How to Start Digitizing Your Designs
Digitizing your own designs gives you complete control over what happens next. You can choose the type of stitch (stitch width, thread color, etc.), where on the garment it will go, and even if you want to use a different style of stitch than what the manufacturer recommends. The best part? Once your design has been converted to a file, you can use it again and again on future projects.
Digitizing your own designs also saves money. When you purchase a new garment, you don’t have to worry about whether or not the pattern will fit your project perfectly. If you find yourself making multiple versions of the same design, you won’t have to pay for additional patterns. And since you’re doing all the work yourself, there aren’t any fees associated with hiring someone else to do it either.
There are several types of files you can create from your digitized designs:
1. Vector Files – These are the most common type of file created from digitizing your designs. They are scalable, meaning that they can be printed at any size without losing quality. Most vector files are available in Adobe Illustrator (.ai) format.
2. Raster Files – These are similar to bitmap images, which means they contain pixels rather than lines. Because raster files cannot be scaled up, they are usually only useful when creating small items such as buttons, patches, and other accessories.
3. Stitched Files – These are typically used for garments and home decor items. They are made up of individual stitches that look like little pieces of fabric. They are often very detailed and require a lot of stitching before they are finished.
4. Pattern Files – These are the files that your sewing machine uses to transfer the design onto the fabric. Depending on the brand of sewing machine you have, these files can vary greatly. Some machines use a “cut and sew” method while others use a “print and cut” method.
5. PDF Files – These are great for sharing your digitized designs with others. You can send them via email, print them out, or save them to your computer so you can access them later.
6. JPEG Files – These are the standard file formats for photos. They are easy to share online and are good for printing out smaller designs.
7. TIFF Files – These are similar in function to jpegs, but they store much more information. They are often used for large prints and are perfect for storing high resolution images.
8. PNG Files – These are another popular file type for photos. They are less expensive than tiffs and jpegs, but still offer plenty of storage space.
9. EPS Files – These are similar files to pngs, but they are designed specifically for graphic designers. They allow you to manipulate shapes and colors easily.
10. PSD Files – This is an Adobe Photoshop format that allows you to edit text, graphics, and other elements within the file itself. It is especially helpful for editing logos and other complex designs.
11. AI Files – These are the same files that are found in Adobe Illustrator. They are extremely versatile and can be edited using many programs.
12. SVG Files – These are not really files; instead, they are a way of describing how something should appear. For example, if you were designing a logo, you would describe what shape it should be (circle, square, etc.), where it should be placed (top left corner), and what color it should be (red). The program reads this description and creates the actual image.