The Freelancer's Guide to Quoting Embroidery Jobs
Don't let clients bully you into low prices. Learn how to quote with confidence and get paid what you're worth.
The "Just a Small Logo" Trap
Every freelancer has heard it: "It's just a small logo, it shouldn't cost much, right?"
If you agree without checking, you lose. A "small" 3-inch logo could have 15,000 stitches if it's a fully filled crest. A large 10-inch vintage text design might only have 5,000 stitches.
Size does not equal stitch count. And stitch count equals time.
How to Quote Like a Pro
1. Never Quote Without the File
If a client asks "How much for a logo?", your answer must be: "I need to see the artwork to give you an accurate price." Use our Free Stitch Calculator to instantly analyze their image. It gives you a neutral, data-backed number to base your quote on.
2. The "3X Rule" for Pricing
A simple formula for freelancers:
- Material Cost x 3: This covers the garment, shipping, and mistakes.
- + Stitch Fee: e.g., $1.00 per 1,000 stitches.
- + Setup Fee: e.g., $25 for digitizing/setup (waived for orders over 24 pieces).
3. Educate Your Customer
Explain why the price is what it is. "This design has a lot of fine detail (12,000 stitches). To make it look crisp, I need to run the machine slower and use premium backing. That ensures quality." Clients respect expertise. They bargain with commodity providers.
Handling "Too Expensive"
If a client says you are too expensive:
- Don't Apologize. Quality costs money.
- Offer Alternatives. "We can reduce the price if we remove the background fill or make the logo slightly smaller."
- Walk Away. Sometimes the best job is the one you don't take.
Tools of the Trade
You don't need a team of accountants. You just need:
- A reliable embroidery machine.
- A good relationship with a garment supplier.
- The Embroidery Quick Quote Tool to handle the math for you.
Stop guessing. Start quoting with confidence.