Up to 3 design placements per garment • Machine runtime, digitizing amortization, garment markup & more
Enable each placement you need. Each has its own stitch count, digitizing fee, and hooping time.
| Line Item | Per Piece |
|---|---|
| Enter values above to see breakdown. | |
For each active placement, the calculator computes:
Then across the whole garment:
Many shops lose money on multi-location orders by quoting based on just the primary design. A jacket with a left chest logo (8,500 stitches), full back print (14,000 stitches), and sleeve hit (5,000 stitches) involves three separate hooping operations, three digitizing fees, three machine runs, and substantially more labor than a single-logo shirt. Quoting them as one block conceals the true cost—this calculator makes each placement's contribution transparent.
When customers bring their own garments you lose the garment markup that covers procurement, storage, receiving, and handling. Adding a CSG handling fee of $1.50–$4.00 per piece compensates for that work. Use the toggle to switch modes; the calculator removes the garment line and replaces it with the CSG fee.
Digitizing is a one-time cost per design file. On the first production run it should be charged to the customer; on reorders where the file already exists, set the fee to $0. The calculator divides the fee by the order quantity so it shows as a per-piece cost in the breakdown. On a 24-piece order a $35 digitizing fee adds $1.46/piece—small, but it compounds across three placements.
How do I price an embroidery job with multiple placements on one garment?
Add the stitch-based costs for each placement separately, then amortize each design's one-time digitizing fee across the order quantity. Layer in garment cost (with markup), consumables (thread, stabilizer, backing), and your labor and overhead per unit. This tool automates that math so you get an accurate per-piece price and job total instantly.
What is the standard rate per 1,000 stitches for machine embroidery?
The industry range is roughly $0.50–$4.00 per 1,000 stitches depending on volume. Low-volume custom work typically runs $2.00–$4.00 per thousand; bulk contract work can drop to $0.50–$1.50. The right rate for your shop depends on your machine speed, labor cost, and overhead—this calculator derives your rate from actual shop costs rather than a fixed benchmark, which is more accurate than picking a number from a chart.
Should I charge more for customer-supplied garments?
Yes. When customers bring their own garments, you lose the garment markup that helps cover procurement, storage, and handling. Most shops add a CSG handling surcharge of $1–$4 per piece to compensate. Use the garment source toggle in this calculator to switch between shop-supplied (with markup) and customer-supplied (with flat surcharge) modes.
How do I amortize digitizing fees across an order?
Divide the one-time digitizing fee by the number of pieces in the order. A $40 digitizing fee spread over 20 pieces adds $2.00 per piece. On reorders where the file already exists, set the digitizing fee to $0. This calculator handles amortization per design placement automatically in the per-piece breakdown.
What machine speed (SPM) should I use?
Typical commercial machines run 600–1,200 SPM at rated speed. Apply an efficiency factor (usually 75–85%) to account for thread breaks, color changes, and slowdowns—so a 1,000 SPM machine at 80% efficiency effectively runs at 800 SPM. Caps and structured items may run slower than flat-goods placements. The default of 850 SPM at 80% efficiency is a common starting point for most shops.
What is a typical garment markup for embroidery shops?
Most embroidery shops apply a 50–100% markup on blank garments. A shirt with a $6 wholesale cost would be billed at $9–$12 before embroidery fees. The markup covers procurement, receiving, storage, and handling. You can adjust this freely in the calculator; the default is 65%.
Method based on industry-standard stitch-time-cost formulas. Figures are estimates for quoting guidance; actual production times and costs vary by machine, design file quality, fabric, and operator experience. Not professional accounting advice. Sources: Embroidery.com pricing guides; Printavo embroidery pricing guide.