Digitizing, or punching, is the process of converting artwork into a digital code that can be read by today's advanced embroidery machines. This digital code provides the instructions to the embroidery machine's operating system which, in turn, tells the embroidery machine's frame how to sew the design. The word punching actually comes from the traditional jacquard embroidery machines. The instructions that told the machine's frame how to move and sew the embroidered design came from a tape punched with holes. A skillful digitizing artist uses very specialized (and expensive) embroidery digitizing software to interpret your particular artwork design into a digital embroidery pattern. Digitizing is both a technical and a creative process. It's much more than most people might imagine - a lot of people think their design will just be 'scanned'. While the digitizer may begin with a scan or a graphic file, he has to tell the embroidery machine where to put each stitch, and what order to sew your design - including where to stop, trim the threads, and switch to a different color. Poor digitization WILL result in a poor-looking design. Saving a few dollars on a one-time digitizing fee and ending up with a poor-looking logo is no bargain. Some embroiderers tout their "free" digitizing. If you really look at their prices, the digitizing is simply built into the selling price of the item. That means on future orders, you'll be paying for the "free" digitizing with every order, instead of just once with us. If they say they have "FREE" embroidery, try sending them a shirt and see if it's really free (or once again built into their prices).

Digitizing fees are based on the number of stitches in the design. A larger design or one with more stitching (as compared to one with more unstitched areas) will cost more. That said, most left chest and cap designs fall in the $45 flat rate one-time fee (which is waived for orders or 48+ pieces).

Digitizing fees are a one-time thing. As long as you use the same logo, there are no further 'setup' fees for subsequent orders.

Embroidery costs are based on the number of stitches in the design and how many articles we're embroidering with the exact same logo (to include thread colors). See our Embroidery Pricing page for more details and examples.

Yes, we can do rush orders. Each rush order is quoted individually based on your needs and our adjustments needed to meet them. We don't have a flat rate which might overcharge you. We look at each situation individually and account for overtime needed, express shipping costs, etc. Let us know your needs, and we'll give you a detailed quote.

We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Once you are an established customer, we may accept purchase orders to be paid by check.

While no embroiderer can possibly match every Pantone color (there are over 1000 Pantone colors and not nearly that many thread colors), we understand the system and will work with you to ensure you are satisfied with the thread colors used for your logo

You can use the same logo for shirts and caps, with some exceptions. First, cap logos can usually be no taller than 2.25" tall, while shirt logos may be taller. Second, cap logos need to stitch from "bottom up and middle out" meaning that the stitching needs to start at the bottom middle of the design and work towards the top and edges as it progresses. This is due to the fact that caps are gripped (hooped) differently than shirts (since a shirt is flat and a cap is curved). If the logo was initially digitized only for use on shirts and you want to put it on caps at a later date, we may need to edit the original file (usually for a $25 fee) to be able to embroider well on caps.

We can definitely embroider cap backs and sides.

Logos can be resized a little bit (usually about 10%) without incurring an additional charge. Changing from a left chest size to a full back size would an require a completely new digitization of the logo. It can't just be "clicked and dragged" from one size to another. An example of why is in the Central Tool logo shown here. This is a left chest design. Click on the thumbnail picture to see a larger version. The stitching in the large "CTS" letters is called "satin" stitching. That is, the threads on the vertical portion of the large capital "T" go back-and-forth across the width of the letter. One stitch on the left side, the next stitch on the right side, the next stitch back on the left side, and so on. That works fine for a small logo. Using the exact same stitch type for a full back logo would create a stitch so long (across the width of the capital letter "T" again, for example) that it would be likely to snag and get pulled out. For a letter this size, we would use "tatami" stitching that would a insert the needle into the fabric a number of times as it goes across the width of the letter as opposed to in one jump in the small logo. One stitch on the left side, a second stitch to the right of the first, but only partway across the width of the letter, a third stitch to the right of the second, but still not to the right side of the letter, and a fourth stitch that actually goes into the right side of the letter, and so on.

We have no minimum order size, but apparel and embroidery both cost less in quantity.

For an explanation of of terms unknown to you, see our Glossary of Terms page.

Send an email to logos@embroideryauthority.com with your logo attached in a .bmp, .jpg, .gif, or .pdf file format. JPG is our preference. Tell us what size you want your logo to be and what you want to put it on (caps, shirts, fleece, etc.). No more than 3.75" x 2.00" is standard for logos wider than they are tall [or vice versa], or 2.50 inches on a side is standard for logos as wide as they are tall. Cap logos can be no taller than 2.25" or wider than 4.5". Visor logos can be no taller than 1.25" or wider than 4". Often, the limiting factor in a logo's size is small lettering or a thin, small part of the artwork. If we think something needs to be changed, we'll let you know.

No, we no longer sell undecorated merchandise.

We are required to charge sales tax within Florida.

See our Returns page for details.

No, we don't embroider on patches - only directly on apparel.

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