Printing Planet UK
Digitising is the process of converting a logo or artwork file into a stitch file that an embroidery machine can read. Without it, an embroidery machine cannot produce your design.
A raw logo file (PNG, JPEG, AI, PDF) tells the machine nothing about where to start stitching, which direction to run the stitches, what order to place the colours, or where to trim between sections. The digitising process makes all of these decisions and encodes them into a machine-readable format (usually DST, PES or EMB).
What the Digitising Process Involves
A trained digitiser opens your logo and maps it into stitch data. This includes:
Deciding stitch types: Fill areas use satin stitch or fill stitch depending on their size. Thin lines use running stitch or satin stitch. Borders use different stitch angles to the fill. Each choice affects how the finished embroidery looks.
Setting stitch density: Too dense and the fabric puckers. Too light and the backing shows through. Density is adjusted for the fabric type and the design complexity.
Setting colour order: The machine stops between colours for a thread change. A good digitiser minimises colour changes to reduce production time and the chance of misalignment.
Adding underlay stitches: Underlay is a base layer of stitches placed before the main design. It stabilises the fabric and improves coverage. Without it, fill stitches can sink into the fabric and look uneven.
Handling fine detail and small text: Small text below 5mm is a particular challenge. Thin letter strokes may need to be simplified or slightly thickened to stitch cleanly.
Why It Costs £20
Digitising takes 20 to 60 minutes depending on the complexity of the design. A simple three-colour text logo takes less time than a detailed crest with multiple elements.
The fee covers the digitiser’s time, the software licence (professional digitising software costs hundreds of pounds per year), and one or more test stitches to verify the output before applying it to your order.
At Printing Planet UK, the digitising fee is £20. It is charged once and never charged again for the same logo. If you reorder six months later, you pay only for the garments and decoration.
When the Fee Is Waived
The digitising fee is waived on orders over 50 pieces. On large orders, the digitising cost is absorbed into the production.
If you already have a DST, PES or EMB file from a previous embroiderer, we may be able to use it directly, avoiding the fee. Send the file in advance so we can check it is compatible with our machines.
What Happens If You Change Your Logo
If you update your logo after digitising, even slightly, the existing stitch file may no longer match. Small changes like font weight, spacing or colour swaps sometimes require a new stitch file. We will advise whether your update requires re-digitising or whether the existing file can be adjusted.
For more on how embroidery works from logo to finished garment, read our custom logo embroidery process guide, or visit our embroidery service page for pricing and turnaround times.