Frequently Asked Questions

1. What size belt should I order?

2. Soft Firmness or Stiff Firmness—what's the difference?

3. Will my belt shrink?

4. How do I clean my martial arts belt?

5. Can you make a special martial arts belt that I don't see on your website?

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

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

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

9. How much will shipping cost?

10. Will you embroider my existing belt?

11. Can you lengthen my existing belt?

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

13. Do I need to provide translations?

14. Can I have embroidery with coarse language?

15. Do you offer wholesale accounts?

16. Can I cancel my order?

17. Why did my credit card get charged twice?

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

19. What is digitizing?

Answers…

1. What size belt should I order?

   Since there’s no industry-wide standard for martial arts belt sizing, we recommend focusing on the actual belt length rather than the labeled size. Whether you're ordering a karate belt or a jujitsu belt, a great place to start is by measuring your current belt or using our belt size calculator to help determine the best fit.

   Keep in mind that belt lengths may vary slightly due to manufacturing, with a tolerance of -2" to +3". The width and firmness of the belt can also affect the size you need, as thicker or wider belts take up more length in the knot—sometimes requiring you to size up for a better fit.

2. Soft Firmness or Stiff Firmness—what's the difference?

   The difference comes down to density and thickness. Our stiff firmness belts are more dense and slightly thicker, measuring approximately 5mm in thickness compared to 4mm for the soft firmness option. Because the added thickness of the stiff firmness takes up more length in the knot, we recommend choosing one size larger for a better fit. See video.

3. Will my belt shrink?

   Yes, some shrinkage is possible. If you wash your martial arts belt, it may shrink slightly after the first wash. Even if you don’t wash it, exposure to sweat and regular wear over time can still cause minor shrinkage.

   Our poly/cotton belts may shrink up to 5%, while brushed cotton and Grappling Weave belts may shrink up to 8%. We recommend keeping this in mind when selecting your belt size. However, any shrinkage will not affect or damage the embroidery.

4. How do I clean my martial arts belt?

   For light cleaning, try using a lint roller to remove surface dirt and debris. For more stubborn spots, clear packing tape works well — just press a clean piece of tape onto the dirty area and peel it off. Repeat with a fresh section of tape until the belt is clean.

   We generally do not recommend washing your martial arts belt, as it may shrink or become discolored. However, if washing is necessary, follow these steps to minimize shrinkage:

   1. Wash separately in warm water on a gentle cycle using mild detergent (fabric softener is optional; do not use bleach).
   2. Immediately after washing, gently stretch the belt back to its original length.
   3. To help maintain that length, clamp the stretched belt to a rigid object—like the back of a metal chair—and allow it to air-dry completely.
   4. Do not use a dryer, as it may increase shrinkage.

   Washing your belt using this method will not damage or affect the embroidery.

5. Can you make a special martial arts belt that I don't see on your website?

   Yes, we can create custom martial arts belts tailored to your unique design! We enjoy collaborating with customers to bring special belt ideas to life. Simply email us with your design details, and we’ll review your request and let you know what’s possible.

   Please note that custom designs may require additional production time beyond our standard turnaround. To explore all current options, visit our All Belts Category page.

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

   Possibly! Depending on the belt width and the lettering size, we can often fit at least three lines of embroidery on the end of a martial arts belt. However, since our website only supports up to two lines during checkout, you'll need to email us directly with your request.

   We'll review the design and let you know what’s possible based on your specific belt and embroidery details. Meanwhile, visit our Embroidery Information page for more details.

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

   Yes, we provide an embroidery design proof—typically in PDF format—for your martial arts belt or uniform. You’ll have the opportunity to review and approve the embroidery layout before we begin the embroidery process.

   Please note: this proof is intended only for embroidery design approval, not for confirming belt construction details such as size, width, or firmness.

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

   Embroidered items typically take about 4 weeks to produce. If you need it sooner, we offer Expedited Production (12 business days) and Rush Production (6 business days) for an additional fee.

   Shipping time is separate and depends on the shipping method you select at checkout. Please note that delays in design approval or multiple revisions can extend the production timeline.

   Once your order has shipped, you can view your scheduled shipping date and track your order by visiting: View Order

9. How much will shipping cost?

   Kataaro ships using a variety of carriers and service options. Shipping costs are calculated based on the package weight, dimensions, and destination. You can get an estimate by clicking "Shipping Rates" in your shopping cart before checking out.

   For international orders, please note that customs fees may apply, depending on your country's import regulations. These fees are not included in our shipping charges and are determined by local authorities. The recipient is responsible for paying any applicable customs or import fees.

10. Will you embroider my existing belt?

    Yes, we can embroider your existing martial arts belt or uniform. To get started, simply mail your item to us along with your embroidery instructions, contact information, and shipping address. Once we receive your package, we'll review the details and get in touch with a price quote before beginning any work.

    Please send your item to:
    Kataaro
    512 E Commercial Ave.
    Lowell, IN 46356

11. Can you lengthen my existing belt?

    In most cases, we can graft an extension segment into your existing Kataaro martial arts belt. The cost will vary depending on the belt type and the amount of length needed. Please contact us with your specific details, and we’ll let you know what’s possible.

    Alternatively, you may try stretching your belt at home. Washing the belt and then hanging it with a 40 lb. weight has shown results—our testing achieved approximately 3 inches of added length on a Brushed Cotton Black Belt.

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

    Katakana are phonetic characters in the Japanese writing system, each representing a specific sound. Katakana is most commonly used for foreign (non-Japanese) words, names, and borrowed terms. If you provide an English or non-Japanese name, it will typically be translated using katakana to reflect its pronunciation.

    In contrast, kanji are traditional characters of Chinese origin used in Japanese writing. Each kanji character carries its own meaning, rather than just a sound. Kanji is usually reserved for Japanese names or familiar Japanese words with specific meanings. It’s not common to translate foreign names into kanji unless there's a clear cultural or linguistic reason.

    For more details, please visit the Languages section on our Embroidery Information page.

13. Do I need to provide translations?

    If you already have translations in Japanese, Chinese, or Korean characters, please include them with your order, as you may have a specific version or meaning in mind. Otherwise, we’re happy to provide the translation for you.

    If you’d like to use a language not listed, please supply the exact text you want embroidered. For non-English or uncommon names, providing a pronunciation in the Special Instructions box is very helpful to ensure an accurate translation.

14. Can I have embroidery with coarse language?

    Kataaro reserves the right to decline any embroidery request that includes artwork or language we consider offensive, inappropriate, or inconsistent with our brand values.

15. Do you offer wholesale accounts?

    Yes, we offer wholesale accounts exclusively to martial arts school owners and operators. To request an account, please email us with your business name and contact information, and we’ll follow up with the next steps.

16. Can I cancel my order?

    If you need to cancel or make changes to your order, please call us during business hours as soon as possible. You may also email us, using your order number as the subject line.

    If your order has not been paid, we can cancel it immediately. If it has been paid, it may already be in production. In that case, a partial refund may be available, depending on how far along the process is.

    Because Kataaro products are custom-made, we reserve the right to decline certain cancellations—particularly if the item cannot be reasonably resold. Custom features such as non-standard widths, stiff firmness, rank stripes, or any options not listed on our website may affect whether a cancellation is accepted.

    For full details, please refer to our Return Policy.

17. Why did my credit card get charged twice?

    While it may look like your card was charged twice, it's most likely a temporary authorization rather than a duplicate charge. This can happen if multiple attempts were made during checkout—especially if incorrect card information was entered.

    In most cases, your bank will automatically remove the extra pending authorization within 24 hours. If the charge does not clear or if you have further concerns, we recommend contacting your bank or reaching out to us directly for assistance.

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

    Kataaro is pronounced kah-tah-roh — like ka (as in karate), ta (as in top), and ro (as in row).

    The name Kataaro is derived from a family name meaning "weaver," reflecting the craftsmanship and tradition behind our products. For more about our story and values, visit our About Us page.

19. What is digitizing?

    Embroidery digitizing is the process of converting artwork—such as a company logo or team emblem—into a digital stitch file that an embroidery machine can read and sew. Every embroidered design must first be digitized using specialized software before it can be produced.

    Digitizing is a skilled and detailed process, which is why a one-time digitizing fee is included in the pricing for new logos. If the same logo is used for future orders, you’ll only be charged for the embroidery itself.

    Please note that once a design has been digitized, the digitizing cost is non-refundable. The resulting stitch file remains the property of Kataaro and will not be provided to customers. We also do not accept outside digitized files for use in our embroidery process.