The techniques of embroidery are so old that its origins are lost in time but we have surviving examples from ancient Egypt, Europe, and China.  It is a technique where tightly stitched threads are sewn by hand  to material to create a design or pattern.  In the past it was reserved for the wealthies clientele as it demanded a high level of skill and it was labor intensive and expensive.

Today modern computerized embroidery machines do most of the work using patterns "digitized" with embroidery software.  Choose embroidery for your garments when you want to add class and distinction to your brand.

Elaborate Images has been embroidering sportswear for years and we know that care in taking and processing an order are only part of the process.  Quality art, perfect digitizing of your design, fine embroidery materials, state of the art machines, and attention to detail are all a part of the process that you don't see and all contribute to making high quality and beautiful embroidery.  All embroidery is done on the premises and constantly monitored by our staff.

Digitizing is the process where your design is converted into a computerized program that tells our embroidery machines what to do.  It is a critical step and is essential for a quality product.  Beware of "free" or cut-rate digitizing services, it is not a bargain if you aren't happy with the end result.  Many digitizers cut corners.  We do our digitizing in house and have years of experience.  By controlling and managing the entire process on the premises we provide the best embroidery possible.

The selection of colors, sizing of your work, and placement are all important for a great product.

Unlike screen printing where almost unlimited color matching with Pantone inks is possible, embroidery threads are more limited.  We understand color limitations and will work with you to select the best color matches possible.  Only the finest quality Madiera threads are used and they are colorfast, bleach-resistant and produce a fine texture with a satin finish.  Lower quality threads are thick and have a dull finish lacking the sheen and beauty of high quality thread and workmanship.

Finally to the embroidery.  Your garments are "hooped" to hold them in place and then inserted into our machine to start the actual embroidery.  The hoop is a device used to hold fabric tight and flat.  We use hooping presses rather than hooping by hand for precision and consistency.  We have superior and precise quality machines that have the capacity to embroider 15 different colors at one time.  When the embroidery is complete the garment is removed from the machine, checked for accuracy and then removed from the hoop.  After being removed each garment is hand trimmed, folded and individually bagged.  Once completed your order is counted, boxed, and checked for quality so that you can enjoy your embroidered garments.