Raised embroidery that cuts clean
3D puff only looks good when the file is built for foam. Columns must be wide enough to wrap the foam, ends must be capped so foam does not poke out, and density must be high enough to perforate the foam so the excess tears away cleanly.
Our 3D puff standards
- Satin columns wide enough to cover the foam completely
- Capped ends and corners so no foam shows at the tips
- No fill stitches under puff areas
- Density tuned to cut the foam on the first pass
- Flat elements split out so they stitch before the foam goes down
- A stop command placed where the operator lays the foam
Foam thickness guide
| Foam | Minimum column | Minimum letter height |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | 3 mm | 10 mm |
| 3 mm | 4 mm | 13 mm |
| 4 mm | 5 mm | 16 mm |
Check your design against these numbers with the 3D puff checker.
Designs that work best
Bold block letters, numbers, simple mascots and shapes with smooth curves. Fine detail and small text should stay flat. Our article on 3D puff vs flat embroidery explains how to combine the two.
Questions about 3D puff
Can any logo be made into puff?
Not every part of it. We usually puff the main letters or shape and keep thin details flat.
Why does foam show at the edges of my current file?
The ends are not capped or the density is too low to cut the foam. We fix both in a rework.
Which foam color should I use?
Match the foam to the thread color so any tiny gaps disappear.