What is Digitizing for Embroidery?
Digitizing is the conversion of a file format into a set of instructions that the embroidery machine understands. This is done via software called an embroidery digitizer. Digitizing takes place during the design phase of embroidery production.
Good digitizing is a form of art. It is also the key to a beautifully embroidered design; it is what makes a great design come alive. If you have ever researched getting apparel embroidered (for sports teams, companies logos, etc.), digitizing was likely one of the discussions.
Locating a Digitized Embroidery File
Digitized embroidery files are usually saved as. emf files. These files are used with commercial embroidery sewing machines. You can find out what type of machine uses the file by looking up the manufacturer. Once you know the model number, you can go online and find information about how to locate the file. For example, here’s a link to instructions on how to do just that for Brother embroidery machines. You’ll want to check the manual to see where the files are stored. Some companies store the files on a hard drive, while others put them on a CD or DVD.
Digitizing Instructions
Embroidery files are often created manually, one stitch at a time. This process is tedious and requires lots of attention to detail. If you want to save time and effort, it makes sense to use a digitization software program that automates the entire process.
A digitized embroidery instruction file contains all of the necessary information required to complete a project. You can find instructions for every stitch type, along with the exact specifications needed to ensure success. These instructions include the size of the needle, the number of threads per inch, the amount of overlock, the direction of the seam allowance, the width of the finished product, and many other important factors.
Underlay
The underlay stitch is one of those things you never really think about until it becomes important. This type of stitch holds the front and back layers together and lays the fibers out in the correct direction. If the underlay stitch isn’t done correctly, the entire piece will come apart.
There are different types of underlays, including decorative, plain, and satin. Decorative underlays are usually used for heirloom pieces, while satin underlays are often found on high-end garments. Plain underlays are what most people use for everyday wear.
Path
The digitizer determines a course for embroidery based on a number of factors. These include the size of the area you want to embroider, whether you want a straight stitch or a satin stitch, and how much stretchiness you desire. You can also choose to add a logo or text to your design. In most cases, you don’t even need to know what the final product looks like.
Once the digitizer finishes creating your design, it sends it to the machine. The machine takes the data and converts it into a digital file. Then, it creates a path for the embroiderer to follow. A good example of this is stitching a circle onto a shirt. If you wanted to do a perfect circle, you’d use a different stitch pattern. But if you just want something simple, you could probably go ahead and use the same pattern as the rest of the shirt. Consider an embroidery digitizing service to get your files digitized in a quick turnaround time.
If you’re wondering why there’s no mention of “pull,” that’s because it doesn’t matter. So if you’re working with a cotton shirt, you’ll likely see some pulling. However, if you’re working with silk, it won’t really matter.
Pulling is important, though, when you’re designing a garment. For example, if you want to make sure that the neckline stays open, you might want to avoid pulling too tight. On the flip side, if you want the hem of a skirt to sit nice and flat against your body, you might want to keep the pull light.
Pull Compensation
Pull compensation (also known as pull weight or stitch weight) is how the embroidered logo compensates for different fabric weights. This is especially important for custom embroideries where there is no standard pattern. For example, you might want to use a heavier thread for a thick leather jacket, while using a lighter thread for a light denim shirt.
The most common way to adjust pull weight is to increase it for the thicker part of the garment, such as the collar, cuffs, or waistband. However, some garments require a lower pull weight. If you’re designing a polo shirt, for instance, a heavy knit fabric like wool requires less pull weight than a lightweight jersey.
A heavyweight material, like leather, needs a heavier pull weight than a lightweight one, like a polyester/spandex blend. Leather is very stiff, so pulling too little weight could cause puckers around the edges of the embroidery. On the other hand, lightweight material like polyester/spandex blend is very stretchable, so pulling too much weight could make the stitches bunch up.
Once you’ve found the ideal amount of pull weight for each piece of fabric, you’ll know exactly what to do when you start sewing.
Stitch types
Next, a digitized file includes instructions on what types of sewing to use in a design, such as running, satin, and filling stitches. Run, satin and filled stitches are the three main kinds of embroidery stitches, according to the Embroiderers Guild of America. A run stitch is a single continuous stitch, while a satin stitch is wider than a run stitch. Both are usually stitched over multiple rows. Filled stitches are similar to a satin stitch except there is no space between each row of stitching.
Digitizing Software and Embroidery Files
There are many different types of embroidery digitizing software out there. Some people prefer one over another because each offers certain features. However, some software programs offer similar functions, such as converting text into images. We recommend checking with your local office supply store to see what options are available to you.
When choosing a digitizing program, think about how much space you want to devote to storing your files. There are several places where you might keep your files. For example, you could put them on a hard drive, CD/DVD, flash drive, external hard drive, USB thumb drive, etc. Each storage option has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at some of the common ones.
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