Famous Brand Proposal: Custom Embroidery Just for You

UNIQLO, a clothing brand loved by people of all ages, offers customizable products with its "My UNIQLO" service in select stores. We visited the UNIQLO Tokyo Ginza store to learn more about their embroidery value-added service.

About "My UNIQLO"

Currently, "My UNIQLO" offers three main services. First is "UTme!", which allows customers to print designs from mobile device onto items like T-shirts or bags. Second is the "ScanNCut Service," which lets you scan hand-drawn illustrations and print them using specific transfer paper. Lastly, there's the "Original Embroidery Service" for adding embroidered designs. Most UNIQLO products, except for collaboration items or thin-material underwear, can be customized with embroidery.

Note: There may be different restrictions based on embroidery design and placement, please check with staff for more details.

The services UTme!, ScanNCut, and embroidery, including all customization options, are only available at the UNIQLO Tokyo Ginza store. However, the embroidery service is offered at ten stores across Japan.

Differences and usage of embroidery and printing services

When creating clothing for companies, stores, events, or teams, "My UNIQLO" is often used. We design appropriate services based on customer needs. Compared to printing, embroidery colors are less likely to fade or peel, making it suitable for uniforms that are washed daily and for creating intricate designs.

For single events, the printing service might be more suitable. UTme! offers a variety of patterns to choose from, or you can print photos directly from a mobile device, allowing you to quickly create original items. Additionally, the ScanNCut service lets you print designs like children's drawings on products, ideal for creating souvenirs.

When did these services start being offered?

These services were launched in September 2013 at the Tokyo Ginza store, Bikkuro Uniqlo Shinjuku Higashiguchi, and Ikebukuro Tobu store. With the concept of "providing you with unique UNIQLO". In addition to the embroidery and ScanN Cut services still offered today, they also provided customization with added components like lace, crystals, rivets, buttons, and epaulettes. Initially, this attracted a lot of customer interest, sometimes resulting in several months' wait from order to delivery.

What challenges were there in starting the embroidery service?

Trying to embroider on various UNIQLO products like AIRism, Ultra Light Down, and Blocktech materials. Even for a T-shirt, the processing method needs to be adjusted based on the materials type and embroidery design. We've faced countless failures but continue to challenge ourselves to meet customer needs.

When embroidering on stretchy fabrics, you can use water-soluble stabilizers to adjust the embroidery adhesion or adjust the frame's tension. Sometimes, it's also necessary to modify the production speed and stitching method. Additionally, embroidering on finished garments like sleeves or jeans, which are tubular, can be challenging. However, we continually experiment and adjust as a team to provide embroidery products that satisfy our customers.

How many original embroidery designs does Uniqlo currently provide?

In all stores supporting My UNIQLO, there are about 160 designs. The Tokyo Ginza store, catering to a more mature audience, offers around 40 adult-specific exclusive designs, totaling over 200 designs to choose from.

Embroidery designed by artists, with beautiful color combinations, is favored by many adult customers. Designs featuring vehicles, animals, dinosaurs, and Sumikko Gurashi are popular among children. Children's items that are often mixed up in places like kindergartens, daycares, and schools can be easily identified with embroidery, making them popular with many parents.

Key Reasons Customers Choose Embroidery Services

It allows the creation of unique, original items, changing the emotional connection to the clothing. Additionally, you can not only customize newly purchased items but also embroider previously bought UNIQLO products, giving them a fresh look. It can give UNIQLO clothing a fresh look, extend the life of the garments, and renew the enjoyment of wearing them.

In today's society, there's increasing awareness about the environmental impact of clothing. We hope to promote a sustainable lifestyle through this service.