Decoration Techniques
This guide details how our platform handles various production methods. Use this to determine which assets to upload and what file outputs you can expect to send to your fulfillment centers.
1. Engraving & Laser Etching
Engraving is a subtractive process. Top layer of the product is removed using laser. Used for metal tumblers, wood items, electronics, etc.
The Visualization:
Your 3D preview relies on simulating depth. It visualizes the material underneath the coating (e.g., exposing stainless steel beneath a matte black finish).
The Production Reality:
Lasers generally don't see color. They function using a "Threshold" system. When you upload a colorful logo, the platform converts it into a binary data set (black vs. white) based on the darkness of the pixels. Darker areas get etched, lighter areas are ignored.
Best Practice:
Ensure your artwork has high contrast. Remember that the final output on the machine is a raster file determined by the user's selected darkness threshold.
Material underneath the text
Depth of the engraving
Color of the engraving
fill/metallicness
Zoning/location
Color of the text in the image generated of the print file
Color of the non-etched area
Print File layout - how large is the surrounding area around the etching
Output is limited to raster files only
VU has the ability to translate an image to black through a user interacted threshold scale for the conversion - colored images can be converted for use
A. How Rendering Works:
We visualize the depth of the etch and the color of the raw material revealed underneath.
B. Factory Output:
File Format: High-resolution Raster.
Logic: The system translates color images into black (etch) or white (no etch) using a "Threshold Scale." You define the threshold for how dark a pixel must be for the laser to fire.
C. Key Considerations:
Colored images are automatically converted to grayscale/binary for production.
Zoning: You must define the exact print area to avoid warping on curved surfaces.
2. Embroidery
Fabric customization adds texture and dimension that standard print files can’t capture. Used for hats, apparel, and bags.
The Visualization:
A good customization platform creates a specialized render that mimics the direction and sheen of threads, visualizing flat art as 3D stitches.
The Production Reality:
This is where digital mockups and machine reality diverge most. While the render uses high-res images, the embroidery machine requires a digitized stitch file (usually a DST file). Most platforms output a high-fidelity visual reference map, but brands or factories typically still need to provide the digitized tape file to guide the needle.
Does the actual stitching need to be visualized or for the render are we just showing flat items
Sizing/scale of the text/image
Material of the item the embroidery occurs on
Hoop type and size if known - helps with the realism of the stitches
Thread colors
Zoning/locations
Fonts if text is offered
Images need colors defined for the render
Is the DST needed or not
Thread colors
Sizing of the embroidery
VU can only provided DSTs and Barudan files
VU OTB embroidery fonts is a smaller library than standard fonts. New fonts can be provided by a customer, but will need digitization by Veristitch at a cost
DSTs each are at a cost to customers as well
A. How Rendering Works:
We utilize realistic texture mapping to simulate the "lift" and sheen of thread.
B. Factory Output:
Visual File: A reference image showing placement, size, and thread colors.
Stitch File: Note: The platform generates visual assets only. Unless otherwise configured, you or the factory must supply the digitizer file (e.g., .DST) required by the sewing machine.
C. Key Considerations:
Font selection: Custom fonts not in the standard library will require external digitization.
Sizing: Text scaling should be restricted to prevent "un-stitchable" small text.
3. Digital Printing (Direct-to-Film (DTF) & Heat Transfer)
Modern "Direct-to-Film" (DTF) technologies print designs onto a carrier sheet which is then vacuum-sealed or heat-pressed onto the product.
The Visualization:
This allows for vibrant, full-color rendering on complex surfaces, from t-shirts to water bottle wraps.
The Production Reality:
Unlike screen printing, this handles full-color rasters beautifully. The critical factor here is the Print File Layout. The final output file must contain precise cut lines and bleed margins to ensure the film sits exactly where the render promised it would on the product’s geometry.
Zone location
Size
Layering
Print File layout
Print File format
Output is limited to raster files only
A. How Rendering Works:
Allows for layering images over product contours.
B. Factory Output:
File Format: High-resolution Raster (PNG/TIFF) containing the Print File Layout.
Layout: Includes margins, bleed lines, and cut lines necessary for the transfer machine.
C. Key Considerations:
Since the transfer physically wraps around the object, print layouts must be sized accurately (1:1 scale) to prevent distortion during heat application.
4. The Analog Methods: Screen Printing, Pad Stamping & Sublimation
Not every technique has gone digital. Screen printing and Pad stamping (often used for irregular shapes like golf balls or curved plastics) rely on physical tools.
The Translation:
Most digital platforms output a composite raster file (a standard image).
The Brand’s Responsibility:
Because the platform doesn't physically create the mesh screens for each color layer, your manufacturing partner will use the provided print file as a "Master" and separate the colors (CMYK or Spot colors) manually before going to press.
Zone location/size
Layering
List of available
stamps/stamp shapes to represent in the render
Colors used for each
Print File layout
Print File format
Output is limited to raster files only
Assumed the stamp pre-exists at the factory, VU is informing the factory which stamp should be used
A. How Rendering Works:
Places static or customizable artwork on specific zones.
B. Factory Output:
File Format: Raster composite image.
Limitations: The platform provides the master visual. If the factory requires color separation (breaking an image into individual color screens), this is currently a manual factory step based on our output file.
C. Key Considerations:
Pad stamping often utilizes a "static stamp" library. Ensure the stamps selected in the customizer match the physical plates available at your factory.
5. Build-to-Order
Used for assembling products from multiple components (e.g., a headset with different ear-cup colors or custom shoe sizing).
Parts that can be selected and clear visuals on what defines a given part on the overall product
Colors and finishes used on a given part
Static logos/branding
Sizing offered if selectable and represented in the render
Factory facing naming for any parts/selections in the customizer
Visual of the assembled item/perspectives
Links to artwork if needed
Best practice for sizing is to use a single mid-size model
A.How Rendering Works:
Swaps 3D models or textures based on selection logic.
B. Factory Output:
Bill of Materials (BOM): Instead of a print file, the output is a data list containing the SKU/Part Number for every selected component.
C. Key Considerations:
Ensure all component names in the configurator map directly to factory-facing SKUs to prevent assembly errors.
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