Embroidery Tips + Tricks

Printed Mint offers an innovative unlimited color embroidery service. This unique technique allows you to convert almost any color into vibrant embroidery thread (note: metallic and neon colors are excluded). We utilize a special process where white thread is dyed during embroidery to achieve the desired hues.

Design File Guidelines:

• Required File Type: Please submit your designs as PNG files with a transparent background.
• Design Requirements: Use only solid shapes and colors in your designs.
• Stitch Limit: Ensure your design does not exceed a maximum of 15,000 stitches.
• Template Use: Always use our downloadable template to create your designs to ensure compatibility.

Disclaimers:

• Digitization Fee: A $9.50 standard fee applies to digitize each new design into a format compatible with our embroidery machines. Once digitized, you can reuse the file for future orders of the same design without incurring additional fees.
• Additional Fees may be applicable for designs over 15,000 stitches.
• Stitch Type: We employ a run stitch for fine details in flat embroidery, which involves a continuous, single-line stitch.
• Preview Accuracy: The preview generated on our mockups is for visual reference only and is part of our beta testing. Please note that actual stitched mockups will be updated soon to better reflect the finished product.
• Variations in Embroidery: Due to the manual aspect of our embroidery process, slight variations in placement may occur across different garments and products.
• SLA: 4-6 Business Days
• Bulk Order SLA: 7-10 Days

Tips for Optimal Embroidery Results

To ensure the best results for your embroidery projects, it's important to tailor your designs specifically for this medium. Unlike printing, embroidery requires adaptations due to its unique nature. Here are key considerations to guide you:

1. Design Appropriately for Embroidery: The most effective embroidery designs are usually text-based or feature simple imagery with clean, bold lines. Complex graphics suitable for other types of products may not translate well to embroidery.

2. Avoid Intricate Details: Please be aware that designs with too much intricacy can cause delays; such orders will be put on hold. If your design is flagged, you will need to modify it. We will review the updated design to ensure it meets our standards before proceeding.

Keep Your Text Legible

Text Size Matters  

When it comes to embroidery, avoiding too-small text is crucial. 

If your letters are too tiny, they might not be readable once stitched. To ensure clarity, keep your text height at least 0.25 inches. This is roughly equivalent to a font size of 36pt in most programs like Adobe Illustrator, Canva and Photoshop. Simple fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, and Myriad Pro work best for readability.

Line Thickness is Key  

For regular satin stitches, maintain a minimum line thickness of 0.05 inches. If your design includes thinner lines, consider using a run stitch (a single line of stitches) instead. This will help preserve the details of your design without compromising its legibility.

How to Measure Text in Illustrator

If you're designing your embroidery in Adobe Illustrator, measuring your text is straightforward:

Open Preferences  

   Go to File > Preferences > Units > General > Inches.

Set Font Size  

   Adjust your font size to 36pt to ensure the text is about 0.25 inches tall. Remember, this is an approximate measurement and can vary depending on the font style.

Choosing the Right Fonts

Stick to simple fonts for your embroidery projects. Here are some reliable choices:

• Arial
• Helvetica
• Myriad Pro

These fonts are not only stylish but also ensure your text remains legible and neat once embroidered.

Summary

By keeping your text height at least 0.25 inches and maintaining a minimum line thickness of 0.05 inches, you can ensure your embroidery designs are clear and professional-looking. Always opt for simple, easy-to-read fonts to make your work stand out.

Happy embroidering! We can't wait to see what beautiful creations you come up with. If you have any questions or need further guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. Enjoy your embroidery journey!

By following these tips, you can create designs that are not only beautiful but also perfectly suited for embroidery, ensuring high-quality results.