What is computer embroidery?

Embroidery is one of the most durable and effective methods of marking clothing and advertising textiles. Unlike flex or flock prints, embroidery provides permanent bonding with the fabric, thanks to which the inscription does not crumble, peel off, roll or change its original form.

Currently, in the broadly understood advertising industry, classic machine embroidery has been replaced by computer embroidery. What is computer embroidery? Why is it so popular?

Computer embroidery

Computer embroidery involves ordinary embroidery with threads, but using a specially designed computer-controlled embroidery machine. The device allows for simultaneous embroidery with several colors of threads, which translates into the speed of order fulfillment, while at the same time being able to implement projects of varying degrees of complexity. What else distinguishes computer embroidery?

Computer embroidery - as the name suggests - uses computer software. In this respect, the embroidery process can be compared to digital printing - having a digital embroidery or print pattern translates into:

• detailed reproduction of the design on each piece,
• the possibility of ordering reprinting at a later time,
• the possibility of practically cost-free modification of the design,
• the possibility of ordering embroidery of a design made in a popular graphics program.

The fact that the computer embroidery machine is controlled by a special program offers great freedom in terms of implementing projects from files of various formats. Additionally, computer embroidery allows for personalization by embroidering names and numbers.

How much does computer embroidery cost?

The price of the service is calculated individually based on a number of variables that define each project. The most important include:

• degree of pattern complexity,
• number of needle strokes per cm2 (and therefore the accuracy of the design reproduction on the fabric),
• the print run.

The cost of computer embroidery can be reduced by using a felt background instead of an embroidered background. Felt allows for an aesthetic reproduction of the design, while offering high durability and resistance to mechanical damage.

What is a computer fact made on?

Computer embroidery can be made on various materials, including those that are quite stiff and demanding. These mainly include technical fabrics, including polyester and softshell, and waterproof fabrics.

Computer embroidery works best on flat surfaces, which is why clothing items are mainly marked at chest or back level. In hard-to-reach places, such as cuffs, it is better to use a print.

Ask your embroidery shop what the limitations are for this marking method. Usually, attention is paid to the font, which should be about 6 mm high and 1 mm wide. The smallest dots are usually about 2 mm.

Advantages and disadvantages of computer embroidery

To make the decision to use computer embroidery as a method of marking textiles easier, it is worth comparing the advantages and disadvantages of this method. The greatest benefits of embroidering inscriptions and logos include:

• high aesthetics, which are desirable on clothes such as bathrobes in elegant hotels,
• above-average durability - resistance to washing, drying, disinfection,
• possibility of applying to various materials, including those with a strongly marked texture and high grammage.

With such a long list of advantages, are there any disadvantages to computer embroidery at all? They can probably include:

• high cost, especially if we want to mark a large amount of clothing or embroider larger areas of material,
• limitations - the font cannot be too small and narrow, the graphics cannot be very colorful or complicated.

It is always worth consulting the choice of marking technique with a representative of the company to which you will entrust this task. It will advise you which method will be the best, if it turns out that embroidery is not cost-effective, then you will have a choice of printing, e.g. screen printing or thermal printing.