Introduction
When it comes to branding your business, creating team apparel, or designing premium merchandise, custom embroidery in Calgary offers a level of professionalism, durability, and perceived value that printing simply can’t match. While DTG and DTF printing excel at detailed graphics and photographic designs, embroidery creates a tactile, three-dimensional effect that elevates your brand and stands the test of time.
At DTG Printing Corp in Calgary, we offer professional custom embroidery services using our state-of-the-art Barudan 15-needle embroidery machine. Whether you need embroidered hats for your band, corporate polo shirts for your team, or premium hoodies for your wrestling promotion, we have the expertise and technology to bring your vision to life with precision and quality.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore when to choose custom embroidery in Calgary over printing, the benefits of embroidered apparel, ideal applications, and how to get started with your embroidery project.
What is Custom Embroidery?
Custom embroidery is the process of stitching designs, logos, text, or artwork directly onto fabric using specialized embroidery machines. Unlike printing methods that apply ink or transfers to the surface, embroidery creates a permanent, textured design by sewing threads through the fabric.
How Custom Embroidery Works:
- Design Digitization: Your logo or artwork is converted into a digital embroidery file
- Thread Selection: Colors are matched to your brand specifications
- Hooping: The garment is secured in an embroidery hoop
- Stitching: The Barudan machine precisely stitches your design
- Finishing: Excess backing material is trimmed, and the garment is quality-checked
Our Equipment:
We use a Barudan 15-needle embroidery machine, one of the industry’s most respected brands, known for:
- Precision: Accurate stitch placement for intricate designs
- Speed: Efficient production without sacrificing quality
- Versatility: Handles everything from small text to large logos
- Reliability: Consistent results across all orders
Learn more about our custom embroidery services.
Custom Embroidery vs Printing: Key Differences
Understanding when to choose custom embroidery in Calgary versus printing methods is essential for achieving your desired results:
Embroidery Advantages:
✅ Durability: Lasts longer than printed designs—won’t fade, crack, or peel
✅ Premium Feel: Three-dimensional texture conveys quality and professionalism
✅ Professional Appearance: Ideal for corporate branding and formal settings
✅ Versatility: Works on thick fabrics, textured materials, and items printing can’t handle
✅ Perceived Value: Customers associate embroidery with higher-quality products
✅ Longevity: Withstands hundreds of washes without degradation
Printing Advantages:
✅ Detail: Better for photographic images and complex gradients
✅ Large Designs: More cost-effective for full-back or oversized graphics
✅ Color Range: Unlimited colors without additional cost
✅ Soft Feel: No texture—feels like the fabric itself
Bottom Line: Choose embroidery for professional branding, corporate wear, hats, and items requiring maximum durability. Choose printing for artistic designs, large graphics, and detailed imagery.
Compare with our DTG vs DTF printing guide.
Benefits of Custom Embroidery in Calgary
1. Unmatched Durability
Custom embroidery in Calgary creates designs that last:
- Wash Resistance: Withstands hundreds of washes without fading
- No Cracking: Thread won’t crack or peel like printed designs
- UV Resistance: Colors stay vibrant even with sun exposure
- Abrasion Resistant: Ideal for workwear and items that see heavy use
Perfect for: Uniforms, workwear, outdoor apparel, frequently washed items
2. Premium Professional Appearance
Embroidery conveys quality and legitimacy:
- Corporate Credibility: Elevates your business image
- Brand Prestige: Customers perceive embroidered items as higher quality
- Professional Settings: Appropriate for formal business environments
- Tactile Appeal: Three-dimensional texture creates visual interest
Perfect for: Corporate apparel, executive gifts, trade show giveaways, client presentations
3. Versatility Across Materials
Unlike printing, custom embroidery in Calgary works on:
- Thick Fabrics: Fleece, canvas, denim, leather
- Textured Materials: Corduroy, terry cloth, knits
- Specialty Items: Bags, hats, jackets, towels
- Performance Fabrics: Moisture-wicking, water-resistant materials
Perfect for: Hats, bags, jackets, towels, blankets, specialty items
4. Color Consistency
Embroidery thread maintains consistent color:
- No Fading: Colors stay true wash after wash
- Exact Matching: Thread colors precisely match your brand standards
- Vibrant Results: Rich, saturated colors that pop
- Longevity: Decades of color retention
Perfect for: Brand consistency, long-term promotional items, corporate identity
5. Perceived Value
Customers recognize embroidery as premium:
- Higher Price Points: Justify premium pricing for embroidered merchandise
- Gift Quality: Ideal for corporate gifts and awards
- Collectibility: Embroidered items become keepsakes
- Brand Loyalty: Quality merchandise strengthens customer relationships
Perfect for: Premium merchandise, corporate gifts, awards, commemorative items
When to Choose Custom Embroidery Over Printing
Choose Custom Embroidery When:
✅ Garment Type: Hats, polo shirts, jackets, bags, towels, or thick fabrics
✅ Design Simplicity: Logos, text, simple graphics (not photographic images)
✅ Durability Priority: Items that will be washed frequently or see heavy use
✅ Professional Context: Corporate wear, uniforms, executive apparel
✅ Premium Positioning: Higher-end merchandise or gifts
✅ Brand Consistency: Long-term promotional items requiring color accuracy
Choose Printing When:
✅ Design Complexity: Photographic images, gradients, or intricate artwork
✅ Large Graphics: Full-back designs or oversized prints
✅ Soft Feel Priority: Comfort is more important than texture
✅ Budget Constraints: Lower-cost options for large designs
✅ Cotton T-Shirts: Standard tees where printing excels
Popular Custom Embroidery Products in Calgary
1. Embroidered Hats
Custom embroidered hats in Calgary are our most popular embroidery product:
Hat Styles:
- Snapback hats
- Dad hats
- Trucker hats
- Beanies
- Fitted caps
- Visors
Why Embroidery for Hats:
- Printing doesn’t work well on curved, textured hat surfaces
- Embroidery creates clean, professional results
- Durability withstands sun, sweat, and frequent wear
- Premium appearance elevates your brand
Perfect for: Band merchandise, corporate giveaways, sports teams, promotional items, reseller inventory
2. Embroidered Polo Shirts
Professional corporate apparel for Calgary businesses:
Applications:
- Employee uniforms
- Sales team apparel
- Trade show staff shirts
- Corporate events
- Golf tournaments
- Client gifts
Why Embroidery for Polos:
- Professional appearance appropriate for business settings
- Durable enough for weekly washing
- Left chest logo placement is industry standard
- Conveys quality and attention to detail
3. Embroidered Hoodies & Jackets
Premium outerwear with lasting impact:
Product Options:
- Zip-up hoodies
- Pullover hoodies
- Fleece jackets
- Softshell jackets
- Denim jackets
- Varsity jackets
Why Embroidery for Outerwear:
- Thick fabrics require embroidery (printing doesn’t penetrate well)
- Durability matches the longevity of quality outerwear
- Premium feel justifies higher price points
- Works on textured fleece and technical fabrics
Perfect for: Corporate gifts, team apparel, premium merchandise, executive wear
4. Embroidered Bags
Functional promotional items with lasting visibility:
Bag Types:
- Backpacks
- Tote bags
- Gym bags
- Laptop bags
- Duffel bags
- Messenger bags
Why Embroidery for Bags:
- Durable construction matches bag longevity
- Professional appearance for corporate gifts
- Works on canvas, nylon, and polyester materials
- High visibility for brand exposure
5. Embroidered Workwear
Durable branding for Calgary businesses:
Workwear Options:
- Work shirts
- Coveralls
- Aprons
- Safety vests
- Dickies-style pants
- Shop coats
Why Embroidery for Workwear:
- Withstands industrial washing and harsh conditions
- Professional appearance for customer-facing roles
- Durability matches the demands of physical work
- Compliance with corporate branding standards
6. Specialty Embroidered Items
Unique products that showcase embroidery’s versatility:
- Towels (gym, golf, beach)
- Blankets and throws
- Aprons
- Chef hats
- Scrubs
- Lab coats
- Patches
Explore all our custom printing products.
Custom Embroidery Design Guidelines
To achieve the best results with custom embroidery in Calgary, follow these design guidelines:
1. Simplicity is Key
Best Practices:
- Simple logos and text work best
- Avoid intricate details smaller than 3mm
- Limit small text to 6mm height minimum
- Use bold, clean fonts (avoid thin serifs)
Why: Embroidery thread has physical limitations—extremely fine details may not stitch clearly.
2. Color Limitations
Thread Colors:
- Limit designs to 6-8 colors for cost efficiency
- Each color requires a thread change (adds time and cost)
- Solid colors work better than gradients
- Choose high-contrast color combinations
Why: Unlike printing, embroidery can’t blend colors—each color is a separate thread.
3. Size Considerations
Optimal Sizes:
- Left Chest Logo: 3-4 inches wide (standard)
- Hat Embroidery: 2-3 inches wide (front center)
- Full Back: 10-12 inches wide (maximum recommended)
- Sleeve Logo: 2-3 inches wide
Why: Larger embroidery designs increase stitch count, cost, and production time.
4. File Formats
Preferred Formats:
- Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) are ideal
- High-resolution PNG or JPG (300 DPI minimum)
- Avoid low-quality images from websites or social media
Digitization: We’ll convert your artwork into an embroidery file (.DST format) optimized for our Barudan machine.
Visit our design guidelines page for detailed specifications.
Custom Embroidery Pricing in Calgary
Custom embroidery in Calgary pricing is based on several factors:
Pricing Factors:
- Stitch Count: More stitches = higher cost
- Number of Colors: Each color adds setup time
- Garment Type: Hats, bags, and specialty items may cost more
- Order Quantity: Volume discounts available at 12+ units
- Placement: Multiple locations (chest + sleeve) increase cost
Cost-Saving Tips:
- Simplify designs to reduce stitch count
- Limit colors to 3-4 for efficiency
- Order in batches of 12+ for volume discounts
- Choose standard placements (left chest, hat front)
View our complete pricing at:dtgprinting.ca/pricing
No Minimum Orders for Custom Embroidery
At DTG Printing Corp, we offer custom embroidery in Calgary with no minimum order requirements.
What this means:
- Order as few as 1 embroidered item
- Test designs before committing to larger quantities
- Perfect for personal gifts, samples, or small teams
- Premium charge applies to orders under 12 units
Note: Orders of 12+ units eliminate the premium charge and reduce per-unit costs significantly.
Custom Embroidery Applications in Calgary
For Businesses & Corporations
Custom embroidery in Calgary elevates your corporate image:
- Employee Uniforms: Polo shirts, jackets, hats with company logos
- Trade Shows: Professional branded apparel for booth staff
- Corporate Gifts: Premium items for clients and partners
- Team Building: Matching apparel for company events
- Awards & Recognition: Embroidered jackets for milestones
For Bands & Musicians
Premium merchandise that stands out:
- Embroidered Hats: Band logos on snapbacks and beanies
- Hoodies: Premium outerwear with embroidered branding
- Patches: Sewn-on patches for jackets and bags
- Tour Jackets: Limited-edition embroidered tour gear
See our band merch printing guide.
For Wrestlers & Promoters
Professional gear that lasts:
- Entrance Jackets: Custom embroidered wrestler names
- Staff Apparel: Polo shirts for ring crew and officials
- Hats: Promotional caps for events
- Gym Bags: Embroidered bags for wrestlers in training
See our wrestling merch printing guide.
For Sports Teams
Durable team apparel for Calgary athletes:
- Team Hats: Embroidered logos and player numbers
- Warm-Up Jackets: Professional team branding
- Polo Shirts: Coaching staff and management apparel
- Bags: Embroidered gym bags and backpacks
For Schools & Organizations
Build community with branded apparel:
- Staff Uniforms: Polo shirts for teachers and administrators
- Spirit Wear: Premium hoodies and hats for students
- Fundraising: Embroidered items for school fundraisers
- Awards: Recognition apparel for achievements
Combining Embroidery with Printing
Many Calgary clients maximize impact by combining custom embroidery with printing methods:
Strategic Combinations:
Example1: Corporate Polo Shirts
- Embroidery: Left chest logo (professional, durable)
- Printed: Full-back design or large graphic (cost-effective)
Example2: Premium Hoodies
- Embroidered: Small chest logo (premium detail)
- Printed: Large back graphic (bold statement)
Example3: Band Merchandise
- Embroidered: Hats and jackets (premium items)
- Printed: T-shirts (volume sales)
This approach offers variety while optimizing for cost, appearance, and durability.