Issue link: https://docs.hic.us/i/403552
Most lettering systems also allow the user to "merge" previously created designs with lettering. Such previously created designs may have been bought from Stock Design Catalogs or a Professional Digitizing Service. Either way, the user has the ability to add lettering to the design and save the resulting file as a new design. For example, adding SOUTPORT MARINA to a boat stock design allows the Embroiderer to create a logo for Southport Marina. (See Figure 1) Since many businesses do not have an official logo, this process opens the door to plenty of business opportunities. Editing The next step up the ladder for design creation capabilities is editing. With lettering systems, you can't edit existing designs. However, there will be cases where you need to make some changes and don't wish to contract it out to a Digitizer. For example, maybe the maybe the customer who ordered the Southport Marina design prefers to use the boat without the background. Using the editing software, the Embroiderer can remove the background area, with the result being just the boat with the lettering. (See Figure 2) There may be other cases where parts of a design need to be removed or reshaped. Once again, editing allows the Embroiderer to handle the task. To sum it all up, having editing capabilities gives the user the opportunity to modify and fine-tune embroidery designs for maximum production efficiency and multiple marketing opportunities. Digitizing Finally, we come to Digitizing. This is the process of converting printed media (typically) into a format that can be read by an embroidery machine. It is not as simple as scanning a design and waving a magic wand. For one thing, an embroidered design is created by combining thousands of physical stitches in such a way as to make the design elements visible and recognizable. Quality embroidery is three-dimensional and has varying texture that can be seen and felt. It takes quite a bit of experience and practice to become a proficient digitizer. Digitizing software comes in all shapes and sizes, proportional to price. However, the software is only as good as the user. If the Digitizer doesn't understand the techniques and concepts used to create top-notch embroidery, then his/her work will be mediocre at best, even with the most sophisticated software package. High Quality embroidery has two defining characteristics: It must look good and sew well. It is the job of the Digitizer to make this happen. Part of the process is artistic; part of it is engineering. Digitizers must carefully choose stitch types, stitch directions, stitch lengths, etc to ensure that the design comes to life without distortion. But he must also understand that each new stitch added to a design can have an effect on previous stitches and forthcoming stitches. Furthermore, www.hsi.us care@hsi.us 195