Embroidery: Everything You Need to Know for the Best Results

Embroidery is a premium and durable way to personalise clothing and textiles. To achieve the best possible results, it is important to understand how the embroidery process works and which design considerations should be taken into account.

How does embroidery work?

Embroidery is created by stitching thread directly into the fabric. This is done using a computer-controlled embroidery machine, which follows a specialised embroidery file to accurately reproduce the design using thousands of stitches.

What is an embroidery file?

Before an embroidery machine can begin stitching, your artwork must first be converted into a specialised embroidery file. This file tells the machine exactly how to reproduce the design, including which stitches to use, the stitching direction, the thread colours, and the order in which the design should be embroidered.
An embroidery file contains information such as:

• the areas that will be embroidered;
• the stitch types to be used;
• the stitch direction;
• the stitching sequence;
• the thread colours;
• the stitch density.

Because a custom embroidery file must be created for each unique design, a one-time digitising fee is charged. Once the file has been created, it can be reused for future orders featuring the same design.
Please note that if the size or layout of an existing design is changed, a new embroidery file must be created. Changes to thread colours alone do not require a new embroidery file.

Why isn't every design suitable for embroidery?

A design that looks perfect on a computer screen is not always suitable for embroidery. Unlike printing, embroidery is created with thread and stitches rather than pixels or ink. As a result, different design rules apply.
For example, effects such as gradients, shadows, or highly detailed artwork cannot be accurately reproduced with embroidery. This is because stitches require physical space within the fabric, making certain visual effects impossible to achieve with thread.

Lines must be thick enough

Every stitch requires a certain amount of space. If lines or details are too thin, they may not embroider cleanly or may disappear altogether.
Below are examples of designs that are suitable for embroidery, as well as designs that contain excessive detail or effects—such as shadows—that cannot be embroidered successfully.

Small text has its limits

The smaller the lettering, the more difficult it becomes to maintain legibility. Small letters can fill in as stitches overlap, reducing readability.
For this reason, we recommend a minimum letter size, depending on the typeface and the fabric being embroidered.

Why is there a minimum size?

If letters become too small or lines too thin, several issues may occur:

• enclosed spaces in letters such as a, e, o, and p may fill in completely;
• thin elements may disappear;
• text may become difficult to read;
• stitches may become too densely packed, causing the fabric to pucker.

Our recommendation

For the best appearance and readability, we recommend:

• Minimum letter height: 10 mm for simple fonts.
• Minimum line width: 3–4 mm.

These recommendations help ensure clean, durable embroidery with excellent legibility.

Why can the fabric pucker?

Embroidery places thousands of stitches into the fabric, with each stitch applying tension to the material. When too many stitches are concentrated within a small area, the stitch density becomes excessively high.
This can cause:

• the fabric to shrink or pucker;
• the embroidery to become raised or wavy;
• the design to distort;
• the fabric to feel stiffer or less comfortable.

Proper design spacing and stitch density are essential to achieving a high-quality embroidery result.

What makes a design suitable for embroidery?

The best embroidery results are achieved with designs that:

• feature clear, well-defined shapes;
• include sufficient spacing between design elements;
• avoid excessive fine detail;
• use strong, solid lines;
• contain clear, legible text.

Logos with simple shapes generally produce far better embroidery results than highly detailed illustrations, resulting in a cleaner, sharper, and more professional finish.

Updated on: 28/07/2026