Digital Download FAQ | Martha Pullen

Digital Downloads

Can I change, cancel or delete an order for digital downloads?
Since orders for digital downloads are delivered immediately, any order containing digital downloads cannot be changed or cancelled.

Do you offer refunds or exchanges?
No. Due to the electronic nature of the product, refunds or exchanges are not offered.

When will I receive my digital downloads?
All of our digital downloads are delivered electronically, directly to your computer. You will receive a confirmation e-mail almost immediately. If you have not received an e-mail within 1 hour, please check your bulk or spam folder. If you are unable to locate the confirmation email, please contact customer service.

What is a digital project download?
A digital project download contains the same material lists, illustrations, photos and instructions that you've come to expect in printed form, except you can get it instantly over the Internet. Your digital project downloads will never expire, so you can access them on your computer as long as you want. Each electronic download is between 100k up to several MB and all formatted as Adobe® Reader® PDF format.

Download Requirements:

In order for our designs to work on your embroidery machine, you must have:

A computer to download the designs to.
Compatible hardware and/or embroidery software that can read the designs FROM the computer and transfer them TO your embroidery machine.
These may include, but are not limited to, the capability to use serial or USB cable connections, a memory stick device, or a reader/writer box such as the Magic Box or Amazing Box.
Compatible embroidery hoop sizes to match the design sizes we offer.
The design sizes we most commonly support fit within either a 4x4" or 5x7" hoop. Whenever feasible, we will provide divided 5x7" designs for the benefit of 4x4" hoop users. Users of the smaller divided design formats will be expected to know how to sew the divided designs with their embroidery machines.

Preparation Guidelines:

There isn't anything complicated about the downloading process, but there are several decisions that you must make before you begin.

Determine which embroidery format works on your machine.
Most embroidery machine manufacturers recommend their preferred "default" format. Below is a list of common machine brands and the formats they recommend.
.ART - for Bernina Artista users
.CSD - for Toyota POEM, Viking Huskygram, and Singer EU users
.DST - Tajima format
.EXP - DOS expanded format
.HUS - for Husqvarna, Viking users
.JEF - for Janome users
.PCM - for MacPfaff users
.PCS - for Pfaff users
.PES - for Baby Lock, Bernina, and Brother users
.SEW - for Janome, Elna, and Kenmore users
.SHV - for Viking Designer 1 (floppy disk-based format used in D1 only)
.VIP - for Pfaff 2140, Husqvarna/Viking users
.VP3 - for Pfaff, Husqvarna/Viking users
.XXX - for Singer XL users

[Hint: If you ever experience problems with a format, we recommend that you try the DST format. Most all machines can also read the DST format in addition to their "default" format.]

Determine where on your computer to store the downloaded embroidery files.
1. We do not recommend downloading files to the computer's desktop (its messy and somewhat unsafe), or to floppy disks (its slow and not enough room).
2. Always download files to your computer's hard drive in file folders of your choosing.
3. Organize and create descriptive embroidery folder names for the design downloads so when you are asked to save them, you will know where you put them and can find them easily.

[Hint: We highly recommend that new computer users become familiar with "Explorer". Windows Explorer is a Microsoft's file management program that provides detailed information about your files, folders, and drives. It allows you to see how your files are organized and to copy, move, and rename files, as well as perform other tasks pertaining to files, folders, and drives. The simplest way to access Windows Explorer is to right-click the Start menu and select Explore.]

Design Downloading Steps:

The downloading steps are described below. Your browser's version may have slightly different messages, but the functions performed should give the same results.
[Note: Our design files have been compressed (zipped, made smaller) to reduce transfer time between computers. If your file settings are set to show file extensions, the compressed file will have a filename extension of ZIP.]

From the email (received after purchase), SELECT (click) the embroidery's zipped format link provided in the download email.
A "File Download" dialog box will appear and ask: "Do you want to run or save this file?"
Select the SAVE option button; the dialog box will close.

A "Save As" selection window will appear.
1. The "Save In" selection box at the top of the window should contain the file folder name to save the file to.
2. The "File name" selection box at the bottom of the window should contain the zipped filename that I am downloading to the new folder.
3. If everything is correct in the boxes, select the SAVE button to save the file and close this selection window.
  [Repeat Reminder: If the file folder in the "Save In" box is not where you want to save the design to, use the little arrow-down button at the end of the "Save In" selection box to go down the hierarchy of directories/file folders. Use the up-arrow-folder icon to go up the hierarchy of directories/file folders. Make your double-click selection from the list area to place the desired file folder in the "Save In" selection box. Then, continue to the bottom of the window and select the SAVE button to save the file and close this selection box.]
It is important to remember where you saved the compressed (zipped) downloaded file. Write it down if necessary because you will need to find it again later in these instructions.
You have completed the downloading steps and should have the zipped design/project file. So CLOSE or EXIT your email account.
Proceed to the Unzipping instructions below.

Once I download the design files from the Internet site, are they ready to use?

Not just yet.
The files you downloaded are compressed (zipped). They cannot be used in the compressed form and MUST be unzipped before your embroidery software or machine will recognize them as valid design files.
[Repeat Reminder: You must unzip the files before trying to use them in your embroidery software or machine, otherwise you will get file read errors].

To Unzip the file:

Use your computer's browser software (Explorer) and go to the file location where you downloaded the zipped file.
If you have at least Windows XP-SP2 operating system, then double-clicking on the zipped downloaded filename will automatically unzip the file to the current directory location. [If you don't have the minimum Windows software, then you may need to use a secondary software program like WINZIP to unzip the file. Refer to www.winzip.com for program information and usage.]
Once the downloaded file has been unzipped, the new file(s) are ready to use in your embroidery software or embroidery machine.
If your computer's Explorer settings are set at "show file extensions", you can now see the embroidery design's file extension after the filename (i.e., ART, DST, EXP, etc.).
[Computer Housekeeping tip: Once you have the design files unzipped, there is no reason to keep the zipped file version. If desired, you may delete the zipped version to save computer storage space.]
You are done! So, CLOSE or EXIT the Explorer window.

How can I get a 3-1/2" floppy for my Viking Designer 1 Model?

Our SHV format designs are configured in the correct five-file structure for a DOS-formatted floppy disk. Here is our recommendation for creating the special five-file structured 3-1/2" floppy.

Download the zipped SHV design file (e.g. SHV.EXE or SHV.ZIP) to the computer's hard drive in a file location of your choosing. Be sure to create unique file folders for different SHV downloads to prevent overwriting previous data.
The downloaded SHV file needs to be unzipped before you can use it. You can do that by double-clicking on the filename. If you have at least Windows XP-SP2 operating system, then double-clicking on the zipped downloaded filename will automatically unzip the file to the current location.
[If you don't have at least Windows XP-SP2 version, you may need to run an additional software program like WINZIP to unzip the file(s). Refer to www.winzip.com for program information and usage.]
Once the SHV file is unzipped you will see the file contents as five pre-named files: MENU_01, MENU_02, MENU_03, MENU_04, and MENU_SEL.PHV. These files and filenames are required for the embroidery machine to recognize the design(s) on a floppy disk.
Place a new or empty 3-1/2" DOS-formatted floppy into your computer's floppy drive and copy just the five-structured files to the floppy. Use only one five-structured set per floppy to prevent overwriting previous data.
When the copy is complete, remove the floppy from the computer's floppy drive and write a unique file description on the floppy using a permanent floppy ink marker.
The 3-1/2" floppy is now ready to use in your embroidery machine's floppy drive area.
If you need additional help on creating or using an SHV 3-1/2" floppy, refer to the nearest Viking/Designer 1 dealer.

Can I Resize the Design File?

We generally do not recommend resizing designs as doing so can often affect the underlay, finished stitching, and can often distort a design. We cannot be responsible for the results if you choose to do so.

MACHINE EMBROIDERY

I don't know what machine format I need?
Check your manual or with your dealer. Here is a list of common machine brands and formats:
ART - Bernina machines
DST - Tajima machines
EXP - Melco machines
HUS - Viking, Husqvarna machines
JEF - Janome machines
PCS - Pfaff machines (not available on 5x7 designs)
PES - Brother, Baby Lock, Bernina machines
SEW - Janome, Kenmore, New Home, Elna machines (not available on 5x7 design sets)
VIP - Husqvarna machines?
VP3 - Husqvarna, Pfaff
XXX - Singer, Compucon machines
**Please select format when ordering.

Will your designs work on my machine?
We cannot advise as to specific embroidery machines. However, if you have a way to get designs FROM your computer TO your embroidery machine, then the answer is yes. You must know your machine's hoop capabilities as well.

Can I purchase my designs in two or more formats?
Our system only allows one format to be selected for instant download through the internet at a time. If you need multiple formats, you can order each format separately.

Do you have a terms of use policy?
Yes! Thank you for asking. Our terms of use policy can be found here.

Help, my Outlines are off!
More often than not, the issue is inadequate stabilization and/or loose hooping. If a project is not properly stabilized, it can and usually will throw off the outline at the end. We LOVE Floriani stabilizers and find them superb for all embroidery. RNK Distributing has some great helps on their website to help you know what kind of stabilizer will work best for your project: www.rnkdistributing.com/reference.php

Inadequate Hooping
It is always best, when possible, to hoop your project with the stabilizer and not just float the stabilizer underneath. Your project should be firmly hooped, but not pulling the fabric so as to distort it.

Machine Setting and Tension
Another possibility is that your embroidery machine settings and tension could be off causing distortion of the embroidery design. Make sure your tensions are working properly to ensure a favorable stitch out of your embroidery design.

Resizing or Editing the File
Editing or resizing the machine embroidery designs, especially if you are not familiar with doing it, can often distort the design. It is best to work with the files that you purchased. If you must edit them, be sure you are using a good editing program and that you know how to use the embroidery software.

Thread Color Comparison and Conversion Charts
Robison-Anton: www.robison-anton.com/colorcomparison.html
Sulky: www.sulky.com/scripts/colors/colors.php