What Is Custom Embroidery?
Embroidery adds a premium, textured finish to apparel — stitched thread logos that look professional and last for years. Learn how it works and when to choose it.
Embroidery is a decoration method where your design is stitched directly into the fabric using colored thread and a computerized embroidery machine. Unlike printing, which applies ink to the surface of the garment, embroidery creates a raised, textured design that is physically part of the fabric. Embroidery is the premium choice for professional branded apparel — polos, hats, jackets, and corporate apparel — because it conveys quality and durability that printing cannot match.
How Embroidery Works
The embroidery process begins with digitizing — converting your artwork into a stitch file that tells the embroidery machine exactly where to place each stitch, what type of stitch to use, and what thread color. Once the file is ready, the garment is hooped (stretched taut in a frame) and loaded onto the embroidery machine. The machine uses multiple needles to stitch the design, changing thread colors automatically. A typical logo takes 5,000 to 15,000 stitches, and the machine can run multiple garments simultaneously.
When to Choose Embroidery
Embroidery is the best choice for professional and premium apparel — corporate polos, staff uniforms, hats, jackets, and premium branded merchandise. It's ideal for logos and simple designs (1-12 colors) on medium to heavyweight fabrics. Embroidery is not recommended for large, full-chest designs on lightweight t-shirts (the stitching can make the fabric pucker), for photographs or gradients (thread cannot reproduce fine detail), or for very small text (below 1/4 inch).
Embroidery Pricing
Embroidery pricing is based on the blank garment cost, the stitch count (which determines machine time), and the quantity ordered. A digitizing fee of $25 applies to new designs (converting your artwork to a stitch file), but is waived for reorders of previously digitized designs. Larger quantities receive per-piece discounts. Our quote engine can estimate stitch count from your artwork to give you instant pricing.
Embroidery vs Screen Printing
Embroidery and screen printing serve different purposes. Embroidery produces a premium, textured, professional look — best for logos on polos, hats, and jackets. Screen printing produces vibrant, flat prints — best for large designs on t-shirts and hoodies. Many orders combine both: embroidered logos on polos for staff, and screen-printed t-shirts for events. Athens Print Shop offers both methods and can help you choose the best option for each garment.
Products Available with Custom Embroidery
Frequently Asked Questions
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