, the basic steps for creating an embroidery are as follows:

Get or create a digitized embroidery design file preferably in some kind of editable format. Typical
formats are .emb, .exe, .dst, .cnd and .fdr.
Edit the design and/or combine with other designs (optional)
Translate to machine executable code, i.e. a stitch file (this is optional if the original format is already
machine-readable). Typical formats are .pes .art, .pes, .jef, .sew and .hus (see below)
Load the final design file into the embroidery machine
Stabilize the fabric and place it in the machine
Start and monitor the embroidery machineCreating a digitized embroidery file itself includes at least
two steps:



Create a drawing in a format that will remain editable. Some software also allows to import bitmap and
vector formats which then can be translated (with some manual intervention).
Then digitize (translate, punch) to a (preferably) editable stitching format. A stitchable design includes
embroidery-specific information like stitches and thread color. However good formats define stitching
lines and fills (columns and areas) that are parameterized with stitching information such as the filling
patterns, density, stitch density etc. Professional digitizing is difficult. Non-professional lower quality
digitizing is fairly easy with good software (I learned in a few days...).
If needed, translate an editable stitch file to a machine-specific format.

Specialized low-end software does this in two steps. Get a drawing or picture. It first will be vectorized
(you may have to assist with that as in any other bitmap tracer). You then can have it auto-digitized.
Either in the middle of this process (after vectorizing, better) or after that (limited resizing), you then
also can resize, combine, rotate, etc.
Consumer embroidery machines

Criteria for selecting an embroidery machine Overall mechanical quality, in particular
reliability and precision.
Hoop-size (frames for the embroidery area) is critical. 14x20 cm is expected for mid-level machine and
many folks consider this as a must-have minimum. So-called Jumbo hoops (e.g. 40x26cm) exist on high
end sewing/embroidery machines and multi-needle models. There also exist a third-party market for
hoops. However, on some machines, jumbo hoops are difficult to use since designs must be split so that
the hoop can be turned around. Finally, one also needs a tiny hoop (free arm hoop) for embroidering on
tight places
Stitches / minute (SPM). Should be at least 500. Typical range is between 400 and 1000, e.g. aElna 8300
can do 750/minute.
Built-in fonts, patterns and designs may make a difference to people who prefer designing on the
machine (as opposed to using a software on PC).
Needle threader (helps putting the thread into the needle or does it without assistance)
Thread cutter
Support for standard USB flash drives (keys) and direct PC link
User interface quality and functionalities. It should allow for simple editing like translation, rotation,
resizing, time/stitch counting, design tracing of a design.
Free (or cheap) software
Slide speed control
Automatic detection of fabric and thread tension regulation
Sensors that will tell you if something went wrong, in particular broken threads.
Dealer support and pricing

Computerized machine embroidery
Most modern embroidery machines are computer controlled and specifically engineered for
embroidery. Industrial and commercial embroidery machines and combination sewing-embroidery
machines have a hooping or framing system that holds the framed area of fabric taut under the sewing
needle and moves it automatically to create a design from a pre-programmed digital embroidery
pattern.
Depending on its capabilities, the machine will require varying degrees of user input to read and sew
embroidery designs. Sewing-embroidery machines generally have only one needle and require the user
to change thread colors during the embroidery process. Multi-needle industrial machines are generally
threaded prior to running the design and do not require re-threading. These machines require the user
to input the correct color change sequence before beginning to embroider. Some can trim and change
colors automatically.
A multi-needle machine may consist of multiple sewing heads, each of which can sew the same design
onto a separate garment concurrently. Such a machine might have 20 or more heads, each consisting of
15 or more needles. A head is usually capable of producing many special fabric effects, including satin
stitch embroidery, chain stitch embroidery, sequins, appliqu, and cutwork.

Design files
Digitized embroidery design files can be either purchased or created with industry-specific embroidery
digitizing software. Embroidery file formats broadly fall into two categories. The first, source formats,
are specific to the software used to create the design. For these formats, the digitizer keeps the original
file for the purposes of editing. The second, machine formats, are specific to a particular brand of
embroidery machine. Here, the files are available for use with particular embroidery machines and are
not easily edited or scaled.
Embroidery machines generally have one or more machine formats specific to their brand. However,
some formats such as Tajima's .dst, Melco's .exp/.cnd and Barudan's .fdr have become so prevalent that
they have effectively become industry standards and are often supported by machines built by rival
companies.
Machine formats generally contain primarily stitch data (offsets) and machine functions (trims, jumps,
etc.) and are thus not easily scaled or edited without extensive manual work.
Many embroidery designs can be downloaded in popular machine formats from embroidery web sites.
However, since not all designs are available for every machine's specific format, some machine
embroiderers use conversion programs to convert from one machine's format file to another, with
various degrees of reliability.
A person who creates a design is known as an embroidery digitizer or puncher. A digitizer uses software
to create an object-based embroidery design, which can be easily reshaped and edited. These files
retain important information such as object outlines, thread colors, and original artwork used to punch
the designs. When the file is converted to a stitch file, it loses much of this information, rendering
editing difficult or impossible.
Software vendors often advertise auto-punching or auto-digitizing capabilities. However, if high quality
embroidery is essential, then industry experts highly recommend either purchasing solid designs from
reputable digitizers or obtaining training on solid digitization techniques.

Editing designs
Once a design has been digitized, an embroiderer can use software to edit it or combine it with other
designs. Most embroidery programs allow the user to rotate, scale, move, stretch, distort, split, crop, or
duplicate the design in an endless pattern. Most software allows the user to add text quickly and easily.
Often the colors of the design can be changed, made monochrome, or re-sorted. More sophisticated
packages allow the user to edit, add, or remove individual stitches. Some embroidery machines have
rudimentary built-in design editing features.
Loading the design
After editing the final design, the file is loaded into the embroidery machine. Different machines require
different formats. The most common home design format is PES. Other common design file formats for
the home and hobby market include ART, PES, VIP, JEF, SEW, and HUS. Embroidery patterns can be
transferred to the computerized embroidery machines through cables, CDs, floppy disks, USB interfaces,
or special cards that resemble flash or compact cards.
Stabilizing the fabric
To prevent wrinkles and other problems, the fabric must be stabilized. The method of stabilizing
depends on the type of machine, the fabric type, and the design density. For example, knits and large
designs typically require firm stabilization. There are many methods for stabilizing fabric, but most often
one or more additional pieces of material called stabilizers or interfacing are added beneath or on top of
the fabric, or both. Stabilizer types include cut-away, tear-away, vinyl, nylon, water-soluble, heat-n-
gone, peel and stick, and open mesh, sometimes in various combinations.
For smaller embroidered items, the fabric is placed in a hoop, which is attached to the machine. A
mechanism called an arm moves the hoop under the needle.
Embroidering the design
Finally, the embroidery machine is started and monitored. For commercial machines, this process is
more automated than for the home machines. Many designs require more than one color and may
involve additional processing for appliqus, foam, or other special effects. Since home machines have
only one needle, every color change requires the user to cut the thread and change the color manually.
In addition, most designs have one or more jumps that need to be cut. Depending on the quality and
size of the design, sewing a design file can require anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour.
Embroidery machines
Not all machines are solely used for embroidery; some are also used for sewing. Some of the more
advanced features becoming available include a large color touchscreen, a USB interface, auto
threading, built-in design editing software, embroidery adviser software, and design file storage
systems. Commercial embroidery machines can be purchased with a set number of heads (1, 2, 3, 4, 6,
12, 15, or 18). Industrial embroidery machines are available with 12 to 56 heads.