For apparel designers and marketers aiming to create visually striking and durable branding, logo embroidery on apparel is a fantastic choice. Logo embroidery can tell your customers your business cares for quality and attention to detail. If you’re considering customizing hats and other apparel with embroidery, one of the key elements of the craft you should know about is stitch count.

In this short guide, we’ll explore the basics of stitch count in logo embroidery and why it’s important to learn. By the end, you’ll be able to make informed decisions that’ll influence your embroidery projects’ quality.

Understanding Stitch Count

Stitch count refers to the number of stitches it takes to render an embroidered design on a fabric. Stitch count is one of the key factors embroiderers consider when determining the complexity and cost of your logo. This metric reflects your project’s density and intricacy and influences how accurately your finished design will appear on the fabric.

Picture stitch count as the pixels in a digital image. The higher the stitch count, the more detailed the logo. Conversely, logos with a lower stitch count can look sparse and lack clarity. Consider the relationship between stitch count and logo clarity to ensure your finished design meets your desired intricacy.

Why Does Stitch Count Matter?

Stitch count directly affects the way a design lays on the fabric. If the stitch count is too low, the underlying fabric may peek through, which will cause your design to blend in and lack boldness. On the other hand, an unnecessarily high stitch count can lead to a bulky design that's stiff and dense, potentially ruining the fabric’s drape and comfort.

Cost-wise, stitch count plays a significant role. High-stitch-count designs require more time, material, and labor, translating to a higher cost per piece. For businesses, balancing cost with quality means understanding where to push for detail and when to simplify without compromising the brand's visual identity.

How To Calculate Stitch Count in Your Logo

If you're considering embroidering anything from blank baseball hats to plain t-shirts, you should consider the stitch count you’re aiming for. To calculate the stitch count for your logo embroidery, you need to start by measuring the height and width of the logo in inches. Then, multiply the height of the design by the width to get the total square inches. Once you have that, ask your embroiderer to provide a chart with the average stitch counts based on the design’s size. Multiply the total square inches by the recommended stitch count for that size range, and you’ll have your total stitch count.

Use this as a general guide for your stitch count. You may need to make adjustments depending on the design elements, fonts, complexity, and the type of fabric you’ll have your logo embroidered on.

Considering your stitch count carefully can result in higher-quality embroidery projects and custom materials. Remember these basics on stitch count in logo embroidery to ensure you and your embroiderer create quality, long-lasting stitches that’ll make excellent products to market your business. And if you’re looking for the perfect products to start stitching, browse our selection of blank hats in various styles at KBETHOS.