The price per stitch
Embroidery is charged per thousand stitches because the stitch count determines machine time, thread consumption and wear. In France, in 2026, the ranges we see are:
| Quantity | Price excl. VAT per 1,000 stitches | Minimum per piece |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 pieces | €1.20 to €1.50 | €4 to €6 |
| 11 to 50 pieces | €0.90 to €1.20 | €3 to €4 |
| 51 to 200 pieces | €0.70 to €0.90 | €2.50 |
| More than 200 pieces | €0.50 to €0.70 | €2 |
Home embroiderers on single-needle machines tend to charge per piece (€8 to €15 for a chest logo) because their time per piece is longer; multi-head shops go below €0.50 on large volumes.
What gets added
- Digitizing: €15 to €40 once per logo, depending on complexity, reused afterwards. Free above 50 pieces at many shops. With a converter, it costs you ten minutes: charge for it anyway, it is a service.
- Colour changes: on a single-needle machine, 30 seconds to a minute each, so €0.30 to €0.50; on a multi-needle, only when the design exceeds the number of needles.
- Supplies per piece: stabilizer (€0.15 to €0.40), thread (€0.05 to €0.20), twill and film for a patch (€0.30 to €0.60).
- Set-up: hooping, test run, 10 to 20 minutes per order, divided by the quantity.
- The garment: the polo or the towel, supplied or not, invoiced separately.
The calculation
Cost price per piece = (stitches ÷ 1,000 × price per thousand) + (colours × surcharge) + supplies + (set-up ÷ quantity). Price excl. VAT = cost ÷ (1 − margin). A 35% margin on cost is common; below 25%, one failed piece per order puts you at a loss. The calculator does this calculation and estimates machine time; in the studio, the built-in quote reads the stitch count of the open design and prints the quote on the run sheet.
Machine time, the real ceiling
A machine at 800 rpm sews 700 stitches per minute in practice (acceleration, slow satins, stops). An 8,000-stitch logo takes 12 minutes plus handling: a single-needle machine produces 3 to 4 pieces per hour, an 8-head 25 to 30. Your floor price is the one that pays for the machine hour and the operator hour: on a single-needle machine, less than €8 per piece for an 8,000-stitch logo is volunteer work.
Frequently asked questions
Should prices be shown with or without VAT?
Excluding VAT for professionals (clubs, companies), including VAT for private customers. Under the VAT exemption scheme, state "VAT not applicable".
How do I estimate the stitch count before digitizing?
Flat-colour 8 cm chest logo: 6,000 to 10,000. Name 3 cm tall: 2,000 to 4,000. 25 cm jacket back: 40,000 to 80,000. 8 cm patch with background: 12,000 to 16,000.
Should I offer digitizing for free?
Above 50 pieces, it is the custom. Below that, charge for it: it is the only item that does not depend on the quantity.
Go further
The studio is free to draw, open and check designs. Your first machine file takes five minutes.
Updated 2026-09-24.