Custom Embroidery Cost Per Piece: What Affects the Price
The Short Answer
The cost of custom embroidery per piece comes down to the garment you choose, the size of the logo, how many places you embroider, and a one-time digitizing setup for your logo. At Custom Ink & Thread in Los Angeles, embroidery is priced by logo size, and the same logo stitched in more than one place shares one digitizing fee. Every order gets a digital proof before production.
1. The Garment
The blank is often the biggest part of the price. A basic cap or core polo costs much less than a premium jacket, a performance polo from a major athletic brand, or a heavyweight hoodie. Choosing a solid, well-made core style is the easiest way to keep the total per piece down without hurting how the embroidery looks.
Browse polos, caps, and outerwear to compare styles at different price points.
2. Logo Size
Embroidery is stitched thread, so a bigger logo means more stitches and more machine time. We price embroidery by the logo's size in three steps (small, medium, and large) based on its longest side. A left-chest logo or a cap front sits in the smaller sizes; a full back design sits in the largest.
Tip: a left-chest logo is the most popular placement for polos and jackets because it looks professional and stays in the lower price range.
3. Digitizing (One-Time Setup)
Before a logo can be stitched, it is converted into a stitch file that tells the machine where every stitch goes. This is called digitizing. It is a one-time setup for each logo:
- The same logo in two places, for example a left chest and a sleeve, shares one digitizing fee
- Very small text or fine detail may be simplified so it stitches cleanly; your proof will show this
4. Number of Locations
Each embroidered location (left chest, sleeve, back, cap side) adds its own stitching charge. Two small locations often look better and cost less than one very large one.
5. Quantity
Larger orders spread the one-time digitizing across more pieces, so the cost per piece goes down as quantity goes up. Embroidery also works for small orders: see custom embroidery with no minimum.
Ways to Keep Embroidery Affordable
- Pick a core garment instead of a premium brand when the look allows it
- Keep the logo at a left-chest or cap-front size
- Reuse the same logo across items so they share one digitizing setup
- Simplify very thin lines and small text, which also stitch more cleanly
- For full-color or photographic artwork, consider DTF printing, which has no setup fees
Embroidery vs Printing
Embroidery gives a raised, textured, premium finish that suits polos, caps, jackets, and workwear, and it lasts the life of the garment. Printing suits t-shirts and large designs. See our full comparison: screen printing vs embroidery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you embroider a logo I already have? Yes. Send the best version of your logo you have; we digitize it and send a digital proof before anything is stitched.
Can you embroider names on each piece? Yes, individual names can be added per piece. Ask for this when you request your quote.
What garments can be embroidered? Polos, caps and hats, jackets, hoodies, sweatshirts, work shirts, and bags are all common. Very thin or stretchy fabrics may need a different approach, and we will tell you if so.
Get a Price for Your Logo
Choose your garment, upload your logo, and pick embroidery to see pricing online, or request a quote. Learn more about custom embroidery in Los Angeles and custom polo shirts. Visit us at 4000 S Broadway, Los Angeles, or call (747) 333-7919.