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. PIMW Product Personalizer 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 PIMW Product Personalizer 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 |
Embroidered aprons are one of the easiest embroidery products to start with. Our custom apron guide covers digitization fees and pricing.
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?
PIMW Product Personalizer Pro ($13.99/mo): accepts DST/EXP/PES natively + text/monogram embroidery. Cart Transform stitch-count pricing is included on every plan, including Free.
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
- Shopify File Upload: How to Add Image Upload on Product Pages (2026)
- Options for Custom Hats
- Best Embroidery Personalizer
Sources & further reading
Primary sources referenced in this article. We link to official platform documentation and standards bodies rather than secondary summaries so you can verify claims directly.
- Shopify Help Center: Product variants
- Shopify.dev: Product variant limits
- Shopify Help Center: Line item properties (customization)
Embroidery on Shopify: done right
PIMW Product Personalizer Pro ($13.99/mo). DST/EXP/PES file upload + stitch count pricing + monogram builder + digitizing service integration.
Install PIMW Product Personalizer