Standard Operating Procedure – Internal Operations
This SOP is for internal use by the embroidery production team. It defines approved setups, handling standards, and production flow to ensure speed, consistency, and quality across all embroidery orders.
Audience: Production Operators, Leads, and QA
Goal: Do it right the first time. Reduce rework. Maintain brand standards.
🧵 Approved Garment • Hoop • Backing Matrix
| Garment Type | Hoop | Backing |
|---|---|---|
| T-Shirts (all weights) | Mighty Hoop | Light Cutaway (2.0 oz) |
| Polos (standard weight) | Mighty Hoop | Light Cutaway (2.0 oz) |
| Polos (lightweight / performance) | Durkee Frame | Sticky + Medium Cutaway (2.5 oz) |
| Hoodies / Sweatshirts (stable fleece) | Mighty Hoop | Medium Cutaway (2.5 oz) |
| Hoodies / Sweatshirts (stretchy / soft knit) | Durkee Frame | Sticky + Heavy Cutaway (3.0 oz) |
| Beanies | Durkee Frame | Sticky Tearaway (1.5–2.0 oz) |
| Jackets (flat area, no seams) | Mighty Hoop | Medium Cutaway (2.5 oz) |
| Jackets (bulky seams / lining) | Durkee Frame | Sticky + Heavy Cutaway (3.0 oz) |
| Flat Bags / Totes | Mighty Hoop | Light Tearaway (1.5–2.0 oz) |
| Bags with seams / zippers | Durkee Frame | Sticky + Medium Cutaway (2.5 oz) |
🧶 When to Use Topping
- Fabric is fuzzy or textured (fleece, hoodies, sweatshirts)
- Fabric is knit or stretchy
- Design has small text or fine detail
- Stitches appear to sink into the fabric
🪡 Hooping Standards
Garment Tension
- Garment should be snug and tight
- Do not overstretch fabric
- Do not pull fabric unevenly or loosely
Placement
- Embroidery is placed in the correct, approved location
- Garment is straight and facing the correct direction
Snowman Sticker
- Snowman sticker is secured firmly
- Sticker is aligned and will not shift during stitching
Backing
- Backing is fully inside the hoop or frame
- Backing is flat with no folds or gaps
Final Check
- Fabric is flat and stable
- No tension distortion visible
- Ready to trace and stitch
CORE RULE:
Snug, not stretched. Flat, not forced.
Hoop it right or stitch it twice.
📦 Sorting & Pre‑Production
Sorting Garments
- Neatly sort and stack garments by order
- Keep all items for the same order together
Labeling (Tape)
- Write the order number on tape
- Write before removing tape from the roll
Labeling Notes
- # ITEM – If an item is missing, add “# Item” after the order number
- TH – Thread color missing or unconfirmed
- DST – DST file not ready
- DTF – DTF-only order (set aside)
Securing Multiple Items
- Use tape to secure garments together when more than one item is in the order
- Do not tape over decoration areas
Bin Placement
- Ready to work → Ready for Production bin
- Waiting on issues → Waiting bin
- DTF-only orders → DTF area/bin
CORE RULE:
One order. One stack. One label.
⏱️ 1‑Minute Pre‑Stitch Check
Design
- Correct DST loaded
- Design size matches production sheet
Thread
- Thread colors loaded in correct order
- Black design = black bobbin thread
Hoop & Backing
- Correct hoop selected
- Correct backing applied
- Garment positioned below the bobbin case
Alignment
- Garment is straight
- Garment is facing the correct direction
- Trace / outline run
- Design aligned to the snowman sticker
Final Check
- Excess fabric secured
- Area clear of seams, folds, or zippers
IF ANYTHING LOOKS OFF: STOP. FIX IT.
🔁 Embroidery Production Flow
Order Selection & Prep
- Choose an order (oldest first)
- Confirm order is ready for production
- No missing DST
- No missing garments
- Move order to Production folder
- Gather all required garments
File Transfer (Dropbox)
- Open Dropbox
- Locate the DST file
- Click the three dots → Copy
- Copy to team-content folder
- Confirm file name matches the order / production sheet
Production Sheet Review
- Confirm design size (W × H)
- Confirm placement
- Confirm garment type and quantity
- Review thread colors and order
Machine Setup
- Load DST file from team-content
- Load thread colors in production-sheet order
- Assign needles to match color order
- Load black bobbin thread when required
- Confirm hoop, backing, needle, and bobbin
Hooping & Stitching
- Hoop or float using the approved method
- Apply approved backing
- Secure excess fabric
- Run trace / outline
- Align to snowman sticker
- Start stitching
Post-Stitch / Quality Check
- Remove garment from hoop or frame
- Remove backing and topping as required
- Trim jump stitches
- Inspect alignment, coverage, and thread consistency
Order Completion
- Place finished garments in Ready to Ship folder
- Move order to Ready to Ship status in the system
📝 Notes
- Be mindful of thread color choices to reduce unnecessary thread changes
- Always position garment below the bobbin case
- Confirm garment is straight and facing the correct direction before stitching
CORE RULE:
Follow the production sheet exactly.
Confirm color order and size before stitching.