Exploring Multimedia V Embroidery Project

The final stop on our multi-media journey is a welding shop. Embroidery Unlimited, Tempe, AZ offers a unique process called welding. It has nothing to do with joining steel together; rather it’s a unique method of embellishing a garment. The welding machine attaches designs created using PVC based materials to fabric, quickly and cheaply. Bruce Perryman, President makes these comments, “it takes about 1 minute to apply a welded design, of which the actual adhering process is only 3 to 5 seconds. One operator can easily produce 40 to 60 pieces per hour. Unlike embroidery, larger designs don’t take more time. And the cost of materials is quite low as well, with a typical left chest logo costing about $1.25.” Welding can be done as a standalone decoration, or embroidery can be added for customization. Much like transfers, a large coverage can be created for a fraction of the price of embroidery. Unlike transfers, welding is much more three-dimensional and extremely unique in appearance. Says Perryman, “welding is only offered by 5 or 6 companies, though it has lots of potential. In some ways it’s like the embroidery process in the fact that each design requires a setup. Instead of digitizing, the setup involves making dyes. In addition, there is some trimming required as part of the finishing process. But when it comes to run time, embroidery doesn’t come close to welding.”

So that is a quick look at some of the multimedia methods being offered by different shops around the country. If you are looking for something new to offer your customers or perhaps investigating ways to save on stitches, then multimedia is the way to go. Embroidery is great stuff, but there is more than one way to use it!