What is embroidery digitizing, and do you charge for it?
What it actually is
An embroidery machine cannot read a logo. It reads a stitch file: a set of instructions describing every stitch, in order, with its type, direction and density.
Digitizing is the work of producing that file from your artwork. It is not a format conversion, someone decides how the design is rebuilt in thread, and those decisions are why two shops can stitch the same logo and get visibly different results.
Why it is usually a separate charge
Because it is real work done once per design, most shops bill it as a one-off setup fee before the first run. It is a legitimate charge and it is also a common surprise on a first invoice.
It is free here, including on repeats
Stitch & Go digitizes free on every design. The file is kept and reused on repeat orders, so the second run does not pay for it either, which matters more than the first-order saving if you reorder uniforms.
What it means for your artwork
Because digitizing happens here, you do not need to supply a stitch file, and you do not need to have had a logo digitized before. Send the logo in whatever form you have it.
Do you charge a digitizing or setup fee?
No. Digitizing is free on every design at Stitch & Go, and the stitch file is reused on repeat orders, so subsequent runs are not charged for it either.
Do I own the digitized file?
The file is kept on hand and reused for your repeat orders, so you do not pay to have the same logo digitized twice. Ask if you need a copy.
How long does digitizing take?
It happens as part of preparing your order, before your proof. Quotes come back within one business day and production runs 7 to 10 business days after you approve the proof.