Name embroidery on a t-shirt is one of those things you don't think about until you need it. A gift, an anniversary, a new baby, a graduation.
This guide covers the options and how to order. We hand-stitch custom names in our Bulandshahr studio. Browse all letter and name embroidery to see what's possible. These also make good birthday gifts and gifts for couples.
Three ways a name ends up on a shirt
There are three common methods, and they are not the same.
Vinyl heat transfer is a design pressed onto the shirt with heat. It looks crisp at first but tends to peel and crack over time.
Machine embroidery is stitched in real thread by a machine, quickly and uniformly. It holds up well.
Hand embroidery is stitched letter by letter by hand. It looks slightly irregular and personal, and it is what we do.
Name styles
Single first name. The most popular. Friendly and casual. Cursive for a softer look, block for a unisex one.
Two-letter monogram. First and last initial. A classic, refined choice.
Full name and surname. Reads like a name tag. Usually doesn't suit a shirt unless that is the look you want.
Couple's initials. Two initials with an ampersand or a heart, like R and M. Initials with a heart is one of our most popular pieces for couples and anniversaries.
Year only. A birth year, graduation, or anniversary year, in numerals or roman numerals.
Hindi name. A name in Devanagari script. We make these often. It looks especially good on dark shirts with white or gold thread. See Hindi name embroidery.
Fabric
We stitch names on cotton tees. A heavier cotton holds the embroidery without puckering. Avoid very light or stretchy fabrics, where letters can distort.
Where to place the name
Left chest is the usual spot. Centre chest works for short names and monograms. A sleeve or upper arm is more discreet. Low on the hem is subtle. The back of the collar is personal, nice for couples' pieces.
Size
A small size suits a single initial. A medium size is a good all-round choice for most names. A large size works for short single names.
Thread colour
Tone-on-tone, like cream on white or dark grey on black, is subtle and shows up close. High contrast, like white on black, reads from a distance. An accent colour, like gold on navy, looks considered.
How to order
Add the piece to your cart, then in the cart note write the name and any preferences: block, cursive, serif, or Devanagari, and a thread colour if you have one in mind. We confirm the spelling by call or WhatsApp before we start stitching. For Hindi or other non-Latin names, type the name in both your script and English so we get the spelling right.
How it's made
Every name is stitched by hand by women artisans in our Bulandshahr studio. Custom pieces take about 2 to 3 days.
Share and get 15% off!
Simply share this product on one of the following social networks and you will unlock 15% off!