> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vu-custom.gitbook.io/vu-custom/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vu-custom.gitbook.io/vu-custom/vu-os-best-practices-platform-guides/visualizing-embroidery-within-the-vu-customizer.md). # Visualizing Embroidery within the VU Customizer VU offers the ability to visualize embroidery items within the VU Customizer, giving users a real feel for the stitching, thread colors, placement, and scale of the embroidery. VU's embroidery element works for text, monograms, icons, patches, and much more. This article outlines how each of the different embroidery scenarios works, and setup involved to launch an embroidery offering. VU utilizes an in-house embroidery solution to power the embroidered renders. The article outlines how brands can leverage this service, or provide their own assets to use for the render. ### 1. Text/Monogram Configuration VU utilizes an in-house font library for text and monogram embroidery. These fonts have been pre-digitized and are available to use instantly for embroidery setup. When rendered, each character within the font will render it's corresponding embroidered stitch pattern. * Font Selection: Choose from a variety of standard fonts or monograms. * Configuration: Select the font size, thread color, placement, and scale to complete the embroidery setup. * Adding Fonts: If a specific font is not available, provide the source font file for in-house digitization. Once digitized, the font will be added to your available fonts to use from embroidery visualization. ### 2. Embroidered Imagery: In-house Digitization With VU's in-house embroidery solution, brands can turn an asset library into a digitized embroidery collection. This method is ideal for visualizing set decorations on a product, such as icons, whimsies, or any stock graphic. VU's embroidery solution will take brand provided imagery, and generate a DST for each item. The DST will be used for the embroidered render in the customizer, giving users a real look at the embroidery while designing. * Process: Provide the images/assets you wish to visualize with the embroidered look. * Conversion: The files are converted into a DST format for the customizer to render. * Configuration: Select the placement and size of how the embroidered item should be displayed to complete the embroidery setup. * Production: The resulting DST file is supplied to the factory for production. ### 3. Embroidered Imagery: Photographic Representation This is ideal for scenarios where digitization/DSTs are unnecessary, this method uses high-quality photography to represent embroidery. * Benefit: Provides a realistic visual display of the finished product (e.g., existing patches or direct embroidery). * Usage: Suitable when the specific design does not require new digitization efforts. * Process: Provide the images/assets you wish to visualize with the embroidered look. The assets should be of the finished embroidery ex: image of an embroidered patch * Configuration: Select the placement and size of how the embroidered item should be displayed to complete the embroidery setup. ### 4. On-Demand Imagery via User Upload for Embroidery For brands wanting to allow users to supply imagery to be embroidered on a product, the VU customizer can still be used to visualize the supplied imagery. * User Upload: Users can upload images and apply them to the product * Visualization: **VU does not digitize assets on-demand**, meaning the uploaded image will be displayed without an embroidered effect. The visualization is meant to aid placement/sizing of the asset on the product only. * Digitization: Once an order is placed, VU supplies the image uploaded by the user for digitization. Please note that the digitization in this process is handled by brands outside of VU. VU can connect brands with embroidery partners to help with the digitization. * Proofing: Orders containing user-uploaded images can be automatically placed on hold within the OMS, allowing the ability to work with customers on proofing of the digitized asset. * Process: Once customer acceptance is completed, the order can be released for production. Please note that the digitized DST will need to be provided to the production facility separately. Important: VU does not support direct user uploads of DST files and VU does not digitize files provided via user upload.