Why embroidery is different
| Attribute | DTG / Screen Print | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|
| File format | PNG, JPG at 300 DPI | DST, EXP, PES stitch files |
| Color specification | RGB or CMYK hex codes | Thread color chart (Isacord, Madeira) |
| Cost driver | Print area size | Stitch count |
| Setup fee | None (DTG) / $30-100 per screen (screen print) | $15-30 one-time digitizing per artwork |
| Max design complexity | Unlimited colors | Practical max 15-20 thread colors per design |
| Ideal fabric | Cotton (DTG), any (screen) | Woven, denim, canvas, polos, hats |
| Best for | Full-color graphics, photos, gradients | Logos, monograms, text, patches |
Embroidery variant structure
| Option | Values |
|---|---|
| Product type / Size | Depends on product — polo XS-XXL, cap adjustable/fitted S-XL, patch 3"/4"/5" |
| Base color | Fabric color (Navy, Black, White, Heather Gray, etc.) |
| Embroidery location | Chest / Sleeve / Back / Hat front / Hat side (variant or personalizer field) |
File format acceptance
Two tracks:
Track 1: Customer has stitch file (rare — usually corporate customers)
Accept DST, EXP, PES, PXF via file upload. Personalizer app must recognize these formats. Print It My Way Pro supports all four.
Track 2: Customer has artwork (PNG, AI, EPS) needing digitizing
Charge $15-30 digitizing fee. You (or a service) convert artwork to DST. Send stitched proof to customer for approval before production.
Thread color chart
Two dominant color systems:
- Isacord (Amann): 400+ colors. Industry standard for commercial embroidery. Color 0010 = White, 0111 = Winter White, 2500 = Yellow, 5722 = Sky Blue, etc.
- Madeira (Rayon + Polyneon): 400+ colors with slight sheen. Popular for premium embroidery. Color 1001 = Antique White, 1102 = Cream, etc.
Display as image swatches on product page (each swatch shows actual thread color). Customer selects thread color per design element. Note: matching customer's Pantone brand color to exact thread requires manual matching (offer as service).
Stitch count pricing
Stitch count drives production time + thread cost. Standard pricing:
| Stitch count | Design complexity | Fee per unit (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3,000 | Small text or simple monogram | $3-5 |
| 3,001-6,000 | Small logo or moderate text | $5-8 |
| 6,001-10,000 | Medium logo | $8-12 |
| 10,001-15,000 | Large logo or detailed design | $12-18 |
| 15,001-25,000 | Very complex design | $18-30 |
| 25,000+ | Enterprise / large back print | $30-50+ |
Personalizer computes stitch count from uploaded DST file + applies Cart Transform fee. Or manual quote for orders with new custom designs.
Personalization patterns
Monogram embroidery
Text field for 3 initials + monogram style dropdown (Interlocking / Framed / Circle / Simple). Personalizer generates stitch pattern from initials + style. ~2,000 stitches typical.
Name embroidery
Text field (10-20 chars). Font dropdown (2-4 embroidery-friendly fonts). Thread color dropdown. Personalizer generates stitch pattern from text + font + color. ~3,000-6,000 stitches typical.
Custom logo embroidery (corporate)
File upload for vector logo (AI, EPS, SVG) → digitizing service → DST → embroidery. $15-30 digitizing fee one-time + stitch-count fee per unit. Corporate MOQ 12+ for setup amortization.
Text + logo combination
Two separate embroidery placements — logo on chest, text under. Separate stitch counts + fees. Personalizer with multi-field configuration.
MOQ for embroidery
- Individual custom orders: MOQ 1 (accept single unit; higher per-unit fee)
- Corporate branded: MOQ 12 (embroidery setup amortized)
- Large corporate: MOQ 50-100 for tier pricing
Show MOQ prominently. Enforce at add-to-cart for corporate SKUs.
POD partners with embroidery
| POD partner | Embroidery products | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Printful | Hats, polos, jackets, bags | Best all-around. Digitizing service offered. |
| Printify (via providers) | Varies by provider | Verify specific embroidery providers in Printify catalog |
| CustomInk | Wide embroidery catalog | Higher quality + higher cost; specialty positioning |
| Bonfire | Limited embroidery | Mostly DTG-focused |
| Local embroiderer | Full flexibility | Best quality + margin; requires manual workflow |
Pricing structure example: Embroidered Polo
| Component | Cost | Retail |
|---|---|---|
| Polo blank + basic embroidery (4,000 stitches) | $12-16 | — |
| Base retail | — | $35-48 |
| Digitizing (new logo, one-time) | $5-15 cost | +$15-30 |
| Extra location (sleeve, back) | +$8/location cost | +$12-15/location |
| Rush production (24hr) | +$5/unit cost | +$10-15/unit |
15-minute end-to-end setup
- Install Print It My Way Pro (embroidery formats require Pro)
- Create product "Embroidered Polo" with Size + Color + Location variants
- Personalizer → Text field (name, monogram) + File Upload field (accepts DST/EXP/PES/AI/EPS)
- Add Thread Color dropdown or image swatches from Isacord palette
- Cart Transform → Stitch count pricing (compute from uploaded DST) + digitizing fee for artwork uploads
- Set MOQ 1 for individual orders, 12 for corporate
- Attach personalizer to product
- Configure POD partner or in-house workflow
- Test with sample DST upload
Common issues + fixes
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Customer sends PNG expecting embroidery | Doesn't know difference between raster + stitch file | Reject PNG with clear message + offer digitizing service upsell |
| Design puckers fabric | Bad digitizing (too dense stitches) | Use quality digitizer; test on sample garment before production |
| Thread color doesn't match brand exactly | Isacord doesn't have exact Pantone match | Manual matching service (charge $25-50); or closest match with customer approval |
| Complex design breaks thread mid-stitch | Stitch density too high or design too intricate | Digitizer optimizes stitch density; simplify design if needed |
| MOQ not enforced on corporate SKU | Cart minimum quantity not set | Personalizer field → Quantity → Minimum 12 |
Frequently asked questions
What file formats for Shopify embroidery?
DST (Tajima universal), EXP (Bernina), PES (Brother). Also accept AI/EPS/SVG for digitizing service (extra fee).
Best app for embroidery on Shopify?
Print It My Way Pro ($13.99/mo) — accepts DST/EXP/PES natively + text/monogram embroidery + Cart Transform stitch-count pricing.
Digitizing fee to charge?
$5-15 wholesale cost + $15-30 retail markup. One-time per new artwork. Reusable for reorders.
Stitch count pricing structure?
3-5$ for 1-3K stitches, $5-8 for 3-6K, $8-12 for 6-10K, $12-18 for 10-15K, $18-30 for 15-25K.
Best thread color system?
Isacord (Amann) is industry standard. Madeira for premium sheen. 400+ colors each. Display as image swatches on product page.
MOQ for embroidered products?
Individual orders MOQ 1. Corporate/branded MOQ 12+ (embroidery setup amortization). Large corporate 50-100 for tier pricing.
Best POD for embroidery?
Printful (best all-around + digitizing service). CustomInk (higher quality specialty). Local embroiderer for best margin.
Max thread colors per design?
Practical 15-20. More requires thread changes between stitches — slower production + higher failure rate.
Embroidery vs screen print — which for logo?
Embroidery for premium positioning + durable print + polos/hats/jackets. Screen print for high-color designs + t-shirts + bulk.
Return policy for embroidered products?
Final sale except defects. Digitizing fee non-refundable once digitized. Sample garment approval eliminates most defects.
Related setup guides
Embroidery on Shopify — done right
Print It My Way Pro ($13.99/mo) — DST/EXP/PES file upload + stitch count pricing + monogram builder + digitizing service integration.
Install Print It My Way