How to Prepare Your Logo for Embroidery Digitizing
A logo that looks great on screen won't always stitch well. Here's what to check before you send it for digitizing, and what to tell your digitizer.
Read articleCap Embroidery Digitizing
Cap digitizing built for curved fronts.
A file that runs fine on a flat shirt can shift, gap or pucker on a structured cap. We digitize cap logos specifically for cap frames, with the stitch order, sizing and underlay a curved front needs.
From $10 · 1–2 business days · DST, PES, EXP and more
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Sequenced for cap framesCenter-out, bottom-up stitching
Why caps need their own file
What changes when a logo goes on a cap.
A cap is stitched on a curved frame with the fabric under tension in a different direction from a flat garment. These are the adjustments we make for it.
Center-out stitch order
Stitching starts in the middle of the design and works outward, and from the bottom up, so fabric is pushed away from the finished areas instead of bunching into them. This is what keeps lettering straight.
Cap-safe sizing
The design is sized to fit the sewing field of a cap frame and the height of the crown, so nothing runs into the brim or the top seam.
Underlay for stiff fronts
Structured caps have a stiff backing behind the front panels. The underlay is set to anchor the stitches to it without making the front rigid.
Respect for the center seam
Many six-panel caps have a seam down the middle. We avoid placing fine details or thin text right on it, where they tend to break up.
Simplified detail
Small text and thin lines are adjusted so they stay readable at cap size, rather than shrinking the left chest version and hoping for the best.
Puff-ready if needed
Want raised lettering? We digitize for 3D puff on caps with the column widths and end caps the foam needs.
Cap placement sizes
Typical cap embroidery sizes.
Every cap style is a little different, so measure the one you're using. These are common starting points for adult caps.
| Placement | Typical maximum size |
|---|---|
| Front, structured cap | About 2–2.25″ tall and up to about 4.5″ wide |
| Front, low-profile or unstructured | About 1.75–2″ tall, often narrower |
| Side panel | About 1.5–2″ in either direction |
| Back, above the strap | About 1″ tall and 3–4″ wide |
Not sure? Tell us the cap brand and style and we'll size the file for it.
What to send
Details that help us get it right.
- Your logo in any format. Vector is ideal, but a clear image works.
- Cap style: structured, unstructured, trucker, snapback or beanie.
- Placement and size: front, side or back, and the width or height you want.
- Flat or 3D puff, and your thread colors if you know them.
- Machine format, such as DST or PES.
Pricing
Cap digitizing from $10.
Cap logos fall into our Left Chest & Cap tier, starting at $10 for designs up to about 8,000 stitches. Very detailed designs or 3D puff can cost more, and you'll get a confirmed price before we start. Every file includes all standard formats, a thread color chart and free revisions until approved.
Questions
Cap digitizing FAQs.
Can I use my left chest file on a cap?
It may run, but it often won't look right. A left chest file is stitched in a different order and is usually too wide for a cap front, so lettering can shift or gap. A cap-specific file avoids that.
Does the file work for flat embroidery and 3D puff?
No. 3D puff needs wider columns and different finishing at the ends of each shape, so it's digitized as a separate file. Tell us if you want both and we'll quote both.
Do you digitize for beanies and visors?
Yes. Let us know the item and the size of the area you're stitching, and we'll set up the file for it.
How long does a cap file take?
Most cap files are delivered within 1–2 business days, with a stitch-out preview to approve before the final file.
From the blog
Helpful reading before you order.
Short, practical guides from our team.
DST vs PES vs EXP: Embroidery File Formats Explained
Which format your machine reads, what each one stores, and why a JPG or PDF can't simply be converted into a stitch file.
Read article
Why Does My Embroidery Look Different From My Logo? 7 Common Reasons
Small text, thin lines, fabric, stitch density: seven reasons your finished embroidery doesn't match the logo on screen, and what to do about each one.
Read articleHave a cap order coming up?
Send your logo and cap style, and receive a free, no-pressure quote within one business day.