Custom Embroidery Digitizing- AIM Digitizers Inc

For custom apparel, which includes caps, hats, T-shirts, towels, jackets the most important aspect is the logo or design, which accentuates the apparel and then the brand. The best and efficient way for custom clothing is embroidery, done by single or multi-head embroidery machines. The custom logo or design has to be made ready for the embroidery machine. In embroidery, this function is accomplished by the embroidery digitizer. The embroidery digitizer is the person who is responsible for creating the magic of turning the logo to a machine file that is run on the embroidery machine and create the magic of stitches. The digitizer determines how many stitches will be in the design, how many thread trims will take place, how many color changes will take place, and how smoothly the design will run.

The embroidery digitizing is the process that determines how and where the stitching will take place. Accurate embroidery digitizing decides whether one color is sewn throughout the design or if an area is completed independent of the number of trims and color changes required to sew the area. How a design is digitized for machines determines the sewing time. The embroidery digitizer decides if there should be an underlay, how many underlay stitches will be used, and the stitch density. It is imperative that the digitizer is well trained and constantly receives feedback from the production department.

Stitches in the Design

Total cycle time is always dependent on stitch count in the design. Reduction in stitch count will always reduce sewing time; however, it may not be the most important factor or most controllable in the effort to improve productivity. The relative importance of the number of stitches in a design depends on the actual sewing time compared to the other factors involved in the total production cycle.

More effort should be put into cutting stitch count in larger designs whereas more effort should be put into reducing handling and loading time with low stitch count designs. One method of reducing stitch count is replacing fill stitch by satin stitch. Converting the design, where applicable from fill to satin can reduce stitch count by 75%. Another way to decrease stitch count, while increasing sewing quality is to vary your density throughout your design. As columns become narrower, density should be decreased. Some software performs this function automatically. For free designs, please check our free designs page.

Lower the Density

Where stitch counts in the design are high, significant improvements in sewing time can generally be attained by reduction of stitch density. This can usually be done without materially affecting quality. The tendency of many digitizers is to add stitches to ensure good coverage. Proper use of underlays offers the opportunity to reduce stitch count. Many digitizers refrain from their use of an attempt to reduce stitch count. Actually, proper use of underlays can reduce the number of top stitches without affecting the look of the design.

For stitch lengths up to 3/16″, most machines run at full speeds (machines’ speeds reduce at longer stitch lengths). This means that the longer the stitch, up to the 3/16″ the more thread is laid down per stitch. Small letters lend themselves to angular stitching therein reducing sewing time without reducing coverage.

Different Techniques involved in Embroidery Digitizing

Most designs are done for flat chests of T-shirts, jackets, uniforms, which are done by normally placing the fabric in the hoops under embroidery machines. These are normal embroidery designs and do not require any special tricks. AIM Digitizers Inc, incorporates best embroidery software and embroidery digitizers for all kinds of embroidery digitizing.

However some designs are special

• Applique designs are done in a special way where the tacking stitches cutting stitches are extra. The machine has to stop at a point to facilitate the cutting of the applique.
• In 3D foam designs, where tearaway foam is used, there are some stitches so that foam doesn’t show through
• Cap designs are done for special frames, where machines run from center to right and center to left.
• Jacket back designs most of the time has many stitches, so the embroidery digitizer has a task to design great quality with minimum stitches
• Freestanding lace designs are too complex and embroidery digitizer has to make sure that no section is left unconnected.
• Small wording, the most tricky for an embroidery digitizer is to deal with small wording, where stitches have to be accurate with apt density.

Please feel free to send your design for a quote and we will get back to you within a few hours.