Whether you’re getting your custom embroidery digitized for the first time, or the umpteenth, if it doesn’t register right, it can cause a whole lot of anxiety. Registration defects can range from puckering to thick embroidery, crinkled fabric, stitches that don’t line up against each other and rippled designs. While most people would be tempted to blame the digitizer at this point, there exist a whole bunch of reasons that can lead to registration woes.
Most reputed digitizers will test their designs before sending across the digitized files. This means that there will either be a sample or image of the sample sew out establishing the fact that the problem does not lie with the digitization. This further means that there are a couple of things that you should look into on the production floor to rule out and solve the problem.
Two of the most common registration problems include displacement and distortion. Let’s take a look into what these problem areas could look like. One of the most common examples for displacement is when a border does not line up with the fill stitches inside, and you can see gaps within elements of the embroidery. On the other hand, distortion could include puckering of the fabric after it is unhooped.
Solving Displacement Issues
When dealing with displacement, you should first look into the hooping/framing of the fabric. Make sure that the fabric tension is just right, it has been properly loaded onto the machine and also that the frames themselves are not work out and loose.
Once certain that everything sits right on the hooping front, you should next check into the backing. You should have the right type and weight of backing/stabilizer in place according to your choice of fabric. You should also make sure that you’ve used enough backing or pieces for larger areas and that everything is hooped firmly into place.
At times, running the machine too fast will cause registration issues. In such a scenario, you should go ahead and lower the machine speed. However, if you’re still facing displacement concerns, the design will have to be sent back to the embroidery digitizing bench to edit the pull compensation on the piece.
Sorting Distortion Issues
One of the most obvious reasons for a distorted design is if the fabric is being stretched excessively after framing. To remedy this, you should make sure the frame sits smoothly on the fabric, follow the grain of the fabric to check for straightness and never tug or pull at the material after it has been hooped.
An incorrect size or type of needle too could be responsible for distortion. Mechanical problems or obstructions in the frame or frame sash movement could also be to blame for distortion. However, if none of the above fit the bill, you should check with your embroidery digitizing professional to reduce the number of stitches to suit the fabric.
At Powerstitch.com, we offer expert embroidery digitizing services for picture perfect registration and smooth production runs. With over 8 years of professional expertise, you can count on us for impeccably digitized artwork at the most competitive rates, delivered on time, each time.
