Embroidery is one of the oldest decorating crafts in the world and, at the same time, the way most UK businesses, schools and clubs put a logo on their clothing today. If you are about to order branded polos, fleeces or hoodies, it helps to know what embroidery actually is, how it is made, and where it beats (and loses to) printing.
Quick answer: Embroidery is decorating fabric by stitching a design into it with thread. Hand embroidery uses a needle and is mostly a hobby or couture craft; commercial embroidery uses computer-controlled machines that sew a digitised version of your logo, typically 5,000–15,000 stitches for a chest logo, in polyester or rayon thread. It is raised, textured and very durable, which is why it is the standard for workwear, uniforms and teamwear.
What is embroidery? A simple definition
Embroidery is any design created by sewing thread into a base fabric. Unlike printing, nothing sits on top of the garment as ink or film; the design is built from thousands of individual stitches that pass through the fabric itself. That is why embroidery has texture you can feel, a slight sheen from the thread, and why it lasts as long as the garment does.
Hand embroidery vs machine embroidery
Hand embroidery
Hand embroidery is done with a needle, a hoop and stranded cotton (floss). It covers techniques such as cross stitch, crewelwork, sashiko and goldwork. It is beautiful, but a single logo can take hours, so it is used for art pieces, heirlooms and high-end fashion rather than uniforms.
Machine (commercial) embroidery
Commercial embroidery uses multi-needle, multi-head machines. Each head holds one garment; each needle carries a different thread colour, so a machine can switch between 12 or 15 colours without stopping. A six-head machine stitches six identical polos at once. This is the process behind almost every embroidered work shirt, school jumper, club hoodie and cap you see in the UK.
How commercial embroidery works, step by step
- Artwork. You supply your logo, ideally as a vector file (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG), although a clean PNG is usually workable.
- Digitising. A digitiser converts the artwork into a stitch file: every stitch type, direction, density and colour change is planned by hand. This is a one-off job per logo and size. We explain it in detail in what is embroidery digitising.
- Hooping and backing. The garment is clamped in a hoop with a stabiliser (backing) behind it so the fabric does not pucker or stretch while it is stitched.
- Stitching. The machine runs the file. A typical 9cm left-chest logo takes around 5–15 minutes depending on stitch count.
- Finishing. Excess backing is trimmed or torn away, jump threads are cut, and each piece is checked and pressed.
The three stitch types you will see
- Satin stitch — long, glossy parallel stitches used for lettering and borders. Smooth and shiny, but limited to narrow shapes (roughly under 8–10mm wide) or the stitches become loose and snag.
- Fill (tatami) stitch — short stitches laid in rows to cover large areas. Flatter and more hard-wearing than satin.
- Running stitch — a single line of stitches for outlines, fine detail and underlay.
Variations include 3D puff embroidery, where satin stitches are sewn over foam for a raised look on caps, and appliqué, where a piece of fabric is stitched down to cover a large area with fewer stitches.
What thread is used?
Most commercial embroidery uses 40-weight polyester or rayon thread. Rayon has the brightest sheen; polyester is stronger, colourfast and copes better with bleach and hot washes, which is why it is preferred for workwear, healthcare and catering uniforms. Metallic threads exist but are slower to run and less durable.
What is embroidery good for?
- Durability. No cracking, peeling or fading. An embroidered logo usually outlasts the garment.
- Perceived quality. Texture reads as premium, which is why corporate polos, blazers and caps are almost always embroidered.
- Thick and textured fabrics. Fleeces, sweatshirts, knitwear and caps take thread far better than they take print.
- Reorders. Once digitised, the same file runs identically for years.
Where embroidery is the wrong choice
- Tiny text. Lettering below about 5mm high loses legibility.
- Gradients and photos. Thread is a solid colour, so fades and photographic images need print instead.
- Very large designs. A full back logo can run to 60,000+ stitches, making it stiff, heavy and expensive. Print is usually better there.
- Lightweight or technical fabrics. Thin sports shirts can pucker, and stitching through a waterproof membrane breaks the waterproofing. See our guide to embroidery on tricky garments.
If you are weighing the two methods, read embroidery vs DTF printing.
What affects the price of embroidery?
Commercial embroidery is priced mainly on stitch count, not the number of colours. A simple text logo might be 3,000 stitches; a detailed club crest can pass 15,000. Other factors are the one-off digitising charge, the number of positions (chest, back, sleeve), personalisation such as names, and quantity, because machine set-up time is shared across the order. Our UK embroidery pricing guide breaks this down with examples.
How to look after embroidered clothing
Wash inside out at 30–40°C, avoid bleach unless the thread is polyester, do not tumble dry on high heat, and iron on the reverse. Full detail is in how to wash embroidered and printed clothing.
FAQ
What is the difference between embroidery and sewing?
Sewing joins pieces of fabric together; embroidery decorates the surface of a fabric with stitched designs.
Is embroidery better than printing?
For logos on workwear, polos, fleeces and caps, usually yes, because it lasts longer and looks more premium. For large, colourful or photographic designs, printing is better and cheaper.
Can any logo be embroidered?
Most can. Very fine lines, small text and gradients may need simplifying, and a good digitiser will tell you what to change.
How long does embroidery last?
With normal washing, commercial polyester embroidery typically lasts the life of the garment.
Ready to put your logo in thread?
CentralCustom embroiders logos onto workwear, teamwear and schoolwear across the UK, with free digital proofs before anything is stitched. Explore our custom embroidery service or request a quote.
