How Much Does Custom Embroidery Cost in 2026?
Custom embroidery costs range from $8 to $30 per piece depending on stitch count, garment type, quantity, and number of embroidery locations. This guide breaks down every pricing factor with real examples so you can budget your project accurately.
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2026 Pricing
Embroidery Cost by Quantity and Stitch Count
Decoration cost per piece (does not include the blank garment). Base price includes up to 5,000 stitches.
| Quantity | Up to 5K stitches | 5K-8K stitches | 8K-10K stitches | 10K-15K stitches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-23Small run | $8.00 | $10.50 | $13.00 | $16.00 |
| 24-47Standard minimum | $6.50 | $8.50 | $10.50 | $13.50 |
| 48-99Best value starts | $5.50 | $7.00 | $9.00 | $11.50 |
| 100-199Bulk pricing | $4.50 | $6.00 | $7.50 | $10.00 |
| 200-499High-volume | $3.75 | $5.00 | $6.50 | $8.50 |
| 500+Best rate | $3.00 | $4.25 | $5.50 | $7.00 |
* Prices shown are decoration cost only (per piece, per location). Add garment cost ($5-50 depending on blank). One-time digitizing fee of $45 per design. All prices exclude CA sales tax (10.5%).
Stitch Count Guide
How Many Stitches Does Your Design Need?
Use this reference to estimate your stitch count before requesting a quote.
| Design Type | Est. Stitches | Approx. Size |
|---|---|---|
| Small text logo (company name) | 2,000-3,500 | ~2" x 0.5" |
| Simple icon + text | 4,000-6,000 | ~3" x 2" |
| Detailed logo with fill | 6,000-10,000 | ~3.5" x 3" |
| Large back design | 10,000-20,000 | ~8" x 6" |
| Hat front panel (full) | 8,000-15,000 | ~4" x 2.5" |
Price Factors
What Affects Embroidery Cost?
Six factors determine your final per-piece price. Understanding them helps you budget accurately.
Stitch Count
Stitch count is the primary cost driver. A simple text logo might be 3,000 stitches. A detailed logo with fill areas could be 8,000-12,000 stitches. Larger, more complex designs require more stitches and cost more. Our base price includes up to 5,000 stitches.
Garment Type
The blank garment is a significant part of the total cost. A basic polo costs $8-12 wholesale. A premium jacket costs $25-50. Hats run $5-10. We mark up garments at 1.5x wholesale. Choose the right blank for your budget and use case.
Thread Colors
Most embroidery orders use 1-4 thread colors. Color changes require the machine to stop and rethread, which adds time. Up to 3 colors are typically included. Additional colors beyond 3 may add a small surcharge per piece.
Number of Locations
Each embroidery location (left chest, right sleeve, back yoke, hat front) is priced separately. Left-chest logos are the most common and most affordable. Adding a second location roughly doubles the decoration cost.
Digitizing Fee
Digitizing converts your logo into a stitch file the machine can read. This is a one-time $45 fee per design. The file is saved permanently, so reorders and future orders using the same logo have no digitizing charge.
Rush Orders
Standard embroidery turnaround is 7-14 business days depending on complexity and quantity. Rush orders (5-7 days) add 25% to decoration costs. Embroidery takes longer per piece than screen printing, so plan ahead for large orders.
Digitizing
Embroidery Digitizing: What It Is and What It Costs
Every embroidery order starts with digitizing - converting your logo into stitch instructions.
What is digitizing?
Digitizing is the process of converting your artwork into a stitch file (.DST) that the embroidery machine can read. A skilled digitizer maps out stitch types (satin, fill, running), stitch direction, underlay layers, density, and color sequence. This is a specialized skill that ensures your logo looks clean and professional when stitched.
How much does digitizing cost?
Our digitizing fee is a flat $45 per design, regardless of complexity. Some shops charge $50-100+ or charge per thousand stitches. We keep it simple with one flat rate. The file is saved permanently on our system.
Is digitizing a one-time fee?
Yes. You pay for digitizing once. Every future order using the same logo - whether it is next month or next year - has zero digitizing cost. We store your file indefinitely. If you change your logo, a new digitizing fee applies for the updated version.
Real Examples
What Real Embroidery Orders Actually Cost
Three common embroidery scenarios with complete price breakdowns.
Corporate Polos (50 pieces)
Garment
Sport-Tek ST640 (Navy) $12.00/ea
Decoration
Left-chest logo, 4,500 stitches, 2 colors $6.50/ea
Setup
$45 digitizing (one-time)
Total Per Piece
$19.40/polo
Digitizing fee adds $0.90/piece at 50 qty. Reorders drop to $18.50/polo.
Order Total: $970
Embroidered Caps (100 pieces)
Garment
Richardson 112 Trucker (Black/White) $7.50/ea
Decoration
Front logo, 6,000 stitches, 3 colors $6.00/ea
Setup
$45 digitizing (one-time)
Total Per Piece
$13.95/cap
Hat embroidery uses a different hoop but same pricing structure.
Order Total: $1,395
Executive Jackets (24 pieces)
Garment
Port Authority J317 Softshell (Black) $35.00/ea
Decoration
Left-chest logo (5,000 st) + right-sleeve name (2,000 st) $12.00/ea
Setup
$45 + $45 digitizing (2 designs)
Total Per Piece
$50.75/jacket
Premium garments + 2 embroidery locations. High perceived value for executives.
Order Total: $1,218
Save Money
5 Ways to Reduce Embroidery Costs
Smart planning can save you hundreds on your embroidery order without sacrificing quality.
1. Simplify your logo
Fewer stitches = lower cost. Remove unnecessary detail, thin outlines, and small text. A clean, bold logo embroiders better and costs less. Ask our team to optimize your design for embroidery.
2. Stay under 5,000 stitches
Our base tier includes up to 5,000 stitches at the lowest per-piece rate. Many company logos fit within this range. We can adjust your design to hit this sweet spot.
3. Order in bulk
Per-piece cost drops 30-50% from 12 pieces to 200+. If you need polos for 40 employees, order all at once rather than in batches of 10.
4. Limit to one location
A single left-chest logo is the most cost-effective placement. Adding sleeves, back, or collar embroidery doubles or triples the decoration cost.
5. Reuse your digitized file
Digitizing is a one-time $45 fee. Once created, your stitch file is saved permanently. Every future order using the same logo skips this fee entirely.
Common Questions
Embroidery Pricing FAQ
Answers to the pricing questions we hear most from customers ordering custom embroidery.
How much does it cost to embroider a polo shirt?
What is the embroidery digitizing fee?
What is a stitch count and why does it matter?
Is there a minimum order for embroidery?
How much does hat embroidery cost?
Can you embroider names on individual pieces?
How durable is embroidery?
How can I get an exact embroidery quote?
Get Your Embroidery Quote Today
Send us your logo and tell us what you need embroidered. We will provide a detailed quote with stitch count, per-piece pricing, and total cost within 24 hours.