Altacolor offers good digitizing & vector art services in-house for the convenience of our clients, but you may choose to supply production-ready artwork yourself using an outside source. This isn’t a problem as long as whatever service you contract to do this mission-critical work has a complete understanding of how to prep files to industry standards for production.
So, here is an outline of features you should look for in a good digitizing & vector art company:
A good digitizing and vector art company should have several key features that set them apart in terms of quality, reliability, and customer service. Here are the most important factors to look for.
Good Digitizing & Vector Art Features
1. Expertise and Experience:
- Skilled Designers: The company should have a team of experienced designers who are proficient in converting raster images (such as photos) into high-quality vector formats (like .AI, .EPS, or .SVG).
- Specialization in Digitizing: A good company should be well-versed in digitizing embroidery files, including .DST, .PES, .JEF, etc.
- Industry Knowledge: They should understand the specific requirements for various industries like fashion, promotional products, signage, or logos.
2. High-Quality Output:
- Clean, Crisp Lines: The vector art should have smooth, clean lines and a high level of precision, without pixelation.
- Detail Preservation: The company should be able to retain intricate details while converting images to vector format, ensuring no loss of important elements.
- Scalability: The final artwork should be scalable without losing quality. This is one of the key advantages of vector art.
3. Custom Design Capabilities:
- Adaptability: They should be capable of handling various types of artwork—from logos and typography to complex illustrations.
- Tailored Services: The company should offer custom digitization services based on the needs of your project. They should be able to work with different file formats and specifications as required.
4. Quick Turnaround Time:
- Efficient Service: A good company should be able to provide a quick turnaround time without compromising on the quality of the work.
- Rush Orders: They should be able to accommodate urgent requests, especially in cases where you need designs or digitized files within a short time frame.
5. Good Communication:
- Clear & Transparent: The company should communicate clearly about the process, timelines, and costs.
- Responsive Support: They should offer strong customer service with quick responses to queries, revisions, and feedback.
- Collaboration: They should be willing to work with you to ensure that your vision is accurately captured in the design.
6. Affordability and Transparency:
- Competitive Pricing: The company should offer reasonable rates that reflect the quality of work being provided.
- No Hidden Fees: Pricing should be transparent, with clear details on what is included in the quote and no surprise charges for revisions or additional services.
7. File Flexibility and Formats:
- Multiple File Formats: They should be able to deliver your vector artwork in a variety of formats that you may need for different purposes (e.g., printing, embroidery, web, etc.).
- Easy to Modify Files: The client may use the prepped art for different purposes. Therefore, the files should be easy to modify or scale without issues.
8. Revisions and Guarantees:
- Satisfaction Guarantee: The company should offer revisions to ensure that the final product meets your expectations.
- Unlimited Revisions: Some companies offer a certain number of revisions, while others provide unlimited adjustments to ensure you get the perfect design.
9. Portfolio and Reviews:
- Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing past projects can give you a sense of the quality and style of their work.
- Customer Testimonials: Positive reviews and client testimonials are indicators of reliability and quality. You can also ask for references if needed.
10. Technology and Tools:
- Modern Software: They should use professional-grade software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW for vector art creation, ensuring top-notch output quality.
- Digitizing Software: For embroidery digitizing, they should use advanced digitizing software that ensures proper stitch types, thread colors, and efficiency for embroidery machines.
11. Confidentiality and Security:
- Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA): If you have proprietary or confidential designs, ensure that the company is willing to sign an NDA to protect your intellectual property.
- Data Protection: They should have a system in place to ensure your files are kept secure throughout the process.
By focusing on these features, a good digitizing and vector art company can help you bring your creative ideas to life in a professional, efficient, and affordable way.
Keep in mind that most “cheap” solutions are not located in North America, GB or the EU, and quality can be wildly variable. Please submit any sample file you have produced for our honest assessment.
For deep insight on how us in the custom apparel decoration industry who are involved in embroidery look at aspects of digitsing, have a look at this in-depth article from Impressions Magazine for more.