Printing GuideMay 18, 2025

Embroidery: Premium Branding for Your Apparel Line

Embroidery adds a tactile, premium feel to any garment. Learn about stitch counts, thread types, and placement options.


Embroidery is the gold standard for premium apparel branding. Unlike printing which sits on top of the fabric, embroidery stitches thread directly into the material.


How Embroidery Works


1. **Digitizing** β€” Your logo or design is converted into a stitch file (.dst, .pes)

2. **Hooping** β€” The garment is stretched in a hoop to keep the fabric taut

3. **Stitching** β€” The embroidery machine follows the digitized pattern, applying thread colors one at a time

4. **Trimming** β€” Loose threads are cut and the garment is inspected


Best Applications


- Chest logos on polo shirts and uniforms

- Hats and caps

- Jackets and outerwear

- Corporate apparel


Stitch Count Guide


| Placement | Typical Stitches | Cost Factor |

|-----------|-----------------|-------------|

| Left chest (3-4") | 5,000-8,000 | 1x |

| Full front (10-12") | 15,000-25,000 | 2-3x |

| Hat front | 3,000-5,000 | 1.5x |


Thread Colors vs Print Colors


Embroidery is limited to about 15 thread colors per design (practical limit). Each color change requires a thread swap. Keep your design to 3-6 colors for the best balance of cost and visual impact.


At BOAZ, we offer embroidery on all heavyweight garments β€” chest, sleeve, back, and hat placements available.


Topics

embroiderystitchingbrandingpremium apparel