CentralCustom stitches your logo onto workwear, polos, hoodies, caps, bags and team kit for businesses, clubs and schools across the UK. You send the logo, we digitise it, you approve a free proof, and we embroider anything from a single garment to a whole company roll-out.
Quick answer
Custom embroidery means stitching your own logo or text directly into a garment with thread, using a digitised stitch file made from your artwork. At CentralCustom there is no minimum order on stock garments, you get a free digital proof before anything is stitched, a one-off digitising fee covers each new logo (then it is kept on file for reorders), and orders are typically dispatched 7–14 working days after proof approval. Quotes come back within one working day.
What our custom embroidery service covers
Embroidery is the decoration we recommend for anything that needs to look professional and survive years of washing: chest logos on staff uniforms, crests on club jackets, school badges on jumpers and initials on caps. The stitches sit in the fabric rather than on top of it, so there is nothing to crack, peel or fade.
- Embroidered polo shirts – the most-ordered staff uniform item we make.
- Embroidered hoodies and sweatshirts – for teams, staff and leavers.
- Embroidered workwear for trades – softshells, fleeces, gilets and work trousers.
- Embroidered caps and hats – front-panel, side and back embroidery.
- School uniform embroidery – badges on jumpers, cardigans, blazers and PE kit.
- Bags, aprons, towels and corporate shirts – if it can be hooped, we can usually stitch it.
Browse garments ready to embroider in our polo shirts, hoodies, caps and workwear ranges, or send us the garment list you have in mind.
How logo embroidery works, step by step
1. Send your logo
Email your artwork to promo@centralcustom.co.uk. Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF) are ideal, but a clear high-resolution PNG is fine to start with. If you only have a photo of an old badge, send that too and we will tell you what is possible. Our guide to preparing your logo for embroidery and print explains what makes a file easy to work with.
2. We digitise it
A printer can read your artwork directly; an embroidery machine cannot. Every logo has to be re-drawn as a stitch file that tells the machine the stitch type, direction, density and the order each colour is sewn. That is embroidery digitising, and it is the single biggest factor in how good the finished logo looks. A one-off digitising fee applies to each new logo (typically £25–50 depending on complexity, confirmed on your quote), and the file is kept on record so reorders carry no setup charge.
3. Approve a free proof
You receive a digital proof showing the logo size, position and thread colours before anything goes near a garment. Nothing is stitched until you approve it.
4. Production and dispatch
Orders are typically dispatched 7–14 working days after proof approval. If you have an event, a new starter date or a season kick-off, tell us when you ask for a quote so we can plan around it.
Is embroidery right for your logo?
Embroidery suits most logos, but not every design, and we would rather tell you before you order than after.
- Works brilliantly: bold shapes, solid colours, clear lettering, crests and badges, logos up to around eight thread colours.
- Needs simplifying: very small text (lettering much under 5mm tall closes up), hairline outlines, and fine detail at left-chest size.
- Better printed: photographs, soft gradients and large full-back designs. For those we would point you to our printing service instead, or a mix of both: embroidered chest logo, printed back.
Still deciding? Compare methods in embroidery vs screen printing and embroidery vs DTF printing, or see the garment-by-garment guide.
Where your embroidered logo can go
Left chest is the default for uniforms because it reads well at a handshake and leaves room for a name on the right. Other common positions are right chest, sleeve, back-neck, a large back crest, cap front and side panels, and bag flaps or pockets. Our logo placement guide covers typical sizes for each.
Why businesses, clubs and schools choose CentralCustom
- No minimum order on stock garments – one replacement polo for a new starter is as welcome as a hundred.
- Logo kept on file – reorder months later without paying for setup again.
- Proof before production, every time.
- Thread matched to your brand colours from a wide range of shades.
- Over 40 years' experience – CentralCustom is a division of Central Sports.
- Quote within one working day.
If you specifically want a local embroiderer, our embroidery near me page explains where we are and how we serve customers across the UK.
Custom embroidery FAQs
How much does custom embroidery cost?
The price depends on three things: the garment, the size and stitch count of your logo, and the quantity. New logos also carry a one-off digitising fee. Because those vary so much, we quote every order individually, normally within one working day. Our UK embroidery pricing guide explains how embroidery is priced and how to keep costs down.
How much does it cost to embroider 1,000 stitches in the UK?
Most embroiderers price by stitch-count bands rather than per thousand stitches, so a single "per 1,000" figure is rarely the whole picture. For context, a typical left-chest logo usually lands somewhere in the several-thousand-stitch range; dense or large designs run higher. Send us your logo and we will tell you its stitch count and the price at your quantity.
How do you do custom embroidery?
Your artwork is digitised into a stitch file, the garment is hooped to hold it flat, and a multi-head embroidery machine sews the design colour by colour. The skill is mostly in the digitising, which is why we proof every new logo before production.
Can I create my own embroidery design?
Yes. Send us any logo, crest or wording and we will digitise it. If you are designing from scratch, keep it bold and simple with a limited number of colours and avoid tiny text. We are happy to advise before you finalise anything.
Is there a minimum order for embroidery?
No minimum on stock garments. You can order a single embroidered item.
How long does embroidery last?
Done well, embroidery normally outlasts the garment it is stitched on. Wash inside out at the temperature on the garment label and avoid ironing directly on the stitching – our care guide has the details.
Get a custom embroidery quote
Tell us the garments, rough quantities and where you want the logo, and attach your artwork. Request a quote or email promo@centralcustom.co.uk and we will come back to you within one working day.
