How Much Does It Cost to Embroider a Shirt? (2026 Pricing Breakdown)
The real numbers — stitch count, digitizing fees, all-in per-shirt pricing at every quantity that matters, and how to read any embroidery quote you get.
Watch: 60-Second Pricing Breakdown
Embroidery Cost by Quantity — At a Glance
| Quantity | Garment (work polo) | Left-Chest Logo | All-In Per Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 pcs | ~$10 | ~$7 | $30–40 |
| 24 pcs | ~$10 | ~$6 | $28–35 |
| 48 pcs | ~$9 | ~$5.50 | $22–28 |
| 100+ pcs | ~$8 | ~$5 | $15–22 |
Pricing above: standard left-chest logo, ~6,000 stitches, Port Authority or comparable work polo. Excludes one-time digitizing ($30–80 for new logos). FR-rated shirts (Bulwark, Carhartt) add $40–70 per piece to blank cost.
1. Stitch Count — the Real Cost Driver
Embroidery on a shirt is priced by the stitch, not by size. The industry standard is roughly $1 per 1,000 stitches for machine time and thread once your logo is digitized. Understanding stitch count lets you read any quote you get and know immediately whether it's fair.
- →Simple bold logo (text + clean outline): 3,000–5,000 stitches → $3–5 in embroidery
- →Standard left-chest logo: 5,000–8,000 stitches → $5–8 in embroidery
- →Detailed logo with fills/gradients: 10,000–15,000 stitches → $10–15 in embroidery
- →Full back logo: 25,000–40,000 stitches → $25–40 in embroidery
Two logos at the same physical size can have very different stitch counts depending on fill density and detail. If you want to bring per-piece cost down, the fastest lever is simplifying your logo for embroidery. See logo digitizing 101 for how that works.
2. The Shirt Itself
The blank shirt cost is the other half of your all-in price. Wholesale costs by garment type:
- →Basic work t-shirt (Gildan, Hanes): $4–7 wholesale
- →Work polo (Port Authority K500, Red Kap): $9–14 wholesale
- →Performance polo (Carhartt Force, Nike Dri-FIT): $22–35 wholesale
- →FR-rated work shirt (Bulwark, Carhartt FR): $60–90 wholesale
For trade-specific recommendations — which shirt fits which crew — see electrical contractors, plumbing & HVAC, and general contractors.
3. Digitizing Fee — One-Time, Then Free Forever
Digitizing converts your logo artwork into a stitch file (.DST, .PES, or similar) the embroidery machine reads. It's a one-time charge per logo — typically $30–80 depending on complexity — and you never pay it again. Every reorder uses the same file.
A well-digitized file is the single biggest factor in how good your embroidery looks. Cheap digitizing produces pulled stitches, poor registration, and blurry logos. Bighorn Threads keeps every customer's stitch file on record indefinitely so reorders are always clean and always free of re-digitizing charges.
4. Multiple Placements
A single left-chest logo is the base case. Each additional placement — right chest name, sleeve hit, back yoke — requires re-hooping the shirt and a separate machine pass. Per-shirt add-ons:
- →Right-chest name: +$4–8 per shirt
- →Sleeve hit: +$4–7 per shirt
- →Back yoke logo: +$8–15 per shirt
5. Quantity Discounts
Volume discounts on embroidery are real but smaller than most buyers expect — usually 10–25% cheaper per piece going from 24 to 100 pieces. Unlike screen printing (where setup dominates and volume drives huge savings), embroidery cost is mostly machine time per piece, which scales nearly linearly. The savings come from better blank pricing at volume, not from eliminated setup cost.
How Long Does Embroidery Take?
Commercial embroidery machines run 600–1,000 stitches per minute. A standard 6,000-stitch left-chest logo takes 6–10 minutes of machine time per shirt. A 6-head commercial machine turns out roughly 30–45 finished shirts per hour at that stitch count.
Bighorn Threads standard turnaround: 7–10 business days after art approval. Rush orders (2–3 business days) available for most orders under 72 pieces.
Embroidery vs Screen Printing — Which Is Cheaper?
For small runs (under 24 pieces), embroidery and screen printing are comparable in total cost. At high volumes (100+ pieces), screen printing is cheaper per piece because most of its cost is upfront setup — once screens are made, each shirt is cheap. For polos, structured work shirts, and hats, embroidery is almost always the right call regardless of cost because screen printing adhesion on pique fabrics is poor and the look doesn't hold up to washing.
Full breakdown: Screen printing vs. embroidery for construction crews.
Where to Get Custom Embroidered Shirts in Las Vegas
Bighorn Threads is a Las Vegas custom embroidery shop serving contractors, HVAC techs, electricians, plumbers, hospitality crews, and service businesses across the metro area. We quote same-day, keep stitch files on record for easy reorders, and offer rush turnaround.
Three things to send for an accurate quote:
- Your logo (PDF, AI, PNG — any format works to start)
- Quantity and shirt type (or tell us your crew's use case)
- Placements needed (left chest only, or additional positions)
Get a same-day embroidery quote in Las Vegas
Bighorn Threads outfits trades crews, contractors, and service businesses across Las Vegas with custom embroidered work shirts, polos, and FR-rated workwear. Send your logo and quantity — we quote per piece same day, digitizing included for new logos.
Get a Quote →Embroidery Pricing — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to embroider a shirt?
Embroidering a shirt costs roughly $1 per 1,000 stitches once your logo is digitized. A standard left-chest logo runs 5,000–8,000 stitches, so $5–8 in embroidery cost before the shirt itself. All-in at 24 pieces — shirt plus embroidery plus setup — expect $28–35 per shirt. At 100+ pieces, $15–22. In Las Vegas, Bighorn Threads quotes same-day with no hidden fees.
What is the average cost to embroider a logo on a shirt?
The average embroidery cost for a logo on a work shirt is $5–15 per piece depending on stitch count and quantity. A simple left-chest logo (5,000–6,000 stitches) at 48 pieces runs around $6–8 per shirt in embroidery. Add the blank shirt ($8–30 depending on brand) and a one-time digitizing fee ($30–80 for new logos) and you have the full picture.
How much does custom embroidery cost for work shirts?
Custom embroidery on work shirts for a crew or team typically runs $20–40 per shirt all-in at 24 pieces, depending on the garment and logo complexity. FR-rated work shirts (Bulwark, Carhartt) are more expensive blanks — expect $60–110 all-in. Standard polos and work shirts land in the $25–35 range. Bighorn Threads provides all-in quotes for Las Vegas contractors and trades crews — shirt, embroidery, and digitizing in one number.
What is a digitizing fee for embroidery?
A digitizing fee converts your logo artwork into a stitch file the embroidery machine can read. It is a one-time charge — typically $30–80 depending on logo complexity — and covers your file permanently. Every reorder after that uses the same file at no additional cost. Bighorn Threads keeps your stitch file on record indefinitely.
How much does it cost to embroider 50 shirts?
At 50 shirts with a standard left-chest logo, expect $22–30 per shirt all-in on a mid-range work polo like Port Authority or Red Kap. That includes the blank, embroidery, and amortized digitizing. The per-piece cost drops from 24 pieces to 50 by about 10–15% because machine time is the main cost driver — not setup.
Is embroidery cheaper than screen printing for work shirts?
At low quantities (under 24 pieces), embroidery and screen printing are comparable in total cost. At high volumes (100+ pieces), screen printing is cheaper per piece because most of its cost is in setup — once the screens are made, each shirt costs very little. Embroidery scales more linearly. For polo shirts, button-downs, and structured garments, embroidery is almost always the right choice regardless of cost because screen printing does not adhere well to pique fabrics.
How long does embroidery take on a shirt?
A standard left-chest logo (5,000–8,000 stitches) takes 5–12 minutes of machine time per shirt on a commercial multi-needle machine. A 6-head machine can produce 30–45 finished shirts per hour at that stitch count. Standard turnaround at Bighorn Threads is 7–10 business days after art approval. Rush orders (2–3 business days) are available for most orders.
Where can I get custom embroidered shirts in Las Vegas?
Bighorn Threads is a Las Vegas-based custom embroidery shop serving contractors, trades crews, hospitality businesses, and service companies across the metro. We provide same-day quotes, keep stitch files on record for easy reorders, and offer rush turnaround. Visit bighornthreads.com or send your logo to get a quote.