Embroidery Process & Timing Guide

How Our Embroidery Service Works

At LCS Workwear, every embroidered garment goes through a structured process to ensure your branding is applied accurately and consistently across your full order. This guide walks you through each stage — from submitting your artwork to caring for your finished workwear.

1. Artwork Preparation

Clean, high-quality artwork is the foundation of great embroidery. Please supply your logo in one of the following formats:

  • Preferred: Vector files — .AI, .EPS, or .SVG
  • Accepted: High-resolution .PNG or .PDF (minimum 300 dpi, transparent background preferred)

Tips for best results:

  • Keep fine detail and very thin lines to a minimum — embroidery has physical stitch limits that differ from print
  • Gradients and photographic effects cannot be replicated in embroidery; solid colours and clean edges work best
  • If your logo contains many colours, let us know — each additional thread colour may affect cost
  • We will convert your artwork into an embroidery digitisation file (DST/EMB format) as part of the Logo Set Up service

2. Logo Set Up & Digitisation

Before any garments are produced, your logo must be digitised — converted into a stitch file that instructs the embroidery machine exactly how to recreate your design.

  • Digitisation is a one-time charge, covered by our Logo Set Up service
  • Once your stitch file is saved, it is retained for all future orders — no repeat set-up fee
  • Complex logos with multiple colours or fine detail may require adjustment during digitisation; we will advise if this applies to your design

3. Placement Options

Choosing the right placement is important for both brand visibility and garment comfort. Our Logo Placement service covers standard positioning. Common placement options include:

  • Left chest — the most common position for corporate workwear; typically 80–100 mm wide
  • Right chest — used when the left chest carries a brand tab or pocket
  • Centre chest — bold, high-impact positioning for outerwear and fleeces
  • Upper back / yoke — large format branding suited to jackets and high-vis garments
  • Sleeve — often used for secondary logos, department names, or union badges
  • Cap / headwear — front panel or side panel; sizing is typically 55–70 mm wide

If you have a specific placement requirement not listed here, contact us before placing your order and we will advise on feasibility.

4. Approval Sample

For new logo set-ups or first-time orders, we produce a physical approval sample on a representative garment before running your full order.

  • You will receive photographs of the sample for remote approval
  • Physical samples can be arranged on request — please discuss this when placing your order
  • We will not proceed to full production until written approval is received
  • Any changes requested after approval (colour, size, placement) will require a revised sample and may affect lead time

5. Size-Run Handling

Most workwear orders cover a range of sizes. Here is how we handle size runs to ensure consistency:

  • All garments in a size run are embroidered using the same stitch file — the design does not change between sizes
  • For garments with significantly different panel sizes (e.g. XS vs 4XL), we may adjust logo dimensions slightly to maintain visual proportion — we will flag this before production
  • Please provide a complete size breakdown with your order to avoid delays
  • Mixed-style orders (e.g. polo shirts and softshells with the same logo) are each treated as a separate run

6. Production & Dispatch

Lead times depend on order complexity, garment availability, and current production scheduling. As a guide:

  • Standard orders are processed in order of receipt once artwork approval is confirmed
  • Larger or multi-line orders may require additional production time — we will provide an estimated dispatch date when your order is confirmed
  • If you have a hard deadline (e.g. an event or site start date), please tell us at the point of ordering so we can advise on feasibility
  • Dispatch notifications are sent by email with tracking information where available

Note: We do not publish fixed turnaround times as these vary by order. Contact us for a current lead time estimate before placing a time-sensitive order.

7. Caring for Embroidered Workwear

Proper care keeps your embroidery looking sharp and extends the life of your garments:

  • Wash inside out to protect the embroidery surface from abrasion
  • Follow the garment's care label — embroidery itself is robust, but the base fabric sets the wash temperature
  • Avoid bleach and fabric softeners — these can break down thread fibres over time
  • Do not scrub embroidered areas when treating stains; blot gently instead
  • Tumble dry on low or air dry — high heat can cause backing material to contract or distort
  • Iron on reverse only — never apply a hot iron directly to the embroidered surface

Ready to Order?

Start with our two core embroidery services:

Not sure where to start? Get in touch and we will guide you through the process.