How to prepare artwork for embroidery digitizing
A practical checklist for sending logos to a digitizer, from file type and size to fabric and placement.
By USA Digitizer Studio ·
Start with the cleanest source you have
A stitch file is built by a person interpreting your artwork, so the clearer the source, the fewer guesses they make. The best starting point is a vector file such as AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF. If you only have a raster image, send the largest original rather than a screenshot or a photo of a printed page.
Blurry edges and compression noise force a digitizer to decide where a letter really ends. Those decisions can change the look of small text, so avoid sending images that were saved from social media or chat apps.
- Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) are ideal
- Large PNG or JPG originals are acceptable
- Avoid screenshots and heavily compressed copies
Tell the digitizer the finished size
Embroidery is sized in physical inches or millimeters, not pixels. The same logo needs different stitch construction at 3 inches wide than at 10 inches, because thin lines and small letters that look fine on screen may be too fine for thread.
State the width and height you want on the garment. If the design will be used at several sizes, say so, since each size may need its own file.
Simplify colors and mark what matters
Every color change is a thread change on the machine. Gradients, shadows and glows do not translate directly to thread, so they are usually reduced to flat color areas or a few tonal steps.
Send a note listing the thread colors you want, or a Pantone reference if your brand has one. If a detail is essential, such as a thin tagline, flag it so it can be tested at size.
- List the number of colors you expect
- Mention brand colors and any that must match
- Flag small text that must stay readable
Share the garment and placement
Fabric changes the result. A stretchy knit polo, a structured cap and a heavy jacket back each need different underlay, density and pull compensation. Tell the digitizer what the design will be sewn on, where it sits, and whether the cloth is light or dark.
Caps and curved surfaces limit height, while jacket backs allow far more detail. Placement also affects file choice, so name it in the request.
Confirm the machine format, then test
Common machine formats include DST, PES, EMB and EXP. Ask your shop which one its machines read, and mention any specific machine brand.
Even a well-prepared file benefits from a test sew-out on the real garment before a full run. A short test shows whether small details hold and whether the fabric puckers, which is cheaper to fix on one sample than on a whole order.