If you have ever ordered custom embroidery before, you’re probably familiar with the word digitizing. Digitizing is the process in which an artwork is converted into the digital form. But what is embroidery digitizing? This is the process in which a simple artwork is converted into a stitch file that can be read by a sophisticated embroidery machine and interpreted as distinct stitch types. It is commonly used commercially in corporate advertising, product branding and uniform adornment. it is also used in the fashion industry to decorate apparels and also used by crafters and hobbyists to decorate clothing, gifts and home décor. Every time you see a T-Shirt with an embroidered school or company logo or a hat with an embroidered sports team logo, that design was digitized. The revolutionary technology has made the process of normal stitching even fast, efficient and less expensive. Back in the days, even the simplest embroidery work used to take days to complete.
Embroidery in the United States began in the early 80’s, but the breakthrough was 1982. Since then digitization has advanced with the advancement in technology and has become a popular phrase in the fashion industry. Embroidering isn’t a lazy man’s job as the process is slow, requires patience and dedication as well. Fashion designers are the main brain behind this art, as they design different shapes to express feelings and also represent crafts.
Auto-digitizing is the use of technology in embroidery. The process involves taking an image file and then using software to create embroidery file automatically.
The basic steps in online embroidery digitizing.
There are five basic steps involved in online embroidery digitizing which include:
The first thing when it comes to online embroidery digitizing is that the digitizer must understand the basic requirements of a given digitizing job. It includes knowing the size of the digitized design and the type of fabric the design will be embroidered on. Additionally, Machine embroidery digitizing service also involves learning how a specific design should be interpreted.
If whitespaces exist in the design should such areas be in the background show through or should they be in the thread? The digitizer must also know the specific style of digitizing that’s required or if given stitch types that match an existing design should be used. Artwork Preparation for Embroidery Digitizing.
After understanding the digitizing job, the digitizer must now analyze the artwork and see if it should be edited for embroidery and the final size of the design must be taken into considerations.
Not all graphics or logos designed for print media will work well for embroidery, for example, business cards. Many designs need to be simplified or modified. At times only the design name and a small, simple image are used but some elements such as the outlining can be eliminated and small texts enlarged and rearranged.
There are several steps involved in artwork preparation for embroidery digitizing, and they include:
This is the first step in machine embroidery digitizing service after the artwork has been modified in a graphics program. The file is now opened in an embroidery program where it’s the digitizer uses it as a template for creating a computer file consisting of different unique stitch types known as stitch file.
But first, the digitizer will have to decide how the pathing will run. Pathing is defined as the sequence of stitches in a design right from start to finish. Pathing can significantly affect how the embroidered design will look like when it’s finished.
If a design is not appropriately embroidered in the correct sequence, there might exist uneven texts or gaps in the fabric. Additionally, the pathing can also affect the extent to which design will run on the embroidery machine during the embroidery process.
After pathing, the digitizer must assign stitch types to each part of the design by what stitches will best suit the artwork. This involves adding the underlay stitches.
Even though it’s impossible to see the underlay stitches in a finished logo, having the right underlay stitches is very important in creating a good looking logo. The underlays aid in stabilizing the fabric so that the remaining stitches can have a smooth surface to embroider on and also add density to the logo. Improper use of the correct underlay can make the stitches to sink into the garment or allow the garment fabric to show through the design. While there are three types of stitches: fill, satin and run stitches, there are unique variations between these stitch types.
For instance, fill stitches are only used to cover large areas, but the digitizer must choose the type of fill stitch to use and the direction of the fill and where fill stitch should start and stop in the design. In making these decisions, the digitizer must also take into consideration the type of fabric the logo will be embroidered on and make the necessary adjustments.
Stitches will lay on fabrics of denser fabrics and sink into surfaces of fabrics such as polar fleece. For example, a logo digitized for fabric denim won’t look appealing as when embroidered on a pique knit. This is because denim will allow stitches to lay on the surface while pique knit allows the stitches to sink into the fabric
Another important factor of embroidery digitizing is the Push and pull. A design can move during the embroidery process, and this can cause some stitches to shrift. In most cases, the shifting occurs when using long stitches, bulky fabrics, tight bobbin thread and large areas of the thread. Therefore, a digitizer must take into account the possible effects of push and pull.
Embroidery digitizing is versatile and has evolved into different styles according to people’s preferences. Below are some of the styles used:
Hardanger style which involves the use of cream thread on cream garment. The style uses the same color of fabric and thread.
Cross Stitch involves the accurate positioning of x shaped stitches on fabric with evenly placed stitch holes and threads.
Needle painting is a special type of embroidery digitizing that uses long and short closely placed stitches to create a detailed picture.
Crewel is a type of embroidery style that uses a variety of stitch types (chain split and satin stitches) and a wool thread.
Needlepoint style that uses canvas on equally placed stitch holes. The threads used can be wool, cotton, wool or silk blends.
The basic materials needed included cloth, needles, threads, and patterns. These materials are used interchangeably to achieve a high-quality embroidery art.
Embroidery digitizing services USA are highly beneficial especially if you're looking for the embroidery of the artwork, logo, photo, and symbol of your company on the fabric for the purposes of promotion. There are some benefits of embroidery digitizing.
Here are some of the topmost benefits of embroidery digitizing services offers by professional skilled embroiders.
You can make the promotion of your company or business by creating your company slogan or logo as digitized embroidery pattern on giveaway items rather offering writing pan or pad to different people. With digitized embroidery, you’re in a position for a successful promotion by showing your company label or logo on caps, bags, and shirts, etc.
Are you a coach and want a unified team? You better show unity in the apparel your team is going to wear. Embroidery digitizing allows you to digitize your team logo or motto and embroider it on hats, t-shirts, ball caps, sweatshirts, and any other team gear.
If you want to do an advertisement for your brand, embroidery digitizing service is for you. You can easily carry any logo or company slogan over any type of fabric hence creating more brand awareness and attracting more customers to your business. Digitized embroidery products will make your business stand out from the crowd of business competitors.
You might have come across a group of fundraisers on the streets with the embroidered digital uniform. In order to create more awareness among people, most charity organizations use logo or symbols on the group uniform and items they sell to help them raise enough funding
No artwork is complete without your family members. If you want to share a memorable photograph on the apparel, then using the best embroidery digitizing service in the USA is the best way to surprise your loved ones. Additionally, there are other embroidery items that you can gift to your loved ones, and all are available within your budget.
There has been an increase in the demand for digital embroidery services in the last few years. Many people see it as a way of keeping the traditions alive; they use it to create different designs that express their feelings, while others are interested in arts and crafts and so crafting unique designs on their clothes makes them feel fulfilled.
Clothes that are embroidered tend to last longer than those that are not. Another reason embroidery is on demand in the USA is that the rich folks have adopted this trend and so everyone wants to be a part of it.
Here are some of the reasons why Digital Embroidery is on demand.
Since the 80’s and in 1982 when Wilcom experienced a breakthrough in Embroidery Digitization, it’s evident that embroidery has come to stay. In the world we live in today, almost everything revolves around embroidery- from the carpets at home, the clothes we wear, mats, bed sheets and other fabrics all incorporate this technology.
The trend in this technology has resulted in the introduction of high tech art machines and tools that make embroidery fast, unique and beautiful. Fashion designers today have also embraced the art and incorporate it in their day to day undertakings.