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Correctly
embroidering corporate clothing is a fine art and requires employing
five crucial rules:
1. Use highly trained experienced embroidery personnel.
2. Maintain a fine tuning of sophisticated equipment.
3. Use digitizing created specifically for the type of clothing
that
is to be embroidered.
4. Work with an experienced digitizer who understands the
capabilities
of embroidery equipment.
5. Always advise the customer to choose a quality product.
Embroidery Stitch Count Estimation
Making a general stitch count estimation can give you the necessary
information to choose between multiple logo options. The basic
rule of thumb says to estimate 1,500 to 2,000 stitches per square
inch. This rule applies to one layer of stitching only, as multiple
layers will require additional stitches. Estimating stitch count
of text is a bit more complicated. Lettering stitch counts will
vary based on font style and letter size. Here are a few examples:
the text 'ABC Construction' at 1/2 inch height (width is determined
by the height and font) will range between 3,000 to 4,000 stitches,
a 2 inch tall brown bear logo with text such as 'Bear Outdoor
Products' ranges from 11,000 to 12,000 stitches. If your logo
is meant for a full jacket back, the range of your stitch estimate
will increase. You can figure that ten letters of 3 inch tall
text ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 stitches. If your logo image
is comparable to a largely detailed semi truck, it may take 100,000
to 150,000 stitches.
Embroidery Placement
The most common embroidery placement on corporate
clothing is on the left chest, with an optional personalisation
on the right chest. An additional option, commonly used with polo
shirts, is to embroider the left sleeve about one inch above
the cuff. This choice gives the garment an extra zest of class.
If you are looking to create a product with an up and coming flare,
placing your logo on the back of the garment, just below the collar,
will capture a bit more attention. Many sports related businesses
have found this to be a striking placement.
Jackets are a captivating promotional item with a full back of
embroidery. The left chest, of course, is also used to promote
the item from both directions.
If you seek an exceptionally classy piece, try a small, delicate
logo. This style of logo is most noticed on the cuff of a long
sleeve shirt or on the collar of a dress shirt. One other place
used from time to time is at the bottom of a shirt, on the front
tail. This placement will only work on garments meant to be worn
outside the trousers.
Cap embroidery placement has always been front and center, but
times have begun to change. If your design is under 3,000 stitches
it can be placed on the side of the hat. This is one of the popular
new placements. Another placement that is becoming more widely
used is the hat closure strap, but only a few embroidery companies
have this placement capability.
Sizing Your Logo Design
When determining the size to make your design, there are four
main points to consider:
1. The placement of the design.
2. The type of product that you are having embroidered.
3. The impression you are hoping to give.
4. The cost, as determined by the stitch count.
Begin with the factor that is most important to you. If you prefer
a very large logo, your placement will become more limited. If
you prefer a variety of placements, you will want to limit yourself
to a more petite logo. When cost is an key factor, a small logo
is economical and classy.
Garment Quality
Your brand image is at stake whenever you purchase corporate clothing.
It begins with the quality of the clothing you select. If you
lay out a lower end polo
shirt next to a medium to high end polo shirt, you will see
subtle differences. The higher end shirt will have neat seams,
double stitching, quality cuffs and collars, and most importantly
the material will stand out as more durable and stylish. With
as little as a 10% to 20% increase in price, you can greatly improve
the product that will represent your company. Not only will your
customers or employees enjoy the clothing more, but they will
wear it more often, thus promoting your company more often. If
the garment is made of a poor quality material, the thread density
will not withstand thousands of needle pokes in a small area and
will actually fall out at some point. Poor material is also notorious
for buckling around the embellishment after it is washed. Buckling
can also be caused by mediocre embroidery procedures. If your
brand image is critical to you, then consult with a professional
who understands all the elements of your corporate clothing and
has an extensive knowledge of embroidery.
Deciding on Colors
Here comes the fun! If your company has yet to choose a logo for
its next promotion, do not let color choice go unquestioned. Choose
a contrasting color to emphasize your product or a color that
creates subconscious interest in your product. Studies show that
bright primary colors make a customer feel more exited, energetic,
even hungry. Toned down colors such as a soft blue or taupe make
someone feel more relaxed and comfortable. Using these proven
hints can get your product noticed before others in any setting.
When your have decided upon your company colors, it supports the
company image to stick with them. At this point your product color
becomes essential. Some of the same color rules apply. If you
choose a contrasting color (black and white, red and green) your
logo will stand out more, but simply standing out is not always
a positive thing. If you want to keep your product attractive,
it helps to choose colors that compliment one another like a deep
blue and a medium blue of the same shade. There are some color
combinations that do both jobs. Black and white is one of these,
but this combo has been used to the point of causing indifference
in the customer, unless it has a new flare like silver trim around
your lettering. In all cases, however, if you have a strong company
image based on your logo and colors, it is of the highest importance
to carry on that image in every promotional product and corporate
apparel purchase.
The Human Factor
The embroidering of your design can only be as good as the embroidery
operator running the machines. Even in our high tech world there
are several elements of embroidery that are human controlled.
All garments are hooped in some fashion to mount them on the machines
to be embroidered. This hooping process determines the exact placement
of your logo and is entirely manual, thus your logo placement
will vary slightly. Part of this imperfection is due to the garment.
Each garment comes from the factory somewhat different than the
last. The location of the pocket may differ in any direction.
This problem occurs constantly, even with in the same manufacturer,
the same shirt design, and within the same exact size of shirts.
It is a slight variation, however, and usually unnoticeable.
Final Comments
Your brand image is everything! Take the process of ordering your
corporate clothing seriously, work with someone you believe is
taking your order to heart. I always suggest the five basics of
embroidery:
1. Make your designs simple.
2. Use a quality garment.
3. Make educated color choices.
4. Use a knowledgeable embroidery company.
5. Hire a digitizer who understands your desires, who will
show
you a sewout of your new design before you allow
them
to embroider your goods, and who will adjust it if
is
does not meet your expectations.
We at Ideasbynet are here to help you with
your corporate clothing requirements. Call us: 0870 787 5527
- Our Promotional Staff are highly experience and will provide
you with the dedicated professional service you would expect from
a major corporation.
Browse our massive online Promotional
Gift Catalogue for a diverse
selection of products all at great low prices.
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