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When machine embroidery digitizing or just doing text it very important that you understand trims and locks many times they go hand in hand as often if your applying a trim to a design, you should be applying a lock stitch. Depending on the type of garment the use and your personal preference you can choose to put locks around trim stitches. Definition Trims A trims is when the machine cuts the thread before moving to another part of the design, this also can be done manually on older embroidery machines,. Locks A lock or lock stitch is a tie off after a trim, this locks the stitches down so they are less likely to unravel. Trims When you start to embroider or digitize you may not have any personal preferences when it comes to trimming or applying lock stitches. Trims often appear like little scissor like icons when you have your commands turned on. Locks Most times you will use locks around trims as it can help prevent the stitches unraveling when the material gets pulled on. There are several types of rules for locks, and several different types of lock stitches. There are several rules that you can choose to apply I like to use Basic lock stitches for most of my designs. I like to use locks on all stitch types although especially when trimming. I only like to trim when its necessary or when I cannot avoid it. Depending on the applications and or material it vital for locks to be applied to trims, specially on performance wear, dance wear, field where or construction field any application where the garment is exposed to rubbing, abrasive conditions. Applying Trims and Locks When your punching a machine embroidery design , you can either setup recipes, for your personal preferences or you can add them as you punch. As often you will need to do as you punch a design as you can control where and how to apply the rules. Give example on a design I do not like trimming, however on text unless their touching I always trim. However I always use locks no matter the stitch especially when working with text, except for script lettering I will not trim in them but I will add lock stitches. When you have a segment in version 14 you can either add trims and locks at the top of the screen. Advanced Options In version 14 there is also a feature to place the lock stitch on the inside of the letter it past version the locks sometimes would stick out from side of the letter, to use this feature in the latest build of version 14 in the properties section where your trims are, see below; This section is new if you check it it will place the trim starting inside the letter. This is a great feature for lettering.