Last updated: August 2026. By Ben B., founder of Embroidery Inc, Woodland CA. Yes, one of these companies is mine. RushOrderTees facts below come from their own site as of August 2026.
RushOrderTees built their reputation on exactly what the name says: printed apparel, fast. They are legitimately good at it. The comparison gets interesting when the order is embroidered, because that is where the two companies stop overlapping. The one fact that decides most of these matchups: RushOrderTees requires a minimum of 6 pieces for custom embroidered hats. Their printed hats have no minimum, but stitched ones do. At Embroidery Inc, embroidery is the entire business and the minimum is one piece, on everything, always.
The short version
- Choose RushOrderTees for printed shirts or printed hats on a deadline, especially bigger group orders. Rush printing is their home turf.
- Choose Embroidery Inc for embroidered anything, and for any hat order under 6 pieces, which they will not stitch at all. We sew your logo on a real test hat within 24 to 48 hours, you approve it, and your order ships 3 to 5 business days later.
Side by side (embroidered gear)
| Embroidery Inc | RushOrderTees | |
|---|---|---|
| Embroidered hat minimum | 1 piece | 6 pieces (their stated policy; printed hats have no minimum) |
| Proof before production | Logo sewn on a real test hat, photos in 24 to 48 hours, revisions included | Digital preview |
| Turnaround | Ships 3 to 5 business days after proof approval | Rush options on printed gear are their specialty; embroidery timelines vary by order |
| Setup and digitizing | $30 including the sewn proof, free at 12+ items and on all reorders | Included in item pricing |
| Hat pricing | Most hats $18 to $24 with embroidery included, Richardson 112 at $20 | Varies by style and quantity |
| Decoration methods | Embroidery only, done in-house in Woodland, California | Screen printing, DTG, and embroidery |
Why the 6 piece minimum exists, and why we do not have one
RushOrderTees says the embroidery minimum ensures consistent stitching quality, and that is a fair reason for a shop built around print runs. Embroidery machines want per-logo setup: digitizing, thread changes, tension checks, a test run. If stitching is a side service, small orders are not worth that setup. Our shop only does embroidery, so the setup IS the business. We digitize your logo, sew the proof on a real hat, and keep your stitch file on record. That is why one hat works here, and why your second order skips the fee entirely. More on the process in digital mockup vs real sewn proof.
Where RushOrderTees genuinely wins
Printed apparel on a clock. If you need 200 screen printed tees by Friday, send them the job and do not look back. They also carry a broad blank catalog and their design tool is quick. For mixed orders where print is the priority and embroidery is an afterthought, one vendor may just be simpler for you.
Where we win
Anything stitched. Singles and small batches they will not touch. First-run logos, because you see real thread on a real hat before production instead of a rendering. Hat depth: Richardson, Yupoong, Carhartt, The North Face and Nike blanks with embroidery included in the listed price. And reorders, which skip digitizing and go straight to production.
FAQ
Does RushOrderTees have a minimum for embroidered hats?
Yes. Their site states a 6 piece minimum for custom embroidered hats. Printed hats have no minimum there.
Can I order just one custom embroidered hat?
At Embroidery Inc, yes. One hat, logo included, sewn proof first. That order does carry the $30 digitizing fee, which disappears at 12 or more pieces and on every reorder.
Who is faster?
For printed gear, RushOrderTees is built for rush. For embroidered gear, we proof in 24 to 48 hours and ship 3 to 5 business days after approval.
Is embroidery or printing better for hats?
Embroidery, almost always. Curved hat fronts fight prints, and stitching survives sun and washing. Our embroidery vs printing guide covers the full breakdown.
Ben B., founder of Embroidery Inc, Woodland CA