Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Hoops for Embroidery

How do we get the shirt to stay in the machine while it is embroidering? Well the simple answer to this question is by hoops. And there is not just one hoop. There are several different types and sizes of hoops. There are a few that are the most common though.

We also have our favorite sized hoop. This is because most of the embroidery we do fits into this hoop. In fact, we have more of this sized hoop than any other sized hoop. This allows us to be the most productive with this sized hoop because we can have multiple shirts hooped and ready to go as soon as the others are finished!

Have you ever seen a logo that is just way too large for the shirt or maybe even the person wearing it? There may be several reasons this was done but one the most common reason is because the logo was created the wrong size therefore the wrong hoop was used. When creating a logo, you have to think about what sized shirt the logo will be going on.

We do have a unique hoop that we use when we embroider flat items such as monogram sheets or material that will later be made into a stocking, quilt or garment bag. This hoop can be a challenge though because we have to totally change the machine around and move the ‘table’ part of the machine. This is the hoop that allows us to embroider the largest design.

If we have a large design that we want to embroider on an item that is not flat then we do have another large hoop that we can use. Because this hoop is so large, it is flimsy and we can not put thick material into it.

Some of our hoops don’t even look like hoops at all. They are basically flat metal pieces that we use to stick the material to.

Believe it or not, we have special hoops that are used for hats and yet other hoops that we use for simply the back of the hat! Who knew there were so many different sized and styles of hoops!

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Logo Throw Table Covering

If you just read the previous post, you will know how important it is to have a nice table covering for that trade show. Below is the one that we have recommended time and time again to our customers. It always embroiders nicely as well as last. Check out the next post for a testimonial from one of our happy customers!


LOGOThrow™

Full coverage (4-sides) of table. Single piece of cloth (no seams). Corners are rounded to create soft folds. Fits 24'' or 30" deep table tops. Most versatile & easy-to-use

Fabric - Our Throws are made from the finest polyester fabric available - our exclusive Premier fabric. It is fire-retardant (required in public venues), machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant and possesses superior draping qualities. With Premier fabric, your Throw becomes a great marketing tool that enhances your image.• Fire-retardant (required in public venues)

• Machine-washable
• Wrinkle-resistant
• Heavy weight
• Durable



Product Workmanship – You’ll appreciate the beauty of our Premier™ fabric upon first glance. Our products look substantial and elegant, thanks to the soft draping qualities of the fabric. Fabric alone doesn’t make the difference – our sewing techniques ensure that sizes are accurate, edges are clean-finished, and seams and stitching are straight. With such attention to detail, our workmanship is on par with custom tailoring.

Fabric Care - Premier™ – Our products are manufactured to the highest quality and carry our workmanship guarantee. Printed products are similar to fine garments and require care to preserve their exquisite appearance. Follow washing instructions carefully to preserve their appearance and durability.

Our Premier™ fabric is machine-washable
in cold water, mild detergent, gentle cycle — no bleach. Tumble dry on permanent press/low heat and remove immediately to prevent wrinkling. If ironing, use low heat and DO NOT IRON printed area. Excess heat and agitation will damage ink.

DO NOT DRY CLEAN, as both ink and fire-retardancy will be damaged.

(copied from Logo Throw Website)

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Wearing Your Letters Religiously

Last week, I attended one of the monthly Rainmakers events. This one in particular I have attended since it started. This meeting was not very well attended for some reason which I am finding to be a common occurrence among all of the networking events that I attend. This is not what I want to talk about today though.

At this meeting I was talking with a man who I met months ago but he did not remember me. This is also a common occurrence. :) Anyway, when he found out that I am an expert in embroidery he pulled up his sweater and showed me the oxford that he was wearing underneath. On the pocket of his oxford he had his three letter monogram. He then followed by asking me if I did embroidery like his monogram. Of course, I said that I do!

His curiosity spiked and he continued with several more questions. He was ecstatic that he was able to find someone closer to his home who provides this service. He currently takes his shirts to a shop on the far west side of Indianapolis and he lives and works on the north side.

Our conversation was very interesting to me. He is the first person that I have met who wears his letters religiously. This man has been wearing his monogram for over 25 years. In fact, he will NOT wear a shirt until it has been embroidered! He said he did not know why but ever since he started wearing his monogram, he has grown to love it so much that he refuses to wear a non monogrammed shirt. When I purchase a new jacket I can be this way but only when it is a new and exciting item! I have been know to defer from this thinking though when my patience has gotten in the way.

This man made me really think about what I do. He is a great example of what we should all be doing. He proudly wears his monogram every day just as we should proudly wear our logo. Do you proudly wear your logo and brand? If you don't, why not?

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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Why not have a logo?

This week,  I was checking out the stats of my blog. . .how many visits have I received, what pages were visited, etc.  Well, one of the ways that my blog was found was by a search about "why not have a logo?"  I am assuming that my blog was found because of my category and tags for logo.

I found this search interesting!  My initial reaction was, "WELL, WHY NOT??"  This seems like a question with such an obvious answer!  Because you need one!!!  This is one of the biggest ways to not only make it look like your business is legitimate, but also recognizable!!  Why wouldn't an owner want their company to be known and recognized?

A logo is so very important!  I am not a graphic artist so I am not able to tell you every reason you should have a logo and a good one at that.  But, I can tell you that you should have one!!  It is one of the things that makes your company known!  It distinguishes you from other companies and your competition!!

I know that it can be expensive to have a logo developed.  If you want a good logo you might pay (I am guessing) $250.00 - $5,000.00, but isn't it worth it for your company?  Are you looking for someone to design your logo for you?  We have companies come to us asking us if we do this..  In fact, I have had two just today!  This is not something that we as a company do, although we have before, because we prefer to refer them to some great, graphic designers.  They are the specialists in developing a logo. We are the specialists in putting that logo on items.

Do not get me wrong, we like to get involved in the logo development.  We want to be a part of the process as well as involved in the final decision making.  We can point out aspects of the logo choices that will make it good for embroidery and other parts that are not so great for embroidery.  Because almost everyone will eventually want their logo embroidered, we want to make sure they pick the right logo for the future as well as their immediate needs.

Having a logo embroidered on the shirt you are wearing is one of the most recognizable ways to display your logo.  So. . .why not have a logo . .  and also have it embroidered on your shirt???

Tell me your thoughts. . . .What do you think about this internet search??

Why not have a logo?

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