When you work with embroidery digitizing services, you can easily fall into a state of trust with your provider by allowing them to handle everything. However, before you place that file into your embroidery machine, it would be wise to evaluate the quality. A simple evaluation can prevent wasted thread, damaged material, and wasted hours of a frustrating experience. Now, here is a simple guide to evaluating the quality of your digitized file before proceeding to embroidery.
1. File Format & Finalization with Your Embroidery Digitizing Services
When you receive a file from your embroidery digitizing services provider, check the file format and that it is compatible based upon the requirements of your machine. Different embroidery machines require different file formats (for example, DST, PES, EXP, etc.). If the file format is not correct, the embroidery machine may reject the file or sew the design incorrectly. Be sure to check that the file details also match your hoop size and fabric. In some cases, a great design can be rendered useless due to a poorly set up file in the context of your embroidery setup.
2. Examine Stitch Count, Density, and Pathing from the Embroidery Digitizing Services
The stitch count and density can tell you a lot about the quality of the design. A solid file from embroidery digitizing services will have stitches distributed with a balanced density. Too many stitches can lead to puckering of the fabric, whereas too few can make the design appear weak or patchy altogether.
Open the design in your own software and take a look at the stitch path. If you see the stitches jumping around in various directions, or there are too many trims, that shows a lack of planning. A smooth path of stitches can make kicks run more smoothly and give a better result.
3. Evaluate Detail and Small Text in Your Embroidery Digitizing Services File
Bad quality digitizing will typically show up in small details and thin lines first. If your design has small text, curved shapes, or detail, zoom in on your file. Look for even stitching and make sure the text is still legible.
Embroidery digitizing services will also change stitch types and directions for fine details. If the letters appear bunched, or the corners appear to be more square than smooth, it can warrant a conversation about revised revisions before stitching.
5. Evaluate Thread Colors and Digitizing Transitions from Your Embroidery Digitizing Services
Prior to embroidering, you can visualize the color transitions. Go into your design software and check out the transitions of threads. If the color changes seem too close together or somewhat messy, that will lead to thread breaks or inconsistent fills during embroidering!
A quality embroidery digitizing service will plan the color order logically. Embroidery digitizing transitions should be somewhat smooth, without sudden bumps or odd layering. It helps to explain the final look of the design.
6. Request a Preview or Sample of the Embroidery Digitizing Services
Most reputable embroidery digitizing services offer a preview, or potentially a sample stitch-out of your design, if you ask. Take a second to see if you can get a sample before you start making larger quantities; it will show you how the design actually sews out on fabric!
If the provider cannot supply it, you can try to stitch it yourself at a small scale using scrap fabric. It is best to fix small mistakes, like gaps, looping, or distortion, before running a larger stitch.
7. Review Revision Policy and Support in Your Embroidery Digitizing Services
Despite everyone’s best efforts, sometimes the embroidery just doesn’t stitch out perfectly in the first instance. That’s why it is important to understand the provider’s revision policy.
Ask if they will fix minor issues free of charge and how quickly a corrected file will be sent to you. The best embroidery digitizing services stand behind the quality of their work and will make modifications if something does not look right.
Wrapping it Up: Confident Sampling of Your Embroidery Digitizing Services
It may seem trivial, but reviewing your digitized file could be the best blessing or curse of your embroidery career. Spending a few minutes ensuring you reviewed the file format, stitch count, density, color order, and tiny details can save you from making mistakes that cost you more.
Good embroidery digitizing services should make your life easier, not harder. Don’t be afraid to ask for information, a preview, or testing. The better you understand your file, the better the embroidery.
The care you take prior to embroidering is well worth the cost in surprises and added run-ability and designs that you will be proud of afterwards. This is the real value of working with embroidery digitizing services.
