Embroidery digitising.

[Graeme Harrold]

Is it not the same as sign making (to a point). Create a vector from the given bitmap that boundaries the stitch area then use your dedicated embroidery program to fill with stitches???

[John Thomson]

Sounds simple Graeme……..I do not currently have digitising software…..want to know if it is worthwhile going down that route or simply using a digitiser and passing the cost onto the customer as an artwork charge……would be interested to know what others do…..

john

[Ade Brown]

Hi John,

we do some ourselves and some is done by a colleague of mine.

Ade

[Steve Morgan]

John,
Like you I have an embroidery machine, mine is a single head but only 6 colour. When I bought it I rather fancifully thought I might start digitising – forget it – the programs are too expensive.
I’ve used a company called YES to do mine, although there are quite a few firms around that specialise.
I have a piece of software called Pulse Signature in which I can create my own text files and make minor alterations to the digitised files I get back from YES. I’ve always found the job very time consuming, although quite satisfying.
I’ll can get some supplier telephone numbers together and pm them to you later if you like.

Steve

[Dan Osterbery]

Hi John,
we use macro graphics, to me they are the best people we have found, the do not charge by the number of stitches they charge by the hour, so simple designs can cost peanuts and there are massive savings of the big stitch design. Its a next day service or the chance to have an express service, you can get them at mod-edit please read board rules

We have tried lots of different firms all around europe but we have found them to provide an excellent service and they have gone the extra mile when we have forgotten to send designs etc.

We used to have a program to digitize but unless you know what you are doing you can have loads of thread breaks purely form using the wrong stitch. We recently looked at a plug in for illustrator but they want 6,000 euros for it which is just ridiculous.

hope this is of use

Dan

[Earl Smith]

Hi John,
What machine have you bought? Some machines have their own software at reasonable prices. Brother for example have a very basic software that will do text and some very basic digitising. If you have a shop where customers walk in then you should have a least this minimum ability to offer customers. If not from your supplier, then try the basic Wilcom program .
I have a shop and must show my customers what their Text will look like when they are with me. If the customer wants a design on a polo and on a shirt then you are looking at two different setups for the design/text. Not something you can do easily if you use an outside digitiser. Also if they want the design on the chest, back and the collar. Each is a different setup. Sometimes different threads too. Stitch density, pull compensation etc.
Logos are another thing. I do my own but the program cost 4500€. Try using the people which Dan recommended or the ones I use for big designs (3 dollars per 1000 stitches) , Jack@InternetStitch.com
Be careful, there are a lot of cowboys out there. Cheap but shoddy work.
With my digitising program I have been lucky and have had good training, support and backup. It is not easy to learn but very rewarding when you can do it. Also very profitable …
Sorry I go on. I enjoy this work . If you need help, please ask, I will try to sort you out.
Earl…

[John Thomson]

Hi Earl,

a Feiya 1201…12 needle single head..impressive piece of kit.

John

[Earl Smith]

Hi John. Never heard of it but it looks like they have used Tajima (one of the best machines) parts to make the machine. Cant see much on the internet but it looks good. Toyota has done the same and its a very good machine. Good luck with it. Lots to learn, hope you have good support.
When you bought it did you get any one to one training? How to load threads, thread densities , how to hoop, types of backing, needle types, how to stitch different fabrics, backing for different fabrics. That sort of thing.
Im surprised they didnt sell it with some sort of software.
When you have problems , ask us I am sure someone on here will be able to help.
Earl

[Earl Smith]

Good morning John and a Happy New Year to all,
Dont know if you are sorted on software yet John but I came across this link on another American Forum. http://www.embirdusa.com/index.php/cPath/21
A lot of start up embroidery people in the US appear to use this software. Price is good. I have NO experience with it but lots of people on that forum recommend it. Maybe it could be of some use to you. Not sure if the price is for a time limit only.
My machine people are not impressed with it but they are selling Wilcom ( 3500 pounds )so they are biased.
Let us know and I hope it helps.
Earl

[George Elsmore]

http://www.drawstitch.com/DRAWings4.htm

has anyone tried this software?

G

[John Thomson]

George,
I am sure Dave Bruce uses Drawings………supposed to be one of the best…..

John

[Steve Morgan]

John,
A thousand apologies – I meant to send you some names of companies I have used.
I must confess to not having a great deal of experience on the subject, however, 2 firms I have used have been very helpful.
Y.E.S in Boughton Nottinghamshire offer a good economical digitising service, and Steve who runs the department has always been extremely helpful, on occasions he has made several minor alterations to files without extra charge.
More in your neck of the woods, ETC in Bridgeton,Glasgow offer a good range of consumables, have been very helpful and a real plus point is that can can offer advice.
For garments I’ve used Ralawise, in Deeside, Flintshire and Balmoral in Cockermouth, Cumbria. There are of course lots of garment suppliers however they all seem to supply the same products.
I must say I find the production of a finished piece rather satisfying but I realised some time ago that I couldn’t earn a living with a single head machine so my machine remains idle most of the time.

Steve

[Alex Pirozek]

Drawing is great if you are used to corel draw as you can convert all your cdr files to stitches etc. Make sure that drawings X4 has the ability to adjust stitch direction, compensation as this will save you alot of frustration especially on small stuff with satin stitches. Large stuff with fill stitches is a breeze. I think they’ve included a lot of additions to the X4 drawings version that should have been in the X3 version as standard. The good thing (at least with X3 anyway) it came with CorelDraw with all the books and CD’s.
Don’t use it much now as i use Wilcom ES.
Also as i entry level you might find that Embird or Tajima Pulse might be a good option to look at.

Alex.

[John Wilson]

I’m in the same boat, think i’d rather do the digitizing myself to save money and keep total control over my designs…. I’ll send away the large images for someone else to do them

Not sure if I should go for Drawings or Wilcom DecoStudio

[Alex Pirozek]

I have drawings X3, although great as it comes with CorelDraw X3 with all the books and discs, the embroidery side of it is very powerful but locked down in reference to the adjustable parameters. You can’t easily change compensation or underlay etc. You have to change the fabric setting and the software makes the changes for you. It’s good if you want auto conversion from Coreldraw and a simple conversion. I’ve looked at the Decostudio and that seems to be everything Drawings should have been.
I use Wilcom ES65 and once mastered it’s so powerfull all of the embroidery drawing is done in that rather than the conversion route from vector.
If your budget can stretch to Decostudio then i would probably recommend it as seems to have the embroidery engine from Wilcom and the vector design from Corel, both leaders in their field (in my view)
It would be nice if there was a fully functional demo to try so you could test out the features rather than relying on the sales bumff

Alex.

[John Wilson]

quote Alex Pirozek:

I have drawings X3, although great as it comes with CorelDraw X3 with all the books and discs, the embroidery side of it is very powerful but locked down in reference to the adjustable parameters. You can’t easily change compensation or underlay etc. You have to change the fabric setting and the software makes the changes for you. It’s good if you want auto conversion from Coreldraw and a simple conversion. I’ve looked at the Decostudio and that seems to be everything Drawings should have been.
I use Wilcom ES65 and once mastered it’s so powerfull all of the embroidery drawing is done in that rather than the conversion route from vector.
If your budget can stretch to Decostudio then i would probably recommend it as seems to have the embroidery engine from Wilcom and the vector design from Corel, both leaders in their field (in my view)
It would be nice if there was a fully functional demo to try so you could test out the features rather than relying on the sales bumff

Alex.

I’ve heard the same, I’m waiting till P&P in the next few days to see both on show