How Much Does Custom Embroidery Cost? A Detailed Guide for Print Room Clients
Custom embroidery is a popular and professional option for businesses, brands, and organisations looking to elevate their merchandise. Whether it’s a company polo shirt, branded cap, or custom jacket, embroidery adds a premium, durable finish.
One of the most common questions we hear from clients is: “How much does custom embroidery cost?”
The cost of embroidery depends on several factors, including the complexity of your design, the type of garment, and the quantity of your order. In this guide, we’ll break down these factors to give you a clear understanding of embroidery pricing and help you make informed decisions.
1. Key Factors That Influence Embroidery Costs
Stitch Count
The stitch count is one of the most significant factors in embroidery pricing. Stitch count refers to the number of stitches required to complete your design.
- Larger or more complex designs require more stitches, which increases the cost.
- Smaller or simpler designs (e.g., text or a small logo) have a lower stitch count and cost less.
Example:
- A simple logo with 5,000 stitches will cost less than an intricate design with 20,000 stitches.
- Designs with high detail or filled areas tend to require more stitches and therefore cost more.
Design Complexity
Embroidery works best for clean, bold designs. Designs with fine details, small text, or gradients may need adjustments to ensure they translate well to stitching.
- Simplifying your design or increasing its size can help reduce costs.
- Our team of experts can digitise your design (convert it into an embroidery-friendly format) and advise on how to optimise it for the best results.
Garment Type
The type of garment or item being embroidered also impacts the cost:
- Caps and hats: More time-consuming to embroider due to curved surfaces, often resulting in slightly higher costs.
- Polos, t-shirts, and hoodies: Standard items that are cost-effective for embroidery.
- Jackets and thick materials: May require adjustments for the fabric type, increasing production time and cost.
Pro Tip: Choosing high-quality garments (e.g., AS Colour, Stanley/Stella) ensures a better embroidery finish and longer-lasting results.
Quantity
Like most custom production, embroidery costs decrease as order quantity increases.
- Higher quantities allow setup costs (e.g., digitisation, threading the machine) to be spread across more items, reducing the cost per unit.
- Small orders may have a higher per-item cost due to fixed setup fees.
Example:
- Ordering 10 polos may cost $20 per item.
- Ordering 50 polos could bring the cost down to $15 per item.
Digitisation Costs
Before embroidery begins, your design must be digitised—a process that converts it into a format that embroidery machines can read.
- Digitisation is a one-time cost that typically ranges from $30 to $100, depending on the complexity of the design.
- Once digitised, the file can be reused for future orders, saving you money in the long run.
Placement and Number of Embroidered Areas
Each embroidered location on a garment (e.g., chest, sleeve, back) is priced separately. Adding multiple placements increases the cost.
Example:
- A logo on the chest costs less than a chest logo + sleeve text.
- Large back designs require higher stitch counts and incur additional costs.
2. Typical Embroidery Costs at Print Room
While every project is unique, here’s a general breakdown of embroidery costs to give you an idea:
| Item | Average Cost Per Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cap with small, basic front embroidery | $21 + setup cost | Price varies based on stitch count and garment quality. |
|
|
$28 + setup cost | |
| Cap with large, detailed front embroidery | $27 + setup cost | |
| Cap with front, puff embroidery | $28 + setup cost |
Note: These costs are indicative and vary based on design complexity, order quantity, and garment choice.
3. How to Get the Best Value for Your Embroidery Order
Simplify Your Design
- Reduce unnecessary details or shading to lower stitch count and costs.
- Work with our team to adjust your design while maintaining its integrity.
Order in Bulk
- Larger orders spread out setup and digitisation costs, reducing the cost per item.
- Consider future needs and order extra items to maximise savings.
Choose the Right Garment
- Select high-quality garments that work well with embroidery.
- Brands like AS Colour, Stanley/Stella, and Earth Positive ensure a premium finish.
Reuse Your Digitised Design
- Once your design is digitised, there’s no need to pay the setup fee again for reorders.
- Keep the same design for multiple garment types to save money.
4. Why Choose Print Room for Custom Embroidery?
Award-Winning Quality
Our embroidery process combines premium Madeira Rayon threads and state-of-the-art machines to deliver a polished, professional finish. We’re trusted by some of New Zealand’s favourite brands, and our clients return time and again for our reliability and expertise.
Detailed Proofing Process
Every order includes a detailed digital proof, so you know exactly what your embroidered item will look like before production begins. This ensures your design is perfect and gives you peace of mind.
Skilled Team of Designers and Artists
Our team includes trained graphic designers and artists who ensure your design is optimised for embroidery. You can trust that your project is in experienced hands.
Ethical and Sustainable Practices
- Living Wage Accreditation: Our team is paid fairly.
- Sustainable Materials: We recommend eco-friendly garments that are durable and responsibly sourced.
Trusted by Thousands
With over 700 5-star Google reviews, Print Room is New Zealand’s most-reviewed merchandise company. Our clients praise our attention to detail, customer service, and high-quality results.
5. How to Get a Custom Embroidery Quote
The best way to determine the cost of your custom embroidery project is to contact us with the following details:
- Design: Upload your logo or artwork (vector files preferred).
- Garment Type: Let us know what you’d like embroidered (e.g., polos, caps, hoodies).
- Quantity: Specify how many items you need.
- Placement: Indicate where you’d like the embroidery (e.g., chest, sleeve, back).
We’ll provide a personalised quote and guide you through the process to ensure your order exceeds expectations.
6. Ready to Embroider Your Merchandise?
Contact Print Room today for a personalised quote or to discuss your project with our friendly team. Whether it’s embroidered uniforms, branded caps, or promotional items, we’ll deliver premium results that represent your business or organisation with pride.
Let’s bring your vision to life with custom embroidery that lasts!
