Digitizing

WHAT IS EMBROIDERY DIGITIZING?

To put it simply, digitizing is the process of converting artwork into a digital file using software that allows embroidery machines to understand the needle’s path. This process is not automated and great digitizing is considered an art form if done correctly. Most embroidery machines have software of their own allowing us to control their functions while reading instructions from a file that has been digitized.

Embroidery machines are not able to read the same types of files as your computer can, so you have to digitize your logo in a way that the machines can understand before they can do their job. From a digitizer’s perspective, that usually means taking a JPG or PNG file of a customer’s company logo or artwork and converting it into an embroidery file. The embroidery file type is determined by the type of embroidery machine you will be using.

EMBROIDERY FILE TYPES BY MACHINE

  • .dst: embroidery file format for Tajima commercial embroidery machines
  • .exp: embroidery file format for Melco commercial embroidery machines
  • .jef: embroidery file format for Janome commercial embroidery machines
  • .kwk: embroidery file format for Brother commercial embroidery machines
  • .dsb: embroidery file format for Barudan commercial embroidery machines
  • .tap: embroidery file format for Happy commercial embroidery machines
Screen Printing Ink Types

THE BASIC STEPS OF DIGITIZING

  • Step 1: Upload Your Logo to the Digitizing Software. …
  • Step 2: Set Embroidery Design Size. …
  • Step 3: Choose Your Stitch Type. …
  • Step 4: Set Stitch Direction. …
  • Step 5: Set Your Embroidery Thread Colors. …
  • Step 6: Transfer the File to Your Embroidery Machine.

Understanding the design is one of the most important pieces of this process.  The size, complexity, and placement of the artwork will all factor into the digitizing process. Efficient digitizers (and technically all digitizers if they are good) should consider fabric vs thread. There may be specific designs that will look better to have the fabric show through as a color rather than laying thread down. It’s also important to assign embroidery stitch types to specific areas while considering factors such as the fabric type and “push and pull” of the garment. There are many variables and directions that can affect the outcome of your stitching, so each job should be treated differently and handled with care.

PREPARING YOUR ARTWORK FOR DIGITIZING

Next, the digitizer must analyze the artwork to see if it should be edited for embroidery. The final size of the design must be considered. Not all logos that were designed for print media such as a business card will work well for embroidery. Many designs need to be modified or simplified. Sometimes only the design name and a small image are used. Some elements such as outlining may need to be eliminated and small text may be enlarged and rearranged.

CHOOSING YOUR STITCH TYPE

There are a variety of different stitch types that are used to accomplish different looks, textures, and more. Each stitch type has a maximum stitch length that must be taken into consideration. You should also consider fabric type and the “push and pull” of the garment when selecting your stitch types. Here are the 3 most common machine embroidery stitch types.

STRAIGHT STITCH

The straight stitch is a foundational stitch for embroidery in which straight lines of stitches are repeated to make a pattern. You can create thick lines by repeating a straight stitch many times. It’s important to note that straight stitches are not just for straight lines, they can be used for curved shapes too! Straight Stitches are most commonly used for…

  • Shading
  • Outlining
  • Detail work

SATIN STITCH

If you’re looking to have text embroidered, then the satin stitch is probably the stitch type for you. The longer thread length of satin stitching gives it a shiny look that works perfectly for lettering. The maximum stitch length for satin stitches is 12.1mm. Satin Stitches are most commonly used for…

  • Words and text
  • Borders
  • Achieving a shiny look

FILL STITCH

Also known as the tatami stitch or the ceding stitch, the fill stitch is typically used to fill in patterns, just like its name suggests. Fill stitches use alternating lines to give the embroidery a woven appearance. The maximum stitch length for fill stitches is 4mm. Fill Stitches are most commonly used for…

  • Filling in blank space
  • Creating a textured look
  • Larger designs
  • More durable applications