What is Embroidery Digitizing?
Embroidery machines are unable to transform an artwork like a company logo, mascot, etc. from a raster or vector image file into stitches. Therefore before the artwork can be embroidered by the machine, it requires to be digitized.
By Digitizing, we refer to the process of converting the artwork into a digital code so that it can be recognized and read by today's state of the art embroidery machines. The code provides a digital map to the embroidery machine’s operating system and lets the machine know how to sew the design. We take the artwork that you provide us (Vector format like the .cdr, .eps, etc. or the Raster format like the .bmp, .jpeg, etc.) and our team of artists along with some specialized software interpret your design and convert it to a code.
Technically, Digitizing involves creating specific instructions for an embroidery machine by using specialized software. It instructs the machine where to place each and every single stitch of a given pattern. Creativity and expertise are as vital to the digitizing process as defining the areas and there are several different factors to be considered each time.
The Embroidery Digitizing Process
Initially, digitizing was a two-person process. A drafter would trace the artwork and manually detail where each stitch was to be placed and thus created a map for the digitizer to follow. Today's technology has evolved and uses areas and paths as defined by the digitizer to generate each stitch, but the process is still not easy and calls for years of experience and expertise to become a master of the art.
No matter how good the artwork is, digitizing software will not simply translate a logo into stitches at the click of a button. Digitizing is essentially drawing over the top of the artwork using paths and columns or filling block elements into which stitches will be generated.
In embroidery, unlike printing, every single needle penetration and machine function has a reason and even a single stitch that’s out of place will be noticed. A good way to describe digitizing is that a design is created stitch by stitch using a mouse on the computer screen through a specialized software, as if sewing by hand.
There are different methods for digitizers to define the areas or paths where the software will generate stitches:
Path
These are single lines along which single stitches are generated which are similar to what a home sewing machine would use.
Satin Columns
A satin or vector area is created by plotting a side-to-side column over the artwork. It includes placing the angles within the column that notify the stitches where and by how much to turn the corner. Stitches will be placed on each side of the column, going back and forth and creating a smooth, shiny look. These columns do not have "branches" and separate elements of the artwork must be defined separately: This is the main method by which alphabetical text is digitized because of the ability to specifically define the column width, corner angles, and perfectly straight lines.
Fill Sections
These are "Blocks" of stitches that are used for larger or irregular areas of the artwork. Instead of drawing a column over the artwork, the digitizer outlines it to create a solid block of stitches. The stitches themselves are generated after the digitizer has selected the type of pattern, as defined by the software being used, to fill that section.
Simply knowing the process is not enough. All good digitizers have to approach each and every design from scratch and consider various factors like the fabric being embroidered, the final size of the design, the placement on the item, and visualize the finished digitized design.
The type of fabric being embroidered is an important consideration as each fabric has it's own unique qualities.
Some materials will be pushed, pulled and stretched out while being embroidered and the digitizer must ensure the design embroiders as accurately as possible. The push-pull characteristics of the material are vital when digitizing alphabetical text. Straight lines will push any fabric with even a little stretch in it, while curves will pull that same fabric.
The size of the digitized logo is another important factor that has to be kept in mind while digitizing. The end result is generally sized to the smallest element of the design. Unlike printing, small details, outlines or text cannot always be embroidered at a size reasonable to be stitched on the standard left chest location. Stitches can only be sized so small before they start punching holes in the material beneath. Think of a sewing needle, which is about the same width as an embroidery machine needle, being pushed through fabric to create stitches less than half a millimeter apart from each other. It wouldn't take long before the thread being pulled through created a hole in the garment. A good digitizer will decide before starting the design whether or not certain elements of the artwork can be translated nicely into stitches. Very small details often have to be exaggerated or dropped altogether to ensure a clean, damage-free final sew.
