Pantograph vs Custom Quilting — What's the Difference?
Quilting by the Pantograph vs Custom Quilting — What’s the Difference?
When you send a quilt to a longarm service, you’ll typically be asked to choose between pantograph (edge-to-edge) quilting and custom quilting. Here’s exactly what each means, how they differ in cost and time, and which to choose for your quilt.
Pantograph vs Custom: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Pantograph (Edge-to-Edge) | Custom Quilting |
|---|---|---|
| Design placement | Same pattern repeats across entire quilt Pantograph | Different designs for different areas Custom |
| Speed | Fast — 1–3 hours per quilt Pantograph | Slow — 4–20+ hours per quilt |
| Cost | Lower — base longarm pricing Pantograph | Higher — premium for time and skill Custom |
| Design control | Limited — one design fits all | Full control — feathers in borders, fills in blocks Custom |
| Show quilts | Accepted but rarely wins top categories | Required for serious show competition Custom |
| Gift/charity quilts | Perfect — beautiful and economical Pantograph | Overkill for most gift quilts |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Pantograph for…
- Gift quilts for family and friends
- Charity and donation quilts
- Quilts where the piecing is the star
- Budget-conscious finishing
- Baby quilts and everyday bed quilts
Choose Custom for…
- Quilt show entries in competitive categories
- Heirloom pieces intended as family treasures
- Quilts with architectural piecing that needs complementary fills
- Special commissions where the customer wants the best
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price difference between pantograph and custom quilting?
Pantograph pricing is typically charged per square inch or per linear inch of quilting — often $0.015–$0.025/sq inch. Custom quilting is charged by the hour or at a premium per-quilt rate — often 2–5x the pantograph price depending on design complexity. A queen quilt might cost $60–$100 for pantograph and $150–$400+ for custom.
Can I have pantograph on the body and custom in the borders?
Yes — this is a popular middle-ground option called “semi-custom” quilting. Many longarm operators offer it: pantograph for the quilt center, custom border treatment for the outer borders. It costs more than full pantograph but less than full custom.
How do I choose a pantograph design?
Match the design scale to the quilt. Tight, dense pantographs (micro-stipple, pebbles) make all quilts look amazing but show every wobble. Medium-density overall designs (feather meander, Baptist fan) are more forgiving. Open designs (large loops, swirls) quilt fast but can look sparse if the spacing is too large for the quilt size.
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