Getting Started Products Support Hatch Academy Resource Center Blog Menu

Special lettering

The software provides a variety of editing techniques for fine-tuning lettering designs. Add special characters and symbols as desired. By default, lettering objects are filled with Satin. Apply other basic fill stitch types as with all embroidery objects. Lettering appearance and quality can be improved by the correct selection of underlay.

The screen illustrations in this publication are intended as representations, not exact duplicates of screen layouts generated by the software. The samples used to illustrate software features and capabilities may not be exactly duplicable, depending on your product level.

Use Lettering / Monogramming > Lettering to create embroidery lettering using embroidery fonts or TrueType fonts, or edit selected lettering.

Insert characters

Embroidery and TrueType fonts generally contain many more characters than are available via keyboard. You can add special characters and symbols directly or by means of the MS Windows® Character Map.

  • To insert special characters, click Insert Character button in the Lettering tab.
  • Optionally, select a different font from the Font list.
  • Select the characters you want to use and click OK. Selected characters are added to the text entry panel of the Lettering tab.
  • Alternatively, use the MS Windows® Character Map to provide quick access to common symbols and letters. By default, you will find it under Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Character Map. 
  • Copy the characters you want and paste them into the text entry panel of the Lettering tab by pressing <Ctrl + V>.

.

  • Colors will default to the initial colors of the Design Colors toolbar. The letters will appear as a single lettering object. 
  • Place and size the lettering object as desired.
  • Optionally, in order to change colors, assign them via the Design Information > Thread Colors dialog. See also Design colors.
  • Notice in the Resequence object list, each letter is sewn out separately. With multi-color fonts, this may involve many color changes.
  • Optionally, use the Break Apart tool to split the lettering object into its components.
  • These can then be recolored and resequenced as desired. However, note that lettering properties are lost.

Use Lettering / Monogramming > Lettering to create embroidery lettering using embroidery fonts or TrueType fonts, or edit selected lettering.

Flair script

Flair script is a special font which allows you to add decorative flairs to the end of text objects, mimicking flamboyant handwriting flourishes.

  • To create a flair script design, select Flair Script from the Font list.
  • Enter the text you want to embroider in the text entry panel.
  • Click Insert Character and select the flair character(s) you want to use. The selected characters are added to the text entry panel.
  • Experiment with different flair characters to obtain the look you want.

Use Lettering / Monogramming > Lettering to create embroidery lettering using embroidery fonts or TrueType fonts, or edit selected lettering.

Monogram fonts

In addition to the dedicated Monogramming feature, the software allows you to create monogramming designs using special monogram fonts.

  • Select a suitable monogram font such as Octagon Monogram.
  • Use the Select Character dialog to choose the letters and ornaments you want to use. Octagon Monogram, for example, has three sets of each letter, one for the left side, one for the middle and one for the right side.

For a list of available monogram fonts, see Included fonts.


Use Lettering / Monogramming > Lettering to create embroidery lettering using embroidery fonts or TrueType fonts, or edit selected lettering.

Lettering stitch types

By default, lettering objects are filled with Satin stitch. You can also apply other basic fill stitch types, such as Tatami or Embossed, as with other embroidery objects.

.

Lettering underlay

Most embroidery lettering is 15 mm high or less although the software provides fonts suitable for small and for large lettering. At normal sizes, columns are less than 3 mm wide for normal – not heavy or block – fonts. Such objects are best served with a single Center Run or Edge Run underlay or both. The software decides on a suitable underlay for normal purposes though this can be overriden in Object Properties.

Rules of thumb

  • Lettering with heights under 5 mm should not have underlay.
  • Letters 6 mm to 10 mm can have a center-run underlay applied.
  • Lettering larger than 10 mm is large enough for edge-run underlay.
  • Large letters for jacket backs and so on can use a second layer of underlay. Double-zigzag is sometimes used for added loft. For even more loft, try using 3D Satin.