3D puff: 3D puff embroidery is another way of sewing, which involves use of foam under the threads. Sewing is normally done on the edge of the form, leaving the middle part of the form having the effect of being elevated.

3D-effect: 3D-effect embroidery, by contrast, is direct embroidery with fabric and thread only – no foam. Thick underlay and lots of thread are usually used to achieve the three-dimensional effect.

Copyrighted: If a customer send a picture of artwork or a logo to be digitize, the digitizing company will assume this customer either own the copyright to it or have received written permission from the copyright owner to have it digitized for machine embroidery. If it is a nationally recognized logo, I will probably ask the owner for the written permission. This is to protect the customer from possible copyright infringement.

Push and pull: This is a term. The terms push and pull are used together so often, it seems at times people believe they happen together. They do sometimes, but in most cases the element and/or the fabric are causing either push or pull, but not both. The exception to this rule tends to be in satin stitch columns, whether in a letter or otherwise. Satin columns can pull in on the ends and out on the sides.

Compensation: Embroidery Digitizing (Punching) technique used to counteract the distortion caused by the interaction of the needle, thread, backing and machine tensions. Also a programmable feature in some software packages.

Tension: Tautness of thread when forming stitches. Top thread tension, as well as bobbin thread tension, needs to be set. Proper thread tension is achieved when about one third of the thread showing on the underside of the fabric on a column stitch is bobbin thread.

Scaling: Ability within one design program to enlarge or reduce a design. In expanded format, most scaling is limited to 10 percent to 20 percent because the stitch count remains constant despite final design size. In condensed or outline formats, on the other hand, scale changes may be more dramatic because stitch count and density may be varied.

Database:A set of related files that is created and managed by a database management system (DBMS). Today, DBMSs can manage any form of data including text, images, sound and video. Database and file structures are always determined by the software. As far as the hardware is concerned, it's all bits and bytes.

Embroidery Hoop:A device made from wood, plastic or steel with which fabric is gripped tightly between an inner ring and an outer ring and attached to the machine's pantograph. Machine hoops are designed to push the fabric to the bottom of the inner ring and hold it against the machine bed for embroidering.

Underlay:Used under the regular stitching in a design. The stitches are placed to provide stability to the fabric and to create different effects. Underlay is normally a series of running stitches or a very light density fill often placed in the opposite direction that the stitching w/ill go.

Underlay stitch:Stitches laid down before other design elements to help stabilize stretchy fabrics and to tack down high wales or naps on fabrics so the design's details don't get lost.