Inside Shirt Embroidery Costs: From Design to Stitch

October 9, 2023

Embroidering a shirt can add a touch of sophistication, elegance, or branding to your clothing. But have you ever wondered about shirt embroidery costs? In this blog, we’ll not only unveil the typical price structure of embroidery but also take you behind the scenes to understand the digitizing process. So, let’s unravel the art and economics of shirt embroidery.

Custom embroidered hats and polo shirts for a local business in Boise, Idaho

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Understanding Garment, Apparel & Shirt Embroidery Costs

Embroidering a shirt involves a multi-step process, beginning with digitizing your design. This process ensures your design is transformed into a format that embroidery machines can understand. Let’s break down the expenses, starting with digitizing fees:

Digitizing Fee: The Design’s Digital Blueprint

Before your design can grace your hat or shirt with a final embroidered image, it must be translated into a digital blueprint that guides the embroidery machine. This process is known as digitizing, and it’s a crucial step in embroidery. The digitizing fee helps cover the cost of creating this intricate blueprint.

Digitizing Fee: $50

The Stitch Count Factor

The garment, hat and shirt embroidery costs are often determined by the number of stitches required to replicate your design accurately. Here’s how it breaks down:

1 – 7,499 Stitches

< 12 Pieces: $20 each
12 – 24 Pieces: $16.50 each
25 – 49 Pieces: $12.00 each
50 – 99 Pieces: $10.00 each
100+ Pieces: $7.50 each
Over $25 for the garment: 25% fee

7,500 – 14,999 Stitches

< 12 Pieces: $22.5 each
12 – 24 Pieces: $17.50 each
25 – 49 Pieces: $13.00 each
50 – 99 Pieces: $11.00 each
100+ Pieces: $8.50 each
Over $25 for the garment: 25% fee

15,000 – 49,999 Stitches

< 12 Pieces: $23.5 each
12 – 24 Pieces: $19.50 each
25 – 49 Pieces: $15.00 each
50 – 99 Pieces: $12.00 each
100+ Pieces: $10.50 each
Over $25 for the garment: 25% fee

50,000+ Stitches

< 12 Pieces: $50 each
12 – 24 Pieces: $40.00 each
25 – 49 Pieces: $35.00 each
50 – 99 Pieces: $30.00 each
100+ Pieces: $25.00 each
Over $25 for the garment: 25% fee

Additional Placement Costs for Shirt Embroidery

If your design calls for additional placements on the same shirt (under 10,000 stitches), it comes at a reasonable cost:

Additional Placement: $6 per garment

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Behind the Scenes: The Digitizing Process

Now that we’ve covered the hat and shirt embroidery costs aspect, let’s delve into the fascinating world of digitizing, which plays a pivotal role in the final embroidery result.

Design Submission: You provide the artwork, which could be your company logo, a monogram, or any creative design you want to embroider.

Design Evaluation: The digitizer evaluates your design’s complexity, the number of colors involved, and the stitch count required. This evaluation helps determine the digitizing fee.

Digitizing: Using specialized software, the digitizer converts your design into a series of commands that guide the embroidery machine. This includes specifying stitch types, directions, and thread colors.

Testing: The digitized design is tested on a sample fabric to ensure it stitches out accurately and looks as intended.

Machine Programming: Once the digitized design passes testing, it’s time to program the embroidery machine. The digitized file is loaded into the machine’s computer, which then controls the needle and thread to recreate your design.

Thread and Fabric Selection: High-quality threads are selected based on your design’s color requirements. Fabric type also plays a role, as certain materials may require adjustments to the digitized file.

Embroidery: The actual embroidery process begins, with the machine following the digitized commands to stitch your design onto the shirt.

Quality Inspection: A trained eye inspects the embroidered shirts to ensure they meet quality standards. Any necessary adjustments are made.

Finished Product: Your embroidered shirts are ready to wear, display, or share with your audience.

A single custom embroidered puff jacket created for a local therapist in Nampa, Idaho

Optimizing Hat & Shirt Embroidery Costs

While embroidery adds a touch of sophistication, it’s essential to make the most of your investment. Here are some tips to optimize embroidery costs:

Design Simplicity: Intricate designs with many stitches can increase costs. Opt for a simpler design if budget is a concern.

Bulk Orders: Ordering in larger quantities can reduce the per-shirt cost significantly, especially when it comes to digitizing fees.

Choose Your Fabric Wisely: Some fabrics are easier and more cost-effective to embroider than others. Discuss fabric options with your embroiderer.

Reputable Embroiderers: Partner with experienced and reputable embroidery services. They can provide valuable advice on design and material choices.

Plan Ahead: Rush orders can incur additional costs. Plan your embroidery project well in advance to avoid rush fees.

In conclusion, understanding hat and shirt embroidery costs involves considering digitizing fees, stitch count, and additional placements. The digitizing process is a crucial step in ensuring your design is translated accurately onto your shirt. By optimizing your embroidery costs and partnering with skilled embroiderers, you can achieve stunning embroidered shirts that leave a lasting impression.

Check out our shirt print pricing guide if you are considering printed garments rather than embroidered.

Ready to bring your design to life? Contact us today for precise quotes and expert embroidery services. Reach out at (986)777-9466 or via email at info@theprintplug.com. Let’s make your embroidered shirt vision a reality!