Before your logo can be stitched onto a polo, a fleece or a cap, it has to be converted into a stitch file — a set of instructions telling the embroidery machine where every needle penetration goes, in what order, and in which colour thread. That conversion is called digitising, and it is the single step that decides whether your logo comes out crisp or comes out blurred and lumpy. CentralCustom digitises logos in-house as part of your embroidery order, sews a test piece before we touch your garments, and keeps the finished file on record so every reorder is ready to run.
Why choose CentralCustom for embroidery digitising
Digitising is a skilled job, not a button press. Automatic converters exist, and you can usually spot their output a mile off — wandering outlines, text that fills in, and lettering that puckers the fabric around it. Our digitisers set the stitch types, underlay, density and pull compensation by hand, and they do it with your specific garment in mind. A chunky fleece needs heavier underlay than a smooth woven polo so the stitches do not sink into the pile, and a stretchy performance top needs different compensation again so the logo does not distort the moment it is worn.
We also sew a physical test piece before your order runs, so you are approving the real thing rather than a screen mock-up. Thread colours are matched to your brand palette as closely as the thread range allows, and confirmed with you first. Once the file is signed off it stays on our system, which means reorders, new starters and next season's top-up carry no setup work at all — you simply tell us the garment and the quantity.
What we need from you
The ideal starting point is a vector file — AI, EPS or a vector PDF — because the shapes are mathematically defined and scale cleanly to any size. A high-resolution PNG or JPG is usually workable too, provided the edges are sharp and the logo is not a small screenshot pulled off a website.
Along with the artwork, tell us the finished size you want (a left chest logo is typically around 8–9cm wide), where it should sit on the garment, and any brand colour references you hold. If your logo contains very fine detail, tiny text or a photographic element, we will tell you honestly what will and will not survive at that size, and suggest adjustments before we start rather than after.
Who our digitising service is for
Businesses setting up a branded uniform for the first time are the most common — they have a logo designed for a website and need it translated into something wearable. Sports clubs and schools come to us with crests, which are often the trickiest artwork of all because of the amount of detail packed into a small badge. Trades and site teams want one file that works across polos, softshells, hi-vis and beanies. Charities, hospitality venues, salons and event organisers use us for the same reason: they want a properly made file that gets reused across every garment they order from now on, rather than paying setup fees over and over.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is embroidery digitising?
It is the process of converting your logo into a machine-readable stitch file. It is not a simple image conversion — a person decides how each element is stitched, which direction the stitches run, and how the layers sit on top of each other so the finished design lies flat on the fabric.
Do I pay a digitising fee every time I order?
No. Digitising is a one-off setup charge for a new logo. Once the file exists we keep it on record, and repeat orders using the same logo carry no setup fee.
Will the embroidery look identical to my printed logo?
Very close, but stitches are not ink. Gradients, drop shadows and hairline detail cannot be reproduced in thread, and very small text has a practical size limit. We will show you where a design needs simplifying before anything is stitched.
How small can embroidered text be?
As a rule of thumb, lettering below about 5mm tall begins to lose definition, and below 4mm it usually fills in and becomes unreadable. If your logo carries a strapline in small type, we will often suggest enlarging it slightly or leaving it off the chest logo and using it elsewhere on the garment.
How long does digitising take?
Most logos are digitised and test-sewn within a couple of working days of us receiving usable artwork. Detailed crests take longer. Tell us your deadline when you send the file and we will be straight with you about what is achievable.
Can you digitise a logo for garments I already own?
Often, yes. Send us details of the items along with your artwork and we will confirm whether they can be run through our machines before you send anything in.
Ready to get your logo digitised?
Send us your artwork and tell us what you would like it stitched onto, and we will come back with a digitising quote and a recommended garment. Request a quote, or read more about our full custom embroidery service and our embroidered badges and patches.
