At a Glance
Digitizing is the process of converting a visual design into an embroidery file that an embroidery machine can understand and stitch precisely.
The resulting file contains all the technical data the machine needs, such as:
- Stitch types (e.g., satin stitch, fill stitch, running stitch)
- Stitch direction and stitch density
- Color changes and stitching order
- Entry and exit points
- Optional elements like appliqué placement or underlay stitches
The process is also called punching, a term that originates from the early days of embroidery, when stitch commands were manually punched onto paper tape.
Tools & Software
Popular embroidery software for digitizing includes:
- Wilcom EmbroideryStudio
- Brother PE-Design / BES Blue
- Bernina DesignerPlus
- Hatch Embroidery
- Embird, Sierra, Ink/Stitch
After creating the file, you can use platforms like emborado to organize, preview, and search your embroidery designs effectively.