[TristansMommy614]

Hey Everyone,

I'm very new to this business, so i'm sorry if these questions seem a bit juvenile. I'm trying to find the best way to go...embroidery or screen printing. I know with screen printing you have to have some sort of vector file (??). Is this the same way with embroidery?? If so...what [lower cost]programs, if any, create vector files besides Adobe Illustrator & Micromedia Freehand?
Please help!!!

 

[sunnydayz]

Re: Embroidery Questions!!!

You can also create vector files with corel draw. There is also a free program called inkscape, although I have not really used inkscape. I myself use both illustrator and corel draw, mostly corel draw.

I am not sure exactly which type of file an embroidery person requires but I do know that they have to digitize the file once they recieve it, and there is usually a cost involved with the digitizing, I dont think a very big charge, but a charge all the same

with screen printing you will have set up fees, for doing artwork seperation (seperating the colors for each screen) and then also for burning the screens, which would be screen charges.

 

[HM CAPS]

Re: Embroidery Questions!!!

For embroidery:
1. Find the highest quality artwork possible (I personally prefer Adobe Illustrator) The higher quality the art, the better quality digitized file.
2. Find an experienced digitizer. When it comes to digitizing a logo for embroidery, every digitizer has their own style and method; certain ones work best in certain situations, and only experience can tell you that.
3. Dont skimp on the stitiches! Although cost is always an issue, you should NOT try to save money by skimping on the logo, since that should be the centerpiece of the order. Generally speaking, the more stitches the better the look, although there is such a thing as "too many stitches".
4. Know that not all logos work for embriodery, some designs just cant make the cut, and that is from my personal experience.
5. And lastly, dont forget to tell your digitizer any specifics you can give him (what type of merchandise the logo is going on, desired dimensions, even target stitch count) If your guy knows his stuff, he will appreciate it; plus this will save you tape edits down the line.

-David

 

[Uncle John]

Screen printing is a business that you grow, as you have to buy screens, different ink colors and takes years to master.
Embroidery I'm not saying is easier but the machines know what to do based on the tape given it. I think Corel now has a software that digitizes. I wish you the best of luck in your new adventure.
John

 

[TristansMommy614]

Re: Embroidery Questions!!!

Thanks! I'm sorry these questions are probably common sense, but when it comes to anything technological, I am usually not the first to understand! lol The image you want embroidered, do you draw it, scan it on the computer & then print it when it's been "vectorized"? Or do you create the image on the program all together? What kind of material do you print it out on? Again, sorry about all the questions!

 

[Uncle John]

Mommy, first there's no such thing a a dumb question, if you you don't know ask! Logo's and vector art can be digitized. I'm not sure about bitmaps as I don't do it. Maybe someone else can chime in. We were all new to some business at one time or another so feel free to ask away...
John

 

[dancinmom]

Digitizing can be costly depending on the size and number of stitches in the design. You have to remember that when quoting a design to your customer. I use two different companies to supply my custom transfers. I use their design books and make them my own or use clip art and microsoft word for fonts. I have never had to use corel or vector. It's all jpegs and word for me.

 

[boomer]

You can purchase "Stock" designs that are already digitized to sew out in most formats.They do well but sometimes you have to tweak the stitching order depending what you are embroidering on.No matter which machine you go with make sure they offer training and take it. Hit a trade show and see some machines at work and get to know some suppliers.

 

[TristansMommy614]

Thank you everyone for your help! It's much appreciated! Where exactly can I purchase stock designs?

 

[boomer]

Dakota collectibles has a 5000 design pack that we use,Great notions is another,these are two good ones. There are many more that offer stock designs.You can buy complete packs or single designs.Try to get bundled packs.They are more cost effective,single designs can really add up,but sometimes you have get them that way as they may not be in your packs. Make sure when you buy a single design you build that into the price.

 

[Lollie Conn]

My favrteplaces to purchase stock designs:
Embroidery Library.com, Embroidery Designs.co, Dakota, Balboa Threads. ALL offer well digitized designs & have great customer service. Hope this helps! Lollie

 

[CUSTOM UK]

Hi. When I researched embroidery some time back, I found that digitizing software for embroidery is readily available. Some programs like WinDaisy are low cost shareware.

Although in a totally different environment, I currently use digitizing software myself to convert images to thread colours. It still has to be 'manually tweaked', but achieves in minutes what would take days otherwise.

Perhaps someone can elaborate on why folks don't do the embroidery digitizing themselves, if software 'appears' to be available?

 

[Girlzndollz]

Hi. When I researched embroidery some time back..... Although in a totally different environment, I currently use digitizing software myself to convert images to thread colours. It still has to be 'manually tweaked', but achieves in minutes what would take days otherwise.

Hi Will,

Do you do this conversion for emb? If not, what would you convert images to thread color for? Thanks.

Thanks for the tip on low cost share ware.

Perhaps someone can elaborate on why folks don't do the embroidery digitizing themselves, if software 'appears' to be available?

I've read it is time consuming to learn and the software can be expensive, but that's only what I've read in the past on the forum.

 

[TristansMommy614]

My favrteplaces to purchase stock designs:
Embroidery Library.com, Embroidery Designs.co, Dakota, Balboa Threads. ALL offer well digitized designs & have great customer service. Hope this helps! Lollie

Thank you for the sites! So the stock designs from them are already digitized?

 

[CUSTOM UK]

Hi Will,

Do you do this conversion for emb? If not, what would you convert images to thread color for? Thanks.

Thanks for the tip on low cost share ware.

Hi. Kelly. I use it to print tapestry designs. I provide a complete minature tapestry kit, to go with one of the finished products I sell.

I've read it is time consuming to learn and the software can be expensive, but that's only what I've read in the past on the forum.

Sometimes you have to forget all the re-runs of your favourite tv programs Kelly, stick your head into the manual and just go for it.

 

[boomer]

Yes, stock designs are digitized.

 

[Lollie Conn]

Thank you for the sites! So the stock designs from them are already digitized?

Yes, they are ready to down load & then sew out! I personally think that the way Embroidery Library has their website structured, works out very well. (Ease of downloads, choices of sizes available, choices of delivery types and the history of your orders for future uses!) Make sure when you buy that you select the correct format for your machine & I always print out their color chart and I also print the actual page the design is on so I can set it by my machine to make sure I have selected the correct colors, as I blieve they show theirs in Maderia thread colors. (I have tried their thread conversion on their site, (I use RA Rayon) and sometimes it doesn't convert All of my threads, not sure why?!) Right now they have plenty of Fall Special designs for $1.87 each! Can't beat that, & then you will get to see a sample of a well-digitized design sewn out! Have fun & let me know how it goes! Lollie

 

[Girlzndollz]

Hi. Kelly. I use it to print tapestry designs. I provide a complete minature tapestry kit, to go with one of the finished products I sell.

That is really neat, Will.

Sometimes you have to forget all the re-runs of your favourite tv programs Kelly, stick your head into the manual and just go for it.

I hear ya, Will. That's how I do it, but I haven't attempted digitizing (no reason to). I only know what I've read here from others on it.

Doing a search on "learn digitize" brings up the threads. It's probably like most things, for some it's harder than for others, but that's what we have TSF for anyway!

 

[TristansMommy614]

Thanks! You guys have been a big help!

 

[SunEmbroidery]

If you purchase stock designs just be careful that you only buy what you need. Embroiderers used to purchase expensive stock collections but recently I've seen a trend toward selling collections because its much cheaper to buy individual designs and there's less need for stock designs.