How to match a logo to thread colors
- Upload your logo, or drag it onto the box above. PNG, JPG, GIF and WebP all work, and a PNG with a transparent background works best.
- Choose the thread brand you stock and how many colors to pull out.
- Check each match. The percentage shows how much of the artwork uses that color, so the top rows matter most.
- Copy the thread numbers one at a time, or use Copy all thread numbers to take the whole list.
Your file stays in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to our server, so you can use this with artwork you have not released yet.
How many colors should a patch have?
Most embroidered patches use between three and eight thread colors. Each extra color means another thread change in production, which adds time without always adding much to the finished look. Six colors is a good starting point for a detailed logo, and three or four is usually enough for a simple wordmark or icon.
Start with more colors than you need, then look at the percentages. A color covering only one or two percent of the artwork is often an anti-aliased edge rather than a real design color, and it can usually be merged into its neighbour.
Why the extracted colors may not match your brand guide exactly
The tool reads the pixels in the file you upload, not the original design values. A JPG stores color approximately, so flat areas come out slightly uneven, and a logo placed over a background picks up blended pixels along its edges. If your brand guide lists an exact hex code, that code is more reliable than anything read from an image. Enter it directly in the Hex to Thread Color Converter instead.
What the match labels mean
Each match is scored with the CIEDE2000 colour difference formula, shown as a delta E value. Lower is closer.
| Delta E | Label | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Below 2 | Very close | Generally hard to tell apart on screen. |
| 2 to 5 | Close | A small difference that shows side by side. |
| 5 to 10 | Noticeable difference | Visibly different. Try another brand for that color. |
| Above 10 | Distant | That brand has no close equivalent. |
Ready to order?
Send us your artwork with the thread numbers from this page and we will confirm them against physical shade cards before production. Request a custom patch quote, or browse the full thread color charts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my logo uploaded to your server?
No. The image is read by your own browser using a canvas element, and the colors are calculated on your device. The file is never sent to us, so you can use this with artwork that has not been released yet.
How many thread colors should I use for a patch?
Most embroidered patches use three to eight colors. Each additional color is another thread change in production. Pull six colors first, then check the percentages: anything under a couple of percent is usually an edge blend rather than a real design color.
Why do the colors differ slightly from my brand guide?
The tool reads the pixels in the file you upload. JPG compression and anti-aliased edges shift those pixels slightly away from the original design values. If you have an exact hex code, use the Hex to Thread Color Converter instead.
Which file formats work?
PNG, JPG, GIF and WebP all work, up to 12 MB. A PNG with a transparent background gives the cleanest result. SVG files can be read by some browsers, but saving the artwork as a PNG first is more reliable.
Can I use these thread numbers for my order?
Yes, send them with your artwork when you request a quote. They are nearest matches from published digital color data, so we confirm them against physical shade cards before production.
