Embroidery is a decoration method where designs are stitched into fabric using thread, creating a durable and sought after high quality look. This decorating method is accessible both by hand and with an embroidery machine.

While large-scale embroidery takes a bit of investment due to the need for a quality machine, many beginner embroiderers find that within a couple of years, they are able to successfully expand their offerings by purchasing an embroidery machine to grow their business. DIY embroidery works great on all kinds of apparel, too, and is a favorite among hobbyist decorators.

Hand embroidery is stitched manually with a needle and thread, while machine embroidery uses a digitized pattern and an embroidery machine for faster, more consistent results.

Popular blanks for embroidery include t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, hats, bags, towels, aprons, koozies and accessories that serve as great canvases for embroidered designs. Although you can embroider light and midweight styles, embroiderers typically opt for heavyweight apparel.

Thicker, tightly woven fabrics like heavyweight cotton and cotton/poly blends are the best blanks for embroidery projects — they hold stitching well and resist distortion.

Heavier fabrics help embroidery stitches sit well and prevent fabric from pulling or puckering, which creates a cleaner look.

Look for dense-weave fabrics with steady texture and weight to prevent distortion and ensure crisp stitching. These items will often be labeled as "heavy" or "heavyweight" and will have a higher GSM listed in the product description. Avoid loosely knit, stretchy athletic or heavily textured fabrics.

Yes — fabrics with a lot of stretch, such as 100% performance polyester, poly-heavy blends, spandex and rayon are harder to embroider and aren't recommended.

Yes, some polyester fabrics can be embroidered successfully, but not all polyester is the same. Polyester with a tight, stable weave and minimal stretch (such as many polos, jackets, and structured performance wear) works best for embroidery and holds stitches cleanly. Lightweight or highly stretchy polyester fabrics, which is commonly found in many tank tops and performance tees, are generally not recommended for embroidery, as they can stretch, pucker, or distort during stitching. For best results, choose polyester garments specifically designed for embroidery or decoration.

Absolutely. You can embroider on t-shirts by hand or machine, though heavier-weight tees usually provide better stability for stitching.

Yes, sweatshirts such as hoodies, crewnecks and quarter-zips are the perfect canvases for embroidered designs. Almost any sweatshirt will do, but denser fabric weaves and heavier weights tend to be more popular among the decorating community.

Bags are a great piece of apparel to embroider, from backpacks to cross-bodies and more! Stitch designs into a variety of materials such as canvas, 100% cotton.

Yes! Beanies and hats are great small blank options for embroidery. Plus, many are one-size-fits-all. For beanies, we suggest selecting a tighter knit for easy stitching and longevity for the finished garment.

No — ShirtSpace has no order minimums, so you can purchase one item or thousands.

Absolutely! In fact, bulk orders often qualify for additional savings. View bulk pricing guides on each product page to determine the minimum number of required pieces to unlock additional savings. Once you add enough items to your cart, discounts will automatically be applied during the checkout process.

ShirtSpace carries trusted brands like Gildan, Hanes, Comfort Colors, Port & Company and many others that hold up well for embroidery projects.

Yes — embroidery is popular for personal creations (gifts, style pieces) and professional uses (business logos, team apparel, merchandise). Many creators also build embroidery businesses with the right tools and blanks.