When you create an embroidery product in Printeez using a standard image file (PNG, JPG, SVG), a one-time setup fee is charged the first time that product is ordered. This fee covers the digitizing process, converting your artwork into a machine-readable embroidery stitch file. Once digitizing is done, the file is stored in your account and reused for every future order of that product at no extra charge.
Understanding how setup fees apply, and how to avoid paying them more than once, lets you manage costs effectively as you build your embroidery catalog.
How the Setup Fee Works
The setup fee is charged once per unique artwork file, the first time that file is sent to production. After that, all reorders use the saved digitized file and no additional setup fee is applied.
The fee is per artwork file (same size) in your account, not per product, not per order. This means:
- Same artwork, multiple colors: creating garment color variations (e.g., white logo on a black shirt and a black logo on a white shirt) uses the same artwork file. Only one setup fee is charged, regardless of how many color variants you have.
- Same artwork, multiple products: if you apply the same artwork file to multiple products, for example, a logo on a sweatshirt and the same logo on a kids t-shirt, the system recognizes it as one artwork. Only one setup fee is charged across both, as long as you keep the same dimensions and use the same saved file without re-uploading.
- Re-uploaded artwork: if you upload the same image a second time, the system treats it as a new file and a new setup fee applies. This is intentional, it is how you request a fresh digitizing pass optimized for a different product type (see the section on product optimization below).
Optimizing Embroidery by Product Type
Printeez digitizes embroidery files differently depending on the type of garment. Using the same digitized file across all your product types will work, the embroidery will stitch correctly, but the result may not be as premium as it could be. For the best quality, Printeez recommends digitizing separately for each product group:
- Flat garments: t-shirts, sweatshirts, long sleeves, and jackets can share one digitized file. Digitizing is optimized for flat, knit or woven fabric.
- Structured caps: caps (snapbacks, dad hats, trucker caps) require a different digitizing approach. On a cap, the embroidery is stitched from the center outward to the sides, then to the top, to avoid registration inconsistencies. A flat-garment digitized file used on a cap will still stitch, but the result may not look as precise or premium.
- Beanies and stretchy headwear: beanies are knit fabric and stretch significantly when worn. They require higher stitch density than flat garments. Printeez recommends digitizing separately for beanies to ensure the design holds its shape properly on the finished product.
To have Printeez digitize an artwork separately for caps or beanies while keeping the same design, re-upload the same image as a new file. The system sees it as a distinct artwork and digitizes it fresh for that product type. This results in a second setup fee for that re-uploaded file, but gives you an optimized stitch map for each product type.
If minimizing setup fees is the priority, you can use one digitized file across all product types. The embroidery will still look good, it just may not be at the maximum quality level Printeez can achieve with type-specific digitizing.
Using Your Own .DST Files to Skip Setup Fees
If you already have a digitized embroidery file (.DST format), either from a previous digitizing service, from another print-on-demand provider such as Printful, Printify, or Gelato, or from your own digitizing software, you can upload it directly to Printeez. When a .DST file is used as the artwork for an embroidery product, the setup fee is waived entirely. Printeez recognizes that a production file already exists and sends the order straight to production.
This means you can transfer your entire embroidery catalog from another provider to Printeez without paying digitizing fees again.
How to upload a .DST file
- Open the Design Tool for your embroidery product.
- In the Files tab on the left panel, click Upload and select your .DST file.
- Once uploaded, the system reads the file and shows you each stop, the points in the stitch sequence where the machine pauses to change thread color.
- Assign a thread color to each stop. Printeez offers a full thread color catalog; you may find more color options than what your previous provider offered.
- Note on 3D foam puff stops: some DST files include stops for 3D foam puff embroidery. These stops create raised lettering or shapes. Assign a color to every stop, even if the preview does not appear to change, the stop is still part of the stitch sequence. Use the remaining visible text as a reference for the color you want.
- Save the product. The mockup renders using the actual digitized stitch data, giving you a realistic 3D embroidery preview.
- When you add this product to cart, no setup fee appears. The system confirms a production file already exists and proceeds directly to fulfillment.
Reusing Saved Artwork
Once an artwork file has been digitized by Printeez, the digitized stitch file is permanently stored in your account and linked to that artwork. You can reuse the saved artwork on additional products without paying again.
To reuse it: in the Design Tool for a new product, select the same artwork from your Artworks Library instead of uploading a new file. As long as you keep the same dimensions, only one setup fee will have been charged across all the products that use that artwork.
If you previously used a PNG or image file that Printeez digitized for you, you can also reuse that digitized file by downloading it and re-uploading it as a .DST file for new products. See the next section for instructions on downloading your production files.
Downloading Your Production Files
After Printeez digitizes an embroidery artwork (on first production), the digitized stitch file is saved to your account and is yours permanently. You can download it at any time:
- Go to the product in your Artworks Library or open the product in the Design Tool.
- Click the artwork file. Two download options appear: Artwork File (the original image you uploaded, e.g. PNG) and Production File (the digitized .DST file).
- Download the Production File to save the .DST file to your computer.
You can then upload this .DST file to new products, share it with another provider, or keep it as a backup. Reusing it on new Printeez products will not incur another setup fee.
Summary: When Setup Fees Apply
- First time an artwork is ordered: setup fee charged once
- Color variations using the same artwork file: no extra fee
- Same artwork file applied to multiple products at the same dimensions: no extra fee
- Same artwork re-uploaded as a new file (for type-specific optimization): new fee for the re-uploaded file
- DST file uploaded directly: no setup fee at all
- Reorder of any product with an existing digitized file: no fee
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a setup fee?
The setup fee covers the digitizing process, converting your design into a machine embroidery stitch file (.DST). It is a one-time charge per unique artwork file. Once the stitch file is created, it is stored in your account and used for all future orders of that artwork at no additional cost.
Is the setup fee per order or per design?
Per design (per unique artwork file), and only on the first order. Reorders use the saved stitch file and are not charged again.
I have 10 color variants of my t-shirt. Do I pay 10 setup fees?
No. Color variations use the same artwork file and the same stitch map. You pay one setup fee regardless of how many garment color variants you have.
Can I use the same logo on my t-shirts and caps without paying twice?
You can, but for best quality Printeez recommends uploading the file twice, once for flat garments and once for caps, so the stitch map is optimized for each. This means two setup fees. If you upload it only once and use that file on both, you pay one fee but the cap result may not be as precise.
I'm switching from Printful / Printify / Gelato. Can I bring my embroidery files?
Yes. Export your .DST files from your current provider, upload them to Printeez, and assign thread colors. No setup fees apply to .DST uploads. You may also find that Printeez offers more thread color options than your previous provider.