Impressions - February 2016 - 41

If letters are spaced
too far apart (top),
use the kerning setting in your software
to push letters apart
or pull them together
until entire word
looks presentable
(bottom).

rave to others about the great
work you do.
During past vacations, my family would be embarrassed when I
would inspect shirts from the
inside-out at tourist shops. But
I did it because I wanted to see
which backing the decorator used
and how everything was trimmed.
I would inspect the embroidery
placement to see whether it was
correct and if the design was
aligned. (I also did screen printing, so I would inspect whether
the ink was fully cured or colors
were properly aligned.)
The moral of the story? Don't
think an error will go unnoticed;
you never know who could be looking at your work.
Topping Cleanup
If you use water-soluble topping,
remove all of it before folding
and packing. Pull as much off as
possible, then dab the leftovers
with a damp cloth - one that will
not leave a trace of lint - until
they are gone. I have found that
a small piece of muslin with cold
water works really well. It won't
leave lint or color residue because it is a neutral color that
won't bleed.
If you like to spray water to

or pull apart each letter, making
the entire word more presentable.
Another helpful command in lettering software is "pull-comp,"
which affects column width. You
can increase or decrease the
value, and it is important when
stitching on soft or stretchy
fabrics, as it adds compensation.
Each time your needle goes back
and forth to make a satin stitch,
it pulls the fabric and makes
your column look smaller. So your
column must be wider before you
start stitching to ensure it will
be a normal size after stitching
is complete.
When your work is done, trimmed
and cleaned, folding items and
placing them in stacks by size
or color also adds value to your
work. Nothing will garner more
praise from a customer than opening a box that has been packed
professionally.
None of these things may seem
like part of quality control,
but they are. Each item should be
regarded as if it were the only
one you had to complete that day.
Remember, your work is part of
you, so make sure it represents

remove the topping, remember that
doing so can leave a water mark on
the fabric. Let it dry completely
before packing the garment. You
don't want your customer to open
a box with mold and mildew all
over his order.
Removing
hoop marks is
easy with MagKEEP INFO ON FILE
ic Sizing. You
can get this
in any grocery
Making index cards with placement information for all customers and
store. Just
including them in their files is one way to ensure every order has the
mist the area
correct placement. If you have a hooping system, make note of the
with the hoop
hooping information and directions. You can never have too much
marks and they
of the former. If you hoop on a table and "eyeball" it, maybe taking a
will disappear
picture and printing it for the customer file could work best for you.
in a matter of
seconds. Drying only takes
you and your shop in the best
a few minutes and it won't leave
possible way.
a water mark. This adds value to
Even the small details matter
your work and could be something
- before, during and after emyour competition doesn't take the
broidery. It may seem like a lot
time to do.
to remember, but the results of
not checking and rechecking your
Lettering Tips
orders could be devastating to
your business. 
When setting up lettering from
your downloaded fonts, there are
some techniques you can use to
Connie R. Smith has been in the embroidery indusmake it look better. If letters
try for more than 30 years and has been an industry
are spaced too far apart, use the
speaker and consultant. She also is an award-winning
kerning setting in your software.
digitizer. For more information or to comment on this
It will allow you to push together
article, email Connie at lickatstitch@yahoo.com.
FEBRUARY 2016

P.41



Impressions - February 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - February 2016

Impressions - February 2016
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Scene at ISS
On Design
Plackets & Wovens Pushing Ahead
Inside the Embroidery Evolution
Market Watch: B2C vs. B2B
Shop Talk
Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Production
Sublimation
Direct-To-Garment
Heat Printing
Ad Index/Online Directory
Classifieds
Impressions - February 2016 - CT1
Impressions - February 2016 - CT2
Impressions - February 2016 - Impressions - February 2016
Impressions - February 2016 - Cover2
Impressions - February 2016 - 1
Impressions - February 2016 - Contents
Impressions - February 2016 - 3
Impressions - February 2016 - 4
Impressions - February 2016 - 5
Impressions - February 2016 - First Impressions
Impressions - February 2016 - 7
Impressions - February 2016 - From the Show Director
Impressions - February 2016 - 9
Impressions - February 2016 - Overheard
Impressions - February 2016 - 11
Impressions - February 2016 - 12
Impressions - February 2016 - 13
Impressions - February 2016 - 14
Impressions - February 2016 - 15
Impressions - February 2016 - First Look
Impressions - February 2016 - 17
Impressions - February 2016 - 18
Impressions - February 2016 - Scene at ISS
Impressions - February 2016 - 19a
Impressions - February 2016 - 19b
Impressions - February 2016 - On Design
Impressions - February 2016 - 21
Impressions - February 2016 - Plackets & Wovens Pushing Ahead
Impressions - February 2016 - 23
Impressions - February 2016 - 24
Impressions - February 2016 - 25
Impressions - February 2016 - 26
Impressions - February 2016 - 27
Impressions - February 2016 - Inside the Embroidery Evolution
Impressions - February 2016 - 29
Impressions - February 2016 - 30
Impressions - February 2016 - 31
Impressions - February 2016 - Market Watch: B2C vs. B2B
Impressions - February 2016 - 33
Impressions - February 2016 - Shop Talk
Impressions - February 2016 - 35
Impressions - February 2016 - Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Impressions - February 2016 - 37
Impressions - February 2016 - 38
Impressions - February 2016 - 39
Impressions - February 2016 - Embroidery Production
Impressions - February 2016 - 41
Impressions - February 2016 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - February 2016 - 43
Impressions - February 2016 - Sublimation
Impressions - February 2016 - 45
Impressions - February 2016 - 46
Impressions - February 2016 - 47
Impressions - February 2016 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - February 2016 - 49
Impressions - February 2016 - 50
Impressions - February 2016 - 51
Impressions - February 2016 - Heat Printing
Impressions - February 2016 - 53
Impressions - February 2016 - 54
Impressions - February 2016 - 55
Impressions - February 2016 - Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - February 2016 - Classifieds
Impressions - February 2016 - 58
Impressions - February 2016 - Cover3
Impressions - February 2016 - Cover4
Impressions - February 2016 - ISS1
Impressions - February 2016 - ISS2
Impressions - February 2016 - ISS3
Impressions - February 2016 - ISS4
Impressions - February 2016 - ISS5
Impressions - February 2016 - ISS6
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240506
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
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