Search

Growing as an instructor is a journey of introspection. Honest instructors always must improve their delivery to students and bring up others in their sphere of influence. Close your eyes [...]

Innovation is alive and well when it comes to embroidery. Check out these seven technological advancements that have helped advance the field. While the saying, 'Necessity is the mother of [...]

The direct-to-garment (DTG) printing world is fascinating. Once shunned by screen printers and feared by new entrepreneurs, the process has come a long way since its inception. Marginal-quality prints and [...]

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is catching on as an effective technique for producing fashion-inspired and photo-realistic decorated apparel. If you've stepped into the vibrant DTG world while still offering screen printing--a [...]

With today's technology, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing has become more accessible and affordable, while also being less time-consuming and labor-intensive than many other traditional printing methods. Plus, you can take advantage [...]

The term 'one-stop shop' has been tossed around so much that customers and business owners alike drop it like it's a cliche, saying: 'I only want to work with a [...]

the interaction between needle, thread and garment can seem like a cruel joke to novice embroiderers. The image that is viewed on the screen is almost never the same as [...]

While embroidery digitizing may be technical in its execution, the theory behind it is rather simple: It involves working with a series of individual shapes that comprise a complete design. [...]

From fields to factories, the fashion industry is evolving its practices to meet the requests of conscious end users everywhere. While trends previously focused on the latest coveted colors and [...]

the various performance claims and price ranges make purchasing embroidery software a confusing process. However, it will clarify matters to keep in mind that your software, just like your hardware, [...]

After diligent research, you purchased your first machine, and the sweet sound of those needles moving up and down hasn't stopped ever since. But now you've reached an important threshold: [...]

With 18 brands and 40 models currently available, the purchase of a singlehead embroidery machine can be perplexing, especially for newcomers. Adding to the perplexity is a range of prices--from [...]

When you started your business, you probably spent hours on end researching all of your significant purchases. First, you looked up equipment companies and found out what brands they offered; [...]

Think of all the preparation that goes into an order before it even hits the production floor. The salesperson negotiates a great price. The digitizer meticulously sets every stitch and [...]

Don't even think about resisting. You're surrounded. Look around your desk. See those logoed pens? Promotional products. The calendar from a local bank? A promotional product. The logoed mouse pad? [...]

Are you ready to network? I'm not talking about circulating your business card at a luncheon. I'm talking about linking your computers together to share data, printers and programs. This [...]

Many decorators and customers think of lasers for the traditional applications of teamwear numbers, names and mascots. However, it's time to think beyond athletics to see how you can use [...]

The latest direct-to-garment (DTG) printers make it easy for your shop to create high-quality, printed apparel without having to hire or train highly experienced operators. When you add a DTG [...]

As an embroiderer, your goal always should be to sew great designs. Accomplishing this feat starts with digitizing with dimension, and it can be the factor that distinguishes a good [...]

Anyone embroidering garments with the hopes of earning a profit is under a constant stream of pressure to keep stitch counts low, as this is a method of being competitive [...]

One of the most challenging aspects of embroidery for a digitizer--especially a new one--is figuring out how to tackle a design. The more challenging the design, the more of a [...]

efficiency is the key to profitability. This holds as true with your embroidery designs as anything else. The most beautiful design isn't worth a penny if it does not run [...]

Working with your digitizer should be a pleasant experience. After all, the digitizer wants to avoid errors just as much as you do. So why do problems occur? Generally, they're [...]

There's probably not an embroiderer among us who doesn't rely on stock designs. Whether you're based out of your home, a retail location or a large industrial area, you probably [...]

Embroiderers can thank the Chinese for metallic thread. In ancient China, threads were woven with real gold and silver and used to embellish apparel for royalty. Today, garments decorated with [...]

Wouldn't it be great if your customers were as anxious to pay for an embroidery order as they were to receive it? The truth is, some customers are more likely [...]

As an entrepreneur and embroiderer, you spend countless hours fine-tuning all aspects of your business. You do everything possible to achieve profitability and stability. Your business is your dynasty. But [...]

Adding multimedia to any design adds a unique and exciting element--and it's especially useful to pair with embroidery since it's a great way to cover a large area, incorporate different [...]

Because so many apparel decorators rely on stock designs, embroiderers must differentiate themselves from the competition. You have to be more creative and use the designs in unusual or innovative [...]

At some point, many shop owners with growing embroidery companies ponder whether to bring digitizing in house or continue to outsource it to a professional digitizing firm. Digitizing is an [...]

WHEN LEARNING TO IMPROVISE over dominant-7th chords, one of the first scales we're taught is the Mixolydian mode (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, [flat]7). Although Mixolydian contains the chord […]

Two main types of adjustments are needed to deal with the way in which thread reacts with fabric. In the first instance, thread sinks into the fabric and causes a [...]

As with any specialty technique, it's easy to get carried away and over-use metallic threads. On most designs, you should save metallics for specific areas such as highlights. I wouldn't [...]

Solid digitizing is the foundation of great embroidery, so it's important to choose the right digitizer for your business. Keep in mind the following five considerations to help you make [...]

There's nothing sweeter than a design that runs efficiently. To create such designs, follow these suggestions: * Watch different designs sew out. Pay attention every time the machine stops, and [...]

Been to a mall lately? If so, you undoubtedly witnessed a trend on caps sold at retail--patches. Look no further than the ubiquitous 'Von Dutch' trucker caps or distressed twill [...]