Tips for excellent embroidered clothing
Now, we’ve discussed artwork for embroidery in our Resources section. And in that piece included some general information about this ancient craft and how it works with high volume customisation. Which is all well and good. But what about clothes for embroidery, the actual items being embroidered. After all, high quality custom embroidery is always going to be even better on the most suitable apparel. So, just what are the best clothes to embroider? Or is it more a case of what clothing is easiest to embroider. Beyond that, really what kind of cloth is best for embroidery rather than the actual garment type. Well, let’s take a look.
The best fabrics for custom embroidery.
Now, it’s fair to say that many fabrics can be embroidered. However, not all will deliver the high quality results that are desirable when creating custom workwear or branded merchandise. Put bluntly, machine embroidery has limitations. That’s to say, thin and lightweight fabrics are generally not good choices. They can pucker and distort around the embroidered area. Or leave visible holes from sewing in the material. As a rule, the best fabrics for embroidery tend to be more tightly woven and/or heavier. Canvas and twill are good examples but by no means the only materials which can be embroidered successfully. Cotton and synthetic fabrics are regularly used and make for outstanding finished products.
Polos
Tees
Shirts
The best type of cloths to embroider.
So, let’s see some examples of the best clothing to embroider. As already alluded to, fabric has a bearing on this. For example, t-shirts are often embroidered but not all t-shirts are suitable. In effect, the characteristics of the specific garment need to be considered. Of course, a backing (sometimes referred to as a stabilizer) is routinely used to help the process.
Embroidering t-shirts, polos and shirts.
In general, the best t-shirts to embroider are the heavier weight ones. Get too thin and flimsy and you can encounter the problems already mentioned. Above, we’ve shown the Stanley Stella Sparker 2.0 which is a nice hefty 215 G/M² organic cotton. Described by the manufacturer as being suitable for direct embroidery, it’s a good illustration of the type.
Polos shirts can be good clothes for embroidery. In truth, they’ve become a staple for custom embroidery. Especially the traditional pique knit variety. You could say an ideal combination of material, style and usage for this particular sort of decoration. Our illustration is the Stanley Stella Prepster which has a good weight at 230 G/M² and is again made from organic cotton. For reference, the left breast is the most popular location for a logo. Although the sleeve is sometimes chosen for added effect.
Shirts are another garment which are great for workwear. And they’re also in the mix for the best clothes to embroider, a top pick for a spot of custom stitch. Again, providing you pay heed to the fabric. Think materials with a little substance such as cotton, oxford, twill, denim. We’ve shown the Stanley Stella River, an overshirt made from recycled polyester twill which works well with embroidery.
Hoodies
Sweatshirts
Outerwear
Embroidered hoodies, sweatshirts and jackets.
Generally speaking, the appropriate weight or weave is there with garments such as these. Which means that embroidery can be an excellent option when you want to customise hooded tops, sweatshirts and jackets.
We’ve shown three samples of the vast array that’s available from custom clothing suppliers. The Stanley Stella Cruiser 2.0 hoodie and the Stanley Stella Changer 2.0 sweatshirt are 350 G/M² and made from organic cotton. Beyond that, they’re unisex and come in an extensive range of sizes and splendid selection of colours.
Interestingly, the Stanley Stella Puffer jacket is one of those instances where embroidery is actually the better method of decoration. That’s to say, screen printing this garment requires special inks with lower curing temperatures. Therefore embroidery is the more straightforward option with a higher degree of predictability in terms of the finished item. It just goes to show that it’s not always simply a case of the best clothes to embroider. Sometimes, the situation is reversed insofar as what will be the most effective way of customising merchandise.
Hats
Bags
Beanies
Caps, hats, beanies and bags.
Some accessories are similar to hoodies and sweatshirts in that they’re frequently constructed of materials suited to embroidery. And less so to custom printing. The Stanley Stella Canvas Bucket Hat and Duffle Bag above are both items where the necessity for specialised inks complicates screen printing. They’re both crafted from 80% recycled cotton and 20% recycled polyester. Which is fine to embroider but trickier to print. Whereas the Stanley Stella Fisherman Beanie is good with either. It’s worth noting that embroidered patches or woven tags can be a nice alternative to direct embroidery with beanies and caps.
Clothes for embroidery summary.
Well, there we go. It’s clear that the best clothes to embroider and the best fabrics for embroidery are closely related. But there’s probably a bit more to things than that. Embroidery simply feels right where certain clothing is concerned. Take polo shirts, for example. An embroidered logo on the chest seems somehow premium, an embellishment that elevates the branding. And, at the end of the day, that’s what really matters. Fitting the form of customisation to your brand.