1. Send the best artwork you have
- Best: vector files (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF saved from Illustrator). They have clean edges at any size.
- Good: a large PNG or JPG, at least 1000 pixels wide.
- Works: a website logo, a screenshot or a photo of a sign or business card. We'll redraw what's needed, but details may take longer to confirm.
Ask your designer or printer for the "vector" or "AI" version of your logo. They usually have it.
2. Know your size and placement
| Left chest | 3"–4" wide |
|---|---|
| Cap front | Up to about 4.5" wide × 2.25" tall |
| Full front (hoodie/tee) | 8"–10" wide |
| Jacket back | 10"–12" wide |
| Sleeve | 1"–3.5" wide |
If you need the same logo on caps and shirts, order both versions. A cap file is digitized differently. See cap digitizing.
3. Simplify for thread
Thread is about 0.4 mm thick, so it can't do everything ink can. Check your logo for:
- Small text: keep capital letters at least 0.25" (6 mm) tall. Drop taglines or website addresses that would be smaller. See small text digitizing.
- Hairlines: lines thinner than about 1 mm become single running stitches or disappear. Thicken them if you can.
- Gradients and shadows: these become separate thread colors or blended fills. Simple flat colors look cleanest.
- Colors: 6 or fewer is ideal. Every color is a thread change, and on a home machine, a rethread.
- Tiny details: anything under about 1.5 mm will likely be lost. Simplify it.
Don't worry if you're not sure. We review every design before quoting and will point out anything that won't stitch well, with a suggestion.
4. Specify thread colors
If brand colors matter, send Pantone (PMS) codes or thread codes (Madeira, Isacord, Robison-Anton, Brother). We'll match them in the PDF color sheet. Otherwise we'll pick the closest standard thread colors to your artwork.
5. Tell your digitizer
- Finished width (or height) in inches
- Garment and fabric (e.g. "pique polo" or "Richardson 112 cap")
- Machine model or file format
- Thread colors, if specific
- Any special technique: 3D puff, applique, metallic thread
Our order form asks for all of this. It takes about two minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you digitize from a JPG?
Yes. Vector is best, but we digitize from JPG and PNG every day. For very small or blurry images, we may redraw parts first.
How many colors can embroidery have?
Technically as many as you like, but 6 or fewer keeps designs clean and fast to sew. Commercial machines have 6–15 needles; home machines need a rethread per color.