Puff Embroidery Custom 3D Puff

Your factory-direct source for custom 3D puff embroidered merchandise. We embroider 3d puff on hats, caps, hoodies, t-shirts, and more! On this page, you'll find examples of our work, information about 3d embroidery, and frequently asked questions about our puff embroidery service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 

  • Wholesale Prices
  • Hats, Hoodies & More
  • 50 Piece Order Minimum
  • 24 Hour Rush Service
  • 10 Day Turn Around
  • Expert 3D Puff Digitizing
  • Hundreds of Puff Colors
  • Combine With Flat Stitch
  • Decades of Experience
  • Up to 4" x 4" 3D Puff

Example of how you can make your custom puff embroidery order. 

Expert Advice

What Are The Differences Between 3D Puff and Flat Embroidery?

3D puff embroidery and flat embroidery are two popular techniques used to customize garments, but they differ in appearance. 3D puff embroidery creates a raised effect by using foam underneath the stitches to make the design literally “pop”. In contrast, flat embroidery lies flush with the fabric offering a smooth finish that works well for small text and detail. Check out this chart below to learn about the differences of each.

Features:

3D Puff Embroidery

Flat Embroidery

Thread Options

Equal

Equal

Artwork Style

Best for solid colors & large thick text

Can create small text and fine details.

Fabric Suitability

Cleaned with heat, so fabrics such as foam are difficult

Cotton, polyester, nylon, denim, foam, & more

Best For

Thick fabrics such as 6oz t-shirts, 10oz hoodies, and snapbacks.

Can embroider a wide range of fabric thicknesses and fabrics.

Print Process

Backing & foam is used to create the 3D appearance.

Only backing is used for production.

Set-Up Cost

Typically $35. Based on the design's size and complexity.

Typically $50. Based on the design's size and complexity.

Vibrancy & Color Accuracy

Equal

Equal

Upgrade Your Embroidery

Upgrading Flat to 3D Puff Embroidery

Upgrading from flat embroidery to 3D puff embroidery is a great way to add dimension. While flat embroidery offers a timeless look, 3D puff embroidery creates a bold effect that grabs attention. It's perfect for hats, jackets, and other thick fabrics. 3D Puff works best with solid colors, simple artwork, and large thick text, so it's ideal for bold designs rather than intricate details or fine lines.

Be Creative

Combine 3D Puff With Flat Embroidery

Combining 3D puff with flat embroidery on hats is a unique way to create a design. This technique highlights bold logos or text with the raised 3D puff effect while adding intricate details and fine lines with flat embroidery. The combination makes your hats still stand out without losing detail. For example, you can emphasize your brand name with 3D puff and complement it with intricate details and small text with flat embroidery. We can create free mockups to help you visualize.

Flat Embroidery

Flat Stitch
Button

3D Puff Embroidery

Puff Embroidery
This is a GIF of a black dad hat with pink thread on Garment Decor's Barudan embroidery machine.
3D Puff Pricing

How Does Pricing work?

Pricing for 3D puff embroidery is determined by two key factors, stitch count and quantity. The stitch count is based on the size and complexity of the design, because larger and intricate designs require more stitches which means more production time. The video on the left shows our embroidery machine stitching a hat to show how each stitch contributes to the production time. Also, larger order sizes will receive bulk 3d puff pricing discounts. Please contact us to request a quote.

Custom Puff Embroidery Colors

3D Puff Thread Color Options

Choose from a huge selection of custom 3d puff thread color options at Garment Decor. We have inventory of every shade from reds, blues, greens, and so much more. When creating the puff embroidery appearance we use a foam color that is similar in shade to the threads, so the foam can't be seen after embroidery production. We use Madeira Polyneon threads which offer a vibrant and glossy appearance that client's love. 

This is a GIF of Garment Decor's embroidery operator selecting thread colors to use for a custom 3D Puff embroidered design.
Learn About Puff Embroidery Merch

How Is 3D Puff Embroidery Created?

Custom puff embroidery, also known as puff 3D embroidery, is created by placing foam underneath the threads causing the design to “rise” and it's how the 3D appearance is created. In the photos below you'll see what the hat first looks like with the foam before and then after it's cleaned.

Popular 3D Puff Embroidered Hats

Popular Hats To Use With 3D Puff Embroidery

A black baseball cap with a curved brim and a red and white "Favorite Products Showcase" label on the front.

5 Panel Hi-Profile Snapback

Style: Otto Cap 31-069

5 Panel, Mid Profile, Popular

A plain black bucket hat with visible stitching and a slightly crumpled texture featured in the Favorite Products Showcase, isolated on a white background.

Garment Wash Bucket Hat

Style: Otto Cap 16-1331

Garment Wash, 100% Cotton

Black trucker hat with a mesh back and a Favorite Products Showcase label on the front.

5 Panel Trucker Snapback

Style: Otto Cap 32-285

5 Panel, Structured, Cotton Twill

Favorite black snapback cap with a flat brim and a sticker on the bill, displayed against a white background.

Flexfit 6 Panel SnapBack

Style: Flexfit 6089

Green Under Bill, Premium, 6 Panel

3D Puff Embroidery Reviews

Happy To Help

3D Puff Embroidery Frequent
Questions

If there is anything we missed, please contact us:
  • Call (855) 942-7636
  • Email info@GarmentDecor.com
  • Visit 4778 W Mission Blvd. Montclair CA 91762 
How does pricing work?

3d puff embroidery pricing is based on how many stitches it takes to embroider your design and the total order quantity.

We offer price breaks, so the more you order then the more affordable it becomes.

Stitch Count Estimator:

  1. Text Based: 0-2,500 stitches: Designs containing text only.
  2. Logos: 2500-5000 stitches:  Artwork that typically has 1-4 colors with limited detail.
  3. Detailed Artwork: 5000-7500 stitches: Artwork that has complex details.
  4. Backgrounds: 7500-10,000+ stitches: Designs that require the logo to have a patch-like background and are typically larger than 4" x 4".

We take the stitch count and pair with the order quantity to calculate the per-unit 3d puff embroidery price

Please contact us with your project details and we'll reply with a quote in 48 hours.

What is your turn around time?

We can produce custom 3d puff embroidered hats in just 24 hours with our rush service.

Our standard turn around time is 10 business days (2 weeks). But, we'll always work to meet your due date.

Projects that require multiple designs, retail finish, and complex details should allow for extra time. Our sales rep and production teams will keep you updated.

Can I supply my own garments?

Yes, you can supply your own garments. But, we offer wholesale prices on thousands of products.

Before you make your purchase let us know the price you can get it for and we can advise if we can save you money. 

Do you offer a sample?

Due to the time, labor, and material costs involved with creating custom 3d puff embroidered merchandise we're unable to produce an order of just one.

But, all orders come with a sample before production text message, so you'll approve a physical sample before production.

What fabrics work best?

The fabrics that work best with 3d puff custom embroidery are:

  • 6oz & heavier t-shirts
  • 10oz & heavier hoodies
  • Structured hats
  • Denim fabrics

We can 3d puff embroider other fabrics too, so a good rule of thumb is to use thicker fabrics to ensure the 3D Puff has a str0ng foundation.

Why is 3D puff difficult with foam?

When 3d embroidery production is complete it goes to the next stage for cleaning. This process involves a heat gun that applies heat to the threads to create a crisp look.

The foam part of the hat is very heat sensitive and runs a risk of burning during the cleaning process. For this reason we encourage 3d puff embroidery on other fabrics.

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