It really must be my birthday month, because the good people at Printwear saw fit to publish not one but two articles I prepared for all you wonderful embroiderers who want to know more about digitizing, covering key features of embroidery digitizing software and workstation setup!

Software to Stitches

For complete beginners and the curious, there’s Software to Stitches, in which I discuss just what it is that embroidery digitizing software does and doesn’t do. (Spoiler Alert: I’m going to talk about auto-digitizing, folks) I also tackle the difference between working or condensed files and stitch or expanded files, so that you can understand why it’s much harder to edit a design you’ve procured than one you’ve created.

I even take a moment to talk about ‘keyboard’ or stock fonts and how they are different from automated font conversion before I describe a bit about just how digitizers do what they do. If you want a primer on digitizing tools, check the full text of the article for enough information to make you want more.

Station to Station

For those who have committed to digitizing and want to know just how to set up their digitizing stations, my guide to the why and where of what sits on your desk is available in Station to Station. In this article, I discuss displays, input devices, and what is needful, helpful, and healthful to add to your setup. You can digitize with anything, but doing so without damaging your health or stifling your speed is the aim of this treatise on tools. Check out the full text of that article here to find out if your ergonomics are working for you or against you. 

Whether you are just starting out in your embroidery digitizing journey or well along your way, there’s something in the pages of Printwear that will appeal to you this month; don’t take my word for it! Head on over to the digital issue and read for yourself. (There’s even something there for you printers, not that I expect any of you are reading this very embroidery focused blog. 😉 )