Custom embroidered polo shirts
A polo is the garment people notice a bad logo on. It is worn close, it is worn often, and the left chest sits directly in someone’s eye line across a desk. Getting it right is mostly about two things: measuring the position instead of eyeballing it, and picking a decoration method the fabric can actually take.
Where the logo goes
Left chest is the default, and it has a measured position rather than a vibe. On an adult polo it sits roughly 7 to 9 inches down from the shoulder seam and 4 to 5 inches in from the centre placket, with a finished logo of 3 to 3.5 inches wide. Our placement guide gives the full set of figures for every garment we decorate.
| Position | Typical size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Left chest | 3–3.5 in wide | The default. Measured from the shoulder seam, not the collar |
| Right chest | 2.5–3 in wide | Usually a secondary mark, or a name |
| Sleeve | 2.5–3 in wide | Sits above the hem; check it clears the seam on short sleeves |
| Back yoke | 8–11 in wide | Company name or a sponsor block |
| Collar or nape | 1.5–2 in wide | Small marks only |
Four ways to decorate a polo
| Method | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Direct embroidery | Stitched straight into the garment | Logos with bold shapes and type above about 5 mm |
| Applied patch | A patch sewn or heat-sealed onto the garment | Detail the garment itself cannot hold, and swappable branding |
| Printed logo | Screen print or DTG onto the fabric | Photographic artwork, gradients, long colour lists |
| Woven label | A woven tag stitched into a seam or hem | Small brand marks, size and care information |
Name personalisation
Individual names are handled as a separate small embroidery run, usually on the right chest or above the left-chest logo. Send a spreadsheet with the name and size against each garment and it is priced per name rather than per set-up, so a team of twenty is not twenty set-ups.
Specification
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Garments | Your blanks, or sourced to your spec |
| Decoration | Direct embroidery, applied patch, print or woven label |
| Colours | Nine standard thread colours; Pantone matching on request |
| Sampling | A physical sample approved before every bulk run |
| Pricing | Quoted on the garment, quantity and decoration |
| Lead time | 10–12 business days standard, 5–7 rush |
How ordering works
- Send artwork. Any format — a logo file, a photo of an old patch, or a sketch on paper.
- Approve the proof. You get a digital proof with the size, colours and border marked. Nothing runs until you sign it off.
- Production. 10–12 business days as standard, 5–7 on a rush, at no extra charge.
- Tracked delivery. Shipped worldwide, to you or straight to your printer.
Common questions
Can I supply my own polos?
Yes. Send them in and we decorate them. Tell us the fabric before you ship — performance polyester and cotton piqué behave differently under a needle, and a heavy stabiliser on a thin performance fabric will pucker.
Do I get a sample before the full run?
On bulk orders, yes. One garment is decorated and approved before the rest are touched. It is the cheapest insurance there is.
Will the embroidery survive industrial laundry?
Direct embroidery does, which is why uniform programmes use it. Applied patches depend on the backing — sew-on for anything laundered commercially. The care guide has the wash table.
Ready to quote your polos?
Tell us the garment, the quantity and where the logo goes. Price and digital proof back, usually the same working day.
Related reading
- Patch placement guides — measured positions for every garment
- Custom embroidered patches — if you want the logo as a patch instead
- Custom hoodies — the same artwork on heavier garments