Issue link: https://docs.hic.us/i/403552
C C h h a a p p t t e e r r 2 2 – – E E m m b b r r o o i i d d e e r r y y D D e e s s i i g g n n S S e e t t u u p p The Design Setup will be used here to reference programming a design for sewing. This may be as simple as setting up a name or as complex as digitizing a corporate logo. Digitizing is the process of converting artwork to a sewable stitch format. The extent of your design setup process will be governed by your software. Obviously, if you have not purchased digitizing software, you will not be able to digitize. But even at the simplest level, you have a certain amount of control over the stitch characteristics, things like underlay, density and pull compensation. These variables control the stitching process and affect the design quality. You must learn how to control the designs, before you can start sewing effectively. Understanding the Design Setup Process When building an embroidery business, it's a common mistake to focus totally on the machinery. Afterall, it's the machine that does all the work, so this is a natural tendency. But just as important as the machinery, is the software required to create and manipulate embroidery designs. The software creates the commands that drive the machine. You really can't have one without the other, though they are not physically linked together. Most modern embroidery machines have a USB Flash Drive, so technically, they can operate totally independent of the software system. However, to be successful in embroidery, you need to be able to perform some level of design creation in-house. This may be as simple as creating names and merging stock designs (bought from a catalog company) or as sophisticated as digitizing a company logo. It's up to the Business Owner to decide what level of design creation will be offered in-house and what, if any, will be contracted out to a professional To better understand the design creation process, we will break it down into three basic categories: lettering, editing, and digitizing. Lettering Lettering is the most fundamental level of embroidery design creation. A typical software package allows the user to create text in just about any shape, size and orientation. Simple names, messages, and some corporate logos can quickly be created using basic fonts and a myriad of layout possibilities. Some software systems are limited to preset embroidery fonts, while others allow the use of True Type fonts. www.hsi.us care@hsi.us 194