If you’re looking for custom embroidery in Vancouver, the first question is usually the same: how much will it cost?
And the honest answer is: embroidery pricing is not “one flat number”, because it depends on stitch count, garment type, placement, and quantity.
In this guide, I’ll break down real-world embroidery pricing (in plain English), explain what drives the cost up or down, and help you estimate your budget before you place an order.
The Quick Answer: Typical Logo Embroidery Pricing in Vancouver
Most embroidered logos in Vancouver fall into these ranges:
- Small left-chest logo (most common): $6 to $15 per item
- Medium logo (front center, bigger size): $10 to $25 per item
- Large embroidery (back, oversized): $20 to $45+ per item
- Hats / caps embroidery: $12 to $25+ per item
On top of that, most shops charge a one-time digitizing fee (setup fee) for converting your logo into an embroidery-ready stitch file.
- Logo digitizing fee: $45 to $150 (one-time)
Some providers include digitizing in bulk orders, but in most cases, it’s billed separately (especially for small orders).
What’s Included in Embroidery Pricing (and what’s not)
A lot of customers compare quotes and get confused because different shops bundle things differently. So here’s what embroidery pricing can include:
Usually included
- Thread + embroidery machine time
- Standard needlework and run time
- Basic placement (left chest, hat front, etc.)
- Embroidery backing (stabilizer)
Often NOT included
- Digitizing (setup file creation)
- Special threads (metallic, glow, neon)
- Complex placements (hood hoods, pockets, side panels)
- Customer garment issues (thin fabric, seams, stretchy material)
- Rush turnaround
If you want accurate pricing, make sure you know whether your quote includes digitizing, and whether it’s per design or per placement.
The 5 Biggest Factors That Affect Embroidery Cost
1. Stitch Count (the real price driver)
Embroidery isn’t priced by “size” only. It’s priced mainly by stitch count, meaning how many stitches the machine needs to complete the logo.
Two logos can be the same size but wildly different in stitch count:
- A clean text logo with 2 colors: low stitch count
- A detailed crest logo with tiny lines and shading: high stitch count
A simple rule:
- More detail = more stitches = higher price
This is why clean corporate logos often cost less than sports logos, badges, or complex illustrations.
2. Logo Size and Placement
Placement affects pricing because different placements:
- take longer
- require extra hooping
- have higher misalignment risk
Typical placements ranked by ease (lower cost to higher cost):
- Left chest
- Hat front
- Sleeve
- Front center (larger hoop)
- Back (large hoop)
- Side/back hat panels
If you’re trying to keep costs down, left-chest embroidery is the best value.
3. Number of Colors (thread changes)
Embroidery machines can handle multiple colors, but additional color changes can increase production time.
That said, for many jobs, color count doesn’t change pricing as much as stitch count. It mainly matters when:
- you have many colors (6+)
- you want special thread types
- your design forces multiple stops / trims
If you’re cost-sensitive, aim for:
- 2 to 4 thread colors max
4. Garment Type (hoodies vs polos vs jackets)
Not all garments embroider the same.
Some fabrics require:
- extra backing
- slower speed
- special needles
- extra repositioning
Typical ranking for easiest to hardest:
- Polo shirts
- T-shirts (heavier cotton)
- Hoodies / sweatshirts
- Softshell jackets
- Very thin performance shirts
- Beanies / thick knit
- Heavy workwear + seams + pockets
If you want the cleanest embroidery and best cost, polos and hoodies are usually the best combination of:
- stable fabric
- good finish
- strong professional look
5. Quantity (bulk pricing makes a big difference)
Embroidery has fixed costs (setup, digitizing, hoop tests). That’s why ordering 3 pieces is always expensive per item, and ordering 50 pieces is usually reasonable.
General rule:
- 1 to 5 items: highest cost per piece
- 6 to 24 items: better pricing
- 25 to 100+: best pricing
- 250+: corporate pricing
If you’re a business doing uniforms, bulk pricing is where embroidery becomes extremely cost-effective.
What is Digitizing and Why Does It Cost Extra?
Digitizing is the process of turning your logo file into an embroidery machine file (often a DST file). This is not automatic, and it’s not just pressing “convert”.
A digitizer must decide:
- stitch type (satin, fill, running stitch)
- stitch direction
- underlay stitches
- pull compensation (to avoid distortion)
- thread path and trims
That’s why digitizing is charged as a one-time fee.
Digitizing pricing range in Vancouver
- Simple text logo: $30 to $50
- Standard business logo: $50 to $90
- Highly detailed artwork / patches: $90 to $150+
The good part:
- You pay digitizing once
- Then future repeats don’t require re-digitizing (unless you change size or layout)
Is Embroidery More Expensive Than Printing?
Short answer: it depends on quantity and the look you want.
Embroidery wins when:
- you want a premium, professional look
- you need durability (uniforms, workwear)
- you want small logos (left chest)
- you’re branding higher-quality garments
Printing wins when:
- your design is full color or photo-style
- you want large graphics on the back
- you need ultra-low cost for big designs
- you want soft-feel fashion prints
Most Vancouver businesses choose this combo:
- embroidered left chest logo
- printed back design (optional)
It looks high-end while keeping costs manageable.
Real Examples: What You Might Pay for Embroidery
Here are realistic examples to help you estimate, if you have a question you can contact us or request a free quote
Example A: 12 Polo Shirts (Left Chest Logo)
- Standard logo, 8K stitches
- 3 thread colors
- Bulk pricing
Estimated cost:
- Digitizing: $60 one-time
- Embroidery: $8 to $15 per shirt
Total: around $156 to $204 + digitizing
Example B: 24 Hoodies (Left Chest Logo)
- 10K stitches
- Thick fabric, stable
- Great corporate uniform choice
Estimated cost:
- Digitizing: $60 to $90 one-time
- Embroidery: $10 to $15 per hoodie
Total: around $240 to $360 + digitizing
Example C: 48 Hats (Front Logo)
- 6K stitches
- Structured cap
Estimated cost:
- Digitizing: $50 to $80 one-time
- Embroidery: $9 to $25+ per hat
Total: around $432 to $672 + digitizing
How to Reduce Embroidery Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
If you want great results and a reasonable price, these are the best cost-saving moves:
Keep the design clean
- Avoid tiny lines
- Avoid micro text
- Simplify icons and shading
Choose the right size
- Left chest: ideal
- Don’t oversize the logo just because you can
Stick to standard thread types
- Metallic threads look nice but cost more and can reduce speed
Order in bulk when possible
If you’re ordering for a team or staff, try to order all at once instead of monthly small orders.
Use the same logo file
Each new logo version can create new digitizing work.
Best File Format for Logo Embroidery
You don’t need DST. The shop creates that.
What you should provide:
- AI (Adobe Illustrator) or PDF vector is best
- SVG is also great
- PNG is acceptable (high resolution, clean)
- JPEG is okay only if it’s sharp
Avoid:
- screenshots
- low-res Instagram logos
- compressed images with blurry edges
If you’re not sure, send what you have. A professional embroidery shop can tell you if it’s workable.
Common Mistakes That Increase Cost or Cause Bad Results
These are the most common issues we see with customer artwork:
- Too much detail (especially in small sizes)
- Thin lines that disappear in thread
- Tiny text under 0.25 inch tall
- Expecting gradients or shading like a print
- Choosing a stretchy garment that distorts the stitch
- Using the wrong placement on a garment seam
A good shop will warn you about these issues before production. If a shop says “yes” to everything without checking, that’s a risk.
What to Ask Before You Place Your Embroidery Order
Before you confirm, ask these questions:
- Is digitizing included?
- Is this price based on stitch count or size?
- What’s the turnaround time?
- Will I get a proof/mockup before production?
- Can you match my brand color (Pantone close match)?
- What happens if there’s a defect in stitching?
This protects you from surprises and makes the order smoother.
Is Logo Embroidery Worth It?
If you’re branding uniforms or premium apparel, embroidery is one of the best ROI branding upgrades you can buy. It looks professional, lasts for years, and holds up well against washing, work use, and daily wear.
If you want the best outcome, focus on:
- a clean logo
- correct placement
- proper stitch density
- working with a shop that knows garments and finishing
For businesses in Vancouver, embroidered polos, hats, and hoodies are still the top three choices for professional branded apparel.
If you want premium custom embroidery in Vancouver with clean stitching and reliable turnaround, contact Firebird Prints and request a quote today.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most Vancouver orders, logo embroidery typically ranges from $6 to $15 per item for a standard left-chest logo, depending on stitch count and quantity. Larger placements (front center or back) can cost more.
A typical digitizing (setup) fee in Canada is $45 to $150 CAD as a one-time cost per design, depending on logo complexity and stitch density.
Usually no. Once your logo is digitized, the file can be reused for repeat orders, as long as:
- the logo doesn’t change, and
- the size/placement stays the same
If you request a new size, multiple placements, or redesign, a new setup may be required.
Embroidery is mostly priced by stitch count, not just size. Two logos can be the same size but have very different stitch counts (more detail = more stitches = higher cost).
Pricing differences usually come from:
- different stitch-count thresholds
- different digitizing quality and setup policies
- garment type and placement difficulty
- included vs excluded services (proofing, backing, rush time)
Always confirm whether digitizing is included.
The most cost-effective and popular placement is:
Left chest embroidery (small and stable)
It’s fast to run, looks professional, and usually requires fewer stitches.
Often yes, especially for structured caps or complex designs. In Vancouver, hat embroidery usually ranges around $12 to $25+ per hat, depending on quantity, cap style, and design complexity.
Embroidery cost increases when you have:
- high stitch count (heavy fill areas)
- lots of detail or small text
- oversized designs (especially back embroidery)
- tough placements (hoods, pockets, seams)
- special thread types (metallic, glow)
very low quantity orders
Many shops accept small orders, but pricing is higher at low quantities. A common range is:
minimum 6–12 pieces for better pricing
Some shops offer 1-piece embroidery, but expect higher per-item cost.
Not accurately. Embroidery is made of thread stitches, so:
- gradients don’t translate well
- fine photo details may get lost
If you need a photo-style look, printing may be the better option.
Best formats:
- AI (Adobe Illustrator)
- PDF (vector)
- SVG
A clean high-resolution PNG can work too, but vector files usually provide the best digitizing outcome.
Typical turnaround times range from: 3 to 7 business days for standard orders Rush options may be available depending on workload and garment availability.
Yes. Embroidery is one of the best choices for uniforms because it:
- looks premium and professional
- lasts longer than most print methods
- holds up well after repeated washing
This is why polos, jackets, hats, and workwear are common embroidery items.
You can lower costs by:
- simplifying the logo (less detail)
- reducing stitch-heavy filled areas
- choosing left-chest placement
- limiting colors to 2–4
- ordering in bulk instead of multiple small orders
