Optimize Your Automatic Digitizing

Nov 1, 2007

Automatic digitizing software programs don't always generate the best outlines. Instead of trying to edit an automatically digitized outline, try doing the outline yourself.

Automatic digitizing software programs can help save time and money, but human intervention is often necessary for the best results. Try the following six tips to ease the process.

• Scan artwork as large as possible using a 300 dpi resolution. For small images, use an even higher resolution (400 to 500 dpi). Then, when you bring the image into the digitizing software, reduce it to its appropriate size. This helps eliminate a lot of the blurry noise associated with scanning.

• Use built-in keyboard fonts when possible. If you want to auto digitize lettering, use a True Type font conversion instead of relying on the design's lettering.

• You can often delete the automatically generated outline and redigitize it faster than you can edit an existing outline. It will sew more efficiently, too.

• Extremely complex designs with colors fading into each other are difficult for a computer to reduce to fewer, simpler colors. Also, poorly scanned or faxed images aren't clear enough to use. You'll spend more time editing than you would digitizing it from scratch.

• Use a combination of auto digitizing and manual input by deleting sections that would require significant editing and manually digitize those yourself.

• Keep the design's final size as large as possible. Small designs take more effort to get good results — even when they are manually digitized.

— Information provided by Steven Batts, Righteous Threads Embroidery, Greensboro, N.C.

8 Tips for Embroidering with Metallics
Think of metallic embroidery thread as the equivalent of the foil effect popular on screen printed T-shirts sold at retail today. It adds a similar trendy look whether used in concert with other apparel decoration applications or alone.
June 09, 2008

Digitizing Designs for Terrycloth
Don't forget these important tips when creating a digital embroidery design file to sew out on towels and other deep-pile fabrics.
Monogramming bath towels and bathrobes can be a lucrative niche for embroiderers. Upscale department stores and linen shops are eager to set up arrangements with embroiderers who can monogram towels as wedding gifts.
May 22, 2008

New Threads Provide Paint for the Embroidery Palette
The latest embroidery threads include unique materials designed to create special eye-catching effects, improve production efficiency and open new markets.
It's easy to marvel at the technical sophistication of today's computerized embroidery machines and overlook the more mundane role of thread in the embroidery process.
April 29, 2008

Embroidery Backings: What Goes Where?
When deciding which stabilizer to use, you also need to consider the material to be embroidered.
Previously, we explained the need for backings or stabilizers behind the fabric while it's being embroidered (see "Stabilizers: The Foundation of Embroidery"). Now we want to focus on the what and the where.

Stabilizers can be broken down into two major categories: cutaways and tearaways. While there are many weights and types of each of these, I recommend keeping the decision of which to use as simple as possible.
April 14, 2008

To Patch or Not to Patch
When a customer requests patches, first determine whether you should handle the order yourself or outsource it.
April 01, 2008