Embroidery is not printing. Your logo is being rebuilt out of thread, stitch by stitch, on thick wool felt. A little preparation makes the difference between a crisp logo and a fuzzy one.
1. Send the best file you have
A vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF) is ideal, because it can be scaled to any size cleanly. If you don't have one, send the largest, sharpest PNG you can find, ideally with a transparent background. Ask your designer for "the vector version of the logo"; they'll know what you mean.
2. Think small
A hat isn't a billboard. On a sauna hat, a logo typically sits on a front panel a few inches across. Ask yourself whether your logo still reads at that size. If it has a tagline, a website address or tiny detailing, those usually need to go.
3. Simplify the detail
Thread has a minimum width. Very thin lines, small gaps and intricate shapes can fill in or disappear. What tends to work well:
- bold shapes and clean outlines,
- a simple icon or wordmark rather than the full lock-up,
- text that's large enough to read across a room.
Many brands have a simplified "badge" or icon version of their logo. That's often the best choice for a hat.
4. Keep colours limited and solid
Embroidery uses solid thread colours, so gradients, shadows and photographic effects don't translate. A design with a handful of solid colours looks cleaner and is simpler to produce. If you have Pantone colours, include them and we'll match thread as closely as possible.
5. Choose a hat colour that contrasts
Think about your logo against the hat itself. A dark logo disappears on a charcoal belltop; a pale one gets lost on natural white merino. Our bases include grey wool bucket hats, charcoal and stone belltops, and merino in Forest, Royal Blue, Moss, Mustard and Natural White. See the hat styles.
6. Text: big, bold and short
Names and short words work well. Long sentences and small serif fonts don't. If your logo is mostly text, consider a bolder weight of the same font for the embroidered version.
7. Approve the mock-up carefully
Before anything is made, you'll get a quote and a mock-up of your design on the hat. Check:
- spelling (yes, really),
- placement and size on the hat,
- thread colours against the hat colour,
- quantities per style and colour.
Custom hats are made to order and can't be returned unless there's a defect, so it's worth taking five minutes over the mock-up.
What to send with your quote request
- Your logo file (vector if possible).
- Roughly how many hats you need. Typical runs start around 200 pieces.
- Your preferred hat style and colour.
- When you need them by.
Send it through the quote form, or email saunahatscanada@gmail.com.
Questions
What file should I send for a custom embroidered sauna hat?
A vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) is best. A high-resolution PNG with a transparent background also works. We'll mock it up on the hat before anything is made.
Can any logo be embroidered?
Most logos can, but very fine detail, tiny text, gradients and photographic images don't translate well to thread. A simplified version of your logo often looks better on a hat.
Will I see my design before the hats are made?
Yes. You'll get a mock-up and a quote to approve before any embroidery starts.
Want your logo on a sauna hat?
Typical runs start around 200 pieces, with one-offs on request. We usually reply within one business day.
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