidery is the same. Some limitations are fonts smaller than ¼ inch tall or fonts with serifs. Gradients are very difficult to create with embroidery. Solid colours look much cleaner.

Certain garments and certain locations on the garments can’t be embroidered because they can’t be hooped. Our team has lots of experience in optimizing your logo for embroidery and we can guide you on what placements are possible. Our in-house digitizers will work with your logo until you are 100% happy with the finished product.

You’ve got your new custom embroidered apparel & you love it so much you want it to last a
long time. Here’s our recommended garment care instructions to prolong the life of your
embroidered apparel.

We recommend washing on cold cycle using a mild detergent. For stains on the embroidery, do
not scrub the embroidery directly, dab it with detergent and a damp cloth. We also recommend:

– Secure loose threads prior to washing
– Hanging to dry
– Washing the garment inside out
– Do not wash with zippered items
– Wash with like colors/materials.
– Do not bleach.

By following these instructions, you should be able to enjoy your custom apparel for years to
come.

Embroidery Artwork Guidelines

Create Designs That Stitch Beautifully

Embroidery has unique design requirements because artwork is recreated with thread rather than ink. To ensure your design digitizes cleanly and stitches accurately, it’s important to prepare your artwork with embroidery limitations in mind.

This guide covers size requirements, color recommendations, line thickness, and design best practices to help you create embroidery-ready artwork that looks professional and produces reliable results.

Size Requirements

For the best embroidery results, make sure your design meets these minimum specifications:

Requirement	Minimum Size
Text height	0.25 in (6.35 mm)
Line thickness	0.05 in (1.27 mm)
Shape thickness	0.05–0.5 in (1.27–12.7 mm)

Note: Text, outlines, or fine details smaller than these guidelines may be enlarged or simplified during digitization to ensure they stitch correctly.

Embroidery Design Best Practices

Following these recommendations helps create clean, durable embroidery and reduces the chance of delays during artwork approval.

Color

✓ Do

• Use solid, contrasting colors.
• Limit your design to 6 thread colors or fewer.

✕ Don’t

• Use gradients or blended colors.
• Rely on subtle shading or transparency effects.

Negative Space

✓ Do

• Leave clear spacing between design elements.

✕ Don’t

• Use tiny gaps or narrow empty spaces to create detail.
• Expect small negative spaces to remain open after stitching.

Images & Graphics

✓ Do

• Use simple shapes.
• Create bold, well-defined outlines.

✕ Don’t

• Upload photographs.
• Use highly detailed illustrations.
• Include thin repeating patterns or intricate textures.

Text

✓ Do

• Use text at least 0.25 in (6.35 mm) tall.
• Choose bold or medium-weight fonts with good spacing.

✕ Don’t

• Use very small text.
• Use thin script fonts or delicate serif fonts that may lose detail.

Line Thickness

✓ Do

• Keep all lines at least 0.05 in (1.27 mm) thick.

✕ Don’t

• Use extremely thin strokes.
• Include distressed or worn textures that may not stitch cleanly.

Fine Details

✓ Do

• Simplify artwork whenever possible.
• Focus on the main shapes and design elements.

✕ Don’t

• Include intricate decorative details or complex backgrounds that cannot be reproduced with thread.

Backgrounds

✓ Do

• Upload artwork with a transparent background.

✕ Don’t

• Include solid-color, photographic, or patterned backgrounds.

Tips for Better Embroidery Results

Simple adjustments can dramatically improve the quality of your finished embroidery.

• Increase thin line weights.
• Simplify complex shapes.
• Remove unnecessary details.
• Use bold, easy-to-read text.
• Leave adequate spacing between design elements.

These changes help preserve the overall look of your design while making it suitable for embroidery.

File Recommendations

For the best digitizing results:

• Upload high-resolution artwork (minimum 1200 × 675 px or 300 DPI).
• Use clear, bold fonts with sufficient spacing between letters.
• Keep your design clean, simple, and easy to distinguish.