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What Is Digitizing?
If you've ordered custom embroidery before you've probably heard the word digitizing.
What is digitizing? Digitizing is the process of convertingartwork into a stitch file that
can be read by an embroidery machine and interpreted as different stitch types. Is
digitizing a one step click the button process? No !
First, the digitizer must analyze the artwork to see if it should be edited for embroidery.
Not all logos that were designed for a print media such as a business card will work
well for embroidery. Many designs need to be simplified. In addition to correctly
sizing a logo, some elements such as outlining may need to be eliminated and small
text may need to be enlarged.
After the artwork has been modified in graphics program, the file is opened in an
embroidery program where it is used as a template for creating a stitch file. First, the
digitizer must decide how the pathing in the logo will run. The pathing is the sequence
of stitches in a design from start to finish. Pathing can effect how an embroidered design
will lie when it is finished.If a design isn't embroidered in the correct sequence, you may
have unwanted gaps of fabric or uneven text. The pathing will also effect how long the
design will run on the machine during the embroidery process. Although you may not
care what the running time is, a shorter, smoother design will cost you less.
Next, the digitizer assigns stitch types to each section of the design based on what
stitches will best represent the artwork. The digitizer starts by adding the underlay
stitches. Although you can't see underlay stitches in a finished logo, having the correct
underlay stitches is essential to creating a great looking logo. Underlay helps stabilize
the fabric to the backing (another essential element in embroidery), lay down the nap of
the fabric so that the remaining stitches have a smooth surface to embroider on and add
density to the design. Not using the correct underlay can cause the stitches to sink into
the fabric or allow the shirt fabric to show through the design. Although there are only
three basic stitch types: run, satin and fill stitches, there are variations of these stitch
types. For example, fill stitches are used to cover large areas; but, the digitizer must
decide what type of fill stitch to use, the direction of the fill and where the fill should start
and stop in the design. When making these decisions the the digitizer must consider
what type of fabric the logo will be embroidered on and make appropriate adjustments.
Stitches will sink into fabrics such as polar fleece and lay on the surface of denser
fabrics such as nylon. A logo that was originally digitized for denim, a fabric that
allows stitches to lay on the surface, won't look as good when embroidered on a pique
knit where the stitches sink into the fabric.
Another important aspect of embroidery is the push and pull. A design may move while
being embroidered. This will cause some stitches to shrift. This shifting can occur when
using bulky fabrics, long stitches, large areas of thread and a tight bobbin thread. A
digitizer must account for the possible effects of push and pull on a design and make
adjustments to compensate.
Although many left chest business logos are fairly easy to digitize, designs with fine
detail, small text and lots of color changes require more set-up time. Digitizing is a
careful process that requires time and experience to be performed correctly. The digitizer
must know how the stitches he or she sees in his embroidery software will embroidery
on different fabrics. A well digitized design will enhance your logo and we provide quality
digitizing in house.
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