How Fabric Color Impacts Contract Digitizing

Sept 14, 2009

A common frustration for contract digitizers is when the sew-out of their file tests perfectly but turns out horrible on the customer's machine. The file is sent back and the digitizers are then trying to fix an already perfectly digitized file and can only guess where the problem may lie.

When contract digitizers take an order they routinely ask about fabric type and logo placement, then digitize accordingly. What they miss out on is the fabric color.

Why is it important? The pictures below will self explain.



Both sew-outs were done using the same digitized file on the same machine head. Notice how thin and scanty the white letters look on the black fabric yet how bold and crisp the same letters look in blue thread on white fabric.

Once a contract digitizer knows the customer’s fabric color, they can then digitize the files accordingly — adding more density and pull compensation for the darker fabrics. Lighter color fabrics don’t require that much density and adding too much pull compensation will cause objects — especially small letters — to become closed.

If the embroider will use a logo on various fabric colors, the digitizer should send back two files — one for dark and one for light fabrics. Medium color fabrics don’t need any special adjustment and in most cases — either digitized file (dark or light) works well.

Source: Michael Allsup, Digitizing Manager, Quality Punch, Long Beach, Calif. For more information, visit qualitypunch.com.

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