Applique
This is a French term meaning applying one piece of fabric to another. It is the use of fabrics sewn onto one another for decoration that adds dimension and texture. Designs with applique are economical because they reduce the amount of embroidery stitches needed to fill the design area.
Ad Specialities aka Promotional Products
Imprinted plastics, fabrics, and metals such as: calculators, pens, cups, mugs, clocks, business and corporate gifts, computer cases, portfolios, ring binders, ball point pens, golf balls and accessories, travel accessories, promotional items, CD Holders, writing pads, desk accessories, etc. Anything that advertises, promotes your business, an idea or concept.
Apparel
Any item that can be worn, such as clothing, golf shirts, polo shirts, tee-shirts, business shirts, work shirts, uniforms, casual work shirts, hats, caps, bags, business casual shirts, jackets, blankets, etc.
Backing
Material that is placed inside or under the item to be embroidered. The backing provides support and stability to the garment, which allows better results to the finished embroidered product. Backings come in two types, cutaway and tearaway. With cutaway, the excess backing is actually cut with a pair of scissors. With tearaway, the excess is simply torn away after the item is embroidered.
Bobbin
Spool or reel that holds the bobbin thread, which forms secure stitches on the underside of the fabric.
Digitizing
Artwork is converted into a series of commands to be read by an embroidery machine's computer. It is the process of converting a standard graphic into a program that can be read and interpreted by a computerized embroidery machine. The Branded Image can handle digitizing for a custom design or logo for you as well.
Editing
Changing aspects of a design using a computerized editing program.
Embroidery
Defined in the dictionary as being 'to ornament with stitches'.
Embroidery Designs/Stock Embroidery Designs
An embroidery pattern or image that has already been digitized and is copyright free, meaning anyone can use the embroidery design.
Hoop
Device made from plastic, metal, or wood that grips the fabric tightly between an inner and outer ring and attaches to the machine's pantograph. Machine hoops are designed to push the fabric to the bottom of the inner ring and hold it against the machine bed for sewing.
Lettering
Refers to the embroidery of letters, either made completely with stitches or a combination of cutout applique pieces and stitching. Lettering is usually computer generated, either on the machine or a stand-alone computer.
Logo
Name, symbol, or trademark of a company or organizations. Short for logotype.
Monogram
Embroidered design of one or more letters, usually the initials in a name. Typically, a monogram is three letters, with the first name initial first, the last name initial second, and the middle initial in the third place.
Placket
A vertical slit extending from the front of a shirt's collar, often reinforced at the base to prevent tearing. Two or three buttons are usually placed within this placket area. Mens and Ladies plackets are opposite one another.
Screen Printing
A time-honored printing technology that is used to print everything from t-shirts and short-run posters, to novelties like coffee mugs, decals, and other fun goodies. Screen printing is most valued for its ability to print on a wide variety of materials with flexibility.
Each color requires a screen. A frame is covered with screen material and a stencil is affixed to the screen. Solid areas in the stencil block the ink from getting through the screen, while open areas in the stencil allow the ink to flow through. The ink is forced through the screen using a squeegee.
Stock Designs
Digitized embroidery designs that are commercially available for general use by embroiderers.
Thread
Embroidery can be sewn with many types and sizes of threads depending on the desired finished appearance. Embroidery threads are commonly made from rayon, polyester, cotton and metallics. Rayon threads are generally made with a twisted multi filament construction and have a high sheen. Polyester threads can be made in three different thread constructions including a twisted multi filament, air entangled and spun construction. Both spun polyester and spun cotton thread have a "matte" or low sheen appearance. Rayon and Polyester filament threads have a high sheen. Polyester is stronger than Rayon and has superior color fastness and abrasion / chemical resistance. Metallics are filament threads that have the highest luster and are formed with a synthetic core wrapped in metal foil. Generally metallic threads do not sew as well as polyester or rayon threads.
Trimming
The action of cutting loose thread, removing backing, etc., from the final embroidered product.
Two-Ply Stitching
A two-ply stitch is a double running stitch. The stitch is formed by the machine sewing a complete running stitch area and then coming back over the same area and stopping where it started. Sews from Point A to Point B and then from Point B to Point A.
Underlay
Underlay stitches are used under the regular stitching in a design. The stitches are placed to provide stability to the fabric and to create different effects. Underlay is normally a series of running stitches or a very light density fill often placed in the opposite direction that the stitching will go.
Weight
When referring to Tee-shirts, the three standard weight divisions are mid-weight/value, heavyweight/premium, and super heavyweight. Mid-weight/value items are generally less than 4.9 ounces; heavyweight/premium shirts range from 5.0 to 6.4 ounces; and super heavyweights are 6.5 ounces or higher.
