Distributor Resources

Artwork & files

Send your PO at the same time as your DST. It helps us route your order.

Send a DST built for the item

• Caps need a cap file. A cap DST sews from the bottom center out to the upper edge. That keeps the hat from puckering and bubbling, for the best-looking finish.
• Flat garments need a flats file. Polos, jackets, and bags run best from a DST digitized for flat goods.

Include with every order

• A mockup image showing the logo and placement. It always helps us match what your client expects.
• A size reference, the finished width and height of the logo.
• Thread colors for each step of the run sheet, if you're supplying a DST.

Only have artwork?

We can digitize it for you. It's a one-time $40 digitizing fee per design and doesn't add any time to your order. If the same logo goes on caps and flat garments, that's two digitized files (cap and flats) for the best look.

Thread colors

We sew with Madeira Polyneon. PMS colors can't be matched exactly in thread, but we can get close. List the Polyneon color number for each step when you can.

Polyneon colors we stock

• 1924
• 1661
• 1971
• 1624
• 1955
• 1965
• 1621
• 1853
• 1678
• 1987
• 1878
• 1839
• 1747
• 1820
• 1982
• 1616
• 1784
• 1816
• 1921
• 1990
• 1787
• 1782
• 1631
• 1711
• 1922
• 1634
• 1767
• 1843
• 1967
• 1874
• 1934
• 1675
• 1628
• 1961
• 1593
• 1977
• 1797
• 1893
• 1895
• 1888
• 1846
• 1879
• 1748
• 1701
• 1988
• 1651
• 1900
• 1970
• 1968
• 1668
• 1798
• 1796
• 1792
• 1939
• 1659
• 1938
• 1728
• 1884
• 1739
• 1812
• 1670
• 1840
• 1841
• 1610
• 1811
• 1800
• 1801
• 1925
• 1950

Color numbers refer to the Madeira Polyneon color card. This list updates automatically from our inventory. Colors are listed in Madeira color card order. Cone photos courtesy of Madeira USA. Screens vary, so use a physical Madeira card for exact matching.

Need a color we don't stock?

We can order any Madeira Polyneon color. Special-order colors may add $4 to $14 per spool, with a 4-spool minimum per color.

Heat press transfers

We apply transfers you supply. We don't make transfers in house, so every heat press order needs the transfers plus the manufacturer's application instructions.

We really like SupaColor transfers. They feel great on the garment and adhere well.

Sizing & limits

We specialize in left chest logos and caps. We're a fully magnetic hoop shop, so every garment is hooped with the right fabric tension. We don't specialize in large designs like jacket backs.

What we don't embroider

• Leather
• Retail brands that aren't designed to be embroidered
• Retail weekender-style backpacks with foam or plastic liners, which can't be hooped properly

Not sure about an item? Send us the style number before you order.

To check the largest decoration area for a specific garment, find the style on sanmar.com, scroll to Product Resources, and open the Decoration Spec Sheet.

Sending garments

Every order is garment supplied. Ship blanks through SanMar PSST or from any supplier to:

Serena Embroidery
5755 Jean Rd Ste 102C
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Label every box with your distributor name and PO number so we can match it to your order. A packing list is helpful but not required. Blank apparel vendors include one with every shipment.

Receiving hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.

We count every shipment

We count garments as they come in. If anything is short, wrong, or damaged, we email the person who sent the purchase order and ask how you'd like to handle it. In some cases we can work with the blank supplier to get the right garments sent and return the incorrect ones.

Pricing & payment

Our contract price list isn't published online. Request a copy and we'll email it to you.

Request Price List

Spoilage & changes

2% spoilage rate

Embroidery machines can do odd things, and errors happen, whether from a person or a machine. That's why we work with a 2% spoilage rate. If any pieces in your order have an error, we list what happened on your order in Printavo so you can see it.

Garments ruined within the 2% are the distributor's responsibility. Above 2%, Serena Embroidery covers the cost. In some cases we may ask you to replace the item and subtract that cost from the job, since we don't have accounts with every vendor.

Changes after sew-out approval

If you need changes after approving a sew-out, we'll do our best to make them promptly. Changes after approval may push out your production date.

Finishing & shipping

• Folding: we fold in bulk. In most cases, like sizes are folded in groups of 6.
• Box labels: every box gets a contractor profile label on the side with your business name and the project name from Printavo.
• Blind shipping: we ship blind, so your client never sees our name.
• Your UPS account: welcome. Send your UPS account number and its billing ZIP code. We don't ship FedEx.
• Polybagging: available at an extra charge, listed on our price sheet.

Order process

1. Send your PO with your DST or artwork, mockup, and size.
2. We enter the order in Printavo with an estimated production date, and you get an approval request.
3. We stitch a sew-out and send you a photo to approve.
4. Once approved, your order goes into production.
5. Pick up at our shop, or we ship with tracking.
6. We send your invoice through Printavo.

Standard turnaround is 7 to 10 business days after sew-out approval and once all product is received. Turnaround may vary.