What Big Frog Custom T-Shirts does

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts is a franchise-based embroidery and custom apparel business with locations across the United States. You walk into a local Big Frog shop, choose a garment (t-shirt, polo, hat, jacket, or other items), pick your design or create one with their help, and they embroider it on-site or have it embroidered in their facility. The finished item is ready for pickup within days, not weeks.

The business model centers on local service — each franchise operates independently, so pricing, turnaround time, design capabilities, and available garment options vary by location. There is no national online ordering system where you submit a design and wait for mail delivery. You are working with a physical store in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Big Frog locations are independently owned franchises, so prices and services differ between shops — calling your local store directly is the only way to know what they charge and how long work takes.
  • You can bring your own design or work with the shop's designer to create one, and most locations can handle logos, names, and custom artwork on a range of garment types.
  • Embroidery is done either in-shop or at a facility the franchise uses, with turnaround typically measured in days rather than weeks.
  • Minimum order quantities vary by location and design complexity — some shops will embroider a single shirt, while others may require a small order for certain designs.

How to find your local Big Frog location and what to bring

Big Frog maintains a location finder on their website where you can enter your zip code and see franchises near you. Once you identify a shop, call them directly — do not assume their website or social media is current. Ask about their current turnaround time, whether they have the garment color and size you want in stock, and what the design fee is (if any) on top of the embroidery cost.

When you visit or contact the shop, have a clear picture of what you want: the garment type (t-shirt, polo, hat, etc.), the color, the size, and either a design file or a description of what you want embroidered. If you have a logo or artwork, bring it as a digital file (PDF, JPG, or PNG work best). If you are starting from scratch, the shop's designer can work with you to create something, though this may add time and cost.

Design options and what affects the final price

Big Frog can embroider existing logos, create new designs from scratch, or digitize artwork you provide. The cost depends on several factors: the number of stitches in the design (more detail means more stitches and higher cost), the number of colors, the garment type, and whether you need design work done first. A straightforward single-color name on a t-shirt costs far less than a multi-color logo with shading.

Most locations charge a separate design or digitizing fee if you are bringing artwork that needs to be converted into an embroidery file. This fee is usually one-time — if you order the same design again later, you may not pay it twice. Ask your local shop whether they keep your design on file and what they charge to reorder it.

Garment selection and inventory

Big Frog stocks basic apparel items at most locations: t-shirts, polos, hoodies, hats, and jackets. Colors and sizes available depend on the individual franchise. Some shops order items to your specifications if they do not have what you want in stock, which adds time to your order. Others work only with what they have on hand.

Before you finalize your design, confirm that the shop has the garment, color, and size you need. If they have to special-order it, ask how long that takes and whether there is an upcharge. Blank garment costs are built into the embroidery price, so you are not paying separately for the shirt itself.

Turnaround time and rush orders

Standard turnaround at most Big Frog locations is three to five business days from the time your order is placed and paid for. This assumes the garment is in stock and the design is finalized. If the shop has to order the blank garment or if you need design work, add time to that estimate.

Many locations offer rush service for an additional fee — typically one or two business days instead of three to five. Ask about rush pricing when you call. Some shops cannot accommodate rush orders during peak seasons (back-to-school, holidays), so timing matters.

Pricing structure and what you will pay

Big Frog does not publish a national price list because each franchise sets its own rates. A single embroidered t-shirt might cost $20 to $40 depending on design complexity and your location. A polo or jacket costs more. Design fees (if charged) typically range from $25 to $75 for custom work or digitizing.

The only way to know the actual cost is to contact your local shop with specifics: the garment type, the design (or a description of it), and the quantity. Most shops will give you a quote over the phone or ask you to come in for an estimate. Some charge nothing for a quote; others may charge a small fee if you do not place an order.

Bulk orders and team/corporate work

Big Frog handles bulk orders for sports teams, corporate events, school groups, and other organizations. Bulk pricing is usually lower per item than single orders. The shop will work with you to choose garments, finalize a design, and set a delivery date. Bulk orders may have longer turnaround times because the embroidery workload is larger.

If you are ordering for a team or organization, ask about volume discounts and whether the shop offers any additional services like screen printing (some locations do both). Confirm the total cost, the delivery date, and what happens if you need to change the order after it is placed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own blank t-shirt to Big Frog to have it embroidered?

Most Big Frog locations do not embroider garments you bring in — they sell you the blank and embroider it as part of the service. A few franchises may make exceptions, but you need to call your local shop to ask. If they do accept outside garments, they may charge a higher embroidery fee or require a minimum order.

How long does it take to digitize a logo or design?

Digitizing (converting artwork into an embroidery file) usually takes one to three business days, depending on the complexity of the design and how busy the shop is. straightforward logos digitize faster than detailed artwork with many colors. Ask your shop for a timeline when you submit the design.

What file formats does Big Frog accept for designs?

Most locations accept JPG, PNG, and PDF files. If you have a vector file (AI or EPS), that is even better because it scales without losing quality. Call ahead with your file to confirm the shop can work with it before you visit or send it.

Do Big Frog locations offer screen printing as well as embroidery?

Some franchises offer both embroidery and screen printing, but not all. Call your local shop to ask what services they provide. Screen printing is usually cheaper for large orders of straightforward designs, while embroidery is better for small quantities or designs with lots of detail.

Can I reorder the same design without paying the design fee again?

Most shops keep your design file on record and will not charge the digitizing or design fee a second time. Confirm this with your location when you place your first order, and ask them how long they keep files. Some shops may charge a small retrieval fee if you reorder after a long time.