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Embroidering jackets with your logo: material, position, membrane
Fleece, softshell, quilted or rain jacket: which jackets embroider well, why a membrane is tricky and where your logo sits best.
Jacket type first, then the logo
A jacket is not just a T-shirt with long sleeves. It often has several layers, plus zips, pockets and sometimes a waterproof membrane. When embroidering, every needle goes through all the layers in the embroidery hoop. That is why, before every order, we first clarify what type of jacket it is.
If you want jackets embroidered with your logo, our collection has fleece and softshell jackets, quilted and winter jackets, windbreakers and parkas. This is how we rate the common types for embroidery:
| Jacket type | Construction | Embroidery | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fleece jacket | Soft, fluffy pile, usually one layer | Well suited | Very fine lettering can sink into the pile |
| Softshell jacket | Stretchy outer fabric, often brushed inside | Well suited | The fabric stretches and needs a stable backing while embroidering |
| Windbreaker | Thin, tightly woven fabric | Well suited | Very dense embroidery can pucker the light fabric |
| Quilted jacket | Padding between outer fabric and lining, stitched chambers | With care | Place the logo inside one chamber, not across quilting seams |
| Winter jacket, parka | Several layers, lined and often padded | With care | The stitches go through the lining, and the spot must fit in the hoop |
| Rain jacket with membrane | Waterproof layer, often taped seams | Rather not | Every stitch is a hole in the membrane |
Lining and padding: what happens when embroidering
For embroidery, the jacket is clamped into a hoop so that the fabric lies flat and taut. With unlined jackets such as most fleece jackets, only one layer sits in the hoop. That is the easy case: the design sits cleanly, and inside you only see the reverse on the jacket fabric.
With lined jackets, the needle goes through the outer fabric and the lining. Both layers are stitched firmly together, and the reverse of the design shows on the lining. Quilted and winter jackets add padding. The hoop compresses it, and the fabric around the logo can ripple slightly. A logo that fits into a single quilted chamber therefore looks calmer than one that runs across a quilting seam.
With very thick jackets there is also a very practical question: can the chosen spot be hooped cleanly at all? Close to the collar, zip or shoulder seam, space quickly gets tight.
Visible inside is normal
On lined jackets you can see the reverse of the embroidery on the lining. That is not a fault; it is part of the method. We mention it in the consultation so you are not surprised when you unpack.
Rain jackets: every stitch is a hole
Many rain and performance jackets have a waterproof membrane, often with sealed seams. This sealing is called taping. When embroidering, the needle pierces the membrane, and a logo consists of a great many stitches. At that spot, the jacket can let water through afterwards.
Taping the reverse afterwards can help, but it does not reliably make the spot as watertight as it was from the factory. That is why for genuine rain jackets we usually recommend printing: a transfer print is pressed on rather than stitched. We check beforehand on the specific model whether the material can take the heat of the press.
Fleece, softshell without membrane, windbreakers
We embroider these without concern; the jacket stays as it is
Small logo on an everyday jacket
If the jacket is mainly worn against wind and short showers, a small embroidery is acceptable
Rain jacket for long hours in the rain
Better to print here so the membrane stays waterproof
Large, dense embroidery on a membrane
The more stitches, the more holes
Matching garments
Design them in the shop
Chest, sleeve, back: where should the logo go?
On jackets, zips, pockets and seams decide where there is room. You cannot embroider cleanly over a zip, a pocket opening or a thick seam. Tried and tested spots are the left chest, the upper arm and the neck below the collar. The back follows its own rule. These cases help you decide:
Your company logo should go on the left chest, clearly visible and high quality.
Embroidery
A name or department goes on the sleeve or below the logo.
Embroidery
A large design should run across the whole back.
Print
The jacket is a rain jacket with a membrane.
Print
Your logo has gradients, a photo or very fine lines.
Print
Often the best answer
Embroidery front, print back
The logo embroidered on the chest, large lettering printed on the back.
Embroidery + print
Why large back designs are usually printed: a large embroidery needs a huge number of stitches. The area becomes stiff and heavy, and on light fabrics it puckers. A print stays flexible and reproduces fine details too.
Logo, size and thread colours
Embroidery thrives on clear shapes. A logo with solid areas and easily legible lettering looks best on a jacket. Very small lettering and hairline details cannot be embroidered at any size, and on fleece they also disappear into the pile. On the chest, a good size is one where your lettering can still be read from a few metres away.
We create the embroidery file for you, and it is included. Your logo is translated into stitches: direction, density and order. We embroider your logo in up to 3 thread colours. If it has more colours, we suggest a suitable version in the free layout consultation or recommend a print. Before production you receive a digital preview to approve. It shows the position and size on your jacket.
From the workshop
Every jacket has to go in the hoop
The photo shows our multi-head embroidery machines with their hoops clamped in. Every garment is stretched into a hoop like this before embroidering so the fabric lies taut. With jackets, that is exactly the crux: padding, zips and pockets help decide which spot can be hooped cleanly.
When print is the better fit
Side noteOn jackets, embroidery is usually our first recommendation because it looks high quality and lasts through many washes. In three cases we still recommend printing: membrane jackets, large back designs and logos with gradients or photos. For softshell we have described the trade-off in detail: Softshell jackets with logo: embroidery or print?
| Criterion | Thread in the fabric Embroidery | Pressed on Print |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Three-dimensional and high quality | Flat, crisp, even very detailed |
| Membrane | Pierces the waterproof layer | Pressed on, no holes |
| Large back designs | Stiff and heavy | Stays flexible |
| Colours | Up to 3 thread colours | Gradients and photos too |
| Typical for | Chest, sleeve, neck | Back, rain jackets |
Checklist before you order
With these points, your enquiry goes through faster:
- Jacket type clear: unlined, lined, padded or with a membrane?
- Position chosen: clear of zips, pockets and quilting seams
- Logo ready: ideally as a vector file, otherwise in the highest resolution possible
- Thread colours considered: the logo must stand out clearly from the jacket colour
- Sizes collected: jackets fit differently depending on the model, and so do women’s and men’s cuts
- Rest of the outfit considered: do vests, shirts and jumpers match the jacket?
If your jackets are part of a complete set of workwear, our article Workwear with logo for tradespeople helps you choose the other pieces.
Embroidering jackets: frequently asked questions
Can you embroider a waterproof jacket?
Technically yes, but every stitch pierces the membrane. At that spot the jacket can let water through afterwards. For rain jackets that really need to stay waterproof, we therefore recommend printing.
Can you see the embroidery inside on the lining?
On lined jackets, yes. The needle goes through the outer fabric and the lining, so the reverse of the design shows inside. On unlined jackets such as fleece, it sits directly on the inside of the fabric.
How do I wash an embroidered jacket?
Follow the jacket’s care label, ideally inside out and with the zip closed. You will find more tips in our washing instructions.
Can I have my own jackets embroidered?
Yes. How it works and what we look out for with garments you supply is explained on our page Embroidering your own garments.
How long does it take until the jackets arrive?
Once you have approved the digital preview, delivery usually takes approx. 7–10 working days. We embroider in our own workshop in Munich.
Not sure where your logo should sit on your jacket? Send us your enquiry with your logo and jacket model – we’ll get back to you with a suggestion.
Team Shirtplus
Printing and embroidery in our own workshop in Munich. Created with AI support. Last updated: 11 Oct 2026.
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