Computer Role in Embroidery

Specialized Embroidery Machines have been designed to work with data from a computer. This data instructs the machine to stitch a particular design, determines the correct stitching order, indicates when to trim threads, and many other functions. In only a few minutes, the computerized embroidery machine will stitch a design with precision accuracy that no human can match for near perfect quality.


The artwork for embroidery design is entered into the computer. The computer transfers the robotics instructions necessary for stitching the design to the machine. The machine operator places the item, such as a sweatshirt or ball cap on the machine with a holder or hoop. The operator also chooses the colors of thread appropriate to the design. Once the "set up" has been performed, stitching may begin by pressing the "Start" button on the machine. It will precisely and efficiently stitch the design. A typical logo on a ball cap may take five minutes or so to stitch, roughly a dozen caps an hour.

The computer processes the artwork from your customer in a manner that the machine can understand. The computer allows you to do lettering with a design, such as adding the date to an event such as a golf tournament.



The process works like this:
1) The Computer chooses a design from the selection that you have stored on disk or your customer asks you to prepare his artwork for embroidery using the process known as "digitizing."
2) The computer program allows you to "input" the artwork so it can be seen on the color monitor.
3) Add lettering or dates, re-size the design to fit right on the garment or even edit the design for changes.
4) Once you save the design, it can be directly transferred to the machine for stitching. The computer has made intricate and complex embroidery available to the public on a scale never thought possible!