Embroidery is a classic way to instantly elevate the look of any piece of clothing and has constantly been on-trend for many years. People can easily pick up embroidery skills to add beautiful, handmade designs to their clothes and accessories. But, for larger scale apparel production with embroidered designs, using industrial embroidery machines and professional services is best.
At 2 The Tee Outfitters, we use top-of-the-line Tajima embroidery machines and only the best threads and accessories from Madeira.Of course, using special machinery and thread to embroider your designs on isn’t as simple as just sending a photo to your manufacturer. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Use Acceptable Files
When having designs embroidered by machinery, the type of file you’ll use can significantly affect the outcome. Using the wrong file type with the wrong specs will prevent you from creating the best embroidery designs matching the photo you’ve submitted.
When using raster files in digitizing embroidery, such as .png or .jpg files, make sure that your embroidery designs adhere to these specifications:
- The logo must be the exact size or larger than what you wish to embroider
- The logo should have 300 dpi or in a higher resolution
- No fine details
If you’re going to use vector or .pdf files in embroidery digitizing, keep in mind these specifications:
- Any linked images should be provided or embedded as different files
- Any fonts used in the graphics should be provided or outlined as separate files
- Text should be set to .2” or larger
- No fine details
- Pay Attention to Small Details
Unlike dye sublimation or screen printing, embroidery can’t produce fine details because of the threads used. This means that smaller details won’t stand out in your embroidery graphics and can become the reason why your graphics will be less appealing.
When designing embroidery graphics, it’s best to avoid small details, such as thin lines, small text, and narrow spacing. Ideally, text should be set to at least .02” or larger. Any colored and fine lines might not turn out as expected because the negative space between the stitches will only make these thin lines look like dotted lines.
If you want to end up creating the best embroidery graphics, go for bigger details as these will be more evident when transferred to apparel through needle and thread.
- Consider the Type of Apparel You’re Going To Use
Besides knowing what details to include or not have in your embroidery designs, it’s also essential to consider the type of apparel you’re going to embroider on. Hats, for example, are small, which means that you’ll have limited space to embroider. If you’re going to use hats, make sure that your embroidery graphics are set to the correct size.
Additionally, you also have to think about the material of the apparel when creating effective graphic embroidery. Adding vector art containing the same design details will look different when you put them on a beanie compared to a shirt because these use starkly different materials. Finer details may seem invisible when embroidered on a beanie because its material is thicker and fluffier, while design details will be more visible in a shirt because it usually has a flatter surface and more rigid material.
Work with Pros
We are known for the quality of our embroidery services and are considered a leader in embroidery work in York and Hanover, Pennsylvania. Visit our website to learn more about embroidery and how you can produce the best embroidered apparel with our expertise and machinery. Contact us to speak with one of our experienced sales reps about your next embroidery project!
