Embroidery
If you can imagine an image stitched onto a garment, Originality Uniforms can probably make it happen.

From reliably reproducing the logo of an International Corporate at a standard that meets the strictest specifications, to creating original, meaningful logos for new businesses, the caring staff at Originality Uniforms have seen it all.

Like the tradesman who wanted a photo of his truck embroidered - with the trucks name and signage readable! Or the small business woman who designed her own (meticulously detailed) business logo, or the College who required their crest sympathetically reproduced.

We can custom design an image for you at a remarkably low cost - because we love to make new images, and happy clients! Ask us how we can help you. Or ask to see our catalogue of thousands of stock embroidery images.

Your picture or logo will look glorious when embroidered by Originality Uniforms.

Commercial Embroidery
is produced by computer controlled machines.

Stock Embroidery Fonts and Images
Originality Uniforms has a wide range of ready to use embroidery fonts and images available to our clients. These require no new digitising or associated costs. See embroidery fonts, embroidery images.

Digitising
First, your new design is digitised. An operator uses computer equipment to "draw" your design using a proprietary software program. Details such as the shape and colour of each part of the image; pattern fills, stitch length, direction, tension, and density are all recorded. This means ordinary computer image files such as .jpg, .ai, .cdr, .doc, etc. cannot be directly converted for embroidery, and ordinary fonts cannot be used. Each image must be digitised by hand, unless it has already been digitised. Fonts cannot easily be changed to italic, but must be redigitised. At the end of the design process you may be given a print out as a likeness of the final embroidery showing the main shape and details.

Embroidery
When ready to create an embroidery image the garment or fabric is fixed in a frame and inserted onto the machine. Some machines take a single garment, while others may embroider many garments simultaneously, each "head" containing a separate garment, needles and threads. Each garment must be framed with great care to ensure the final image appears in the correct location. When finished the embroidered image will have a number of "jumps" that need to be cut away.

Thread Colours
Each head of the embroidery machine has many needles each with its own thread. Five, nine or fifteen needles are common, enabling the machine to sew many colours in an image in one pass. An embroidery file specifies use of "thread one", "thread two", etc. The final colour selection depending on the colours loaded into the machine. This means a single image or text file can be embroidered in different colours without the need for separate digitising. A company may choose to have different logo colours for different departments or security levels for instance.

Embroidery threads are available in many colours, including metallics and multi-colour threads enabling us to match most logos and corporate colour schemes. Remember that colours will appear different under different lighting conditions, and as threads are linear and reflect light differently from different directions this is particularly apparent in embroidery. Remember too that colours display differently on computer monitors depending on their quality and adjustment.

Costs
Embroidery costs generally vary according to the number of stitches in the image. This is a good measure of the quantity of materials, machine time and labour time involved. Special circumstances do occasionally occur however where extra attention or materials are needed.

Special Effects
Special effects can be produced for extra creative solutions. For example by mounding stitches in an extra thick fashion for a 3d feel, or stitching over foam for extra bulk and apliqueing fabric. Special pattern stitches are available, and the addition of sequins or beads as part of the design is performed by some machines.

Special effect threads include rainbow dyed and Luminous threads (glow in the dark) are available in a small range of colours.

Fabric Stabilizing
Most fabrics require stabilising - the addition of secondary material behind the main fabric - either permanently or temporarily, to prevent the fabric from stretching or wrinkling during the embroidery process. Stretch fabrics are difficult to embroider and some fabrics are not recommended for embroidery at all.

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Screen Printing of Fabrics
is best used for larger designs.

Artwork
The screen printing process involves the production of the image to be printed on computer. This artwork is output to film - an image on acetate resembling black and white photographic film - as separations, one film for each colour to be printed.

Screens
Printing screens consist of a rectangular wooden or aluminium frame with fine polyester mesh stretched under tension across the frame. Screens are prepared using a photographic printing process. The result is parts of the mesh coated to prevent ink from passing through.

Printing
The frames are placed into the printing press which ensures that each colour will be printed in exactly the right position to provide correct registration of the colours. Ink is passed through each screen by the application of a rubber squeegee across the mesh, forcing ink onto some parts of the fabric.

Curing
The inked image then needs to be cured by passing the printed garment under an infra red or ultraviolet curing element (depending what type of ink is being used). Just as their are different types of paint, different types of ink are used to provide different finishes.

Finally the screen is cleaned of ink so that it can be reused.

Costs
Screen printing costs generally vary according to the number colours and the number of print locations required. Each colour requires it's own screen and impression, while each location (front, back, sleeves etc.) requires it's own set up, printing and curing.

Screen printing requires a flat surface, so buttons present problems. When printing the front of buttoned shirts two impressions may be required, one each side of the buttoned opening.

Other Fabric Decoration Processes
We can also assist you with flock, plastisol, videoflex and more.

If you are unsure of what will work best for you, describe your logo or idea in an email, or attach an image. We will be glad to guide you in your decision.

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