Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you pronounce "Kataaro" and what does it mean?
2. Will you embroider my existing belt?
3. Can you make a special belt that I don't see on your site?
4. Can I get three or four lines of embroidery on a belt end?
5. Can I get angled dan / rank stripes on my belt?
6. Does the embroidery show through on the back of the belt?
7. How long will it take to receive my embroidered karate belt?
8. Can I get my embroidery order any faster than 4 weeks?
9. Can you embroider our school logo on a uniform?
10. Can you make a custom size uniform for me?
11. Can I see an image of the belt before you embroider it?
12. Do you offer wholesale accounts?
13. Can you embroider a design on a karate uniform or judo gi?
14. Can you embroider the Kyokushinkai single character?
15. Can you make a custom patch for me?
16. What is the difference between Japanese kanji and katakana?
17. Do you offer silk-screening (screen printing) on uniforms?
18. Why have I not received the layout of my embroidery item yet?

Answers...

1. How do you pronounce "Kataaro" and what does it mean?

   It is pronounced ka-ta-ro. That's ka (as in karate), ta (as in top), ro (as in row). Kataaro is a version of the family name which means weaver. We use the kanji shoku, which means weave, to represent Kataaro.

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2. Will you embroider my existing belt?

   We will embroidery your existing martial arts belt or uniform. Just send it to us with the embroidery details as well as your contact and shipping information. We will contact you with a price quote.

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3. Can you make a special belt that I don't see on your site?

   We can custom make most any belt. Send us an email with the details and we'll let you know what we can do.

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4. Can I get three or four lines of embroidery on a belt end?

   Maybe. Depending on the size of the lettering and the width of the belt, you could get at least three lines of embroidered text on the belt. You will need to email us with the request since the website will not allow more than two lines of embroidery.

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5. Can I get angled dan / rank stripes on my belt?

   Yes. Just specify "angled rank stripe" in the Special Instructions section of the embroidered belt options. Other rank markings such as Roman numerals or stars are available upon request as well.

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6. Does the embroidery show through on the back of the belt?

   Yes, the embroidery shows through on the back side of the belt. We use an embroidery thread color for the back surface of the belt that matches the embroidery color on the front surface. This way the back surface embroidery color looks uniform. The only way to not see the embroidery on the back surface of a belt is to embroider it before the belt is constructed. In doing this, the rows of sewing thread would sit on top of the embroidery thread. We don't prefer this look.

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7. How long will it take to receive my embroidered karate belt?

   All embroidered orders will take about four weeks. It will be a week or two to receive the layout and another three weeks for the embroidery. If the layout is taking longer, we will make up the time in the embroidery process. 1-Week production is also available.

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8. Can I get my embroidery order any faster than 4 weeks?

   Yes. We offer 1-Week production time, which is listed as an option, at an additional cost. A layout will be emailed for customer approval, within a couple of days, prior to embroidery. Shipping will be Priority Mail (2-3 days) unless Express Shipping (next-day) is requested at check-out.

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9. Can you embroider our school logo on a uniform?

   Yes. Send us an image of the logo and the size needed. We will send you a price quote.

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10. Can you make a custom size uniform for me?

    Sorry, no. We can customize a stock uniform with stripes or embroidery, though. Send us an email with your requirements. Also, we will soon be manufacturing our own uniforms here in the USA.

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11. Can I see an image of the belt before you embroider it?

    Yes. Within about a week of your order we will send you a layout of your embroidered belt or uniform in .pdf file format for your review and approval. We will not begin embroidery until we receive your approval.

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12. Do you offer wholesale accounts?

    Yes. We offer wholesale accounts to school owners / operators only. To request a wholesale account, send us an email with your company information.

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13. Can you embroider a design on a karate uniform or judo gi?

    Yes. We can embroider stock designs such as dragons, tigers, flowers, flames, etc. We can also embroider your custom design. Just email us with your specific needs.

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14. Can you embroider the Kyokushinkai single character?

    Yes. Kyokushinkai can be embroidered in the three kanji characters or in a single combined character. To order, specify "use combined character" in the special instruction section of your embroidered item, after listing Kyokushinkai and Japanese in the specific embroidery location.

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15. Can you make a custom patch for me?

    Yes. Email us with your design and size needed. We will send you a price quote.

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16. What is the difference between Japanese kanji and katakana?

    Japanese katakana are phonetic Japanese characters, each representing a particular sound. Katakana is typically used for words not familiar to the Japanese language. Your English (or non-Japanese) name will typically be translated using katakana. Japanese kanji are traditional Japanese characters, each with a meaning. It is not typical to translate your name into Japanese kanji, but if your name's meaning is available, it is possible. For your name in kanji, please specify this in the Special Instructions section. Other words that are familiar to the Japanese language will be translated using kanji.

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17. Do you offer silk-screening (screen printing) on uniforms?

    Yes, we can screen print on uniforms or sports apparel. Send us an email with your requirements and the design to be printed.

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18. Why have I not received the layout of my embroidery item yet?

    It may take a week or two for us to complete the layout or proof of your embroidered item. If you have a Yahoo.com email address our emails will probably end up in your bulk email folder or not reach you at all. Some email services, such as Yahoo, tend to over-protect. Please provide us with a non-Yahoo email address.

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