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Export a run sheet (PDF)

A run sheet is a printable PDF for the machine operator: a preview of the design, the thread colors, and the exact order to stitch them, with per-color stitch counts and thread lengths. Print one to keep beside the machine so you load the right spool at each stop, or to hand a job to someone else.

Two ways to get one​

  • In the Export embroidery wizard, tick "Also save a printable run sheet (PDF)".
  • Directly: File → Export → Export Run Sheet (PDF)…, or Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+E.

The Export run sheet (PDF) dialog lets you choose the Paper size (A4 or US Letter), then Export run sheet.

Example: a six-color patch for a customer order
  1. Match the palette to the threads you stock, so the sheet names real spools.
  2. Press Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+E, pick US Letter, and click Export run sheet.
  3. Print it. Page 1 gives the stitch order and the estimated run time; the Color sequence pages show what each of the six stops sews, so whoever runs the machine can check every color change.

What's on it​

Page 1 is the summary:

  • A preview of your design.
  • A table of thread colors and stitch order (step #, color, thread, stitches, length).
  • A stats block: size, total stitches, colors, color changes, stops (the number of steps in the stitch order), hoop, trims, jumps, estimated run time, total thread, longest and shortest stitch, longest jump, an estimated bobbin thread amount, the design's area (its actual footprint, distinct from the bounding box), and the export format.

After that come the Color sequence pages: a grid of up to six steps per page, one tile per step. Each tile shows a thumbnail of just that step's stitches (in the whole-design frame) plus its swatch, stop number, thread code and name, the thread chart once the color is matched, the weight when you set one, stitch count, and thread used, so the operator can check each color change at a glance.

Appliqué stops​

New in v1.3.3. A design with an appliqué has machine stops on the same thread, to lay the fabric and to trim it. The run sheet makes each of them part of the sequence, so the operator can follow it step by step:

  • The steps are numbered as the machine sews them. An appliqué's guide run, tack-down and cover are three steps in the table, even though they share one thread. Stops counts them, and Color changes counts only real changes of thread.
  • An Appliqué stops list, under the table, says what to do at each stop, by step number. For a patch trimmed in place: "Stop 2: Lay the fabric over the guide run." and "Stop 3: Trim the fabric close to the tack-down."
  • One tile per step on the Color sequence pages, with what to do at its stop written under its number, so the tile for the cover shows only the cover.

For example, a tote with a felt appliqué and a two-color name under it gives four steps: the guide run, the tack-down and cover together (a pre-cut patch has no trim stop), then the two colors of the name. Stops reads 4, Color changes 2, and the list holds one line, "Stop 2: Lay the cut patch on the guide run."

Ties​

As of v1.4.0, the run sheet follows each object's own ties, including Never and a custom Reach or Backtracks, so its stitch counts and thread lengths match the machine file. Before, a tie set to off still showed on the sheet.

If there are no stitches yet, the dialog tells you: "Add some stitches to your design before exporting a run sheet."

Run sheet export is a Pro feature

On the Free plan, exporting a run sheet shows the Upgrade to Pro prompt: "Exporting run sheets is a Pro feature." See Plans and credits.