How much does embroidery cost?
How much does embroidery cost?
$5 – $50 average cost per piece (item included)
$1 – $3 per 1,000 stitches in a design
$1 – $2 per inch for monogram letters
Embroidery pricing
Custom embroidery costs $1 to $ 3 per 1,000 stitches in the design. Embroidering a name costs $1 to $2 per inch for monogram letters. The cost for a custom embroidered logo on a shirt is $15 to $40 including the shirt. Embroidery digitizing services cost $20 to $60 per design.
| Pricing method | Average embroidery cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Per stitch | $1 – $3 per 1,000 stitches* | Used for custom or highly detailed designs, logos, and artwork where the stitch count can vary from one project to another |
| Per inch | $1 – $2 per inch* | Used for simple designs, such as monograms or names, where the embroiderer can easily estimate costs based on size |
| Per piece | $5 – $50 per piece | Used for bulk or production orders where the same design is applied to multiple items purchased with the embroidery order |
*Minimum setup fees apply.
Embroidery cost
Most embroidery today involves a computerized machine that sews designs onto fabric with colored thread. Though some artists still use traditional hand embroidery, working by hand is far too time-consuming for commercial orders.
Embroidery services set their own pricing structure, but most charge by the number of stitches, the size of the design, or by the piece.
Embroidery cost per stitch
The most popular pricing for embroidery is to charge per 1,000 stitches, with prices based on the number of stitches in the design and the number of items you order. The average cost is $1 to $3 per 1,000 stitches, plus a minimum base fee or setup charge of $5 to $10 per design.
A small logo on a hat or shirt takes 1,000 to 5,000 stitches and costs $6 to $15 for setup and embroidery, not including the embroidered item. Some shops include the first 2,000 stitches in their base price or setup fee, and most offer quantity discounts for larger orders.
Complex designs cost more because the intricate details require more stitches than simple designs with fewer details.
Embroidery cost per inch
Another common pricing strategy for embroidery is to charge by the inch. This pricing is popular for embroidering simple letter monograms or names in standard sizes. The average cost to embroider a monogram letter is $1 to $2 per inch.
Standard lettering is 1 to 2 inches tall, which is large enough to be legible on items like shirts, hats, and jackets. Larger items like towels, blankets or banners need larger lettering which costs more.
| Design size | Average cost per letter | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 inches (standard) | $1 – $4 |
|
| 2 – 4 inches (large) | $2 – $8 |
|
| 4 – 6 inches (extra-large) | $4 – $12 |
|
| 6 – 10+ inches (jumbo) | $6 – $20+ |
|
| Custom sizes | Varies |
|
Embroidery cost per piece
The average cost for bulk embroidery orders is $5 to $50 per piece, including the item being embroidered. The size and details of your design and the number and types of items you order impact the final cost per piece.
| Item | Average cost (including the item)* |
|---|---|
| Apron | $10 – $20 |
| Backpack | $15 – $45 |
| Blanket | $20 – $30 |
| Dress shirt | $25 – $40 |
| Golf towel | $10 – $25 |
| Handkerchief | $5 – $10 |
| Hat | $10 – $25 |
| Hooded sweatshirt | $25 – $50 |
| Polo shirt | $15 – $30 |
| Sweater | $25 – $50 |
| T-shirt | $10 – $20 |
*Minimum setup fees apply.
Charging by the item is most common for online embroidery companies that sell personalized promotional items in bulk.
Most embroidery companies charge less for bulk orders using the same design, since the machine only needs to be set up once for the entire order.
Custom embroidery cost
Custom embroidery projects start with a design that is drawn and digitized before it can be embroidered. Next, the computerized embroidery machine must be loaded with thread and programmed to create the design on fabric. The standard fees for these pre-embroidery steps include:
Artwork fee – A graphic artist charges $50 to $150 to draw the artwork for your design. Prices vary depending on the size and details of the final embroidered piece.
Digitizing fee – The digitizing fee, also called a tape charge, costs $10 to $65 for new orders to make the design ready for the embroidery machine. Repeat orders do not incur a digitizing fee.
Setup fee – The setup fee, also called a running charge, sew-out, or stitch-out charge, runs $5 to $10 per design and covers the cost of setting up the embroidery machine and creating a physical sample of the design before proceeding with the full embroidery run.
Embroidery cost factors
Factors that influence embroidery costs include:
Design size – Larger designs have more stitches, which increases the total cost.
Number of colors – Designs with two colors are considered standard. Each additional color change requires the embroiderer to stop and change the thread color, adding to the overall time and cost.
Design complexity – Logos with more intricate designs and details cost more to set up and embroider.
Number of pieces – The more pieces you order, the lower the cost per item since a basic setup fee applies even for small orders.
Type of stitch – Satin stitch is more costly than chain stitch because satin takes more stitches to make the same design.
Fabric – Some fabrics, such as thick denim, are more difficult to embroider and require more specialized equipment and expertise.
Hand vs. machine embroidery – Machine embroidery is cheaper and more precise. Hand embroidery is more traditional, but the time-consuming process has much higher costs.
Placement – Standard pricing includes placement on the chest or sleeve of a garment, but embroidering over a pocket or seam is more time-consuming and has added costs.
Deposits – Most embroidery shops charge a 50% deposit upfront with your order. New customers also pay in advance for any digitizing services.
Delivery fees – Many online embroidery orders offer free shipping, but some charge a separate flat fee of $10 to $20 to cover shipping.
Rush charges – The typical turnaround time for an embroidery order is 2 weeks. If you need your order faster, expect to pay a rush charge of 10% to 50% of your total order cost.
Embroidery FAQs
What is embroidery?
Embroidery is the process of applying a logo or lettering to an item using colored thread. Machine embroidery is the most common type of embroidery used in shops because it's faster and cheaper than hand embroidery.
Can I provide my own garments for embroidery?
Yes, you can provide your own garments for embroidery. For large bulk orders, commercial shops may charge an added fee to supply your own garments.
How can I save money on embroidery?
To save money on a custom embroidered item:
Choose a simple design with fewer colors and a less detailed logo.
Embroider on a smaller item like a hat or handkerchief, rather than on a bag or blanket.
Be flexible with the placement of the embroidery.
Ask about discounts for bulk orders.
Getting estimates from embroidery services
When getting embroidery estimates, look for the following:
Find embroidery services in your area with a solid reputation for quality work.
Contact several services for quotes to compare.
Be as specific as possible about the project for more accurate quotes.
Ask about additional fees for artwork, digitizing, and setup.
Be clear about your deadline.
Questions to ask an embroidery service
Ask these important questions to find the best embroidery service for your project:
What is your experience with embroidering on the type of garment I am looking for?
Can you show me a portfolio or actual examples of your work?
What are your artwork and digitizing fees?
What is your setup or running fee?
What is the cost per stitch?
What is the cost per inch?
Do you offer discounts for bulk orders?
What is your standard turnaround time?
Do you offer rush service? How much more does that cost?
Do you have a minimum order quantity?
What is your policy on returns and refunds?
We use our proprietary database of project costs, personally contact industry experts to compile up-to-date pricing and insights, and conduct in-depth research to ensure accuracy in all our guides.