Since adding embroidery to our custom decoration options last year, we’ve expanded our knowledge, expertise, and team; and we wanted to share some of our biggest takeaways along the way. Whether you’re new to embroidery or looking for the best way to incorporate it into your products, we’re excited to help you get started.
How much will it cost?
Unlike screen printing, which is priced based on the number of screens and print locations, embroidery pricing is based on stitch count.
Our base embroidery fee is $5 per garment for designs up to 5,000 stitches. Each additional 1,000 stitches adds $1 per garment. There is also a one-time $40 digitizing fee for each design, which does not apply to reorders.
Additional fees may apply if custom thread colors need to be ordered outside of our stock thread chart.
How many colors can I use?
So many! Unlike screen printing, changing thread colors is relatively simple, so a one-color design and a seven-color design will cost the same if they use the same number of stitches.
Our embroidery machines can run up to 16 thread colors in a single design, and multiple color variations of the same design can be produced without additional color change fees. You can choose from our stock thread chart or request a custom thread color for an additional fee.
How long will it take?
Great news—thanks to the addition of new team members, our embroidery turnaround times are now aligned with our screen printing turnaround times. Current embroidery turnaround time is 5–7 business days after artwork approval and full payment are received.
Is embroidery sustainable?
One of our main goals at GOEX is reducing waste in the materials we use. We purchased our initial thread inventory secondhand and are continuing to transition new inventory to Madeira’s Polyneon Green recycled polyester thread line.
Best Practices
Types of Artwork
Embroidery works best for:
Small chest or sleeve logos
Large outlined text graphics
Simple, bold artwork
We generally do not recommend embroidery for:
Designs with more than 1–2 locations
Large solid areas of color
Artwork with extremely fine details
Each embroidery location requires the garment to go through the full setup, stitching, and finishing process again, so multiple locations can quickly become cost prohibitive. Large solid fills require significantly more stitches, increasing production time and cost while also creating a heavier, stiffer finished product. Additionally, embroidery machines cannot stitch details smaller than the width of the needle, so very fine elements may need to be enlarged or simplified during the digitizing process.
Types of Garments
Embroidery performs best on structured and heavier-weight garments such as:
Sweatshirts
Polos
Jackets
Hats
Bags
For lighter-weight garments like triblend, cotton, or poly tees, we recommend keeping designs small and simple to minimize fabric distortion.
We always recommend using GOEX garments whenever possible, as we cannot guarantee the final quality of embroidery on outsourced garments.
Looking for something special?
We love solving problems. If you have a request involving specialty threads, unique placements, or custom techniques, just ask! We’re always happy to explore new processes and creative solutions with you.
From Start to Finish: An Overview of the Embroidery Process
Create a Graphic
Send us your artwork, or work with one of our designers to create something new. Vector artwork is always preferred when submitting files to our team.
Choose Your Colors
Select from our stock thread chart or request a custom thread color for an additional fee. Remember—we can embroider up to 16 colors in a single design.
File Preparation
Once your proof is approved, the artwork is converted into a digital embroidery file using specialized software in a process called digitizing.
This file contains all the instructions for the embroidery machine, including stitch counts, stitch types, sequencing, and color changes.
The digitizing fee is $40 per design and is a one-time charge that does not apply to reorders.
Stitch It Out
Once the artwork is prepared, it’s time to bring your design to life. With the addition of new team members, our current embroidery turnaround time is 5–7 business days from artwork approval and invoice payment.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you already have artwork prepared or just have an idea you want to explore, our team is here to help guide you through the embroidery process from start to finish. Reach out to your GOEX rep today to request a quote and start creating your next embroidered product.
