1. Create a design that fits the space.

The majority of embroidery is done on a chef coat, centered above the left chest pocket. Each chef coat style and size has a limit to the number of characters of standard text embroidery that can fit in this position. To get the cleanest and most legible embroidery, avoid adding characters (spaces and punctuation included) over the maximum recommended. The more that you try to squeeze on one line, the less defined each letter will be.

Chef hats, aprons, and chef coats all have great places for embroidery, each with their own amount of allotted space. If you would like to have the option to embroidery your logo in multiple different positions, we may need to create different sized sew outs. For example, a logo that is created to fit on the left chest of a chef coat will usually be too large for the front of a baseball cap. In order to avoid any issues with sizing once your order hits the embroidery department, we can scale your logo to different sizes for a minimal fee during the set-up process.

2. Use block fonts for words in all caps.

Not all fonts work well with all types of capitalization. Print style fonts such as Block, Old English, Storytime and Evening News look great in any configuration whether it’s upper/lower case, all lower case or all capitalized. However, cursive fonts such as Script, Crescendo, and Vertical Script work best in upper/lower case or all lower case. Capitalized cursive letters are very bulky and do not read well when next to each other. If you must have all capital letters in cursive, we recommend Script or Vertical Script. Crescendo should never be used for a word or monogram in all capital letters.

3. Choose a color that will compliment your uniforms.

Color can make or break a great piece of embroidery. First, decide what is more important to you; the color of your chef apparel or the color of your embroidery. If you have your heart set on white as the color of your garments, then choose an embroidery color that will provide contrast, like black, red or blue. If you choose to go with a black as the background on your chef uniform, we recommend bright colors that pop, such as white, yellow or pink.

For a tone-on-tone look, select a thread color that is just slightly lighter or darker than the chef uniform you've chosen. For instance, light blue thread on a royal blue jacket creates a subtly stiking effect.

To avoid delay in order processing, double check that your logo is not the same color as the chef apparel that you've selected, such as a black logo on a black apron, or a white logo on a white chef jacket. If it is, we can help you select a different thread color to maximize the appearance of your embroidery.

4. Triple check that your order is exactly how you want it.

For new logos:
If you requested edits to your artwork before the logo was digitized, such as removing a tagline or adding a trademark symbol, you will receive a revised JPG file for approval. Double check the edits are as you requested before allowing us to move forward with the digitizing process.
A sample sew out will be sent for approval out before your order is processed. Check the logo for stitch quality, colors and size and let us know if something isn’t right. We will gladly revise and send you a new one.

For all embroidery orders:
Please make sure to check and check again that everything you submitted is exactly what you want. With so many different variations in spellings on both names and restaurants, our embroidery team processes the order exactly as written. Before pressing submit take a look at what you entered:

5. Simplify details for a cleaner finished product.

Sometimes logos are better suited for screen printing than embroidery. If your logo is photographic quality, or has several different colors and tiny details, and you would prefer an exact replica, screen printing may be the best option. Screen printing is also an economical way to personalize a large order as the higher the volume, the more cost savings. If our embroidery team feels your logo would look better with screen printing, a Customer Service Represtative will walk you through the options and make sure your order is processed for the best outcome.

Embroidery helps separate one chef or restaurant from the next. By utilizing our Top 5 list of help hints to maximize the look of your embroidery, you are sure to create a beautifully personalized piece.
For a more in depth look at the new logo set up process, check out our "Logo Embroidery 101" piece.