FAQ

Products and services at VCE:

Embroidery - AVAILABLE

Embroidery uses thread to stitch your design directly into fabric. Machine embroidery uses computer generated designs and specialized industrial machines to stitch design into the fabric using thread

• Best for: Professional, long-lasting designs

• Pros: Durable, upscale appearance

• Common items: Uniforms, hats, outerwear

Screen Printing - AVAILABLE

Screen printing applies layers of ink on top of fabric using a mesh screen. It's great for bold, colorful designs, especially in bulk.

• Best for: T-shirts, perfomance fabrics, and team apparel

• Pros: Vibrant colors, cost-effective in large runs

• Common items: Event shirts, sportswear, branded tees

Patches - AVAILABLE but we cannot apply outside patches

Patches are separately made pieces—they can be embroidered, woven, leather, and PVC—that are sewn or heat-applied to a garment.

• Best for: Logos on heavy-duty gear or items difficult to embroider directly

• Pros: Can be pre-made in bulk, removable, and reusable

• Common items: Tactical gear, hats, jackets, backpacks

Products and services NOT at VCE:

✂️ Tailoring / Alterations 

Tailoring involves modifying or repairing clothing to better fit or function, not decorating it.

• Best for: Hemming, resizing, zipper repairs

• Pros: Improves fit and extends garment life

• Common services: Pants hemming, sleeve adjustments, patching tears

Here's some good options for alterations shops near us!

Yes, absolutely! We can put your logo on shirts, hats, jackets, sweatshirts, blankets, bags, beanies, aprons, and more! We specialize in making you and your team look good while promoting your own brand. 

Why Branded Apparel Helps Your Business

•  Boosts Brand Recognition – Every shirt or hat becomes a walking billboard for your company.

•  Creates a Professional Look – Matching apparel builds trust and credibility with customers.

•  Promotes Team Unity – Uniforms help employees feel part of the team and proud of where they work.

•  Perfect for Events & Trade Shows – Branded gear makes your team stand out and look organized.

•  Makes a Great First Impression – Customers notice polished, well-branded staff.

•  Starts Conversations – Your logo on apparel sparks interest and makes networking easier.

•  Doubles as Swag & Gifts – Give branded gear to customers or employees as a thank-you or incentive.

•  Cost-Effective Advertising – One shirt can promote your business for years with no recurring costs.

•  Ideal for Onboarding & Merch Stores – Create easy employee welcome kits or internal company stores.

Want to get started? Check out our next FAQ!

How to Get Branded Apparel with Your Logo

1. Send Us Your Logo to be digitized

   • Preferred formats: .AI, .EPS, .SVG, or vector .PDF 

   • Don’t have one? We can convert your .png or .jpeg to a vector file for $25 or help you build a new logo from scratch

2. Choose Your Apparel

   • Browse options like t-shirts, polos, hats, jackets, and more from our extensive catalog. 

   • We carry fan-favorite brands like Carhartt, Nike, New Era, TravisMathew, OGIO, and The North Face in addition to Richardson, Columbia, and others!

   • We’ll help you pick the best styles and brands for your team, event, or business.

3. Pick a Decoration Method

   • Embroidery for a premium, long-lasting look (no minimums)

   • Screen printing for large designs on light weight apparel like t-shirts, performance fabrics, and sweatshirts, (minimum of 24 pieces)

4. Approve the Proof

   • We’ll send a digital mockup or embroidery preview for your review

   • You can request changes before we go to production

5. Get It Made!

   • Most orders are completed in 2-3 weeks after approval

6. Pick Up or Ship Out

   • Choose local pickup or convenient shipping right to your door

How Much Does Embroidery Cost?

Embroidery cost is highly subject to the complexity, size, and number of stitches in the design so prices listed below are a generalization of the prices we see for average designs. If you have questions about your individual project, please make sure to ask about pricing when ordering.
These prices are updated as of 2025 and do not include cost of apparel.

Setup cost for custom logos and design 

• Custom logo embroidery file setup (one-time): Starts at $75 to digitize your logo from a vector file - .ai, .eps, .svg, .pdf
  **Don't have a vector file? We can create from a .png or .jpeg for an additional $25

• To learn more about the digitizing process and cost check out our blog about embroidery-friendly designs 

For re-occuring logos, stock fonts, and stock monograms

• Left chest embroidery: Typically $10-$15 depending on complexity and size of design

• Baseball Hats : $15 on front, $10 for each additional placement on left, right, or back side

• Knit beanies : $12-$15 

• Backpacks : $15-$18

• Full front or full back designs : $25+

• Throw blankets : $20+ for low-pile blankets, $25+ for very fuzzy/plush blankets that require back-fill

• Bath/Beach towels: $16-$20 

• Hand towels/washcloths: $12-15

• Christmas Stockings : $18

Turnaround time: 2–3 weeks after final approval
No minimums

How Much Does Screen Printing Cost?

Screen printing has dynamic pricing because of the number of factors including locations, colors, apparel, sizing, and setup. It is most cost effective when showcasing large designs on tees and sweatshirts and has greater discounts for bulk orders than embroidery. Cost can be broken down from most impactful to least using the following criteria:

- Price of apparel
- Number of locations printed
- Number of colors in each print
- Number of pieces printed
- Specialty placements/inks

As of 2025, our most budget-friendly screen printing option starts at approximately $16 per shirt for a front-only, single-color design on a basic cotton tee with a 24-shirt minimum.

Because pricing depends on several variables—like garment style, print size, number of colors, and locations—we recommend reaching out with the details of your project. We’re happy to help you explore the best options and provide a customized quote!
 

Requirements/Considerations  

* Minimum Order: 24 pieces
You may mix short sleeve tees, long sleeves, crewnecks, and hoodies as long as they all receive the same print size, color, and location. 

* No customer-supplied garments
All items must be ordered through us for screen printing to ensure quality and printability. Shop our catalog here for short sleeve and long sleeve tees, crew neck sweartshirts, and hoodies - or just ask and we'll be happy to share our favorite styles at any price point! 

* 7 Color Maximum
For traditional screen prints, 7 colors or less is your best option. We do have alternative printing options for half tones, simulated process prints, and full color prints but they also have additional associated costs. 

* Shirt Sizing
Prints sized for a youth small shirt, will look too small on an adult 3XL - a good rule of thumb is to make sure you have 24 pieces within 6-7 sizes. It is not a problem to create two print sizes, but they both need to have 24 pieces and will require two separate set up fees. 

* Specialty placements
Common print locations would be "full" front, "full" back, left chest, and right chest with the largest print size usually being 12"x14" on adult shirts. Printing on pockets and sleeves is an additional cost.

At this time, we do not provide printing across zippers, buttons, seams or "all-over" prints - typically that is a decoration that is completed prior to manufacturing and/or as a sublimation print. 

* Specialty prints
We do offer glitter, puff, glow, and reflective prints for an additional cost. (Yes, they are super cool.)

Turn around time is 2-3 weeks.

Can I bring in my own items?

Buying your apparel through us not only supports us as a small business, it also ensures the best results and the smoothest process for a few reasons:

1. Designed for decoration
The garments we source are made specifically for embroidery and screen printing, with materials and construction that hold up better to stitching, heat, and wear.

2. Guaranteed compatibility
We know how our blanks behave on our machines. When you supply your own items, there's always a risk they may not sew well — or that they could be damaged during production. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee results on customer-supplied items.

3. Access to professional apparel brands
We work with trusted suppliers offer brands such as Nike, Carhartt, New Era, Gildan, TravisMathew, Port Authority, Brooks Brothers, Richardson, Columbia, Red Kap, and so many more! 

4. Better pricing in the long run
When apparel is bundled with decoration, you're often getting a better value than buying retail-priced items separately and adding embroidery afterward.

5. Less stress for you
We handle everything — sizing, inventory, and quality control — so you can focus on your team or event instead of managing garments.

We have a lot of experience helping teams source apparel that fits their style and budget so we're very enthusiastic about finding you something great from our catalog if you're open to it.

At this time we do still accept customer provided apparel that are new or washed for embroidery only. Screen printed items must purchase through us so we can guarantee quality prints. 

* We cannot guarantee all items brought to us are embroider-able and cannot check for viability until they are brought into the shop. We will make an assessment based on our ability to hoop the item, the material, the area is clear of hard elements like zippers, snaps, buttons, and plastic linings, and that the area has enough clearance to move freely while on the machine.

Customer-provided items we often have to turn away - wallets, socks, hard sided cases, gloves, sewing on pockets (without them being sewn shut), bags/purses/totes with interior zippered pockets, large items like camp chair backs and golf bags that don't have removable pockets, and shoes.

Customer-provided items we often are able to embroider on - removable zip-off pocket from sports bags (golf, baseball, softball, etc), bath/beach/hand/wash towels, blankets, backpacks, saddle pads, horse coolers, horse blankets, handkerchiefs, performance fabrics, baby and toddler clothes, leotards, swimwear, canvas totes, and bed linens.

* To protect the integrity of our machines and cleanliness of our workspace - workwear (i.e. jackets, tool bags, uniforms, etc), or any animal-related items must be NEW and completely free of dirt, hair, and fur. All forms of dirt, oil, and hair can cause issues for our embroidery machines and these items in particular often still have residue even after washing. We reserve the right to refuse any items that may pose a risk. 

What is your turnaround time?
Our standard turnaround time for embroider and screen printing is 2–3 weeks from the time your order is placed. Depending on our current schedule, 1-week rush orders may be available for an additional fee but we might not always be able to accommodate requests. 

Holiday orders:
For guaranteed Christmas delivery, we recommend placing your order no later than the week before Thanksgiving. Our holiday production schedule fills up fast, and we want to make sure everything is completed and ready in time to enjoy.