The Best Polo Shirts for Embroidery + Top Picks and Buying Tips

Are you looking to elevate your custom merchandise to a new level? Embroidered polo shirts are a timeless classic that adds a touch of professionalism and style to any look. Whether outfitting your company team or sports squad or creating branded apparel for your embroidery business, the right polo shirt can make all the difference.

Why choose embroidered polos over printed t-shirts? Embroidery designs give an elegant and sophisticated look suitable for multiple occasions. Before exploring the best polo shirts for embroidery, let’s see which occasions they fit perfectly.

Reasons to get embroidered polo shirts

While embroidered shirts are versatile, they’re especially suited to represent your company or brand stylishly. Below are several occasions where custom embroidered polo shirts are an impeccable fit.

Work and school uniforms

Polo shirts are like a balance between a button-down suit and a Hawaiian t-shirt. They’re casual enough to make your employees look friendly and approachable but formal enough to give them a professional air. Plus, custom polo shirts can foster a sense of camaraderie amongst your employees, which will boost team morale.

Source: Made in China

Custom polos also make fantastic school uniforms. A coherent dress code offers multiple benefits, such as cultivating a sense of school spirit and removing anxiety associated with choosing outfits.

Great hobby and sports gear

Source: UN Today

Did you know that polos got their name from the game polo? Polo is a game played on horseback in which players use mallets to drive a wooden ball down a grass field between two goalposts. While polo shirts may now be associated with tennis matches or golf, they’re great for any sports or athletic hobby.

Event organizers and promoters

Source: Etsy

Are you organizing an event for your company or brand? Showcase your company logo on your staff’s polo shirt for effortless marketing. Custom polos will also help your team stand out and recognize each other at the event.

Promoters looking to create merchandise for concerts, festivals, and trade shows love an embroidered logo. Need to order a specific number of custom embroidered polo shirts? Use a print-on-demand service like Printful to get the finest polo shirts with your logo.

Nonprofit organizations and charities

Source: Firefighters Charity

Polos are a popular choice for nonprofits that want to raise awareness and funds through branded merchandise. They’re also wonderful for charities looking to thank volunteers and donors with personalized gifts.

Country clubs and resorts

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Dress codes for service-oriented businesses tend to be a bit more formal. A 50/50 polyester and cotton blend polo shirt is a common work uniform for employees who spend most of their time outside. The polyester provides moisture-wicking properties, while the cotton keeps the shirt breathable and comfy.

Country clubs and resorts may also consider selling polos to visitors (ideally in a different color and design than employees’ polos to avoid confusion) to increase their revenue. Plus, they’ll promote your business’s name whenever they wear it.

Best polo shirts for embroidery

Now that we’ve explored reasons to embroider polos, let’s check out the top polo shirts for embroidery.

Women’s Pique Polo Shirt | Gildan 64800L

Source: Printful

Crafted from 100% ring-spun cotton, the Gildan 64800L offers a flattering fit designed specifically for women. Its classic pique fabric is complemented by a rib-knit collar and a two-button placket, ensuring both comfort and breathability. Ideal for company uniforms, team apparel, and promotional giveaways.

Unisex Pique Polo Shirt | Gildan 64800

Source: Printful

The Gildan 64800 is a unisex variant with a relaxed fit, featuring an elegant placket with dyed-to-match buttons and reinforced shoulder seams. It‘s made with 100% ring-spun cotton for a luxurious feel and increased longevity. Perfect for events, sports teams, and casual work attire.

adidas Performance Polo Shirt

Source: Printful

Elevate your brand with the adidas Performance Polo Shirt—an updated timeless classic. It’s made of soft, thin, and 100% recycled material, making it ideal for customers with sustainability in mind. The shirt’s moisture-wicking qualities will keep the body cool and dry, while its UPF 50+ will shield you from the sun. 

Premium Polo Shirt | Port Authority K500

Source: Printful

A classic item that never goes out of style, this premium embroidered polo has it all—a relaxed fit, silky fabric, and a comfortable length. It’s made of 65% polyester and 35% cotton pique, combining the best of both worlds. It features a flat knit collar and cuffs, metal buttons with dyed-to-match plastic rims, and side vents for breathability.

Things to consider when choosing a polo shirt for customization

Before settling on a custom polo for embroidering your logo or design, there are several things you should consider.

Brand

Source: Etsy

Each brand offers unique features and styles that you may be looking for. Choosing a reputable brand like Gildan or adidas is important, as this will guarantee quality and durability. These brands have a strong reputation, so you can trust that your customized polo shirt will stand the test of time.

Fabric type

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There are several polo shirt fabrics to choose from—each suitable for specific occasions. Cotton, for example, provides warmth and is known for being breathable, comfortable, and affordable. Thanks to its insulation properties, this natural fabric is also perfect for air-conditioned spaces or cooler environments.

Polyester is wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and easier to care for, making it suitable for outdoor activities and sports. But it can cause skin irritation for some people.

Source: Darius Knight

Cotton and polyester blend fabrics are excellent for gaining the benefits and performance of each material while neutralizing their disadvantages. You’ll get the comfort of cotton and the performance elements of polyester.

Fabric weight and texture

Source: Printful

When selecting a fabric for embroidered polo shirts, consider thickness, smoothness, and weight. Suitable fabrics include piqué cotton, jersey knit cotton, cotton-polyester blends, microfiber or performance fabrics, and heavyweight cotton.

The best fabric depends on the design complexity, embroidery type, and preference.

Small, intricate designs work better on thick, tight-knit fabric that won’t pucker around the embroidered area. A slightly looser fabric might be acceptable for larger, simple designs, especially if the design doesn’t rely heavily on fine details.

Source: Printful

One general rule is that the fabric should be thick enough to hold the stitches in place without distorting the design. You can always order product samples to see if you’re satisfied with the result of your custom embroidery design before proceeding with a larger embroidery project.

Design placement

Custom embroidery designs tend to be simpler than printed designs. So, it’s no surprise that most custom polo shirts have fewer design placement options than regular t-shirts.

Source: Printful

The left chest or large center on the chest is the primary location for a custom polo shirt design. You can also add a supporting design on the top right or left sleeve. Sleeve designs can make workers more identifiable, but unless your logo is small, it’s better not to complicate things.

Remember, a professional-looking design is a simple one. Use only your logo or company name. Adding a phone number or website is possible but not necessary. Don’t cram too much onto the shirt—it’ll look cheap and tasteless. People love simple designs and can always search for your company online for more info.

Source: Etsy

If you use Printful for your embroidered pieces, check out our guide on how to make embroidery designs to ensure your design turns out how you want it to.

Need some inspiration? Browse these 25 cool embroidery ideas. If you’re interested in running an ecommerce business, check out these trending products to add to your online store.

Other helpful resources:

• How To Create The Perfect Embroidery File
• Graphics and Embroidery Guide
• How To Create Embroidery Designs With Printful’s Design Maker
• How To Design a Logo For Embroidery

Other things to consider

Consider your color options when choosing a print-on-demand partner to fulfill your custom embroidery orders. At Printful, we offer unlimited color embroidery, so your design color options are endless.

Think of what occasion your polo shirts will be worn on. Do they need performance features for sports? Are you looking for a stylish and high-quality vibe? Should the sleeves be long to hide employee tattoos? Does the wearer need a front pocket for keeping a pen or business card? Should the fabric have a soft feel?

Put yourself in the wearer’s shoes (or polo) to design the finest embroidered polo shirt.

Make your custom embroidered polo shirts see the light of day

Embroidered polo shirts with a company logo, team emblem, or a unique design can showcase creativity and boost team spirit. They’re an excellent way to elevate your brand and leave a lasting impression.

With the help of a print-on-demand service like Printful, you can bring your custom embroidery designs to life. The best part—there are no order minimums so you can order as many polo shirts as you need!

Ready to create your custom embroidered polo shirts? Explore our selection and make a statement with your personalized merchandise today.