Buying designs and licensing

What to check before buying

• Format: make sure your machine's format is included.
• Size: the design must fit your hoop. Look for the exact width and height in millimeters.
• Stitch count and colors: they tell you how long it takes and how many thread changes to expect.
• Technique: appliqué, in-the-hoop or free-standing lace designs need extra materials and steps.
• Stitch-out photos: real photos of the stitched design are better than computer renderings.

Signs of a good design

• Smooth satin edges and fills without gaps between areas.
• Reasonable stitch count for the size: very high counts often mean dense, stiff embroidery.
• Few unnecessary trims and color changes.
• Clear instructions and a color chart with thread codes.

Licenses

When you buy a design you buy a license to use it, not the design itself. Most sellers offer:

• Personal use: stitch it for yourself, family and gifts.
• Small business or commercial use: sell stitched items, often with limits on quantity.

Almost all licenses forbid sharing, reselling or giving away the design files themselves, including in groups or after converting them to another format. Read each seller's terms, because they differ.

Copyright and trademarks

Characters, sports logos and brand names are protected by copyright and trademarks. Designs that copy them without a license are infringing, even if they are sold online, and stitching them for sale can expose you to legal claims. Buy licensed designs or create original ones.

Ordering custom digitizing

• Send the highest quality artwork you have, ideally vector (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF).
• Tell the digitizer the finished size, the fabric or garment, and your machine format.
• Ask for a stitch-out photo or sample, and for the working file as well as the machine file.