It’s an option on almost all of the tops we have available on our website, but many people don’t realise how important uniform embroidery can be regardless of what area of healthcare you work in. Whether you’ve never had your scrubs embroidered before, or you’re wondering if you should bother updating your current embroidery, it’s worth taking a look at why we think embroidery is essential to your scrub top. Let’s have a look at some of the tips our team have put together on why embroidery is a good idea, how it works, and what are the best options to choose.
Reasons to personalise your uniform with embroidery
Hi! My name is...
First and foremost, introducing yourself to your patients using the “Hello my name is” protocol is one of the most basic ways to make a patient feel comfortable and at ease, but it is always good to have your name visible on your scrub top or lab coat as a refresher.
Name tags or lanyards are not always an option, so having your name embroidered to the chest of your scrub top is a perfect alternative… or dare we say even better! Not only is there the benefit of not having to remove and re-pin your name tag every time you wash your top, but name embroidery is often larger and more clear to see than it is on a tag. Plus it ensures that nobody is going to be wearing or taking your uniform by accident.
Your ward/department/role
Clarity of what your role is can really help patients, clients and colleagues alike understand exactly what it is you can do for them - and it’s easy to see at a glance if you’re talking to the right person.
Especially in a large hospital setting, it may not be clear to patients who it is they should ask certain questions to and if many different people are wearing the same colour scrubs then it can be even more confusing. Embroidering your role or department under your name can be very useful both to the patient and to yourself when trying to identify someone. Another idea to try having different departments try embroidery in different colours to further stand out.
Logos and branding
When it comes to hospital settings, having the logo embroidered is of course essential in creating a uniform look amongst all staff. If you are ordering for a large group or practice, maybe with different colour uniforms for different roles, the company logo really ties everything together and gives a more professional and unified aspect to the team.
However, logo embroidery is also an important part of your branding when it comes to other healthcare settings such as private clinics, dental practices, veterinary surgeries, nursing homes and childcare. If you have worked hard on creating a logo, deciding on your brand colours and posting images to social media to boost awareness of your business then it would be a shame to not also show it off on your uniforms! Having your custom logo embroidered can really finish off the professional look you are going for while boosting brand visibility and familiarity with patients and clients. We have an expert embroidery team at Happythreads who are happy to make suggestions and produce the highest quality embroidered logo on your scrubs.
A sponsor logo
Sometimes you can get lucky and have another organisation sponsor your uniform - a great way to say thank you is to arrange to have their logo appear on your uniform. You’re not limited to just embroidery on the chest either - get in touch with our embroidery team if you’d like to explore your options with sleeve, back, or even trousers.
Anything else you’d like
We’ve seen it all here from catchphrases to in-jokes, to a class getting a personalised lab coat for their teacher. We don’t mind what you’d like to have embroidered, so chat to our team here to see if what you want is possible.
When not to add embroidery to your scrubs
Sometimes, embroidery might not be the best option. We recommend if you are trying out new uniforms, to get them without embroidery first to ensure that the colour, size and fit are what you require. You can always send them back to us for embroidery when you know you have exactly what you want.
We understand that embroidery is a big decision to make - once you’ve made the step of having your items embroidered, you won’t be able to return or exchange them - but it is also a great way of unifying a team, or simply of identifying all the individuals in your department or practice.
Embroidery services at Happythreads
Quality professional equipment and expertise When you order from Happythreads, all scrubs are embroidered in our workshop by our experienced team, led by Chris and Tim. We use quality professional equipment to guarantee impeccable results with resistant and coloured threads.
Customisation options for all fabrics Since embroidery can be done on all fabrics, you can choose your new outfit from our collections of medical coats. Discover more advice and order your embroidery with us to enhance your medical uniforms!
Customer testimonials
Dr. Sarah Thompson - "Having my name and title embroidered on my coat helps patients feel more at ease and builds trust quickly."
Nurse John Davis - "Our team feels more united wearing embroidered uniforms. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference."
How to add embroidery to your Happythreads uniform order
Step 1: Use Google Chrome for the best experience when placing your order.
Step 2: Select the colour and size of your top and click the ‘add embroidery’ button before adding it to your cart.
Step 3: Choose the side of your chest for the embroidery placement (left or right as if you are wearing the top). Select Text, Logo, or Both.
Step 4: For custom logos, upload the image and give it a name. Note that a setup fee is only required once per logo.
Step 5: If you’re adding both text and a logo, the cost is €10. For text or logo alone, it’s €6.
Choosing what to add to your scrubs
Keep it simple and stylish
Less is more, as they say! Do you really need to add every single letter? We recommend a maximum of 21 characters per line when adding text. Try using ‘Dr’ instead of ‘Doctor’. If your logo has lots of shading or gradients, we may advise you to pick one or two colours to simplify things and make it all look quite clear.
Colour
The embroidery should contrast strongly with the colour of the fabric in order to stand out. You may wish to use a complementary shade (very light blue on navy, for example) or a contrasting shade (bright pink or yellow on black). The most important thing is any text should be legible to your patients or clients.
Our team advises against choosing embroidery colours that are too close in colour to your top, for example black embroidery on black, charcoal or navy scrubs would not be very visible. If you are unsure of the best colours, our team is more than happy to make suggestions!
Text or custom logo
When it comes to choosing both your logo and text you will need to decide if you would like your text embroidered directly above or below your logo, or on opposite sides of your chest. This will depend on the style of scrub top you have chosen as well as how large you would like the logo to be so that you achieve the most professional result.
Something to keep in mind, if you would like to add both text and a logo to your uniform it is a little more expensive than just adding one or the other.
Text font
We have two standard options for embroidering text to your uniform. This is in relation to add your name, job titles, department etc., and separate from your logo.
BLOCK - the most clear and legible.
Script - a lovely flowing, italic style font. We do not recommend using all uppercase letters for this font.
Stock vs custom logo
Stock logo: If you don’t currently have a business logo but would like to try one, we have some pre-made graphics available to add some character to your embroidery. There is no set-up fee for these stock logos and you can see what options are available when you choose ‘stock logo’ when adding embroidery as an option to your top before adding to cart.
We are thrilled to introduce our new range of stock logos, designed to add a touch of elegance and professionalism to your medical uniforms. Each logo is meticulously crafted to stand out and enhance your brand identity, meeting the unique requirements of all healthcare professionals.
Your own logo: If we’ve already embroidered your logo before, just enter the name of the logo in the correct box when adding your new scrub top to the cart. If it’s one we have not embroidered before, you’ll need to upload the logo image when adding your scrub top to your cart. Upload your image and give it a name. You only need to pay the set-up fee once per logo.
Making changes to a current logo?
Please consider the following graphic when making changes to your logo so you know what can be accepted and changed free of charge or what counts as a totally new logo. Certain changes require re-digitisation of the logo which is why they are considered new.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are adding a new logo, please only add it to the first item or you may be overcharged. The second and subsequent tops you can just use the “I have already uploaded my logo” and enter the name you gave the logo you uploaded.
The history and evolution of embroidery
An age-old practice The art of embroidery dates back to Antiquity, practised in almost all regions of the world. It involves adding a pattern to fabric using coloured threads. Often decorative, embroidery has evolved and is now also used informatively, to indicate a name or profession on clothing.
The Middle Ages: cross-stitch revival In the Middle Ages, embroidery experienced its first revival with the introduction of intricate cross-stitch patterns in Britain and Ireland. Gradually popularised across the UK and Ireland, it was mainly reserved for religious vestments and ceremonial attire. This revival led to the creation of elaborate tapestries and hangings with complex designs.
The Renaissance: personalised wedding trousseaus During the Renaissance, embroidery became an essential part of young women’s education in the UK and Ireland, personalising their wedding trousseaus with their initials. Sheets, towels, and body linen were enhanced with wool or silk threads, often tone-on-tone, reflecting the craftsmanship of the time.
19th Century: the first embroidery machines Technical advancements over the centuries transformed embroidery, with the 19th-century invention of the first embroidery machine allowing mass production. This innovation was particularly significant in industrial cities like Manchester and Dublin.
Modern Resurgence: 1980s to present The 1980s saw a resurgence in cross-stitching, becoming a trendy pastime across the UK and Ireland. Recently, younger generations have embraced textile arts like sewing, knitting, and crochet, bringing embroidery back into fashion. Tutorials and creative models are flourishing online.
Meet Chris and Tim: the embroidery experts
Behind the scenes at Happythreads Let’s take a look behind the scenes at Happythreads, where Chris and Tim, our expert embroidery men, bring your uniforms to life.
Chris: the detail-oriented perfectionist Chris, with his meticulous eye for detail, ensures every stitch is perfect. He takes pride in his work, knowing that each embroidered coat will help healthcare professionals present a polished, professional image.
Tim: the machine mastermind Tim, on the other hand, is the mastermind behind the machines, always finding new ways to make our processes more efficient without compromising on quality. Together, they make an unbeatable team, turning simple medical coats into works of art.
Chris says, "We love what we do. It's not just about adding a logo or name; it's about creating something that professionals can wear with pride." Tim adds, "Seeing our work on a medical professional, knowing it helps them stand out and feel part of a team, is incredibly rewarding."
Hopefully, our guide will be helpful to you when considering adding embroidery to a lab coat or scrub top. If you have any questions, please contact us!
Tags: Embroidery
