How Much Does It Cost to Get Something Embroidered?

Custom embroidery stitching typically costs $5–$10 per item for everyday logos on polos, hats and beanies. Large or detailed designs can cost $30–$50 or more per item. A new design also has a one-time $30 digitizing fee. Garments are priced separately.

Branded has no minimum order for embroidery, so you can order one item or outfit a full team. The final price depends on your artwork, stitch count, placement, garment and quantity.

Get an embroidery quote with your logo, item quantity and preferred placement, or explore our custom embroidery service in Reno.

How Much Does Custom Embroidery Cost per Item?

Most embroidery orders fall between $5.00–$10.00 per item, which covers the majority of everyday logos on common apparel like polos, hats, and beanies.

However, embroidery can cost $30, $50, or more per item in certain situations. That usually happens when the design is very large, extremely detailed, or stitched on specialty garments like thick jackets or full-back placements.

The key takeaway: embroidery pricing scales with time and complexity, not just the garment itself.

How Do You Calculate the Total Embroidery Cost?

For a new design, estimate your stitching subtotal as quantity × stitching price per item + $30 digitizing. Add the garment cost separately, along with any applicable tax, shipping or additional services in your quote.

Example: If 12 polos are quoted at $8 each for one embroidered logo, stitching is 12 × $8 = $96. Add $30 digitizing for a stitching-and-setup subtotal of $126, or $10.50 per item. The polos themselves are extra. This is an illustration, not a fixed price or minimum order.

For an unchanged design that has already been digitized, the one-time setup fee does not need to be spread across every reorder. Ask us to confirm the file can be reused for your selected size and placement.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Embroidery?

Embroidery is priced differently than printing because each item is stitched individually. Here’s what matters most.

Stitch Count

Stitch count refers to how many stitches it takes to sew your design. More stitches mean more machine time, which increases cost.

A simple logo with clean lines uses fewer stitches. A dense, detailed logo with shading or small text uses more.

This is why two logos that look similar in size can have very different prices.

Logo Size and Placement

Common embroidery sizes include:

• Left chest logos around 3–4 inches wide

• Hat logos around 2 inches tall

• Full back embroidery often 10 inches wide or more

Larger designs almost always mean higher stitch counts and higher costs.

Quantity Ordered

As with most custom apparel, ordering more items lowers the per-piece cost. Setup and digitizing are spread across the order instead of applied to just a few pieces.

What Is Digitizing and Why Is There a Fee?

Before embroidery can begin, your logo must be digitized. This is the process of converting artwork into a stitch file that tells the embroidery machine exactly how to sew the design.

There is a one-time digitizing fee of $30. Once your file is created, it can be reused for future orders, which saves money on reorders.

Digitizing is not charged per item, only per design.

Why Can a Small Logo Cost More to Embroider?

Many people assume embroidery pricing is based on size alone. In reality, stitch count matters more than size.

A small logo packed with detail can cost more than a larger, simple design. Reducing unnecessary fills, simplifying tiny text, or adjusting thread density can significantly reduce cost without hurting the look of the logo.

This is where working with an experienced embroidery shop really helps.

Typical Embroidery Items We See Most Often

The most common embroidered items include:

• Hats

• Polos

• Jackets

• Beanies

Each item has its own stitching considerations, which is why embroidery pricing is never truly one-size-fits-all.

How Long Does an Embroidery Order Take?

Most embroidery orders are completed in 5–7 business days once artwork and garments are approved.

If you’re working on a tight deadline, rush embroidery is available. Timing depends on design complexity and garment availability, so it’s always best to ask early if you need items quickly.

Why Local, In-House Embroidery Matters

Having embroidery done locally and in-house makes a real difference, especially for pricing questions and deadlines.

Local production means:

• Faster turnaround

• Better communication

• Fewer shipping delays

• More flexibility if changes are needed

For businesses and events in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and Northern Nevada, local embroidery helps keep projects on schedule.

How to Keep Embroidery Costs Down

If budget matters, these tips help:

• Keep logos clean and readable

• Avoid unnecessary fills or tiny text

• Stick to standard placements

• Order in bulk when possible

• Reuse existing digitized files

Small design adjustments can make a big pricing difference.

What Do You Need for an Accurate Embroidery Quote?

Most embroidery projects land comfortably in the $5–$10 per item range, but larger or more detailed designs can cost more. The fastest way to get an accurate price is to review your artwork, garment choice, and quantity together.

If you want clear pricing, realistic timelines, and embroidery done locally, getting a quote early makes everything easier.

Send Branded your logo or artwork, the number of items, garment style, approximate logo size, placement and deadline. Tell us whether you need one stitched location or several so we can quote the complete order.

Request your custom embroidery quote or call (800) 757-5646.