3D Puff Embroidery

3D puff embroidery

3D puff embroidery stitches over a layer of foam so the design stands up off the fabric. It is the raised look you see on the front of baseball caps and snapbacks, and it works on patches and heavier garments too. It suits bold logos and lettering, and we keep fine detail flat beside it.

Price	Quoted per order — send your artwork for a price
Minimum order	Confirmed with your quote
Proof	Free digital proof before production
Works on	Caps, patches, hoodies, jackets and bags
Shipping	Free tracked shipping worldwide

How 3D puff is made

A sheet of embroidery foam is laid over the area, and the design is sewn over it with dense satin stitches. The needle cuts the foam along the edges of each shape, the loose foam is torn away, and what stays trapped under the stitches lifts the design off the surface.

Because the effect depends on satin columns wrapping the foam, the artwork has to be digitized specifically for puff. A file made for flat embroidery will not puff cleanly.

What puffs well and what does not

Puffs well	Keep flat
Bold block letters and numbers	Small text and thin script
Simple logos with solid shapes	Fine lines, outlines and gradients
Shapes with a thick, even width	Tiny details and sharp points
One or two key elements of a design	Large filled areas

Most cap designs mix the two: the main word or icon in puff, with small text and outlines in flat embroidery around it.

Where you can use it

Front panels of structured caps, snapbacks and trucker caps
Embroidered patches with a raised centre element
Hoodies, jackets and heavier sweatshirts
Bags and other sturdy fabrics

Common questions

Can any design be made in 3D puff?

No. Puff needs bold shapes and wide columns. Small text and fine lines do not puff well, so we keep those flat and puff the main element. We will tell you on the proof if part of your design needs to change.

Does puff work on soft caps?

It works best on structured caps with a firm front panel. On unstructured caps and thin fabrics the foam has less support, so the effect is lower.

Can you combine puff and flat embroidery?

Yes, and most designs look best that way. The headline element is raised and the supporting detail stays flat.

How much does 3D puff cost?

Puff is priced per order by size, stitch count, number of colours and quantity. Send your artwork for a quote and a free proof.

Get a free quote

Send us your artwork, the item, size and quantity. Mention 3D puff in the message and we will come back with a price and a free digital proof. Nothing goes into production until you approve the proof.