Embroidery - The Process
The Process
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Step
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Review Art Submission
When you submit your PO and art files, we carefully review the content to ensure that the design in question will embroider well and meet your expectations. Our dedicated team will be sure to make a recommendation or give you some options if your logo may need adjustments to sew well, or if it will not embroider well on a particular garment.
Digitizing
Digitizing is the process by which we translate digital art into a special file type that can be read by our embroidery machines, and ultimately becomes the stitches on your garment. The first part of the process is a virtual drawing that maps the precise order of stitches we will use to embroider the final logo. This is done by our in-house, expert digitizer using specialized software.
Sew Out Proofing
Although the digitized file viewed on the computer can give us a pretty realistic assessment of what the final embroidery will look like, we know how important it is to make sure you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for. Because of this, we prefer to create an actual stitched out sample to be sure. This is sewn onto a fabric swatch as closely matched in color to your garment as possible, photographed, and then emailed to you by our team for final approval. This process also helps to ensure we know that the logo sews well as-is, or if adjustments may enhance the final product.
Running The Lines
Once your logo is digitized and we receive approval on our sew out, your order will be ready for production! This is colloquially known as “running the lines.” Our highest capacity embroidery machine has 15 heads, but many orders are larger than 15 items. We’re able to run these orders 15 at a time down line, hence the production nickname.
Trimming
Most garments either require or benefit from having a stabilizing backing placed inside while they are being sewn. Once sewing is complete, we remove the excess backing from the embroidered design. Sometimes a tear-away backing is used, and can be simply pulled off by hand. Other times the backing must be cut, or trimmed, from the back of the garment. This step in the process is called trimming regardless of which type of backing / removal method is used.
Steaming
When being loaded on the machine and sewn, some creasing may occur near the embroidered area. This is a totally normal occurrence and is not permanent or damaging - we simply steam these items to remove any unwanted creasing or wrinkles to finalize the production process, leaving you a pristine product with a beautiful decoration.
Folding & Bagging
Embroidered garments are generally more expensive than regular t-shirts. For this reason, we recommend an additional service which involves carefully folding and bagging each embroidered item not only to protect the garment from potential damage in shipping, but also to enhance the visual appeal and perceived value of your product.
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