What is Machine Embroidery? The Do's and Don'ts of Embroidery Digitizing

Let us first know what Machine Embroidery means. From ancient times, we have heard of people making colourful designs of embroidery by hand. However, it takes a long time, skilful artists to work. This digital era has become easier as machines can do embroidery work at a speed of 1000 stitches per minute, which is a far super speed. Beforehand of Machine Embroidery, there involves some process that makes the design to be stitched. It is called Digitizing Embroidery or Embroidery Digitizing. 

Once an image is selected and fed into the machine, it cannot recognize it. It is so; digitizing plays a significant role here. The embroidery digitizing company gets the image in any form and converts it into a digital stitch file using the software. There is so many software available for digitizing like Wilcom, Ricoma, Janome, Singer, Elna, etc. Once the digital file is ready, it can be saved in machine-supported file format so that the machine and stitch can read it.

So, good practice of digitizing for Machine embroidery can make quality designs. Hence making mistakes might disappoint your clients that could cost precious time and money. If you are planning to outsource, this post is also for you to have some knowledge in digitizing embroidery. Here are some of the Do's and Don'ts to follow while digitizing.

DO's:

Planning:

Before starting any work, planning is essential. So, once the client gives the required image or idea for embroidery, think of what can be done better in the design, size, or any additional or improved part. Give suggestions to the client for better output.

Know the Fabric Type:

Know about the fabric type and product type beforehand. Makin, the correct type of design for the right type of fabric, will give better results. The stretchy fabric will need more attention on Pull compensation, while cotton fabric needs less. Products like Caps might need attention towards their curved surface. So, designing on flat material, just like T-shirts, might not look good on caps.

Follow the Proper Sequence:

Digitizing plays its role in teaching the machine where to start stitching, which part should be stitched next, etc. For medium to big design, Underlay is required. In such cases, the first Underlay is made, and then embroidery is done. In the case of caps, the stitch must start from the centre to outwards to avoid puckering.

Stitching Angle:

Stitches can be done at any angle, horizontal to vertical or even to diagonal. It is good to have different stitch angle for different parts of the design for a better-looking design. This makes the design an exciting and textured layout with a shiny finish and contrast look.

Use Underlay:

The foundation of the design is called Underlay. This helps to stabilize and gives a smooth surface for the embroidery and minimizes distortion. Edge runs, Center runs, zig-zags, fill stitches, etc., are some types of underlays. Mainly, for stretchy knitted fabrics, it adds Density and avoids distortion. However, failing to give proper Underlay might give a messy design and thus challenging to proceed with embroidery. It also makes the stitches sink into the fabric. So, the right choice of Underlay must be made.

 

DON'TS:

Avoid Jump stitches: Jump stitches are the other unwanted threads over the embroidered design. This happens when the needle moves along with the thread from one area to another. Jump stitches are usually due to poorly embroidery digitizing. Having the sequence of stitching is done correctly, jump stitches can be avoided. These jump stitches cause puckering, making embroidered designs look low quality and lead to more labor work since they should be trimmed manually. 

The Density of Stitches:

Distance between the straight stitches is called Density. It plays a vital role in designing. Less Density leads to less stitch time, further reducing the thread breakage and broken needles. Vice versa, high Density leads to more stitch time, distorted design, broken needles, thread breaks, fabric tears, and uncomfortable to wear due to very stiff design.

Avoid Auto Digitizing:

In the early stage, auto digitizing programs are helpful. It might be great for simple designs, but that might not be perfect when embroidered over the fabric. Improving your skills and learning to do more creative works will be a highlight for your business. Avoiding auto digitizing will increase your efficiency and productivity.

If you utilize these steps in your embroidery digitizing service and improve your skills, you will create excellent top-notch quality products for your clients, saving much time, money, and material. If you want to outsource, keep these points and check the design done by your digitizer and thus ensure the right embroidery digitizing service partner.

BitsnPixs provides the high-quality embroidery digitizing service us with a short turnaround time of just 24 hours. They have high-end professional digitizers who work on every detail clearly and neatly. You can also contact them at www.bitsnpixs.com or info@bitsnpixs.com.