Beginner's Guide To Embroidery Digitizing: A Step-By-Step Process

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself: What is Digitizing?

Digitizing is the process of converting artwork like lettering, logos, or designs into a format that an embroidery machine can read, such as a .dst or .pes file. The machine stitches the design based on the instructions you create during digitization.

Step 2: Choose Your Software

A variety of digitizing software options are available, ranging from free or less expensive versions with basic functionality (which are ideal for beginners), to more professional software choices that allow for highly-detailed and intricate digitizing projects.

• Basic digitizing options may offer enough features to create simple designs, but have limited customization and control capabilities.

• Professional software provides advanced tools for more complex digitizing, allowing for greater control over stitch types, densities, and sequencing.

Depending on your needs and budget, you may wish to start with a free or low-cost entry level software and upgrade as your skills develop.

Step 3: Learn the Interface

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the software. Watch YouTube tutorials and read the beginner guides for most software programs. Sign up for group training to learn the basics. Once you understand how to navigate and use the basic tools, you will gain more knowledge as you practice. Be sure to set aside enough time to become proficient in the basics before you attempt more advanced digitizing functions. 

Step 4: Import Your Image

Once you have learned how to digitize the different types of stitches, you can import an image (like a logo or graphic) into the software. Most programs accept common image formats like PNG, JPG, or BMP. Start with something simple, like a single-color logo or some simple text.

Step 5: Choosing Stitches and Pathing

• Running Stitch: Great for outlining the design, decorative stitching, small details, and traveling stitches.
• Satin Stitch: Commonly used for borders, textural areas, and block lettering.
• Fill Stitch: Used most often for large areas; there are several styles of fill stitches from which to choose.

Pathing: The key here is to plan the sequence of where the machine will stitch to avoid large thread jumps and trims. A good stitch path minimizes the number of stops and starts the machine makes,  which in turn speeds up the stitching process.
Travel and Jump Stitches: Also known as running stitches, allow you to move from one part of a design to another with the same color without a trim or jump stitch. Travel stitches should run underneath other parts of the design where they can be hidden. Remember that a darker color on top is more likely to hide a lighter color underneath. The stitch type can also determine when a travel stitch is a good choice. A high-density satin fill is more apt to hide any color thread. Jump stitches are long stitches that occur when the stitching has moved from one area of the design to another. Jump stitches are usually snipped and removed after the embroidery is finished.  Planning for efficient use of travel and jump stitches takes some practice.

Step 6: Adjust Stitch Density

• Can be used to provide tighter areas of solid fill stitches.
• Used with satin stitching. 
• Lighter threads tend to appear thinner when embroidering on dark fabrics, and vice versa.  Increasing the density will help provide better coverage.

• Too many penetration holes in the same area can compromise your design and fabric, particularly troublesome when you may have different elements stitched on top of each other. Using a lighter density on these occasions can help.
• Great for adding lighter layers on top of areas of fill as a shading technique
• As a design technique, light-density elements can add a unique, sketchy look in certain areas or for entire designs. 

Step 7: Set the Thread Colors

Assign thread colors in the software to match the threads you'll use on your embroidery machine. Setting the colors in your software will allow you to see how the design will look with the chosen colors, and you can make adjustments from here. 
Many software programs also allow you to print out a run sheet with these colors, which is very convenient for both you and your customers. 

Step 8: Simulate the Stitching

Before sending the file to the embroidery machine, use the stitch simulation tool to preview how the design will stitch out. This will help you identify any errors or spots that need adjustment. Watch for places where you can combine elements, or reassign the sequencing to stitch out your design more efficiently.

Step 9: Getting the Design to your Machine

There are a couple of different ways to transfer your design to the embroidery machine.

• Some machines have a flash drive or USB port. Drop your design on the drive, plug it into your machine, and retrieve it from there.

• Some machines can be directly linked to a computer and you will transfer your digitized design directly.

Step 10: Sew a Test Stitch Out

Always do a test stitch out on scrap fabric similar to the final fabric to ensure the design stitches out as expected. This helps catch errors like uneven stitches, gaps, or overly-dense areas.

Step 11: Make Adjustments

After evaluating the test stitch out, return to the software to adjust stitch direction, density, or pathing.

Bonus Tips:

• Start Simple: Begin with easy, one-color designs before moving on to more complex, multi-color logos or designs.

• Join a Community: Join embroidery digitizing forums or Facebook groups, such as the Embroidery Machine Help group on Facebook, where you can ask questions and share experiences.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any skill, digitizing takes time and practice. Keep experimenting with different designs and techniques.

• Learn from the professionals: Watching how a well-digitized design stitches out will help you make better-informed decisions while digitizing your own designs. 

To learn more tips and tricks starting out in machine embroidery, check out our Guide for Beginner Embroiderers.