What would you say would be the single most helpful piece of information that you wish someone would have told you as you were entering the embroidery industry that would have saved you time and/or frustration?
Tell us your answer and share your insights!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Auto-digitizing....Not what it's cracked up to be
You've heard the hype. There are lots of auto-digitizing programs out there....some are integrated as part of the higher end embroidery softwares on the market. Some are connected and work through graphics programs like Corel. None are everything they claim to be.
I guess they have their place in some niches of the embroidery market but let me tell you, in the competitive world of commercial corporate digitizing, they simply don't do the job if you want to play in the "big ball park".
First, in order to even understand and run the software you have to have a decent and basic knowledge of digitizing so that you can make selections to tell the software what to do. If you don't know what the software is asking you, you cannot even set the parameters for it to complete a design. Beyond that the software can only create design files from very crisp vector art with definition and specific areas of color. In today's market, most designs have complicated gradient blends, fades and multiple areas that come together in a way that only a human can digitize using a creative mix of artistic ability and technical knowledge. The software can't think or reason and certainly isn't artistic. They cannot determine a 3D effect of one element passing behind another but over the next, such as a Celtic knot for one example.
Auto-digitizing softwares are only good for very simple designs of basic elements that are 2 dimensional, with no color blends or crossovers, with few outlining capabilities and no text. That leaves out most, if not all, corporate logos.
That leaves us with the text question. If you're expecting to have it digitize the text, forget it. You could use keyboard fonts but half the time, corporate logos have their own text style that needs to be digitized by hand. Most of the time, even if the text is a basic style, a digitizer can make the text sew better digitizing by hand than using keyboard fonts. And true type font converters are pretty bad also....they cannot do the professional job of a good digitizer.
So, if you're thinking of venturing into the digitizing aspect of our industry, understand there are no shortcuts to professional digitizing. There is a large learning curve and the only way to get there is one step at a time, really learn the business, time under your belt and realize it's a full time job all by itself. If you own an embroidery business, and you run the business hands on every day then the digitizing is best left to a commercial digitizer you trust that works well with you and understands production. Build a business relationship with this person, get to know them and they, you. Your time is best utilized running your embroidery business and bringing in the profits.
I guess they have their place in some niches of the embroidery market but let me tell you, in the competitive world of commercial corporate digitizing, they simply don't do the job if you want to play in the "big ball park".
First, in order to even understand and run the software you have to have a decent and basic knowledge of digitizing so that you can make selections to tell the software what to do. If you don't know what the software is asking you, you cannot even set the parameters for it to complete a design. Beyond that the software can only create design files from very crisp vector art with definition and specific areas of color. In today's market, most designs have complicated gradient blends, fades and multiple areas that come together in a way that only a human can digitize using a creative mix of artistic ability and technical knowledge. The software can't think or reason and certainly isn't artistic. They cannot determine a 3D effect of one element passing behind another but over the next, such as a Celtic knot for one example.
Auto-digitizing softwares are only good for very simple designs of basic elements that are 2 dimensional, with no color blends or crossovers, with few outlining capabilities and no text. That leaves out most, if not all, corporate logos.
That leaves us with the text question. If you're expecting to have it digitize the text, forget it. You could use keyboard fonts but half the time, corporate logos have their own text style that needs to be digitized by hand. Most of the time, even if the text is a basic style, a digitizer can make the text sew better digitizing by hand than using keyboard fonts. And true type font converters are pretty bad also....they cannot do the professional job of a good digitizer.
So, if you're thinking of venturing into the digitizing aspect of our industry, understand there are no shortcuts to professional digitizing. There is a large learning curve and the only way to get there is one step at a time, really learn the business, time under your belt and realize it's a full time job all by itself. If you own an embroidery business, and you run the business hands on every day then the digitizing is best left to a commercial digitizer you trust that works well with you and understands production. Build a business relationship with this person, get to know them and they, you. Your time is best utilized running your embroidery business and bringing in the profits.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Customer service in the embroidery industry, PT 2
So...have you noticed? The lack of customer service at the "front counter" in today's business is appalling. A recent conversation with a friend talking about the same topic made me think about the problem and how things used to be. Now I'm probably dating myself but picture this: pull into a gas station and not 1 but 2 guys run out to help you, pumping your gas and washing your windows. An usher at the movie theatre actually seats you. You pick up the phone and an operator places your call for you...no extra charge. Or, you are shopping for clothes and you have a sales person helping you pick out colors and bringing you sizes. No, this isn't an alien civilization.....this is the way it used to be.
We're not too far from a place where the grocery registers will all be self scan. (Of course, they say it keeps the prices down but everything's more expensive than its ever been.) And there's my personal favorite, the banks....less personal attention, less service, less live people behind the counter, and more charges for everything you can imagine, to use YOUR OWN money.
Have you ever called a business and no matter when you call or how many times, a live person never answers the phone....ever? It's irritating, especially when their push button choices don't include the reason you're calling or an option to talk to a representative of the company. Or worse, there's nothing but a voice mail system for you to leave a message that goes, apparently, into oblivion never to be returned.
The GOOD news: With nothing more than a little effort, you can stand out in your crowd by focusing on the face forward your customers don't see anymore. And the best part is it doesn't cost anything but the benefits will be immense!! The customer may not usually say anything, but believe me, they notice and every once in a while, you'll get a comment that lets you know your effort isn't wasted. Go out of your way a little, jot a thank you note and include it inside the box of your customers next order. Give them a call a week later just to see how they liked the service or how the order went.
Look, we both know that we have these crazy days when everything is behind the eight ball and nothings going smooth. I promise, if you take an extra breath when the phone rings and put on a smile before you pick up the receiver, your company image will be the better for it.
We're not too far from a place where the grocery registers will all be self scan. (Of course, they say it keeps the prices down but everything's more expensive than its ever been.) And there's my personal favorite, the banks....less personal attention, less service, less live people behind the counter, and more charges for everything you can imagine, to use YOUR OWN money.
Have you ever called a business and no matter when you call or how many times, a live person never answers the phone....ever? It's irritating, especially when their push button choices don't include the reason you're calling or an option to talk to a representative of the company. Or worse, there's nothing but a voice mail system for you to leave a message that goes, apparently, into oblivion never to be returned.
The GOOD news: With nothing more than a little effort, you can stand out in your crowd by focusing on the face forward your customers don't see anymore. And the best part is it doesn't cost anything but the benefits will be immense!! The customer may not usually say anything, but believe me, they notice and every once in a while, you'll get a comment that lets you know your effort isn't wasted. Go out of your way a little, jot a thank you note and include it inside the box of your customers next order. Give them a call a week later just to see how they liked the service or how the order went.
Look, we both know that we have these crazy days when everything is behind the eight ball and nothings going smooth. I promise, if you take an extra breath when the phone rings and put on a smile before you pick up the receiver, your company image will be the better for it.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Customer service in the embroidery industry, PT 1
So, what do you think? Is the customer always right?
Anyone who's ever had to "eat" an order of shirts may disagree with this old maxim. It depends on the situation, of course, but the best way to avoid problems and miscommunications is to write everything out as an order that the customer has to sign, approving the elements of the order; color, size, application, etc. It may take a few more minutes or you may say, "I know these people very well, it'll be fine." but there will come a time you will thank yourself for it. It's not only a more professional way to conduct your business but it's a great way to cover yourself to avoid any disagreements.
What type of procedures have you implemented in your business that helps keep everyone on the same page? (either at the front counter or back in the shop)
Anyone who's ever had to "eat" an order of shirts may disagree with this old maxim. It depends on the situation, of course, but the best way to avoid problems and miscommunications is to write everything out as an order that the customer has to sign, approving the elements of the order; color, size, application, etc. It may take a few more minutes or you may say, "I know these people very well, it'll be fine." but there will come a time you will thank yourself for it. It's not only a more professional way to conduct your business but it's a great way to cover yourself to avoid any disagreements.
What type of procedures have you implemented in your business that helps keep everyone on the same page? (either at the front counter or back in the shop)
Friday, February 2, 2007
Inaugural Post
The inaugural post:
The beginning, the start of something fresh, the commencement of something I hope will serve as a place to exchange ideas, share tips and experiences and discuss topics that we, as members of the embroidery industry, feel are important to us and our respective businesses.
NeedleUp Digitizing had been in existence as a company for 5 years, however, I have been commercially digitizing for 15 years. I've worked for embroiderers, manufacturers of machines and software, and now own NeedleUp. I know the business side, I know production, and I certainly know the digitizing aspect of our industry.
What information will help you the most? What experiences do you want to share with us? We'd like to hear from you.
So please, ask questions, participate with your ideas and comment on our current topics! Enjoy!
The beginning, the start of something fresh, the commencement of something I hope will serve as a place to exchange ideas, share tips and experiences and discuss topics that we, as members of the embroidery industry, feel are important to us and our respective businesses.
NeedleUp Digitizing had been in existence as a company for 5 years, however, I have been commercially digitizing for 15 years. I've worked for embroiderers, manufacturers of machines and software, and now own NeedleUp. I know the business side, I know production, and I certainly know the digitizing aspect of our industry.
What information will help you the most? What experiences do you want to share with us? We'd like to hear from you.
So please, ask questions, participate with your ideas and comment on our current topics! Enjoy!
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