Embroidery stitches your logo directly into the garment with polyester or rayon thread. It suits workwear, corporate uniforms, polo shirts, outerwear and caps. We embroider in-house on commercial multi-head machines, from small team orders to large uniform programmes.
Embroidery at a glance
- Best for: logos on polos, shirts, jackets, fleeces, softshells, knitwear, caps, beanies and bags.
- Minimum order: 8 pieces.
- Digitising: a one-off £20 charge to turn your logo into a stitch file. We keep it on file for reorders.
- Lead time: Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available.
- Proof: you approve a visual proof showing size, position and thread colours before we stitch.
How embroidery works
- Digitising your logo. Your artwork is redrawn as a stitch file. This sets the stitch types, direction, density and the order the machine sews each part of the design. Good digitising is what makes a logo look crisp rather than lumpy.
- Thread matching. We match your brand colours to the nearest thread shades and show them on the proof.
- Hooping. Each garment is hooped with the right backing (stabiliser) for the fabric.
- Stitching. Multi-head machines stitch the design on several garments at once, changing thread colour automatically.
- Finishing. Excess backing and jump threads are trimmed, garments are pressed where needed and every piece is checked before packing.
What embroidery is good for
- A premium, professional look. Standard on corporate and front-of-house uniforms.
- Exceptional durability. Embroidery won't crack, peel or fade, and it copes with industrial washing.
- Works on heavy and textured fabrics. Fleece, softshell, knitwear, canvas and caps are often easier to embroider than to print.
- Easy reorders. Once your logo is digitised, new starters and top-up orders match the originals exactly.
- Personalisation. Names, roles or department titles can be added under a logo.
Workwear embroidery
Most of our embroidery is workwear: uniforms that people wear all day, wash often and need to replace from time to time. We embroider polos, sweatshirts, fleeces, softshells, waterproof jackets, bodywarmers, work trousers, hi-vis, tabards, chefswear and aprons. Browse our branded workwear range, construction and trades clothing and hospitality and catering kit.
For workwear programmes we can keep a record of your approved logos, positions and garments for reorders.
Helly Hansen workwear embroidery
Helly Hansen Workwear is built for people who work outdoors in tough conditions, with technical shell jackets, softshells, fleeces, hi-vis, work trousers and base layers. A neatly embroidered logo suits it well, but technical fabrics need care:
- Waterproof shells. Stitching through a waterproof membrane creates small holes. We usually recommend embroidering on a chest position that sits behind a storm flap, or on a pocket, or using a transfer where full waterproofing is critical. We'll talk you through the options for your exact garment.
- Softshells and fleeces. These embroider very well with the right backing and stitch density.
- Hi-vis. Logos are placed so they don't cover the reflective tape or reduce the fluorescent area below what the garment's standard allows.
- Base layers and polos. Lighter stitch densities on stretch fabrics.
Brook Taverner embroidery
Brook Taverner makes suits, blazers, waistcoats, shirts, blouses and knitwear for corporate uniforms, with ranges that stay in stock for years. We embroider small, refined logos that suit tailoring:
- Blazers and suit jackets: usually a small logo on the left chest, as worn, or on the breast pocket.
- Shirts and blouses: a small chest logo, with thread colours chosen to sit quietly against the fabric.
- Knitwear: left chest embroidery on jumpers and cardigans.
- Waistcoats and outerwear: chest positions to suit the cut.
Shop Brook Taverner menswear, ladieswear or our wider corporate clothing range.
The best garments for embroidery
- Polo shirts, the most popular uniform garment.
- Sweatshirts and hoodies.
- Softshells and fleeces, and bodywarmers and gilets.
- Jackets and coats (with care on waterproof shells).
- Shirts and blouses and corporate knitwear.
- Caps and beanies.
- Aprons, bags and towels.
Very thin, stretchy or lightweight fabrics (fine jersey t-shirts, for example) can pucker under dense stitching. For these we may suggest a smaller design or a print instead.
Minimum order
Our embroidery minimum is 8 pieces. You can mix garment styles, colours and sizes within that, for example four polos and four fleeces with the same logo.
Lead time
Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available. Your dispatch date is confirmed on the quote.
Artwork tips for embroidery
- Send the best version of your logo you have. Vector files are ideal, but a clear, high-resolution image is fine for digitising.
- Keep small text readable. As a guide, lettering should be at least about 5 mm high to stay legible in thread.
- Simplify fine detail. Very thin lines, tiny gaps and gradients don't translate well to thread. We'll suggest small adjustments if they're needed.
- Consider a simplified version for caps and small chest logos, especially if your full logo has a long strapline.
- Thread colours. Tell us your Pantone references and we'll choose the closest threads.
Embroidery positions
All positions are described as worn, so "left chest" is the wearer's left.
- Left chest: the standard uniform position, typically up to about 9–10 cm wide.
- Right chest: often used for a name, a second logo or an accreditation.
- Sleeve: upper arm, for a secondary logo or flag.
- Back neck: a small logo or web address.
- Large back: possible on jackets, fleeces and sweatshirts.
- Cap front and side: front panel centred, with side or back options on many styles.
Washing and care
Wash at the temperature on the garment's care label, inside out if possible, and iron on the reverse. Avoid bleach, which can affect thread colours.
Comparing methods? Read our guide to DTF, DTG, screen printing and embroidery, or our guide on how to brief a workwear order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for embroidery?
Our minimum order for embroidery is 8 pieces. You can mix garment styles, colours and sizes within that total.
How much does digitising cost?
Digitising is a one-off £20 charge per logo. The stitch file is kept on record for reorders.
Can you embroider Helly Hansen waterproof jackets?
Yes, with care. We suggest positions behind a storm flap or on a pocket, or a transfer where full waterproofing matters. We'll advise on your exact jacket.
Do you embroider Brook Taverner tailoring?
Yes. We embroider Brook Taverner blazers, suit jackets, shirts, blouses and knitwear, usually with a small logo on the left chest as worn.
How long does an embroidery order take?
Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available.
Can you add staff names?
Yes. Names can be embroidered under a logo or on the right chest as worn.
Can you embroider garments I supply?
Often, yes. Tell us the garment and fabric when you ask for a quote and we'll confirm it's suitable.
Free visual proofs with quotations. Quotations include a free visual proof (mock-up/layout of placement and look) for approval before print or stitch. That does not include free redraw, digitising or artwork cleanup.
Ready to price your job? Tell us the garment, quantity, sizes, artwork and the date you need it, and we'll come back with a method, a price and a proof.