Frequent Asked Questions
What is digitizing?
Digitizing is the process of converting a logo or design into a data format that embroidery machines will understand. There are several types of software on the market to do embroidery digitizing but it is the digitizer who makes all the decisions about the design to be created, all the required information such as stitch type, direction, density settings and machine efficiency necessary for effective digitizing execution.
Once the logo is digitized can we enlarge or reduce this embroidery file?
Yes. If we did the original digitizing for you we can reduce or enlarge this file by 25%. If the embroidery file is supplied in dst tajima format we can enlarge or reduce the file by 15%. In both cases an edit charge would be applied.
What is the smallest type size you can do?
Generally any type should be no smaller than 0.25" (6 mm). Depending on the type-style of the font we can bring it down to 5mm and if the file is going to be used on nylon type material, we can do it at 4mm. One good tip in case your customer wants smaller lettering for a variety of garments is to get in touch with your embroidery house and see the possibility of running this project with Poly 60 thread (www.gunold.ca). This thread will help to achieve a neater and more readable type-face down to 4mm letters.
Why is it that on the jpeg rendition of the embroidery file or on the print-out the letters look uneven?
The appearance that some of the letters seem bigger than the others is the compensation we have to add when digitizing a file. This uneven look will be only on the computer-generated image. When the machine is running letters the material has its own "give and take" characteristics and we have to do the "pull-compensation" making some letters smaller than others so that when it is embroidered onto the garment the letters will be even.
Is there any special requirement to use metallic threads on a logo?
Yes, you should always tell us if you are going to use metallic thread in a logo. We have to compensate for the thread thickness when digitizing as well adjust lettering size to 6mm minimum.
What is puff embroidery?
Puff embroidery or 3D designs is the technique of having foam applied underneath the stitches embroidered to give the design a raised look.
Can any logo use the puff technique?
No. Generally 3D foam embroidery is done for lettering. Depending on the design itself, we would use the 3D technique only on the "do-able" parts of it. All those etremely detailed 3D foam caps you see in stores, most likely were done offshore as a panel program, meaning the embroidery was done before the cap was sewn together.
Do you digitize for appliques?
Yes, we can digitize your logo using an applique technique. It will save lots of stitches if your design has large areas that can have material applied to the area instead of filling it with stitches. It works well for large designs and athletic-looking letters and numbers. You should contact your embroidery house to verify if they can do the applique embroidery and if they have a supplier to laser cut the material to be applied.
What software do you use?
We use Wilcom 9 digitizing software to create embroidery files. To work with images we use Adobe Illustrator CS3, CorelDraw 12 and Adobe Photoshop CS3.
What type of embroidery format do you supply?
We can supply the embroidery files in these formats: Barudan *.DSB; *.UXY
Compucon *.XXX
Deco, Brother/ Babylock, Bermina *.PEC; *.PES
Design Files V 5.2 through V9 *.EMB
Happy *.TAP
Husqvarna/Viking *.HUS
Janome/Elna/Kenmore*.JEF; *.SEW
Melco *.CND; *.EXP
Pfaff *.KSM; *.PCD; *.PCM; *.PCQ; *.PCS; *.T09; *.VIP
Poem, Huskygram, Singer EU *.CSD
Tajima *.DST
Templates *.EMT
Toyota *.100
Wilcom Barudan *.T03
Wilcom Plauen *.T10
Wilcom Saurer *.T15
Wilcom Tajima *.T01
Wilcom Zangs *.T04
Wilcom ZSK *.T05
ZSK *.DSZ
ZSK TC *.ZSK
How can I send you a new design to be digitized?
You can send it through our e-mail, fax or in person.
What type of artwork do you prefer?
We understand that it is not always possible to get a high resolution and clean image and in most cases we can work with any artwork supplied but we do prefer .ai, .cdr, .eps, .tif, .jpg. If artwork supplied is in eps, .ai or .cdr, please convert the fonts to curves since we do not have every font available installed in our systems. We use Photoshop, Illustrator and CorelDraw in Macintosh and Windows platforms. Clean fax images with colour specified; camera ready and printouts of images are also accepted.
Is there any charge for quoting?
No. Quotes are free of charge.
How long will it take to get my quotation back?
Depending on the design and artwork supplied, quotes may take from 30 minutes to three hours to send back. Once the quote is approved how long will it take to get my design digitized? Normally it takes from 24 to 48 hours to have a design up to 30,000 stitches done. Some more complicated or 3D puff design may take a little longer, but we will contact you on time estimate to complete your order.
Can you edit any embroidery file?
Yes, we can edit most of the embroidery files that you have.
How much will it cost to edit a design?
It will depend on the type of work we have to do. Designs digitized by Oaktree Design will be edited free until you are satisfied with the results. Please send us your design and we can send you a quote how much it will cost for the editing required.
Does Oaktree Design keep backups of the designs I send in?
Yes, we keep backups of all designs you send in case you need copies of them in the future, or for future alterations. There is no charge to back up or send your designs again.
Who owns the rights to the designs I send to be digitized?
The client does. The designs can only be accessed by the client that sent them to be digitized. In case your company has several salespersons on staff, Oaktree Design will only provide information or make copies of designs for the company that paid for it and not necessarily the individual salesperson.
What about copyrighted designs?
Oaktree Design understands the virtue and seriousness of registration, therefore the customer will assume all responsibility for proper licensing of any pattern or designs protected by copyright, patent, trademark or other intellectual property right for all designs approved for digitizing.
Do you accept credit cards?
No, at the moment all payment for Canadian customers are done by company cheque after being processed for our Credit Application. For international customers and those that not quafify for payment on terms must make payments through PayPal using any accepted credit card or verified bank account.
Didn't find an answer to a question you may have?
Please send us an email at oaktree@oaktreedesign.ca and we will be glad to get back at you at our earliest opportunity!