So your thinking of learning to digitize? Can't be that hard, eh? Already good with graphics? You're halfway there, right?
Well, not exactly...It's a nice thought but there's so much more than that. The learning curve is way bigger than you'd expect. It takes years to truly fine tune your art and digitize on a commercial level.
What? Your don't have years? Well, luckily, you have options! When you first open your business, your top priority is getting customers. Once they start coming through your door, you must keep them and the way you do that is to provide great quality. Even if you eventually plan to do the digitizing yourself, you will still need a good digitizer to get you off the ground.
You can begin learning the art without the pressure of deadlines and you will find that just running quality designs will provide a plethora of information if you pay close attention to the way they sew. Take any classes available to you through your software manufacturer, however, they will teach you how to use their software, not exactly how to digitize.
It's best to start learning to edit before you move on to digitizing from scratch. In this way you can also be more efficient in your business if you don't need a digitizer for every little edit that needs to be done.... and believe me, they come up.
The better you get at editing, the further along and more confident you'll be to graduate to full designs. One thing though, at this point, you may decide that your time will be better spent in your business if you continue to use a professional digitizer to free up your time to run the business and the machine not to mention bringing in the customers. Think about it and make a decision based on what's right for your business.
Of course, if you're looking for a professional digitizer, call NeedleUp Digitizing....303-287-6633 www.needleup.com We'll help your business take flight!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Things your Digitizer needs to know...
I get it.....what you may say? ....
You're in a hurry, under a deadline. You have sourcing to do to find
some chartreuse shirts that your customer wants along with some crazy
6-panel matching hats and you have to find, order, embroider and drop
ship for an event. The design needs to be digitized and approved before you can even start so you're sending it on to the digitizer so they can get started.....sound familiar? So just slap the design onto an email and send it.
So I get it....it's easier to just shoot the design over and let the digitizer figure it out, right?
Well, it may be easier at the point of *send* but if you're guilty of this, you're causing yourself problems on the backend which delay the process and can result in less than quality designs.
I know, I've been the recipient of many emails from customers that read, in their entirety: "Here's another design". I have to literally refrain from sending a reply that reads, "That's pretty!" (tongue in cheek).
Seriously, we cannot do our job properly unless we have all the information. It's not because we're nosy; there are reasons for every question we ask. At the very least, provide the basics: what color(s) will be used to sew the garments, what are the garments, fabric, and sizes needed. If the item is something like a sports bag, we'll need an embroiderable area size, not how wide the pocket is but hoop size and how much space we have once the hoop is in place to embroider.
And lastly, the art itself. Are the white areas in the background going to be filled with thread or open to the fabric? Are the colors on the art the same colors to be used for the embroidery?
If you don't know the answer to these questions, get with your customer first. Get into the habit of asking customers specific questions because they are inexperienced and have no idea what they need to tell you. If your customer is asking for their design to sew in royal and they just ordered royal shirts, you need to deal with it before you involve your digitizer.
Providing as much information as possible makes the process much smoother and all parties can be on the same page. In the end, your stitch file will get to you much faster and be digitized optimally for the job you're doing resulting in a far superior design application.
You're in a hurry, under a deadline. You have sourcing to do to find
some chartreuse shirts that your customer wants along with some crazy
6-panel matching hats and you have to find, order, embroider and drop
ship for an event. The design needs to be digitized and approved before you can even start so you're sending it on to the digitizer so they can get started.....sound familiar? So just slap the design onto an email and send it.
So I get it....it's easier to just shoot the design over and let the digitizer figure it out, right?
Well, it may be easier at the point of *send* but if you're guilty of this, you're causing yourself problems on the backend which delay the process and can result in less than quality designs.
I know, I've been the recipient of many emails from customers that read, in their entirety: "Here's another design". I have to literally refrain from sending a reply that reads, "That's pretty!" (tongue in cheek).
Seriously, we cannot do our job properly unless we have all the information. It's not because we're nosy; there are reasons for every question we ask. At the very least, provide the basics: what color(s) will be used to sew the garments, what are the garments, fabric, and sizes needed. If the item is something like a sports bag, we'll need an embroiderable area size, not how wide the pocket is but hoop size and how much space we have once the hoop is in place to embroider.
And lastly, the art itself. Are the white areas in the background going to be filled with thread or open to the fabric? Are the colors on the art the same colors to be used for the embroidery?
If you don't know the answer to these questions, get with your customer first. Get into the habit of asking customers specific questions because they are inexperienced and have no idea what they need to tell you. If your customer is asking for their design to sew in royal and they just ordered royal shirts, you need to deal with it before you involve your digitizer.
Providing as much information as possible makes the process much smoother and all parties can be on the same page. In the end, your stitch file will get to you much faster and be digitized optimally for the job you're doing resulting in a far superior design application.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Embroidery Digitizing - Price vs Value
Why is the first question always, "What is your price?" instead of "How long have you been doing this?" or "Do you have any referring customers?"
This is a rhetorical question, of course. Businesses have to be careful, during tough economic times especially, price is important and a seemingly easy comparison. But, is it a wise way of evaluating digitizing companies?
I'm simply pointing out that the real value is in the quality and service you receive. Sure, it would be great to only ever pay $25 for every design you need, but cut rate and web-based companies can charge those prices for a reason; they won't deal with the customer over the phone and they have a "pool" of people digitizing on more than one shift, pumping it out as fast as possible with no personal contact with you, the customer....AND, you get attitude if you need them to fix something...pretty picture, right?
This means that you'll never get any consistency in quality or style and they will charge you a-la-carte for every edit, color change and resized version to the point that you end up spending just as much had you gone to a more experienced, quality priced digitizing firm. Remember, they love to advertise 15 years in the digitizing business but just because they've been in BUSINESS that long, doesn't mean the individual digitizing your design has been digitizing that long. What if you need to talk to the digitizer about the design or ask a question? Too bad.
Really think about this for a minute. Think about your commitment to your customers (and your business) for quality. Think about your customer(s) that are savvier or the ones that need a bit more attention (everyone has 1 or 2), you know, the pickier ones. Wouldn't it be a smoother process if you could pick up the phone and call your digitizer to discuss what needs to be done and get it the first time? Or a personal email speaking with the actual digitizer? Ask for a reference, ask how long the person has been digitizing, ask what their strong/weak points are. Some companies use auto-digitizing softwares and they simply do not turn out a good design. Ask if they utilize this type of software.
Look, digitizing is an art form of sorts. It's also a highly technical and creative business. Like most things in life, people that are very good at it can charge a bit more for their services. There is quite a large learning curve to it and it takes years to master.
At NeedleUp Digitizing, you get creative, professional and personalized service by someone who has 19 years of commercial digitizing experience and production background. We never use auto-digitizing software. Every
design is hand punched to your specifications. References are available, quotes are free and our turn time is 1-2 business days. We aren't a cheap, flat-rate company. We are a full service digitizing company whose
prices are favorable and comparable to the kind of quality that makes you look very good in the eyes of your customers. Don't just take my word for it, try us out.
The bottom line is that superior garment orders start with superior digitizing. So the next time you are evaluating vendors and asking only about price, think again. Be sure to ask ALL the important questions and make your decision based on the whole package. Make the money you're spending count for the exceptional reputation you want your clients to see. NeedleUp makes you professional!
For more information about NeedleUp's digitizing services, please visit our website at www.needleup.com where you can view some of our most recent work and get pricing and more information on contacting us.
This is a rhetorical question, of course. Businesses have to be careful, during tough economic times especially, price is important and a seemingly easy comparison. But, is it a wise way of evaluating digitizing companies?
I'm simply pointing out that the real value is in the quality and service you receive. Sure, it would be great to only ever pay $25 for every design you need, but cut rate and web-based companies can charge those prices for a reason; they won't deal with the customer over the phone and they have a "pool" of people digitizing on more than one shift, pumping it out as fast as possible with no personal contact with you, the customer....AND, you get attitude if you need them to fix something...pretty picture, right?
This means that you'll never get any consistency in quality or style and they will charge you a-la-carte for every edit, color change and resized version to the point that you end up spending just as much had you gone to a more experienced, quality priced digitizing firm. Remember, they love to advertise 15 years in the digitizing business but just because they've been in BUSINESS that long, doesn't mean the individual digitizing your design has been digitizing that long. What if you need to talk to the digitizer about the design or ask a question? Too bad.
Really think about this for a minute. Think about your commitment to your customers (and your business) for quality. Think about your customer(s) that are savvier or the ones that need a bit more attention (everyone has 1 or 2), you know, the pickier ones. Wouldn't it be a smoother process if you could pick up the phone and call your digitizer to discuss what needs to be done and get it the first time? Or a personal email speaking with the actual digitizer? Ask for a reference, ask how long the person has been digitizing, ask what their strong/weak points are. Some companies use auto-digitizing softwares and they simply do not turn out a good design. Ask if they utilize this type of software.
Look, digitizing is an art form of sorts. It's also a highly technical and creative business. Like most things in life, people that are very good at it can charge a bit more for their services. There is quite a large learning curve to it and it takes years to master.
At NeedleUp Digitizing, you get creative, professional and personalized service by someone who has 19 years of commercial digitizing experience and production background. We never use auto-digitizing software. Every
design is hand punched to your specifications. References are available, quotes are free and our turn time is 1-2 business days. We aren't a cheap, flat-rate company. We are a full service digitizing company whose
prices are favorable and comparable to the kind of quality that makes you look very good in the eyes of your customers. Don't just take my word for it, try us out.
The bottom line is that superior garment orders start with superior digitizing. So the next time you are evaluating vendors and asking only about price, think again. Be sure to ask ALL the important questions and make your decision based on the whole package. Make the money you're spending count for the exceptional reputation you want your clients to see. NeedleUp makes you professional!
For more information about NeedleUp's digitizing services, please visit our website at www.needleup.com where you can view some of our most recent work and get pricing and more information on contacting us.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
In Line with Multi-Placement Embroidery
Have you ever turned down embroidering a baseball jersey job because the split-front design terrified you? What about sewing your clients logo around the bottom of a tablecloth for their upcoming show? Afraid you wouldn't be able to get the designs straight and lined up, especially multiple times? With a few pointers, you don't have to fear this ever again and your customers will be impressed with your professional skills.
The most common case of multi-hoop placements are by far the split front jerseys and jackets. Since you can't sew across the placket (or zipper) you have to embroider the design in two halves.
If it helps you on the horizontal plane, you can use an "L" ruler to get your horizontal perfectly correct to your vertical placket and mark with a chalk or fabric marker on both sides of the garment. It's imperative that your digitizer can see the jersey you're embroidering so the measurements are exact. I like to make sure the design overlaps slightly where it meets to make it visually appealing.
You must also have alignment markers on your hoops. Some companies have markings molded into the hoop itself for this purpose but you can simply mark your own with a ruler and marking pen. In this way, you can align your hoop with the placket (or your chalk marks) to get the designs straight on both sides.
You will hoop the fabric sides seperately, using your marks, matching the hoop marks to the chalk marks. Then you will drop (or start) your needle at the alignment point the digitizer has set in the design.
Assuming your digitizer is talented enough to set up your multi placement design, (....and NeedleUp can help you with this of course) you will work with them to set an alignment point on your design halves. This point is the juxtaposition for the two sides in relation to each other;
If you are just doing a design repeated several times, like along a hem, the second design usually starts from a point on the last design for a seamless sew.
There's a way to line up most any design, you just need a bit of practice and nerve enough to try it....not to mention a digitizer who will work with you. If you decide to go there, gives us a call!
******************
NeedleUp Digitizing can be reached at 303-287-6633 M-F 8:30 - 4
The most common case of multi-hoop placements are by far the split front jerseys and jackets. Since you can't sew across the placket (or zipper) you have to embroider the design in two halves.
If it helps you on the horizontal plane, you can use an "L" ruler to get your horizontal perfectly correct to your vertical placket and mark with a chalk or fabric marker on both sides of the garment. It's imperative that your digitizer can see the jersey you're embroidering so the measurements are exact. I like to make sure the design overlaps slightly where it meets to make it visually appealing.
You must also have alignment markers on your hoops. Some companies have markings molded into the hoop itself for this purpose but you can simply mark your own with a ruler and marking pen. In this way, you can align your hoop with the placket (or your chalk marks) to get the designs straight on both sides.
You will hoop the fabric sides seperately, using your marks, matching the hoop marks to the chalk marks. Then you will drop (or start) your needle at the alignment point the digitizer has set in the design.
Assuming your digitizer is talented enough to set up your multi placement design, (....and NeedleUp can help you with this of course) you will work with them to set an alignment point on your design halves. This point is the juxtaposition for the two sides in relation to each other;
If you are just doing a design repeated several times, like along a hem, the second design usually starts from a point on the last design for a seamless sew.
There's a way to line up most any design, you just need a bit of practice and nerve enough to try it....not to mention a digitizer who will work with you. If you decide to go there, gives us a call!
******************
NeedleUp Digitizing can be reached at 303-287-6633 M-F 8:30 - 4
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