Pricing Embroidery: Retail (1–10 Pieces) vs Wholesale (24–144 Pieces)
Knowing the Real Ins & Outs of Embroidery Pricing
Pricing embroidery correctly is one of the most misunderstood parts of the embroidery business. Many shops stay busy but struggle to remain profitable because they don’t fully account for setup time, digitizing, machine efficiency, and order size.
This guide breaks down retail embroidery pricing (1–10 pieces) and wholesale embroidery pricing (24–144 pieces) so you can price confidently, professionally, and profitably.
Custom Image #1 – Blog Header Image (Hero Image)
Placement: Top of blog, above headline
Custom Image Concept:
A clean, illustrated embroidery shop scene showing:
-
A commercial multi-head embroidery machine
-
A polo shirt with a left-chest logo
-
A jacket with a large back design
-
Price tags floating subtly labeled “Retail” and “Wholesale”
Image Style:
Flat vector illustration, clean outlines, professional, no photorealism, no brand logos, neutral color palette with TEX-style blues and grays.
Prompt (ready to generate):
“Professional vector illustration of a commercial embroidery shop, multi-head embroidery machine stitching garments, polo shirt with left chest logo, jacket with large back embroidery, subtle floating labels reading Retail and Wholesale, clean flat design, no real brands, modern instructional style, white background”
Understanding the True Cost of Embroidery
Every embroidery order—regardless of quantity—has three core cost components:
-
Digitizing – Preparing the embroidery file
-
Setup & Machine Time – Hooping, thread changes, test runs
-
Run Cost per Piece – Stitching time, labor, machine wear
Ignoring any one of these leads to underpricing, especially on small orders.
Custom Image #2 – Embroidery Cost Breakdown Diagram
Placement: After “True Cost of Embroidery” section
Custom Image Concept:
A simple infographic showing:
-
A circle or stacked diagram labeled
-
Digitizing
-
Setup Time
-
Run Cost
-
-
An embroidery hoop and needle icon in the center
Style:
Educational infographic, vector icons, minimal text, high contrast.
Prompt:
“Clean vector infographic showing embroidery pricing breakdown, labeled Digitizing, Setup Time, Run Cost per Piece, embroidery hoop and needle icon in center, instructional style, flat design, no text clutter”
Retail Embroidery Pricing (1–10 Pieces)
Retail embroidery orders require the same setup as large jobs but spread across fewer garments, which increases the cost per piece.
Why Retail Pricing Is Higher
-
Same digitizing and setup as bulk orders
-
More customer communication
-
Less machine efficiency
-
Higher financial risk per garment
Typical Retail Pricing
Digitizing (one-time):
-
Simple lettering: $10–$25
-
Left chest logo: $35–$75
-
Jacket back: $85–$150
Embroidery per piece:
-
Left chest (4x4): $12–$20
-
Hats: $15–$25
-
Jacket backs: $40–$75
Most professional shops enforce:
-
$50–$75 minimum order, or
-
$25–$40 setup fee
Custom Image #3 – Retail Embroidery Example
Placement: After Retail Pricing section
Custom Image Concept:
Illustrated polo shirt with a left-chest logo inside an embroidery hoop, small quantity count like “5 PCS” highlighted.
Prompt:
“Vector illustration of a polo shirt in embroidery hoop, small left chest logo, label showing 5 pieces, custom embroidery retail example, clean instructional style, flat colors, no brands”
Wholesale Embroidery Pricing (24–144 Pieces)
Wholesale pricing is built around efficiency and consistency, not discounts that destroy margins.
Why Wholesale Pricing Works
-
One setup for long runs
-
Same thread colors
-
Faster production per garment
-
Lower handling time
Common Wholesale Price Tiers
Left Chest Logos (4x4 – 6,000–8,000 stitches):
-
24–47 pcs: $8–$10
-
48–71 pcs: $7–$9
-
72–144 pcs: $6–$8
Jacket Back Designs (10x10):
-
24–47 pcs: $30–$40
-
48–71 pcs: $25–$35
-
72–144 pcs: $22–$30
Digitizing is often included or charged once.
Custom Image #4 – Wholesale Production Visual
Placement: After Wholesale Pricing
Custom Image Concept:
Multiple identical garments lined up under embroidery heads to visually show efficiency and volume.
Prompt:
“Flat vector illustration of bulk embroidery production, multiple identical shirts lined up under embroidery machine heads, high efficiency manufacturing concept, instructional style, no brand logos”
Stitch Count: Important, But Not Everything
Stitch count affects run time—but it’s not the only factor.
Other pricing influences include:
-
Color changes
-
Trims and jumps
-
Fabric thickness
-
Placement difficulty
-
Hoop size
-
Operator skill
Two designs with identical stitch counts can still vary significantly in production time.
Custom Image #5 – Stitch Count vs Time Comparison
Placement: After Stitch Count section
Custom Image Concept:
Two embroidery designs with the same stitch count but different trim paths, visually comparing efficiency.
Prompt:
“Educational vector illustration comparing two embroidery designs with same stitch count but different trim paths, showing time difference, embroidery needle paths visible, clean technical style”
A Simple Pricing Formula That Works
Base Rate per 1,000 Stitches
-
Retail: $1.50–$2.50
-
Wholesale: $1.00–$1.50
Example:
-
7,000 stitches × $2.00 = $14
-
Rounded to $15–$18 retail
The Golden Rule of Embroidery Pricing
If your machines are busy but profits are low, your pricing structure needs attention.
You’re not selling stitches—you’re selling experience, skill, equipment investment, and reliability.
Final Thoughts
Clear pricing:
-
Builds trust
-
Speeds up quoting
-
Protects margins
-
Supports long-term growth
Understanding the difference between retail and wholesale embroidery pricing is essential for any successful embroidery business.