If you’re not offering embroidery, you’re missing out on a major piece of the decorating revenue pie.

Plus, you risk losing existing customers and prospects to shops that can fulfill the three most-requested decorating services””and beyond.

Embroidery, heat transfers and screen printing top the list of the most in-demand services decorators reported in 2019, according to ASI’s State of the Decorated-Apparel Industry report. 

Additionally, nearly half of decorators see online companies like Custom Ink and Amazon as their biggest source of competition, followed by other local shops and then apparel suppliers or promo products distributors that embroider products, ASI’s report says.

What if you could take your client’s logo or vector-file artwork and immediately turn it into a high-quality embroidered sample that would result in quick embroidery sales?

It’s totally possible””and easy””with great embroidery file creation software (and a great contract decorator partner waiting in the wings).

Today’s vector-to-embroidery stitch technology, such as DRAWings PRO from Digital Art Solutions, helps you powerfully communicate different product options to your prospects and existing customers, almost instantly. 

We’ll show you how to start today.

Virtual Embroidery Samples Are Your New Best Friend

It’s a fact: Personalized samples sell.

Of course, in the world of customized apparel and promo products, we know that creating and sending out actual decorated samples isn’t always feasible. 

Here’s another fact: Personalized virtual samples sell.

You already have your client’s logo or graphic, so why wouldn’t you showcase a virtual embroidery sample file to proactively pitch beautiful products? 

If you’re offering screen printing or DTG, you probably have a good system for showing mock-ups that simulate a sample in your design approval process. 

If you didn’t already know, you can invest in affordable specialized embroidery software tools designed to automatically convert vector-based logos and graphics to embroidery. 

Yes, you read that right.

You don’t need to be an embroidery digitizer or need to hire one. 

You can take a client’s logo or vector file and immediately turn it into a high-quality embroidered result. 

Let’s Add Embroidery to Your Shop’s Lineup, Right Now

Imagine re-engaging with your past and existing clients to show them how amazing their logo would look in stitches””three-dimensionally and photo-realistically, no less””on a variety of garments they can use as giveaways, for uniform pieces or for sale. 

However, it’s hard to “fake” embroidery, since it has its own unique textures and dimensionality that’s hard to capture, even in a graphic design program.

With the right tools, you can provide stunningly realistic virtual embroidery samples that show clients exactly how their logo will look stitched.

But first, let’s quickly clear up two legit concerns you might have about offering embroidery services:

  1. No, you don’t need to outsource your digitizing to a contract digitizer to create a stitch-ready logo or graphic.
  2. No, you don’t need to invest in or use technically complex and expensive software to digitize logos in-house.
  3. No, you won’t need to invest in embroidery equipment (more on that later).

How to Create a Pro-Level Embroidery File in Seconds

The future is now. 

You can use intuitive software to produce an actual representation of an embroidered logo, text or brand artwork””letting you showcase your clients’ identity photo-realistically on a variety of garments and other stitchable promo items.

Here’s how it works: Vector-to-stitch software DRAWings PRO applies stitch parameters to shapes and objects using logic, rules and artificial intelligence. That means you don’t have to know all the ins and outs of digitizing””your software automatically digitizes a graphic into a professional embroidery file.

Even better? You’ll enjoy instant turn times since you don’t need to wait for a digitizer to process and return your files to you. (And, you’ll save money on costly embroidery digitizing fees.)

DRAWings Pro, which works on both PCs and Macs, uses a quick and ultra-easy workflow:

  1. Import any vector logo or graphic that you want to convert to an embroidery file.
  2. Convert to your file to stitches””DRAWings PRO will automatically generate a stitch file with an accurate 3-D preview.
  3. Make any quick modifications for new fabrics and sizes with simple editing tools. 

Even better? If you need to resize your logo to fit a left-chest spot, the software automatically recalculates the stitch count, type, parameters, and density to best fit the new size for you.

How to Pair Your Embroidery Files With InkSoft Tools

These pro embroidery stitch files become an invaluable sales and marketing tool when you pair them with InkSoft Proposals or InkSoft Stores.

Want to create a quick-converting proposal for a client? Easy. Save your embroidery file image from DRAWings PRO. Then, when you’ve selected blank products in your proposal, simply add your client’s embroidered logo. They’ll love seeing apparel personalized with their brand identity.

Tip: With InkSoft tools, you can also present multiple colorways to your client using the single embroidery file you created in DRAWings PRO. If you want to change up the logo colors to match perfectly on four different shirt colors, just select different thread colors.

In InkSoft Stores, you can use this exact same process in conjunction with the rapid product creator technology to showcase virtual logoed embroidered garments on Stores that you manage for your clients (or even on your own site).

See how easy it is to sell embroidered goods and showcase lots of ideas for your client, using their logos and colors on different products?

“˜What if I Don’t Have an Embroidery Machine?’

We’ve already established that if you’re an apparel decorator or print shop that doesn’t currently offer or sell embroidery, you’re missing out on a whole other imprinting revenue stream, on a whole slew of apparel and soft goods.

Ready for some great news? You don’t need to invest in digitizing software or an embroidery machine to add stitching to your imprinting lineup.

You can subcontract your embroidery orders to contract decorators, who specialize in embroidery. That way, you can sell and monetize embroidery in a flash.

It’s easy to get started: Seek out and cultivate relationships with local shops that do contract embroidery work. 

A pro contract decorator will happily educate you on the mechanics of embroidery so you can effectively market and sell the service. Most will invite you to their shop to show you the embroidery process in action, and even send you home with a few sample sew-outs.

It’s a win-win relationship all around:

  • Contract embroidery businesses rely on print shops and promo product distributors to drive volume and complete, accurate orders to them.
  • You’ll be thrilled to provide your clients with high-quality embroidered apparel and soft goods.
  • Your clients will love working with you as a one-stop decorating shop for all of their needs. 

4 Compelling Reasons to Use Virtual Embroidery Samples

We’ve established that an embroidery graphic is unlike a standard graphic. Embroidery files are 3-D, lending texture, dimension and patterns to a design. These details are what makes embroidery so attractive, and drive the embroidery’s high perceived value.

Here are four reasons why you should incorporate virtual embroidery samples into your sales and marketing efforts:

You’ll sell more, and make more.

When you pitch embroidered headwear, for example, to every client who asks for screen-printed T-shirts or hoodies, you’ll naturally increase your average order dollar amount by proactively cross-selling new products that make sense.

Be your clients’ one-stop custom shop.

If you’ve always focused on screen printing or DTG, now’s the time to let your current clients know they can now place their embroidery orders through your firm. Since they already trust your team””and have experienced your quality and customer service””they’ll be thrilled they don’t have to seek out a different business to fulfill their embroidery needs.

Tip: Pull out your list of screen-printing clients, and use DRAWings PRO and InkSoft Proposals to show them how their logo might look in embroidery on trendy headwear or fleece: “Here’s a great complimentary embroidered item for your screen-printed garments.”

Expand your marketing messaging.

Now that you’ve added embroidery to your lineup, actively advertise your new decorating service to new and existing customers. If you land a new client who wants embroidery, then pitch screen-printed products to them as well.

Diversify to defeat seasonal slow-downs.

Every business expects (and dreads) natural seasonal slow-downs. With embroidery, you can heat up those quieter months. 

You may sell more T-shirts in the spring, summer and early fall. As winter sets in, take advantage of cold-weather selling opportunities with stitching: People love embroidered logos and artwork on outerwear, hoodies, and headwear.  

You’re This Close to Adding Embroidery to Your Shop’s Lineup 

If you’d like to learn more about DRAWings PRO software, reach out to an expert at Digital Art Solutions. 

And, if you’d like to start selling more, get your shop organized and provide your clients with better buying experiences, it’s time to implement InkSoft. Our team is ready to help your business grow!

Watch the video below to see how fast and easy it is to create virtual embroidery samples using DRAWings vector-to-stitch software combined with InkSoft’s rapid product creator.