Learn Wilcom Font Settings

Wilcom Embroidery Studio offers a variety of font settings that allow you to customize and fine-tune text for embroidery. Properly configuring these settings can greatly affect the quality of embroidered text, ensuring it stitches cleanly and legibly on different types of fabrics. Here’s a detailed guide on how to adjust and optimize font settings in Wilcom:

Wilcom Font Settings

1. Choosing the Right Font

Select Suitable Fonts: Wilcom provides a range of embroidery-optimized fonts. Choose a font that is suitable for the fabric and design size. For smaller text, choose fonts specifically designed for small lettering to ensure clarity.
Font Categories: Wilcom categorizes fonts into types like Block, Serif, Script, and Sans Serif. Block and Sans Serif fonts typically stitch out cleaner, especially on thicker or textured fabrics.
Built-in Fonts: Use Wilcom’s built-in fonts whenever possible, as they are optimized for embroidery and provide better results than TrueType fonts.

2. Adding and Editing Text

Add Text: Use the Lettering tool to add text to your design. Click on the workspace, type the desired text, and press Enter.
Edit Text: You can adjust the text by selecting it and using the handles to resize, rotate, or move it. The Object Properties panel allows further customization.
Adjust Baseline: Change the baseline of the text (straight, arc, circle) to match the design’s requirements. You can access this by selecting the text and choosing the baseline option from the toolbar.

3. Adjusting Font Size and Spacing

Font Size: Set the font size based on the design and fabric type. In the Object Properties panel, you can manually input the height of the text. For smaller fonts, ensure the height is not below the minimum stitchable size (usually around 5mm) to maintain clarity.
Letter Spacing (Kerning): Adjust the spacing between individual letters to avoid overlapping or excessive gaps. In the Object Properties panel, use the Kerning option to fine-tune letter spacing.
Word Spacing: Adjust the spacing between words using the Word Spacing setting. This is useful for designs with multiple words to maintain proportional gaps.

4. Stitch Type and Density

Stitch Type: The default stitch type for fonts in Wilcom is usually satin stitch, which is ideal for most fonts. For larger text, you can change the stitch type to Tatami (fill stitch) to avoid overly long stitches.
Satin Stitch: Best for small to medium-sized text. Provides a smooth, clean look.
Tatami (Fill) Stitch: Suitable for larger text to prevent long stitches and ensure even coverage.
Density: Adjust the stitch density based on the fabric type and text size. In the Object Properties panel, modify the Density value to increase or decrease the number of stitches. For satin stitches, a typical density setting ranges from 0.35 to 0.45mm.
Auto Density: Use the Auto Density feature to let Wilcom automatically adjust the stitch density based on the font size and fabric type.

5. Underlay Settings

Underlay Stitches: Underlay stitches provide a stable base for the top stitches, especially on stretchy or unstable fabrics. Enable underlay in the Object Properties panel.
Edge Run Underlay: Suitable for most text, providing a clean edge and supporting the satin stitches.
Zigzag Underlay: Adds more support to the text, especially useful for larger letters or when working with thicker fabrics.
Underlay Density: Adjust the density of the underlay to ensure sufficient support without causing excessive stitch density.

6. Pull Compensation

Adjust Pull Compensation: Text stitches can pull the fabric, causing the letters to appear narrower than intended. Increase pull compensation to counteract this effect, especially on stretchy fabrics.
Settings: In the Object Properties panel, adjust the Pull Compensation value. A typical value ranges from 0.2mm to 0.4mm, but this may vary depending on the fabric and stitch type.

7. Column Width and Overlap

Minimum Column Width: For satin stitch letters, ensure that the minimum column width is set appropriately to avoid overly narrow sections that may lead to thread breaks.
Letter Overlap: In script or cursive fonts, ensure there is enough overlap between connecting letters to prevent gaps. You can manually adjust nodes if necessary to increase overlap.

8. Letter Smoothing and Angle Adjustments

Smooth Curves: Use the Edit Shape Nodes tool to smooth out curves in the letters. This can reduce the number of nodes and result in a cleaner stitch path.
Adjust Stitch Angles: Modify the stitch angles for individual letters if needed. This can help improve the appearance of the text and ensure consistent stitch flow, especially on curves.

9. Effects and Special Features

Add Borders: Add a border or outline to the text for extra emphasis or to improve visibility on patterned fabrics. Use the Add Border option and customize the border’s stitch type and width.
3D Foam Effect: If you want a raised effect, use the 3D Foam setting. This is suitable for bold text on items like caps. Adjust the stitch density and underlay to support the foam.
Fill Patterns: For larger text using Tatami stitches, experiment with different fill patterns to add texture and interest to the text.

10. Align and Arrange Text

Align Text: Use the alignment tools to align the text to other elements in the design. You can align text horizontally, vertically, or along a specific path.
Arrange Text: Use the Arrange options to adjust text positioning, including rotating, flipping, and mirroring text.

11. Save Text Styles

Save Styles: Once you’ve configured the perfect settings for a specific text style, save it as a Style in Wilcom. This allows you to quickly apply the same settings to future text elements, ensuring consistency across your designs.

12. Test and Preview Text

TrueView: Use the TrueView feature to preview how the text will stitch out. This allows you to check for any potential issues, such as gaps, overlaps, or excessive density.
Test Stitch: Always run a test stitch of your text on a sample fabric to ensure it stitches as expected. Make adjustments as needed to the font settings, stitch type, density, and pull compensation.

Conclusion

Optimizing font settings in Wilcom Embroidery Studio is essential for producing clean, legible, and aesthetically pleasing embroidered text. By selecting the appropriate font type, adjusting size and spacing, configuring stitch types and densities, and using underlay and pull compensation correctly, you can achieve high-quality text embroidery suitable for various fabrics and design requirements. Always preview and test the text to ensure the best possible results.