Originally Posted by digidoctor

I have found that a lot of the issues depend on the digitizing software that is used. The tips you gave are right on the money Jade and I only want to add this because I think it is useful too: I find I get a good deal of simple lettering jobs from others that normally digitize their own. I use Wilcom software and whatever they (WIlcom) did in the lettering realm generally far exceeds what other software can do, whether you are digitizing each letter by hand or it is typeset.
Digidoctor

Originally Posted by Mike

a single thread for digitizing small letters is fittable i think
so why not try it in this way
but i strongly recommend the way talker is introducing
so let's have a try

Originally Posted by OmarTHO

We were digging around on the Pulse Support website and I found some really good info on small lettering I wanted to share. :

How can I get very small lettering to look good?

Getting small lettering to look good is one of the most challenging aspects of embroidery design. Signature users can simply select one of the many small lettering embroidery fonts (one size only stitch fonts), for example Avante 5mm, Block 4mm or Staccato 7mm, since these fonts are made specifically to handle the problems associated with small lettering.

THOSE MENTIONED FONTS ARE AVAILABLE ON MY MAESTRO VERSION OF PULSE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE THEM ON YOUR PROGRAMS.

Here are a few general tips to improve the quality of any small lettering.

Machine Settings- approximate speed of 400 stitches per minute or less

650 WAS THE LOWEST I WENT, AND IT STILL WORKED REALLY WELL.

Needle Size- use the smallest needle possible; 65/9 sharp or a 70/10 sharp

Thread - try using a lighter weight thread such as a 50 weight cotton or a 60 weight rayon.

Hoop- smallest hoop which will fit the design properly

Backing- use extra backing, add a heavy piece of tear away to whatever you're using to make the letters look cleaner

Spray Adhesive- use spray adhesive to secure the backing to thin fabrics

WE DID THIS. WORKED WELL.

Water Soluble Film- use if possible, but make sure you have steam to remove it with, if you remove it with water, it is more likely to get stuck inside the letters


Using Normal embroidery fonts for small lettering

For more small embroidery fonts, you can reduce a normal embroidery font below the recommended range. No general settings can be applied to all fonts, but through a trial and error process, your lettering can be as legible as normal sized fonts.

Adjusting the embroidery settings

Decrease density : some fonts need less density to work nicely at a reduced height. Block can be reduced to 6 mm if you change the density to 3.3 pts. Euroserif and Eurostyle can also be reduced but look better at a density of 2.4 pts. with a height of 6.6 mm.

Add Pull Compensation : start with a Percentage value of 115% and go up by 5% intervals. This will widen the columns.

Use an Underlay of 2 lines of perpendicular inset at 0.4 mm

Vary the height in order to assist the stitch generation. If gaps appear in your lettering, slightly increase your font height.

Suitable Width for Satin stitches

When experimenting, keep this general rule in mind : satin stitches (like those used in most lettering) looks best at a certain width : 1.2 mm to 12 mm. Below that range threads tends to bunch up (try a bean stitch) and above that they produce very long stitches (try a fill pattern font).

Other Pointers

When selecting a normal embroidery font, here are several things to keep in mind:

Serif fonts and most monogram fonts should not be sewn out below their recommended range in order to avoid tiny short stitches. For example, the narrow shape of the serif should not be less than 1.2 mm.

Script fonts are difficult due to the short stitching in the curved areas so they can't be reduced as far as block fonts.

Avoid using Fill Box justification. This will distort the letters from their original punched shape. At larger heights, this is OK, but for small lettering you could end up with columns that are much too narrow.

True Type Fonts are excellent for sewing out in large sizes but are unlikely to sew well at small sizes, so use embroidery fonts instead.

So I hope that helps you guys out, it sure as hell helped me a bunch.