Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: October 13, 2026
Quick answers about our custom apparel, patches, decoration services and policies. Can't find your answer? Call +1 (713) 714-8890 or email order@houstonembroidery.store.
About Us
Who is Houston Embroidery Service? We are a Houston, Texas company that has been making custom decorated apparel and patches since 2008. We serve businesses, schools, sports teams, clubs, events, uniform programs and resellers across the US and worldwide.
Where are you located? 10685-B Hazelhurst Dr. Suite 13006, Houston, TX 77043. Most orders are handled online, by phone or by email, so you can order from anywhere.
Who are your typical customers? Companies ordering staff uniforms and branded workwear, sports teams and leagues, schools and colleges, restaurants, healthcare providers, construction and oilfield crews, event organizers, and promotional product resellers.
Ordering & Quotes
How do I get a quote? Fill in our Get a Quote form with the item, quantity, colors and where the logo goes, and attach your logo if you have it. You can also call or email us.
Is there a minimum order quantity? Most products have no minimum, so you can order just one piece. Minimums apply only to woven patches (50), woven labels (100), PVC patches (50) and PVC labels (50). Price per piece usually drops as quantity goes up.
Can I order online? Yes. Many products can be ordered directly on our website. For custom decoration, request a quote and we will send a price and mockup.
Do you work with resellers? Yes. Resellers and promotional product distributors get 30% off. Contact us to set up a reseller account.
How long is a quote valid? Quotes are valid for 30 days.
Products & Decoration
What products can you customize? T-shirts, polos, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, vests, hats, beanies, bags, workwear, hi-vis and FR clothing, medical scrubs, chef wear and team uniforms, plus custom patches, labels and keychains.
Which decoration methods do you offer? Embroidery, screen printing and custom patches, plus DTF printing when the design needs it or on request. We recommend the best method for your design, garment and quantity. See our decoration guide.
Can I supply my own garments? No. We decorate only garments and products supplied by us, which lets us control quality from start to finish.
What types of patches do you make? Embroidered, printed, woven, chenille, leather and PVC patches, with iron-on, sew-on, Velcro (hook and loop) or self-adhesive backing.
Can a patch cover an existing logo? Yes. Measure the old logo and order a patch about 0.5" larger in both height and width. For example, a 1.75" × 3.25" logo needs a patch of about 2.25" × 3.75".
Where are your products made? Patches, labels and keychains are made at our overseas facility. Clothing comes from overseas and US manufacturers, and most decoration is done in the US.
Embroidery & Printing
Embroidery or printing: which should I choose? Embroidery gives a raised, premium, long-lasting look and suits polos, jackets, hats, bags and workwear. Printing suits large designs, photos, fine detail and many colors, and is often more economical for T-shirts and big runs. We will recommend the best option for your design.
Where can my logo be placed? Common spots are left chest, right chest, full front, full back, upper back, sleeves, and the front, side or back of hats. You can add more than one placement on the same item.
How big can my logo be? A typical left-chest logo is about 3.5" to 4" wide, a hat front about 4" to 4.5" wide, and a full back up to about 12" wide. Exact limits depend on the garment and method.
Can you add names and numbers? Yes. We can personalize each piece with names, numbers or titles, which is common for teams, staff uniforms and events.
Do more thread colors or stitches cost more? Embroidery pricing is mainly based on the size and stitch count of the design. Printing pricing depends on method, number of colors and print size. Your quote shows the full price.
Patches, Labels & Keychains
What sizes and shapes can patches be? Any size and almost any shape, cut to the outline of your design. Size is usually measured as the average of width and height.
Which patch type should I choose? Embroidered patches are classic and durable. Woven patches show fine detail and small text. Printed patches suit photos and gradients. Chenille gives a fuzzy varsity look. Leather and PVC suit hats, bags and outdoor gear.
Which backing is best? Iron-on is quick for cotton and polyester blends. Sew-on is the most permanent. Velcro (hook and loop) lets you remove and swap patches, popular for uniforms and tactical gear. Self-adhesive is for short-term use, such as events.
Can you sew patches onto garments for me? Yes, for patches we make. We can supply them loose or attached to hats, jackets and other items we provide. We do not sew on customer-supplied patches.
Do you make labels and keychains? Yes. We make woven, leather and PVC labels for clothing brands, and embroidered, printed and leather keychains for gifts and promotions.
Team Uniforms, Workwear & Brands
Do you make sports team uniforms? Yes. We offer uniforms for basketball, baseball, softball, football, hockey, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, track and field, and lacrosse, including fully sublimated (dye-sub) jerseys, shorts and warm-ups with names and numbers.
Do you offer safety workwear? Yes. We carry hi-vis and flame-resistant (FR) clothing, coveralls, bib overalls, work shirts and jackets, and can decorate them with your company logo. Ask us about decoration methods that suit safety-rated garments.
Do you serve specific industries? Yes. We supply uniforms for construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, healthcare, restaurants, hospitality, security, transportation, schools and more. Browse by industry.
Which clothing brands do you carry? Over 100 brands, including Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Port Authority, Sport-Tek, Carhartt, Nike, Under Armour, Richardson, Dickies and Red Kap. See all brands.
Can I mix sizes and colors in one order? Yes. You can mix sizes, and in most cases colors, of the same style in one order.
Artwork & Colors
What file types do you accept? Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) work best. High-resolution PNG or JPG files are also fine. If you only have a low-quality image, we can redraw it.
Do you charge for design setup? No. Design setup and minor art changes are free. Embroidery digitizing and vector redraws are also available as services.
Will I see a mockup before production? Yes. We send a mockup for your approval, usually within 2-3 working days. Production starts only after you approve it, so please check spelling, colors, sizes and placement carefully.
Why don't thread colors match my screen exactly? Screens, cameras and lighting all show colors differently, and thread colors are limited to available shades. For the closest match, give us a Pantone (PMS) number from a physical Pantone book.
Is there artwork you won't accept? Yes. We reject artwork with nudity, drugs, alcohol, hate or offensive content, among others. See our Artwork Acceptance Policy.
Can I use a brand or team logo I don't own? Only with written permission from the owner. You are responsible for having the rights to any artwork you send.
Design Services
Do you offer embroidery digitizing? Yes. We convert your logo into an embroidery stitch file, either as part of your order or as a separate digitizing service.
Can you redraw my blurry logo? Yes. Our vector art service turns low-quality images into clean, scalable vector files for printing and signage.
Can you create a design from my idea? Yes. Send a sketch, reference images or a description, and we can create artwork for your order. Our team will discuss any design fees in your quote.
Do I own the files you create? Your logo stays yours. Production files we create are kept on record so repeat orders are quick and consistent.
Sizing & Care
How do I choose the right size? Many product pages include a size chart from the manufacturer. Fit varies by brand and style, so check the chart for each item. When unsure, order one size sample first or ask us.
Do you offer women's and youth sizes? Yes. Many styles come in men's, women's, unisex and youth sizes, and some in tall and plus sizes.
How should I wash decorated garments? Wash inside out in cold water, use mild detergent, and tumble dry low or hang dry. Do not iron directly on embroidery, prints or patches, and avoid bleach.
How long will my decoration last? With proper care, embroidery and quality prints hold up well through many washes. Lifespan depends on the garment, the decoration method and how the item is used and washed.
Payment, Turnaround & Shipping
What payment methods do you accept? Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, bank transfer (ACH), Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna and Affirm. Full payment is required before production begins.
How long does production take? Apparel usually takes 7-10 working days after mockup approval. Custom patches usually take 10 working days. Times are estimates and can vary with order size and complexity.
Do you offer rush orders? Yes, rush service (about 3 days for patches) is available for an extra fee, depending on availability. Ask when you request your quote.
Do you offer free shipping? Free shipping applies to qualifying orders: $200+ for patches, labels and keychains, and $400+ for apparel, hats and mixed orders (apparel or hats with patches, labels or keychains). Rush and expedited shipping are not included.
Do you ship outside the US? Yes, we ship worldwide. International customers pay any customs duties, taxes or import fees.
Do I pay import duties? Patches, labels, keychains and Zuniformers products are made overseas and shipped to you. U.S. customers pay any import duty or fees charged on delivery. Most apparel and hats ship from Houston, so no import duty applies. International customers pay all customs duties, taxes and import fees.
What if my package is late or lost? Delivery times depend on the carrier. Once shipped, delivery is the carrier's responsibility, and we will help you file a claim for lost or damaged packages.
Returns & Policies
Can I return or exchange a custom item? No. Custom items are made to order and cannot be returned, exchanged or refunded.
Can I cancel my order? Custom orders cannot be canceled once paid. Unpaid quotes can be canceled anytime.
What if there is a mistake on your end? Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee covers it. Contact us within 7 days of delivery with photos, and we will reprint, repair or credit the affected items. Minor variations in color, size and placement are normal and are not errors.
Can I return blank (undecorated) items? Only with approval, for a valid reason such as a defect. A 20% restocking fee applies, the customer pays return shipping, and the original shipping cost is deducted if the order shipped free.
Why might I receive slightly fewer pieces? About 3% spoilage is normal in decoration. See our Spoilage Policy.
Where can I read your full policies? Return, Exchange & Cancellation Policy · Artwork Acceptance Policy · Terms of Service · Privacy Policy
How do I contact you? Call +1 (713) 714-8890 or email order@houstonembroidery.store.
Privacy & Communication
Do you share my information? No. We never sell, rent or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing. It is used only by us and our service providers to handle your order. See our Privacy Policy.
Will you text me? Only about your quotes, orders and deliveries, unless you separately agree to promotional texts. Reply STOP to opt out at any time.
Will you use my logo in your marketing? Not without your permission.