Amber Digitizing

Amber Graphics embroidery digitizing service, custom USA digitizing punched and free designs

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Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Please provide a comparison of embroidery threads.
  2. What are some common embroidery problems?
  3. General questions and answers about embroidery.

1. Please provide a comparison of embroidery threads.

THREAD TYPE Continuous
filament
trilobal
polyester		 Spun
polyester		 Mercerized
cotton		 Mercerized
cotton
covered
corespin		 Filament
rayon
SHEEN Excellent Poor Good Good Excellent
SEWABILITY Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
ECONOMICS Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Good
ABRASION
RESISTANCE		 Excellent Good Poor Excellent Poor
STRENGTH Excellent Good Fair Good Satisfactory
COLORFASTNESS
TO UV/SUN		 Excellent Excellent Good Good Good
COLORFASTNESS
TO BLEACH		 Excellent Excellent Poor Poor Satisfactory

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2. What are some common embroidery problems?

PROBLEM COMMON CAUSE SOLUTION
Thread breaks, slides up one ply above the needle eye. 1. Burr on hook.
2. Point of hook too far away from needle.
3. Machine threaded incorrectly.
4. Incorrect needle bar height.		 1. Replace or polish hook.
2. Adjust distance.
3. Rethread machine correctly.
4. Adjust needle bar height.
Top thread is pulled back to side of garment, creating a thread pile-up on the back side. 1. Tension too tight.
2. Machine threaded incorrectly.
3. Dry hook race.		 1. Adjust tension.
2. Rethread machine correctly.
3. Lubricate race.
Excessive breaking 1. Incorrect hook timing.
2. Incorrect needle bar height.
3. Burr on hook.
4. Tension too tight.
5. Needle incorrectly installed in needle bar.		 1. Adjust timing.
2. Adjust needle bar height.
3. Replace or polish hook.
4. Adjust tension.
5. Reinstall needle. Make sure scarf of needle is facing hook.
Stitching does not follow pattern outline. 1. Bent needle.
2. Hoop loose in frame.		 1. Replace needle.
2. Tighten hoop in frame.
Frame board shifts out of alignment while pattern is running. 1. Machine running too fast. 1. Adjust machine speed. (If pattern is not programmed to slow down, use the computer to change to a lower speed.)
Flat or hidden stitches 1. Tension too tight.
2. Nap or pile fabric tends to hide thread.		 1. Loosen tension.
2. Use temporary transparent film topping material to make stitches stand up.
Needle holes in garment 1. Material loose in hoop.
2. Thin material.
3. Too many stitches at point of cut.
4. Burred needle.		 1. Tighten material in hoop.
2. Add tear-away backing (most applications) or cut-away backing (preferred for delicate fabrics, knits, and sweaters).
3. Change pattern for satisfactory look.
Difficulty using metalic threads 1. Needle eye too small.
2. Tension too tight.		 1. Use larger needle with oversized eye.
2. Loosen tension.
3. Use mesh sock around thread on cone.
Thread pig-tailing 1. Top tension too tight. 1. Adjust for minimum tension (trap twist and push back between top and middle tensions).
2. Use mesh sock around thread on cone.
Looping 1. Too many stitches in pattern.
2. Tightly woven material.		 1. Reduce stitch count.
2. Adjust tension for greater consistency.
Thread pulls out of needle after trimming. 1. Lint in thread holder.
2. Tension too tight.		 1. Clean thread holder.
2. Loosen tension.
3. Sew at least three slow stitches after each trim to anchor thread.

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3. General questions and answers about embroidery.
  • What size should my design be?
  • A left crest is usually 3.5" x 3.5" (88.9mm x 88.9mm) or 4" x 4" (101.6mm x 101.6mm).
    Hat sizes are typically 2.25" x 4" (57.15mm x 101.6mm).
    Jacket backs are 10" x 10" (254mm x 254mm).
    Aprons are 6" x 6" (152.4mm x 152.4mm).

  • What size should my type be?
  • Try to keep your type at .25" (5mm) or above. Using a smaller type may require a smaller needle and thread.

  • What format should my artwork be?
  • Provided artwork should be crisp and easy to read. Files should be sent as EPS (preferred), AI, CDR, PSD, PDF, JPEG, GIF, PICT, BMP, or TIFF. If you scan your artwork, scan at a resolution of 200dpi or higher. The better the art, the better the final product.

  • Can you edit an existing digitized file?
  • We can edit an existing file from someone else (send as .DST format) but an editing charge will be applied depending on the work needed.

  • Will the digitized file work on all fabrics and garments?
  • Not all digitized files will work on all fabrics or garments. Please state what kind of fabric the digitized file is intended for, e.g. pique, denim, fleece, etc. Also indicate the intended garment type, e.g. hat, jacket, etc. In many cases, you may be able to use the same file but let us know ahead of time so that any additional editing will be minimal.


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Amber Graphics emroidery digitizing
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503-668-9710
866-547-8624
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