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01 Apparel & Embroidery

01 · Apparel & Embroidery

Embroidery turns a design into thousands of small, planned stitches. Whether you want a crest on a cap, a name on a work jacket, or a printed graphic on a shirt, this guide explains how the process works so you can plan with confidence. Start with the idea; we will help with the rest.

Made to orderLead times: 24 hours to 4 weeks, by productCustom orders are final sale
Stitches & thread

What embroidery is made of

Embroidery builds a design from thread rather than ink. Different stitch types do different jobs, and a good design uses each where it fits best.

Fill

Fill stitches

Rows of stitches that cover larger areas with solid color and a slightly textured surface.

Satin

Satin stitches

Smooth, close stitches that suit lettering, borders and narrow shapes with a defined edge.

Run

Run stitches

Single lines of stitching for fine outlines, small details and thin accents.

Thread is chosen by color and finish, and colors are matched as closely as the available thread allows. Very small text and tiny details can fill in or blur, so simple, bold artwork usually stitches best.

Artwork to stitches

From artwork to stitch instructions

A logo file is a picture. A stitching machine needs instructions: where to start, which direction each area runs, which stitch type to use and in what order colors are sewn. Preparing those instructions is called digitizing.

Clean artwork, such as a vector logo or a high-resolution image, gives the best starting point. Gradients, shadows and photo detail often need to be simplified into flat color areas. Share what you have and we will talk through what is practical for the size and item you want.

Full-color apparel printing

DTF: vibrant, full-color prints

Direct-to-Film, or DTF, allows for vibrant, full-color prints on compatible apparel. It is a useful choice for multicolor logos, gradients and detailed shirt graphics because the artwork is printed onto film and transferred to the garment with heat.

Send us your artwork, garment details and preferred placement. We will confirm compatibility and the available decoration options for your specific project.

Item, fabric, placement

Choosing the right piece

Item

Caps, polos, jackets, sweatshirts and T-shirts all carry a design differently. Think about who will wear it and how often.

Fabric

Structured, tightly woven fabrics hold stitches well. Stretchy or very thin fabrics may call for a lighter design or a printed graphic instead.

Placement

Left chest, cap front, sleeve or back each have size limits. Smaller placements suit simpler artwork.

Finishing

Stitched pieces are trimmed and checked before they are ready. Ask about any extra finishing you have in mind.

Decoration method, garment availability and timing are confirmed for your specific project before it moves forward.
How to start

A custom project, step by step

  1. Send the idea

    Email your artwork, the item you want, and roughly how many pieces.

  2. Talk through the details

    We discuss fabric, placement, size, colors and your deadline.

  3. Confirm the plan

    Decoration, availability and timing are confirmed before your order is made.

  4. Made to order

    Your piece is produced for you. Lead times run from 24 hours to 4 weeks depending on the product.

Ready to stitch your idea?

Tell us what you have in mind. Custom orders are final sale and cannot be returned.