Embroidery - Artwork & Digitizing Guide

Artwork & Digitizing for Embroidery

Great embroidery starts with artwork that’s easy to turn into stitches. This guide covers the best file types, minimum detail limits, and common logo sizes—so your proof is faster and your stitching looks clean.

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Local embroidery support for Louisville, Oldham County, and surrounding areas.

Embroidery digitizing workstation with a logo on screen and colorful thread cones, showing how artwork is prepared for stitching
Embroidery Overview
What we stitch
Pricing & Turnaround
Stitch-based quotes
Colors & Placement
Thread + logo locations
Corporate & Team Orders
Rosters & reorders
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Best File Types for Embroidery

We can work with most files, but vector artwork is the quickest path to a clean proof and accurate stitching. If you’re not sure what you have, upload it—we’ll tell you what’s best.

Preferred (Vector)

  • AI, EPS, or PDF (true vector)
  • Convert text to outlines
  • Expand strokes and embed linked art
  • Remove effects (glows/shadows) or include a flat version

Acceptable (Raster)

  • PNG (transparent background preferred)
  • JPG (high quality, no heavy compression)
  • At least 1000px wide for left chest; larger for backs
  • High contrast edges (avoid fuzzy/soft logos)
Tip: For the fastest quote, include your preferred placement (left chest, hat, sleeve, etc.) and garment type (polo, hoodie, beanie).
Side-by-side view of a vector logo file and a high-resolution PNG logo, illustrating preferred artwork formats for embroidery

Common Logo Sizes & Placements

Embroidery looks best when the logo is sized for the garment and the stitch detail stays readable. These are the most common sizes we see for uniforms, teams, and small business apparel.

  • Left chest: 3.0–3.5" wide (max ~4.0")
  • Hat front: up to ~4.5" wide × 2.25" tall (curved surface limits height)
  • Sleeve: 0.75–1.25" tall wordmarks; small icons 1.25–1.75" square
  • Full back: 8–10" wide typical; 12" max on many garments
Need placement help?
See standard logo locations and measurement tips.
Colors & Placement

What we’ll ask you

  • Where should the logo go (left chest, hat, sleeve, back)?
  • What garment type/material is it (pique polo, fleece, beanie, etc.)?
  • Do you have brand colors (Pantone, HEX, or an example)?

Detail Limits (Text & Lines)

Thread has thickness, fabric moves, and small details can fill in. Use the guide below to avoid rework and keep your logo readable after stitching.

Minimum embroidery detail by garment location
Garment Area Min Letter Height Min Stroke/Gap Notes
Left Chest / Sleeve 0.25" (6.4 mm) 0.03" (0.75 mm) Use sans-serif; avoid thin serifs & script flourishes.
Hat Front 0.28" (7.1 mm) 0.035" (0.9 mm) Curvature reduces small detail; keep shapes bold.
Back / Large Marks 0.3" (7.6 mm) 0.035" (0.9 mm) Filled areas need venting; we’ll add underlay as needed.
If your logo has ultra-thin lines, tiny text, or distressed texture, we’ll recommend tweaks so it stitches cleanly.

Thread Colors & Brand Matching

  • Provide Pantone Solid Coated values if available; we’ll match from our thread library.
  • 1–8 colors per location is typical (design dependent).
  • Metallic & specialty threads available; may affect lead time and cost.
  • Gradients convert to solid steps or hatching—send a flat version when possible.
Proof first. We always send a color-callout proof. Physical sew-outs are available for critical approvals.
Embroidery digitizing software showing stitch paths over a logo with thread colors, demonstrating how artwork is converted into stitches

Setup & Digitizing

Digitizing builds the stitch map (pathing, density, underlay, pull-compensation) for your design. It’s a one-time setup per size and placement, and we archive the file for easy reorders.

Setup fee: $39.95 per new design/placement. Waived when you order 6+ units.

What the setup covers

  • Digitizing for the requested placement/size
  • Basic cleanup (where possible)
  • Proof with thread color callouts + placement
  • File archiving for future reorders

Reorders & resizing

  • Reuse: once digitized, we keep it for repeat orders
  • Resizing: ±10–15% is usually OK
  • Big changes (new placement/size) may need a new file
  • Appliqué can help with very large marks
Typical stitch ranges: left chest/hats ~5,000–12,000; back logos ~30,000–80,000+ (design dependent).

Want the fastest proof?

  • Upload your best file (AI/PDF preferred)
  • Tell us placement + garment type
  • Share Pantone numbers if available
Upload Artwork

Tips to Avoid Rework

Do

  • Send vector art when possible; outline fonts.
  • Use bold shapes and solid color blocks.
  • Share Pantone numbers for brand colors.
  • Tell us the garment type/material (performance knit, canvas, fleece, etc.).

Avoid

  • Tiny script, hairline strokes, distressed textures at small sizes.
  • Photo/gradient fills without a flat alternate.
  • Leaving background boxes or artboards in raster files.
  • Low-res screenshots or social media downloads.
If you only have a rough version of your logo, upload it anyway—we’ll tell you the best next step.

Artwork FAQs

Yes—basic cleanup is often included with setup/digitizing. Full redraws are quoted after we review your file.

We match as closely as thread libraries allow and include a color-callout on your proof. Physical sew-outs are available for critical approvals.

Absolutely. We archive your stitch file and reuse it for repeat orders. Size or placement changes may require edits.

Helpful next steps

Ready to get started?

Send what you have—even if it’s not perfect. We’ll confirm the best file approach, placement, and setup before production.

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Questions about tiny text, hats, or fabric? We’re happy to help.

For more information, please contact us.

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