| EMBROIDERING ON JACKETS | | | | (like those used in windbreakers) keep in mind that |
| Digitizing and Embroidery Tips | | | | your embroiderer will need to use a good quality |
| WHEN TO CHOOSE EMBROIDERY | | | | backing or double up on the backing to keep the |
| Jackets are, for the most part, made of sturdy, tightly | | | | material from puckering. This will increase the cost |
| woven fabric and offer an ideal surface for | | | | somewhat but provide the quality appearance you're |
| embroidery. They run the gamut from conservative, | | | | shooting for in a finished garment. (Using a little |
| ivy-league jackets to "off-the-wall" designer styles | | | | adhesive on the backing to secure the material helps |
| available in bright colors and bold geometric shapes. | | | | to minimize the puckering or distortion of the fabric |
| With such a broad range of jacket styles available, | | | | during the sewout process.) |
| embroidery applications are appropriate in a wide | | | | Plain twill weave, a soft supple material with a velvety |
| variety of styles themselves--from small, signature | | | | feel, is popular for business or professional jackets. A |
| logos to flashy "billboard" treatments. | | | | type of fabric that's growing in popularity in this arena |
| LOCATION | | | | is the new poly micro fibers. Both of these fabrics are |
| In addition to traditional locations such as left and right | | | | ideal for the classic look of tone-on-tone that especially |
| chest, pocket and sleeve, the jacket back is available | | | | appeals to professional and business groups. Black |
| for embroidery and just the ticket for the popular | | | | thread on black wool, for example, creates an elegant |
| "billboard" style used on wool and leather varsity | | | | look, similar to debossing. |
| jackets. The same "billboard" format works extremely | | | | We can't go into the qualities of every fabric here. Just |
| well for high profile companies like Nascar, with its | | | | keep in mind that each fabric has its own strengths |
| numerous sponsors, or Harley-Davidson, a company | | | | and weaknesses, and we suggest consulting with your |
| closely identified with leather jackets and a perfect | | | | digitizer to assure the best possible engineering of your |
| candidate for a full jacket back treatment. | | | | embroidery tape to suit your fabric. |
| Remember that the maximum size of any design is | | | | DESIGN ELEMENTS |
| dependent on your embroiderer's hoop size. Since the | | | | On large, complex designs (like a jacket back) it's not |
| maximum size of most embroidery hoops is 14", we | | | | uncommon for stitches to run as high as 75,000 to |
| recommend limiting your jacket back designs to 12" or | | | | 100,000. A creative way to reduce the sewout cost |
| 13." Also, keep in mind that raglan or drop sleeve styles | | | | and still maintain the high-quality look of embroidery is |
| have more room for a large design than a jacket with | | | | to use appliqué. In appliqué, a top layer |
| an inset sleeve. | | | | of material is adhered to the jacket fabric. This |
| A relatively new embroidery application making an | | | | additional piece of material usually contains design |
| appearance today is the "locker room tag," a small or | | | | elements applied with a less-expensive silk-screening |
| partial logo, without accompanying text, sewn 1 to 1 | | | | process. Embroidery is applied over that silk-screened |
| ½" below the back collar seam. This is a sharp | | | | fabric and either adds or highlights design elements. |
| look that's growing in popularity throughout the States. | | | | The illustration here demonstrates this layered look and |
| An application currently appearing in the Western | | | | is especially desirable when you're customer wants a |
| region of the United States, is a chenille sewout of a | | | | photographic quality for their design. |
| student's name embroidered next to the pocket welt | | | | An ongoing problem with embroidery design elements |
| on his or her varsity jacket. Staying on top of current | | | | for all types of fabrics is text size. Script or serif fonts |
| styles will help you gain your customer's confidence | | | | are not advisable for text up to ½". For best |
| and could give you a competitive edge. | | | | results, use capitalized letters in a sans serif font such |
| On fully assembled garments, we recommend | | | | as Ariel. (Your digitizer will let you know if the text in |
| removing the lining before applying embroidery if at all | | | | your design will sew out well at its original size.) |
| possible. This keeps back-stitching concealed from the | | | | Suggested minimum letter height: |
| wearer and gives a more finished appearance to the | | | | Polar fleece and corduroy...... 1/ 4" |
| completed garment. If you are working directly with a | | | | Most other fabrics.............. 3/16" |
| jacket manufacturer, inquire about a panel program. If | | | | MARKETING IDEAS |
| available, you can have the individual jacket panels | | | | If you are bidding on a jacket project for a customer, |
| sent for stitching and eliminate having to sew through | | | | you may want to tie in complimentary items during |
| the lining. | | | | your presentation. A number of apparel items go well |
| FABRIC | | | | with a jacket. Hats, sweaters, vests and golf shirts can |
| Embroidery sews out well on most jacket fabrics. | | | | all be worn once a jacket is removed and provide |
| Cotton poplin, twill and cotton canvas, for example, | | | | your customer with a higher profile. If you have |
| have smooth, tight surfaces that show off small text | | | | samples ready at the time you make your |
| or delicate design elements without the need of a | | | | presentation, you'll have an additional story to tell. Your |
| layer of under-stitching. Embroidery also works | | | | creativity could spur a secondary sale as well as give |
| reasonably well on wool, leather and the newer rip | | | | your customer an opportunity for increased visibility. |
| stop nylon fabrics. Polar fleece and corduroy, on the | | | | (Note: You may be able to use the same digitized |
| other hand, have heavy, plush and/or ribbed surfaces | | | | design for the complimentary items (hat, vest, golf |
| on which small text elements can become buried or | | | | shirt). This will minimize the expense of creating your |
| distorted if the design is not reinforced or lifted above | | | | samples. However, once an order is received, each |
| the pile in some way. | | | | digital design will need to be produced specifically for |
| Among the newest jacket materials today are the | | | | that garment to be certain the design sews out |
| water-repellant coated nylon, coated oxford and | | | | correctly--Hats require a very specific sewout pattern, |
| coated Supplex®, primarily used for sports jackets. | | | | usually from the middle-out. |
| When applying embroidery to lighter weight materials, | | | | |