5 Ways to improve your cap embroidery digitization
By: Melody D Posted on: Nov 10, 2022In machine embroidery, digitizing is the process of converting a design into a digital stitch file. This file tells the embroidery machine how to move the needle and where to place the stitches to render the design.
The process of digitizing is key to ensuring a good embroidery output. Here are 5 digitization tips you should consider to make your cap embroidery perfect.
Use the correct types of stitching
The three main stitches of embroidery are satin, fill, and running.
Satin Stitch is mostly used for letters and other major elements of the design. And Fill Stitches are used for areas that are too wide for a satin stitch. And Running Stitch is a single dotted line of stitches used for rendering fine detail and outlines.
Using the right stitches in the right spots is key to great embroidery.
Stitch one Element at a time
Embroidering your design one element at a time will reduce the chances of misregistration. For example, if your design has letters with borders, starting the borders after sewing all the letters sounds natural. However, sewing each letter together with its borders will provide the most stabilization.
Digitize in the right sequence
When embroidering a cap, the machine should place the stitches in the right order. It should start with the placement stitch to create the outline, then the underlay stitches for a stable foundation, and finally make the decorative stitches on the top. Small details of the design should be stitched in the end. The order in which the machine embroiders them is determined during the digitization process and getting them wrong can lead to distorted and badly stitched logos.
Vary the stitch angles
Using the same stitch angle for every portion of your design creates embroideries that lack depth and dimension. Mixing horizontal, vertical, and diagonal stitches for different design elements will give it an engaging textured appeal.
Stitch Bottom-Top & Center Out
When embroidering caps, it is best to program your stitches to start from bottom to top (from the peak towards the crown) and from center to the sides. Sewing towards the center will cause the fabric to lump up or pucker due to the push and pull. Stitching center-out will push the material away from the center, keep the fabric flat, and create better results.
Reduce jump stitches
Jump stitches are the extra threads left on the embroidery. It is created when an embroidery machine finishes a stitch at one point and moves to another.
Although they are a natural part of embroidery, overextended and loose jump stitches created will affect the attractiveness of your product and sometimes even cause puckering. You can reduce jump stitches by minimizing the random movements of the needle during digitization.
Ready to try out these tips?
Add these digitizing skills to your repertoire and you will be able to create amazing, high-quality custom caps for your customers quickly and effectively. Shop blank hats now and try these tips on your next embroidery project!