What is digitization?

Written by

Simona Pidika

Digitization is the process of converting your uploaded artwork into a stitch file that embroidery machines can read. Every new embroidery design must be digitized before it can be produced. This article explains how digitization works, how long it takes, what happens when adjustments are needed, and how to update your design.

How digitization works

Digitization converts a standard image file (PNG, JPEG, or SVG) into a stitch file that includes:

Stitch types and density
Thread paths
Color mapping based on supported embroidery thread colors

Digitization happens once per unique design + product type + size combination.
When the first order for that product is placed, the file enters the digitization queue. Future orders with the exact same design, product, and size skip this step and go straight into production.

Digitization takes up to 36 hours, which is added on top of the standard 2–7 business days production time, depending on the Print Provider. You can check the current production times for each provider by visiting our network fulfillment status page.

Digitization is free of charge for embroidery products ordered through Printify.

Can I upload my own digitized stitch file?

Printify cannot accept stitch files such as DST, PES, or EXP. All embroidery designs must be digitized through Printify to ensure:

Compatibility with Print Providers’ machines
Accurate thread color mapping
Correct stitch density and types
Successful production

Always upload a standard image file and allow Printify to digitize it.

Supported thread colors and automatic color mapping

Embroidery machines work with a fixed set of thread colors. If your design uses colors outside the supported palette, the digitization software automatically maps the closest available shade. This may cause unexpected color shifts.

To ensure accurate results, always select supported thread colors in the Product Creator or consult the Embroidery guide before publishing.

What happens during digitization?

Your order can move through several statuses:

Pre-production – Digitization is in progress.
Review needed – The digitization team suggests adjustments to help your design meet embroidery guidelines.
Design digitized with changes – Changes were applied successfully; approval is required.
EMB-ready – Your design has already been digitized; future orders skip digitization entirely.
Has issues – The design failed digitization, or the approval window expired.

You can track these statuses in your Orders and My Products pages.

When digitization requires adjustments (Review needed)

If your design needs changes, such as thickening thin lines, resizing elements, or adjusting colors, it moves to the Review needed state. You’ll see an on-screen approval screen in your Orders page where you can:

Compare your original artwork with the recommended version
Review notes about the adjustments
Approve the final version

Note

You have 7 days to approve the suggested changes.
During these 7 days, the order is on hold and cannot be edited, canceled, or changed.
If you approve the changes → your order moves into production immediately.

What happens if no action is taken for 7 days?

If you don’t approve the recommended adjustments within 7 days, the order automatically moves to Has issues with the message Digitization failed.

At that point, you can:

Upload a new design
Replace the item
Remove the item from the order
Resubmit the updated design for digitization

What happens if digitization succeeds immediately?

If your design meets all embroidery guidelines without needing adjustments:

The design is marked Digitized or EMB-ready
The order automatically moves into production
Future orders with the same design + product + size skip digitization

What happens if digitization fails immediately?

If the design does not meet embroidery requirements and no adjustment is possible, the order will show Has issues. You will receive an email explaining why the file could not be digitized, with a link to the embroidery design guidelines.

You can then upload new artwork, replace the item, or cancel it.

How design changes affect digitization

Any change to your artwork triggers re-digitization, including:

Resizing
Repositioning
Rotating
Changing design proportions
Significant edits (e.g., replacing major elements)

Re-digitization may take up to 36 hours. If your product requires re-digitization, we recommend waiting to place new orders until the updated file is finished to ensure the design is approved and ready for production.

Minor edits: If you only need to adjust a small detail (e.g., a single line, word, or shade), you can edit the product on the My Products page using the paintbrush icon. After editing, republish the product to your sales channel.
Major edits: If your redesign is significantly different, we recommend creating a new product.
After an order is placed: Once an order containing an embroidery item is submitted, the artwork for that order can’t be changed.

Will similar designs always digitize the same way?

Not always. Digitization is partially manual, and Printify works with multiple digitizers. Even two very similar designs may result in slightly different stitch patterns, which can lead to small variations in the final embroidery.

To ensure you’re satisfied with the final result, consider ordering a sample before offering embroidery products to customers.

Two embroidered rabbit designs side by side, showing slight differences in stitch style and texture to illustrate how similar designs may digitize differently.

Note

Due to stitch count limits and embroidery line restrictions, the final embroidered product may differ from the mockup shown in the Product Creator. This mockup provides only a visual impression of the digitized file and cannot guarantee design approval or an exact match in every detail. We recommend ordering a sample before adding embroidery products to your store. This will confirm the successful digitization of your design and give you full confidence in the product’s quality before offering it to customers.