How to embroider hat with machine? Wondering how it is done? Embroidering a hat with your own custom design or with a specific logo is fun! It is one of the best ways to personalize the head wear to use it for different purposes. You may think of giving a custom touch to the baseball cap, sun hat, beanie, and much more. There are endless possibilities that you can think of when it comes to embroidering a hat with a machine and the design can be any you want as per choice.
Today, we are going to provide a comprehensive guide about the steps involved in the process of how to embroider hat with machine and all the important things that you should know to make the process go right. Let’s jump into the details:
1- Preliminary Arrangements
You definitely need essential materials and set up in the workplace to make your machine hat embroidery project a success!
Selection of Hat
You have to pick a hat you would like to embroider. It is crucial to select the one which has a smooth and even surface with a firm structure to drive the best results. For your information, the trucker’s hats, baseball caps, and beanies are widely used for embroidery due to the easily accessible flat front panels.
Gathering of Materials
The tools and materials that you will need for how to embroider hat with machine are:
Embroidery Machine: A very special machine that is ideal for precision stitching.
Hoop: You will need a specific hat hoop attachment that is best for holding it during the process.
Stabilizer: A stabilizing material that will act as support for the fabric to avoid distortion during the stitching process.
Thread: Quality embroidery thread that is in accordance with your design.
Bobbin thread: You will also need a matching bobbin thread for securing the back of your embroidery.
Needles: Proper needles for the fabric and machine.
Scissors: For trimming the extra stabilizer and threads.
Design: As per your choice that will fit well with the style you are looking at.
Setting Up Workspace
Your workspace needs to be clean and should look organized with enough space for the accessories and machine. You need to check that the embroidery machine is properly placed and in good condition. Moreover, you should keep the materials close to your hand for quick access while working.
2- Digitizing Design
The next important thing here is the design which is going to be heart of machine embroidery process. You have to digitize the design which you have to convert your artwork or idea into a format that will be understood by the machine. Below are the things you should know about digitizing design for how to embroider hat with machine:
Design Selection
You have to pick or create a design that is best for the shape and size of your hat. It can be a name, monogram, or any artwork that you like. Remember that, don’t pick intricate designs as they will need more time and expertise.
Digitizing Software
Digitizing software is a must here as you have to convert your design into a machine-specific format. Most of the embroidery machines use their own specific software or you may buy a standalone program. If you are not familiar with the embroidery digitizing work, you may hire a skilled company and get an embroidery digitizing service.
Create or Import Design
Load your selected design in the digitizing software. You may import the image files like PNG or JPEG and use the software’s tool for tracking and converting the design into a stitch file. Furthermore, you have to pay attention to factors like underlay and stitch density as they will be affecting the final result.
Size Adjustment and Placement
You have to resize the design to make it fit on the hat you are planning to embroider. Don’t forget about the limitations of your machine and the hat hoop. You must check that the design is at the center and at the correct position.
Export File
Once you are satisfied with your design you are planning to digitize, and export it in a proper format for the embroidery machine. Some of the common formats are .PES, DST, EXP, and many more. Note that, you should check your machine’s user manual for format compatibility.
3- Setting Embroidery Machine
As your design is ready now, you should set up the embroidery machine for the hat embroidery. The things to look into are:
Attachment of Hat Hoop
You need to attach the hat hoop for the embroidery machine. The hoop has a design to secure the hat during the embroidery. It is essential that it should be firm. If it is loose, it will lead to misalignment or poor stitching.
Insert Hat
Next, you have to place the hat on the hat hoop, it should be at the center and it should align well with the design. Adjust the strap or band on the back of the hat for a snug fit. The hat should be taut and flat which should expose the front panel for the embroidery.
Loading The Stabilizer
You should cut a piece of stabilizer more in comparison to the size of the design area available on the hat. You need to insert the stabilizer within your hat and ensure that it will be covering the embroidery area. The main purpose of the stabilizer is to prevent fabric from puckering during the process of stitching.
Thread The Machine
Don’t forget to thread your machine with the selected embroidery thread color. Do follow the machine’s threading instructions which are provided in the user manual. It is crucial to use a proper needle for the fabric of the hat to get rid of puckering or any damage.
4- How To Embroider Hat With Machine
Now, we will be looking at the process on how to embroidery hat with machine:
Loading of Design
You have to load the design into your embroidery machine. Select the design file you have exported previously with the help of the machine’s interface. Make sure that the design is at the center of the hat’s front panel.
Needle Position
You need to lower the needle to the design’s starting point. If you need to, you have to adjust the position with the machine’s control. Cross-check that the needle is at the point from where you want to start the embroidery.
Testing of Design
Before you start the proper embroidery, it is always good to run a test stitch on the piece of fabric. In addition, it will help you get an idea if the design is properly aligned and whether thread tension is adjusted properly or not.
Start Embroidery
Once you are satisfied with the test stitch, start the process. The machine will follow the digitized design, and develop the intricate patterns and stitches. In addition, keep an eye on the machine to ensure that there is no breaking of thread or tangles during the process.
Finishing Touches
You should constantly monitor the process and carefully remove the hat from the machine. Trim the excess thread and stabilizer from the back of the design. Remember that you should take great care and not damage the embroidery.
5- Trick & Tips For How To Embroider Hat With Machine
Below are some of the good tips and tricks you should keep in mind for how to embroider hat with machine:
- Use a proper needle that is ideal for the hat fabric.
- Keep experimenting with tensions. Various hat materials need adjustments for bobbin tension and for thread.
- Picking up the right stabilizer. You may pick cut-away, tear-away, or water-soluble stabilizers depending on the complexity of design and fabric.
- You have to think about the placement of your design on the hat.
- If you are a beginner, it is best to practice on scraps or less valuable items.
- Properly and regularly clean the machine for smooth and accurate stitching.
- To prevent unraveling, knotting, or securing the thread ends at the start and end of the design.
- You may experiment with different thread colors.
Final Thoughts
That’s all you need to know about how to embroider hat with machine! Machine hat embroidery is an enjoyable craft that will enable you to personalize your head wear with creative patterns and design. By following the above steps and focusing on them, you can get a professional look.
Connect with Absolute Digitizing to get the logo digitized not just on a hat but also on other items like beanies, visors, jackets, gloves, and much more. You have to pay $1 for 1000 stitches or it can be a flat rate of $15 for your left chest/cap. Moreover, don’t worry as your work will be in safe hands as the company has experience of more than 20 years with a huge list of happy customers.
Connect via email or chat with us online to get a free quote with 24/7 customer support!