How Much Does Embroidery Cost? Detailed Pricing Guide & Tips for Savings

Embroidery adds character and professionalism to everything — from polos and jackets to caps and towels. But how much does embroidery really cost? At Unique Digitizing, we help customers understand what drives embroidery pricing so they can plan smarter and save more.

Whether it’s a small left chest digitizing logo or a detailed jacket back digitizing design, several key factors influence the final price.

Main Factors That Affect Embroidery Cost

1. Design Complexity
Simple logos and monograms are cheaper because they use fewer stitches. Complex artwork, such as bull mascot vector art, takes more time to digitize and stitch, which raises the cost.

2. Embroidery Size
Smaller placements — like sleeve or pocket embroidery — are less expensive. Large back or towel digitizing designs require more thread and time.

3. Stitch Count
The more stitches your design has, the higher the cost. Stitch count determines how long the embroidery machine runs, directly affecting pricing.

4. Garment Type
Basic shirts, polos, and cap embroidery are budget-friendly. Thick jackets or hard-to-hoop items cost more due to added handling time.

5. Order Quantity
Ordering a single item can be costly due to setup fees. Bulk orders spread those costs, reducing the price per item.

6. Embroidery Method
Machine embroidery is efficient and consistent. If you want bold designs, digitize 3D puff embroidery adds texture but slightly increases cost.

Average Embroidery Pricing

Here’s a quick estimate based on design size and stitch count:

• Small designs (up to 1,000 stitches): $5 – $15
• Medium designs (1,000 – 5,000 stitches): $15 – $30
• Large designs (5,000+ stitches): $30 – $60 per item

For a precise quote, check our embroidery digitizing cost guide — it explains everything you need to know before ordering.

How to Save on Embroidery

Want to reduce embroidery costs while keeping your quality high? Follow these quick tips:

• Simplify your artwork before digitizing.
• Choose basic fabrics instead of thick or layered ones.
• Order in bulk to cut per-piece cost.
• Use fewer colors to avoid multiple thread changes.
• Work with professionals like Unique Digitizing who ensure efficiency and precision.

If you’re new to embroidery, explore our custom embroidery digitizing for branding guide to understand how to build consistent branding on apparel.

FAQs

Q1: How do embroidery companies calculate prices?
They calculate costs by stitch count, fabric type, design size, and order quantity. Learn more in our compare embroidery digitizing services blog.

Q2: What if I only have a JPG logo?
Our vector art services team can convert it to a clean vector file for perfect embroidery results.

Q3: Can placement affect pricing?
Yes, placement matters. See our placement guide for shirts to choose the right location for your design.

Q4: What should I ask before choosing a digitizing company?
Read our questions to ask before choosing an embroidery digitizing company blog for a full checklist.

Q5: How do I choose the right service for my project?
Visit choose the right embroidery digitizing service to learn how to pick the best fit for your design and budget.

Final Thoughts

Embroidery cost depends on design size, stitch count, and garment type — but the right partner makes all the difference. Unique Digitizing provides reliable, affordable embroidery digitizing backed by quality, precision, and quick turnaround. Bring your next embroidery project to life with designs that look professional and last long.