Most artists start by charging a $5 to $10 set-up fee, charged to every customer regardless of the job. This fee covers the basic costs of stabilizer, thread, and time to manually set up the job on the machine.

The embroidery artist may charge per letter, per word, or per stitch fee for the work. For monogramming names and words, a flat fee of $8 to $10 is common. Fees range from $0.50 to $1.00 per letter when charged separately. Per stitch fees range from $0.50 to $4 per 1000 stitches needed to complete the embroidery image.

The average cost for custom embroidery work is $1 to $3 per 1,000 stitches, depending on the artists experience and the design complexity. Some artists prefer to set hourly pricing, with the final price given after the garment is completed. This pricing includes their overhead expenses and profits, not just their hourly wage.

Other design attributes can affect the final embroidery cost including the number of thread color changes, the size of the design, and the number of garments to be embroidered. Typically, as the stitch count increases, the cost per 1,000 stitches goes down.

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or garments with a needle and thread. Hand embroidery is a slow process unique to the sewer who works stitch by stitch. Because of the time involved, hand-embroidered pieces are often seen as higher in value or heirloom quality. The sewer can choose different colors and stitches, making adjustments as they work.

Machine embroidery is a much faster process, and once started the machine does the work. Finished pieces look very uniform, with each piece being identical. Most machine embroidery patterns are pre-programmed and do not allow for customization. Digital embroidery uses a computerized graphic or image made into a file that can be read by a special sewing machine. The file includes all the stitches needed to recreate the image on fabric.

Cross stitch is a form of counted embroidery that uses a stitch that forms an "x" on the woven fabric to create a design. To create the finished cross stitch, you follow a pattern, sometimes called a chart. A color key works with the pattern to show you the color and position for each stitch.

Embroidery is a free-form art. Some embroidery artists will create a template design on the fabric to follow. Embroidery tends to look more realistic, using different stitches and techniques, and blending colors of thread to add dimension to the project.

Embroidery is a great way to personalize an item or market a product. Choosing the right artist will ensure the final product meets your expectations. Here are some important questions to ask when selecting an embroidery artist:

• How many years of embroidery experience do you have?
• Do you use an embroidery machine or hand-stitch my design?
• How many colors can my logo or design include?
• How much extra does it cost to have two or more colors?
• Do you do custom designs?
• What type of file do you need to digitize my design for rendering?
• How tall should the lettering be for my logo?
• Can you provide a sample piece for me to check before completing my large order?

When choosing an embroidery artist for your personal or marketing products, use Fash to contact the best embroidery artists in your area and get several estimates for your project. Be sure to follow these additional suggestions:

• Check out their reviews on Fash and Google.
• Ask to see a portfolio of their most recent projects.
• Select artists or companies with several years of embroidery experience.
• Go with the artist that is the most professional embroiderer that can work with your budget and timeline.
• Review all the contract terms before signing and make the final payment when you are satisfied with the work.