THE BEST EMBROIDERY DESIGN SOFTWARE IN THE INDUSTRY
DesignShop Embroidery Software
- World Class Embroidery Design and Digitizing Software
- Auto Digitizing
- Hundreds of Available Fonts and Designs
- Run different designs in different clusters.
- Amazing Stitch Effects
- DesignShop offers its users easy lettering and digitizing tools that get the job done quickly while providing robust features that inspire the imagination.
- Melco Embroidery Equipment - Special Offers and Promotions
AMAYA XT - The professional multi-head embroidery machine that multi-tasks
AMAYA XT professional embroidery machine is no ordinary multi-head system, the multi-task capabilities can produce like no other multi-head embroidery machine on the market. Today’s embroidery production demands are quite diverse. AMAYA XT’s multi-task abilities and connectivity capacity enables businesses to take full advantage of consumer demand.
Melco understands that investing in professional embroidery equipment is the most important decision our clients will make for their businesses.
AMAYA is the only embroidery system to offer:
- The largest cap sewing field in the industry
- Unique modular design
- Precise thread tension with the Acti-Feed™ thread tension technology
- Consistent speeds of up to 1500 stitches per minute irrelevant of machine configuration
- Precise laser tracing eye
- 16 Color backup system
If you can imagine it, the AMAYA XT Embrodiery Machine will help you create it. Fast. Flawless. And yet so very simple. What AMAYA XT Embroidery Machine can do for you is amazing…simply amazing.
Other Professional and Commercial Embroidery Machine and Equipment Information:
Embroidery history
Hand Embroidery history
Embroidery history of International Embroidery Styles
Embroidery Machine encyclopedia definition
Amaya XT new modular Embroidery Machine by MelcoEMBORIDERY TIPS AND INFORMATION
Threads
ARC Poly threads deliver everything wanted in embroidery thread.
ARC threads are ideal for almost any embroidery application. The superior tensile strength provides durability and smoother running
with fewer thread breaks.ARC threads are tough enough to stand up to high speed sewing yet stitches go down smooth for great looking embroidery every time. All ARC poly threads have high color-fastness ratings, so they hold up to washing and wearing.
ARC threads’ high sheen and broad spectrum of colors will make your designs look fantastic!Tensile Strength
Here’s a quick test you can use to evaluate the strength of different threads: Ask someone’s assistance in suspending a piece of thread. Using a second piece of the same thread, “saw” back and forth along the first. Note how much abuse the thread takes before breaking. You’ll find ARC Poly and Rayon to be durable, reducing thread breaks and saving you money.Elongation
The amount of stretch a thread has is elongation. It’s usually indicated as a percentage representing the amount
the thread can be stretched before breaking. Too much elasticity makes a thread “pucker” and distort; too
little creates thread breaks. To test elongation, grasp a length of thread in each hand and stretch until it breaks.
All ARC threads fall within the optimum elongation levels for highest quality thread performance.Sheen
The best way to evaluate sheen (the color saturation and luster of a thread) is to examine a finished product. Thread on the cone looks different.
- Does the design shimmer?
- Is the color bright and even?
Compare sew-outs with different threads for the best evaluation.Working with metallic thread can be frustrating even for the most experienced embroiderer.
Here are some useful embroidery tips:
• Make sure your metallic thread is a good quality thread and in good condition. Cheap thread will not run well. Cover the metallic thread until you use it. Dry or dirty thread breaks.
• To reduce thread breaks make sure the design has been punched for metallic thread.
• Don’t use metallic thread for small lettering.
• Keep your tensions loose. The bobbin should just support itself when held by the thread.
• The bobbin thread should be the thinnest possible.
• Use needles with large eyes so the thread won’t get hung up. The needle should be at least a size 75 or 80. Use new needles whenever possible.
• The material should be as soft as possible without being too fine or delicate. Stiff material is abrasive to the metallic thread.
• The backing should also be soft and pliable. If the backing is stiff and hard, the thread has a difficult time getting through it.
• The machine itself should be the newest you have. All the parts should be smooth and in excellent working order.
Any little flaw or rough area will break the metallic thread and make it fray.
• Reduce the speed of the machine when embroidering with metallic thread.
Variegated Thread
Mon-Rex variegated thread allows you to embroider beautiful and unique effects. Mon-Rex is the best selling metallic and variegated thread in North America, and Melco is the primary distributor.
EMBROIDERY NEEDLES
Melco Mart offers Groz-Beckert, Schmetz and Organ needles in a variety of sizes.
Needles are available 10 to a pack.
Organ needles are manufactured by one of the world’s oldest and largest sewing machine needle companies.
Groz-Beckert needles feature a string polished eye which provides smoother running than with more common chemically treated eyes.Melco’s Needle Glossary
DBxK5:
Ideal for embroidery; a reinforced blade and large eye. Great for all types of thread including metallics.
Standard Sharp Point (R, RG):
Best for tight weaves, canvas, denim, towels, caps and nylon satin jackets.
Light Ball Point (FFG, SES, LB):
A very good all purpose needle combining the characteristics of sharp and ball. Works best with most intermediate fabrics such as jersey, interlock, and pique sportshirts.
Medium Ball Point (FG, SUK):
Best for extremely delicate fabrics such as loose knit sweaters.
Gebedur:
Titanium nitrate coating; available in standard sharp or light ball point;
lasts up to 10x longer than standard needles; great for leather.
Flat Sided Shaft:
Fits most non-commercial embroidery machines and Melco’s EP1/Stellar machines.Needle Abbrevations
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R – Sharp point
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RG – Sharp ballpoint
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FFG/SES/BP – Light ballpoint
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FG/SUK – Medium ballpoint
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KK – Short shank
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WKH – Shortened distance
b/w the eye and tip
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PD – Titanium coated
BOBBINS
We offer a large selection of prewound bobbins for all different types of embroidering applications. We stock both the economical spun polyester type (good strength, coarser texture) and the filament polyester type (extra smooth, extra strong). Coats bobbins use a cardboard disposable spool and are wound in a "crisscross" fashion, while the NEB bobbins use a "parallel" winding and use a clear plastic spool which aids visibility of the bobbin thread.“Smart” Magnetic Bobbin
This new style bobbin has a small magnet in the center to keep your thread tension even right down to the last stitch. It saves money versus conventional bobbins because there are fewer thread breaks and thread waste.
BACKING
All About Backing
Tear-Away Backing
This “Bi-Directional” (tears in both directions) tear-away is ideal for stable fabrics. Often used on satin jackets, towels, denim and similar items.Heavyweight Tear-Away Backing
Our heavyweight tear-away adds stability to less stable fabrics.Cut-Away Backing
This extra soft cut-away is ideal for ordinary use, and is excellent for jobs where backing will come into contact with skin (i.e. golf shirts or sweaters).Heavyweight Cut-Away Backing
Soft, like our regular cut-away, this cutaway offers extra strength for jobs that, in the past, required multiple layers.Nylon-Mesh and Poly-Mesh Stabilizer
Nylon-mesh and Poly-mesh backing is specially designed to provide extra stability that is ideal for interlock, jersey and pique knit shirts. Semi-transparent mesh will not show through white garments the way regular cut-aways do. It also makes small letters look cleaner.Tear-Away Adhesive
This “Peel & Stick” backing is ideal for holding in place garments that can’t be hooped easily. Ideal with Fast Frames and won't damage your needles.Water Soluble Topping
This water soluble facing keeps stitches from sinking into high pile fabrics. Great for fine detail lettering.
Non-flammablePOP AWAY BACKING
This flame-resistant, non-woven tear away backing is made of 100%
polypropylene. It is especially great for use on racing, firefighter, children and safety worker’s wear.
Choose your backing
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Coated Fabrics, Cotton Sheeting, Leather,
Nylon Windbreakers, Satin Jackets:
1 tear-away, no solvy
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Corduroy, Denim, Dress Shirts (Woven):
1 tear-away, 1 solvy optional
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Terry Coth:
1 tear-away, 1 solvy
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Golf Shirts (50/50), Lycra or Spandex:
1 cut-away, temporary spray adhesive
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Sweaters (Knit), Sweatshirt:
1-2 cut-away, solvy
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Golf Shirts (Cotton):
1 cut-away or 3 tear-away, solvy
optional, temporary spray adhesive
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Lightweight T-shirts:
1 cut-away or nylon mesh and tear-
away with temporary adhesive spray
Specialty Toppings
Shrink-Away Film
How to Use Shrink-Away Film:
• Place one layer (the side with the small naps) on the fabric. The naps keep the Shrink-Away film on the fabric and prevents the material from getting out of place.
• Do the embroidery as you would normally do.
• Take another 10 layers of Shrink-Away (about the same size as the embroidery) and put them together. These 10 layers have to be put in the heat press or under the flat-iron. The film now gets soft and melts into one layer.
• Place the film of 10 layers on the fabric + the embroidery + the Shrink-Away film and place again in the heat press. That means you have melted the Shrink-Away placed on top of the embroidery.
• After ironing, remove the Shrink-Away and the layer which has been used for embroidering will stick to the 10 layers and therefore gets removed.SOLVY® & Ultra SOLVY®
SOLVY is a water-soluble plastic film–used especially for embroidering knitwear and terrycloth–that allows much more detail to be seen on
intricate design by preventing the stitches from getting lost in the
knit. A light misting of warm water dissolves SOLVY.
Ultra SOLVY adds a twist to the popular SOLVY. It is extremely stable
and has an embossed texture. It easily sticks to most any fabric when
moistened, plus it’s four time as firm, thick, heavy and strong
as original SOLVY.When to Use SOLVY
SOLVY is an amazing water soluble plastic film. It can be used to:
• Prevent the stitches from getting lost in knitwear garments.
• Prevents loops from jumping up on the terrrycloth during the
embroidery process.
• Allows much more detail to be seen in an intricate design.
• Is NOT to be used on velvet, corduroy or silk.
How to Use SOLVY
• Place SOLVY on top of framed fabric.
• After the embroidery process is complete, tear-away the larger areas of SOLVY inside and outside of the design.
• Dissolve SOLVY on very small areas by lightly misting the area. It will disappear and be removed from the fabric at first washing. (Note that
embroidery should not be left damp or wet longer that a few minutes).
• On larger area, mist lightly to dissolve SOLVY. After a few seconds the dissolved SOLVY solution may be remove with a dampened
sponge or cloth.3D Foam
The use of 3D-Foam can really add a unique touch to your embroidery. However, it requiresthe application of certain techniques in order to be fully appreciated.
Simplify shapes where possible to keep elements more rounded.
Keep Columns as wide as possible.
Relax tensions when sewing to avoid compression of the foam
Hoops
Select the Right Hoop for the Right Job!
As the saying goes, “Always use the right tool for the job.”
Hoops and hooping devices are no different. Melco offers a wide variety of hooping devices to make your job that much easier!
Please call our hoop experts at MelcoMart for advice on the right choice.
Wooden Hoops
Provide a better grip on garments.
Double Height
Wooden Hoops
Greater hooping surface for better grip on thick, heavy and dense materials with less hoop burn.
Square Tubular Hoops
Accommodates corners of square designs without having to use a larger size hoop. Square shape takes the guesswork out of aligning tops of pockets or stripes.
Spring-Load Hoops
Metal inner ring makes for quick hooping. Great for shirt cuffs and other hard-to-hoop areas.
Fast Frames
Stainless steel frame and “Peel & Stick”
backing hold garment in place for sewing when garment is difficult to
hoop in a conventional hoop.Hooping Devices
Fast Frames
Fast Frames, are one-piece stainless steel frames, designed to help you sew on hard-to-hoop items and areas. Using Fast Frames is a much faster and cost-effective way of sewing on hard-to-hoop items!
Cap Frames
Cap Sewing Tips
Hooping Your Cap
Most registration and alignment problems are caused by improper hooping. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations and practice proper hooping procedures.Backing
Backing is a fiber substance. It provides stabilization and it prevents the material from shifting during sewing. It’s best to use backing on unstructured caps, but not always necessary on fused buckram caps. Fused buckram is a stiff material that is fused to a five or six-panel cap to give the front more shape and structure. These are more difficult to embroider because there is more material for the needle to penetrate. Most popular low profile caps do not have fused buckram.
Needles
Many operators prefer a DBX-K5 75/11 needle, although you may want to use a 80/12 for thicker materials.Flagging
Flagging refers to the bouncing of the cap material during
sewing. It’s like a flag blowing in the wind. If the cap is
flagging during sewing, this can cause many production
problems. The best way to prevent flagging is to get the
cap as flat as possible.
Sewing Speed
Speed is the name of the game in the embroidery business, but you might have to slow your machine down if you’re sewing difficult designs or small lettering. Thick cap material and cap seams might also force you to slow it down.
Digitizing
Proper digitizing is one of the most important components of a successful sew-out. If you farm out your digitizing, make sure your contractor has a sample of the cap. If you use DesignShop embroidery software, you can make select the type of material you’ll be using prior to actual digitizing. Remember, what sews well on pique might cause problems on heavy cap material and cap seams.Accessories
We carry hundreds of items for your embroidery business including machine oil, lint brushes, marking pens, sprays, adhesives, lubricants, scissors, Peggy Stitch Eraser, and so much more.
Resources:
Embroidery Machine Equipment
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