Protecting against unsuitable image uploads
Auto-digitizing (automatic digitizing) converts artwork into embroidery files. The Embroidery Web API uses AI to reduce colors, define objects, and choose stitch types and directions, similar to what a human digitizer would do.
⚠️ Not all images are suitable for embroidery. Large, low-quality, overly complex, or photo-like images can:
- Fail to convert properly.
- Waste server resources and API credits.
- Frustrate customers, leading them to abandon orders.
It’s essential to prevent unsuitable images from being uploaded in the first place.
What types of images work best?
Consideration | Details |
Logos/Emblems | Over 90% of commercial embroidery orders are simple logo-style designs with flat colors and clear outlines. |
Color limits | Good embroidery designs use no more than 5–6 colors. Too many colors = poor readability + higher production cost. |
Object size | Very small details do not stitch well. The system removes tiny shapes as 'noise'. |
Resolution | Uploads should be around 300 DPI. Low-res images (72/96 DPI) often lack enough detail for the AI to recognize boundaries. |
Photographs | Not suitable for Wilcom EWA – requires special techniques not supported by this service. |
How to filter unsuitable images
Consideration | Details |
Educate users | Provide clear instructions on your website about acceptable image types. |
Apply simple filters | Check resolution, size, and color count before accepting uploads. |
Show error messages | Reject unsuitable uploads with clear guidance on what’s required. |
Using third-party tools
Azure cognitive services:
- Can be trained to distinguish 'acceptable' vs 'unacceptable' images.
- After training, it can filter uploads with over 90% accuracy.
- Although it’s a paid service, costs are low compared to wasted API processing.
This same Azure AI is already used inside Wilcom’s auto-digitizing process.
Color reduction tools:
- Reduce the number of colors in images before auto-digitizing.
- Help keep designs efficient and production costs low.
- Can be integrated directly into your website.
Key points
For a smooth customer experience and efficient API usage:
- Accept only clean, logo-style images.
- Enforce rules with upload filters.
- Consider AI-based tools like Azure for smarter automation.
- Use color-reduction to simplify images and lower production costs.