Guides12 Feb 20265 min read
How to choose the right garment for embroidery
Not every fabric embroiders the same way. A few minutes understanding how the thread sits can save a lot of disappointment later.
Read the piece →The Journal
Notes from the
studio.
How to choose the right garment, care for embroidered workwear, and get the most from your order. Written by the people who make the kit.
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How to care for embroidered workwear
Embroidery is durable but not indestructible. A few habits will keep logos crisp through hundreds of washes.
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Getting your artwork ready for embroidery
Embroidery is not print. The better the artwork brief, the better the finished result. Here is what we need.
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Layering for outdoor crews
A polo under a softshell is obvious. A coordinated crew kit that looks intentional takes a little more planning.
Guides12 Feb 20265 min read
How to choose the right garment for embroidery
By Vanessa Bizzell
Not every fabric embroiders the same way. A few minutes understanding how the thread sits can save a lot of disappointment later.
The most common mistake customers make is choosing a garment for how it looks online, without thinking about how the thread will sit in the fabric. A loose, open weave looks great as a plain polo but can cause thread loops and pull distortion on embroidered logos with fine detail.
Weave and weight matter
Pique polo shirts are the workhorse of embroidered workwear for good reason. The structured weave holds the needle path cleanly and the thread sits flush rather than sinking in. Hoodies and fleeces have more give, which means the digitising needs to compensate for stretch. We handle that in-house.
Where the logo sits
Left-chest placement is the standard for a reason: it is readable at conversational distance, sits on a flat panel, and works across every garment in the range. Sleeve and back placement are available and suit certain briefs, but they introduce more variables (seam proximity, fabric movement) that affect the finished look.
The garment choice is half the brief. Get that right and the embroidery takes care of itself.
Not sure which garment suits your artwork best? Tell us the stitch count on your logo (or share the file) and we will give you an honest recommendation before you order. Find us on the contact page.
Garment care28 Jan 20264 min read
How to care for embroidered workwear
By Vanessa Bizzell
Embroidery is durable but not indestructible. A few habits will keep logos crisp through hundreds of washes.
Embroidered logos fail early for two reasons: the wrong wash temperature, and abrasion from washing against rough items. Neither needs to happen.
Wash at 40 degrees or lower
- Turn garments inside-out: reduces friction on the thread surface.
- Wash at 30 to 40 degrees on a gentle cycle.
- Avoid biological detergents with enzyme bleaches, which weaken thread over time.
- Do not tumble dry at high heat. The thread itself is fine, but heat shrinks the garment backing unevenly.
Keep the backing intact
The stabiliser backing on the inside of the embroidery is what keeps the design flat and prevents distortion. Do not cut it out, even if it feels scratchy against a collar. It is there to stop the design warping through repeated wear.
Looking after workwear is the most straightforward sustainability decision there is. Read more about how we source and produce on the about page.
Artwork06 Mar 20265 min read
Getting your artwork ready for embroidery
By Max Revitt
Embroidery is not print. The better the artwork brief, the better the finished result. Here is what we need.
A print-ready logo file is not always embroidery-ready. Screen print reproduces fine hairlines and gradients easily. Embroidery translates everything into thread, so very thin lines, very small text and gradient fills all need special handling.
What works well
Bold, solid shapes with clearly defined edges embroider cleanly and look sharp at any size down to about 20mm. Text works well at 8mm cap height and above. Below that, letterforms start to merge.
What needs adapting
- Gradients: converted to solid blocks or blended using directional stitch angles.
- Very thin outlines: thickened slightly so the thread fills cleanly.
- Very small text: simplified or replaced with a text-only alternative.
We would rather tell you upfront that a detail needs adapting than produce something that doesn't match what you expected.
We accept vector files (AI or EPS), high-resolution JPG or PNG artwork, and PDF files. We digitise in-house and send a proof before stitching. If you are not happy with the proof, we revise it before anything goes to a garment.
Guides18 Mar 20264 min read
Layering for outdoor crews
By Max Revitt
A polo under a softshell is obvious. A coordinated crew kit that looks intentional takes a little more planning.
Site crews, groundskeepers, event staff and trade teams all face the same challenge: garments that work in varying conditions and still look like a coherent uniform. The answer is a layering system where every piece carries the same logo and colour story.
The three-piece approach
- A polo or tee as the base, the piece most likely to be seen all day.
- A hoodie or quarter-zip for cooler mornings or indoor-outdoor transitions.
- A softshell or bodywarmer gilet for exposed conditions or colder months.
Order all three with the same embroidered artwork and the crew looks coordinated whether they are in a polo on a warm day or layered up in a jacket in January.
The workwear bundle is the easiest way to start. One order, matched embroidery on every piece. See the lookbook for how it comes together.