Whether you’re outfitting a new team, launching a uniform program, or just want your staff looking sharp and on-brand, getting your logo embroidered for the first time can feel overwhelming. What file do you need? How do you pick the right garment? What should you expect from the process?
This guide walks you through exactly what to expect — so your first order goes smoothly and your logo looks great.
Step 1: Start With Your Logo File
The most important thing you’ll need before anything else is a good copy of your logo. Here’s what works best for embroidery:
- Vector files (.ai, .eps, .pdf) are ideal — they scale without losing quality
- High-resolution PNG or JPG files can work if the resolution is high enough
- Low-resolution images pulled from a website usually don’t work well — the details get lost when converted to stitches
Don’t have a vector file? That’s more common than you’d think. A good embroidery shop can work with what you have and reformat your artwork to make sure it looks right on the garment. At ProLine, we format your logo at no extra charge as part of the process.
Step 2: Choose Your Garment
The garment you choose matters as much as the logo itself. A few things to consider:
- Polo shirts and button-downs are the most common choice for professional settings
- Jackets and outerwear work well for industries where employees work outdoors
- Hats and caps are popular for trades, construction, and outdoor crews
- T-shirts work great for events, volunteer programs, and casual team apparel
If you’re not sure what garment is right for your team, ask for samples or recommendations based on your industry. The right shirt for a pest control technician working outdoors is very different from the right shirt for a front office team.
Step 3: Decide on Placement and Size
The most common placement for a company logo is the left chest — it’s clean, professional, and universally recognized. Other common placements include:
- Right chest or center chest
- Sleeve (great for a secondary logo or department name)
- Back yoke (upper back)
- Hat front or side panel
Logo size matters too. Most left-chest logos land somewhere between 3.5 and 4.5 inches wide. Going too large can look overwhelming; too small and the details get lost. Your embroidery shop should show you a proof before production begins so you can approve the size and placement.
Step 4: Review Your Proof Before Approving
Before any stitching happens, you should receive a proof — either a digital mockup or a physical sample — showing exactly how your logo will look on the garment. This is your chance to catch anything that doesn’t look right.
Things to check on your proof:
- Are the colors accurate to your brand?
- Are any thin lines or small text legible?
At ProLine, we send a high-resolution image of the embroidery for your approval — or we can mail you a physical sample — before we move into full production. Never skip the proof step, especially on your first order.
Step 5: Place Your Order and Set Up for the Future
Once you’ve approved the proof, production begins. A typical turnaround is a few days to a week depending on order size and complexity.
Here’s something worth thinking about even on your first order: what happens when you need more?
Most businesses that start with a one-time embroidery order eventually find themselves placing the same order over and over — for new hires, replacements, seasonal needs. That’s where a company store makes a lot of sense. Rather than re-placing and re-managing the same order every time, your employees or managers can log in and order exactly what they need, when they need it.
If you think that might be useful for your team, take a look at how our AppareLink company store works— there’s no setup cost and no contract required.
Ready to Get Started?
Getting your logo embroidered for the first time doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a good logo file, pick the right garment for your team, and work with a shop that will show you a proof before producing anything.
If you’re ready to get a quote or just want to talk through your options, contact ProLine — we’ve been helping businesses across the country look their best since 1992.