Convert Image to Embroidery File: With practical example
Converting image to embroidery file is a basic requirement if you want to do embroidery on your fabric. You will learn how to convert your image to an embroidery file for free at home.
Embroidery is an art through which you can create various designs, images, and patterns on your fabric. In today’s age, technology has advanced this work. One point of this transformation is to convert your image to an embroidery file. In this blog, we will discuss how to convert an image to an embroidery file in the easiest steps.
Table of Contents
Awareness Basics of Embroidery File
What are Embroidery Files?
Embroidery files contain different types of guides that are given to the embroidery machine to follow and print different types of designs and images on your fabric. These files contain information about stitches and thread colors. How many stitches to use, which place to use, and which thread color to choose so that the final result of your design is best?
Types of Embroidery Files
Each file type is used for a different type of embroidery machine. Each machine reads a different type of embroidery file, but the most commonly used ones are as follows:
- DST(Tajima)
- PES(Brother)
- EXP(Melco)
- JEF(Janome)
- VIP(Pfaff)
We have written a detailed topic on embroidery file formats. I would recommend you to review: Embroidery file formats
Why do you have to convert image to embroidery file?
An embroidery machine doesn't read normal images like png, ai, or jpg files. By converting pictures into embroidery files, you can create designs on your clothes and personal items through the embroidery files. It is very useful for those people who are interested in this thing or doing business in embroidery digitizing. And also for those who want to give their personal touch to their clothes and accessories.
How to Convert Image to Embroidery File
Before the process of converting the image to embroidery online, you need to understand these things:
- Convert image to vector form
- What type of design do you want?
- What would be the size of the design you want for your material?
- What is the format of the file selected according to your embroidery machine?
Now start the process of conversion. There are many paid and free embroidery software. You can use any good software for your conversion process. Now I am using Studio Wilcom for this tutorial. This software offers a 30-day free trial.
Step by Step Conversion process image to embroidery design
Step 1: Import Your Picture
Now open the software, find the file open option from the menu, and click on it.
When you click on it then you see a new window open with different files.
Tip: If your image has a background, remove it with a background remover tool.
Look at the Size of the Design
When you import your selected image, then you can check the size of your image according to your fabric or accessories.
This image size is 3 by 2 inches. 3 inches width and 2 inches height. It is perfect for a T-shirt left chest or a hat.
Lock the image
Move the image and check it is in the center, then lock its position to stop its movement. So that it does not move during work.
Step 2: Select the Part of the Image for Digitizing
To work easily on any part of the image, it's the right way to create small parts and shapes of design.
Here, I am digitizing a flag image for a cap. However, these steps remain the same regardless of the image or design you choose.
Here, I am clicking on the digitize button.
I'm just going to run state lines to do a global underlay.
What I want to do right now, is to flatten out the fabric with the underlay and this just going to help the fabric type. I will stitch this on a white hat so if that's the case my global underlay could be the fabric's color. That I'm using so this here is called a global underlay. You could be very creative with your Global underlay
Step 3:Start Digitizing the Buttom Rectangle
I hide these lines and start digitizing the red Rectangle from the bottom of the image.
This digitizing starts from the upper corner of the left side and ends at the bottom corner of the right side of the rectangle. This digitizing is at 45 degrees.
Step 4: Start Digitizing the Upper Rectangle
After completing the rectangle duplicate it by clicking ctrl D and changing the color.
I flip it over, and then, since we mirrored it, let's verify our angles. So we are at 135 degrees. We know we're good because we have the 45 plus the 90.
Step 5: Digitizing the Third Rectangle of the Flag
After digitizing the upper rectangle duplicate it again and rotate it.
I flip it to its rightful place.
We are gonna have to make some adjustments.
Step 6: Digitize the Star
After digitizing all parts of the flag we digitized the star. It has five corners.
We digitize only one corner.
After that, we duplicate the digitized corner and flip it into all corners easily.
We see a gap in the center of the star, so we try to fill it by adjustments of all corners.
After that, we make a white outline around the flag. The size of this outline is 3 mm. Now this image is ready to be applied to the hat.
Step 7: Save or Export it in Embroidery File Format
After we complete our design, we need to save and export it. For this process, we need to find the Save or Export icon in the software. Which is located in the left corner of the top toolbar
Click on the Export or Save icon and select "Export embroidery files".
Select “Save as Type” from the drop-down list and choose the file format(DST, PES, JEF, EXP, HUS, etc) that is useful for your embroidery machine.
Now our image is converted to embroidery file format.
Technical Problems and Solutions
When you create design from images for embroidery, there are some technical problems you might encounter. Some mostly occurred problems are given with solutions to help you troubleshoot and perfect your designs.
Problem 1: Jagged or Pixelated Edges After Conversion
Solution: If the traced lines in the digitized image appear jagged, then original image resolution is likely too low. Ensure that your image is at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) before loading it into the software. High resolution images provides good quality lines, which help to cleaner stitching.
Problem 2: Excessive Stitches Causing Fabric Bunching
Solution: high density of stitches can lead to fabric puckering. To fix this, reduce the stitch density in your digitizing software. Our recommended density is 0.35mm, you can change it according to the thread.
In Ink/Stitch, you can adjust the density by going to Params > Stitch Density and lowering the stitch count per inch. Always testing on a sample fabric first can also help you identify the right balance.
Problem 3: Image Details Too Complex for Embroidery
Solution: Highly detailed images may not convert well, resulting in poor stitch quality. It highly depend on the size of design. Simplify your image by reducing the number of colors and eliminating small, complex details during the image editing process. For best results, limit your design to 2-3 colors and focus on bold, simple shapes.
Problem 4: Incorrect Thread Colors in Final Design
Solution: If the embroidery machine uses the different colors, it might be due to incorrect thread assignments in the software. Ensure you assign the exact thread colors in your software during the digitizing phase. For Ink/Stitch, this can be done through Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Thread Color Management. Double-check your machine’s color sequence before starting.
Problem 5: Design Too Large for Embroidery Hoop
Solution: If your design is too large to fit your hoop, you have to resize it in the digitizing software before creating it into a machine file.
If your design is 0.01mm is greater than the hoop size it will not load properly in the machine, for example: a 4x4-inch hoop only accept a 3.9x3.9-inch design. If any side is greater than 4 inches, it will not load in the machine.
In Ink/Stitch, use the resize tool to scale your design while maintaining proportions. Be mindful of not reducing the size too much, as this can result in loss of detail.
Advanced Techniques for Embroidery Digitizing
These techniques of converting images to embroidery files make your design beautiful and interesting. When you digitize the design on your fabric you see a beautiful result.
1. Complex Fill Stitches
Using different types of stitches in the design like zigzag and fill stitches. It makes the design more beautiful. This creates depth in your design and It makes your design visually interesting.
2. Appliqué Digitizing
Adding pieces of fabric to the design visually enhances the structure of your design. This includes bottom stitching and appliqué shaping. This reduces thread usage for large areas and it also adds dimension.
3. 3D Puff Embroidery
This technique uses foam under the stitches to give your design a raised appearance. It makes your design eye-catching and it is commonly used for logos and bold designs.
Tips for Better Embroidery
1. Choose the Right Fabric and Thread
Fabric: select the right fabrics according to your design. For example, Select fabrics that are specifically designed for designs and stabilizers.
Thread: Use high-quality thread for the best results of your design. For example, polyester or rayon threads.
2. Use Proper Stabilization
Choose the right stabilizer considering the design and fabric. Use a cutaway stabilizer for stretchy fabrics and tear plain clothes.
3. Simplify Complex Designs
If your design is too complex and contains too many details, you can edit and reduce them. If your design is easy then your final result will be better.
Final words
If you want to convert the image to an embroidery file yourself. You have to understand all the steps and follow them carefully because a good digitizer knows the order in which to digitize the design. Take care of stitches and angles, Use an underlay to keep the design in its original form. Select the file format according to the embroidery machine so that it can process it and make your result beautiful.
FAQs
What is the difference between software and embroidery file format?
The software file format used when we edit or create the design in embroidery software such as EMB. It contains all the information of the design as stitch type, angle, no.of stitches, color changes, etc. But when importing the stitch file into the machine, we have to convert it into an embroidery format such as EXP or DST so that the machine’s electronic system reads that data to the stitch pattern in sequence.
How do you digitize embroidery designs for free?
The sewing software demo version of a program like SewArt or the trial of Embird does offer some free digitizing designs, however.
Can we convert one embroidery file format to another machine format?
Many users want to use their embroidery files with other machine brands. You can do this conversion but we don’t recommend this. The converted pattern may become distorted and not able to successfully perform its job.
What is the difference between manual digitization and auto digitizing?
In manual digitizing, the design or image has to be manually digitized by software, which takes a lot of time. However, in auto digitizing, the software digitizes the image automatically.