Embroidery Tip: How to Achieve Perfect Results with the Right Tension

The key to flawless embroidery results lies in the correct tension of the material. ZSK offers a range of border clamps that have been specially developed to give you the necessary hold for every project.

Even the clamping of the fabric can make all the difference. We recommend the following methods:

• For classic textiles: First clamp the material on the sides (right and left) and only then on the front and back.
• For thicker fabrics: With firmer materials such as felt or badges, it is more effective to first clamp the front and back alternately, and only then clamp the sides.

A small but important tip: Always place the border clamps seamlessly and directly next to each other. This distributes the pressure optimally and ensures that your fabric remains completely stable and wrinkle-free throughout the entire embroidery process.

The Right Border Clamp for Every Job: Clamping Force and Length

Now that you know how to clamp your material correctly, the question is: which border clamp is the right one for your project? ZSK STICKMASCHINEN has developed border clamps with different clamping forces and lengths, which can be distinguished by the colour of the handles.

Depending on the material and embroidery design, different forces are generated during work that your border frame must stabilise. The purpose of the clamps is to absorb these forces and prevent your embroidery material from slipping or distorting.

Clamping Force: Silver or Bronze?

• Silver-coloured border clamps are the ideal choice for simple, lighter textiles. They are equipped with 0.4 mm thick clamping springs, which provide sufficient basic tension.
• Bronze-coloured border clamps offer a noticeably higher tension. Their 0.5 mm thick clamping springs are perfect for firmer and thicker materials.

An important note: Always use clamps of the same colour on the opposite sides of your border frame. A mixed use offers no advantages and can distribute the tension unevenly.

The Role of Length: 200 mm or 300 mm?

In addition to the clamping force, the length of the border clamps is also important for the final result.

The shorter 200 mm frame clamps allow for a denser arrangement. With inflexible materials such as felt, Organza or heavy twill fabrics, the higher number of pressure points ensures a significantly more even tension over the entire length. In combination with 300 mm border clamps, textiles can be clamped flush and securely into all frame lengths.

Product Overview: Standard Border Clamps

For ZSK Multi-head Embroidery Machines of the series:
JAFA / JNFA / RACER / CHALLENGER / S - Z

200 mm Length

• Silver Border Clamp (simple tension): Part No.: 990.156.900
• Bronze Border Clamp (higher tension): Part No.: 990.156.902

300 mm Length

• Silver Border Clamp (simple tension): Part No.: 990.156.901
• Bronze Border Clamp (higher tension): Part No.: 990.156.903

For ZSK Single-head Embroidery Machines of the series:
JAFA and RACER - with stainless steel border frame

200 mm Length

• Silver Border Clamp (simple tension): Part No.: 990.011.900
• Bronze Border Clamp (higher tension): Part No.: 990.011.903

300 mm Length

• Silver Border Clamp (simple tension): Part No.: 990.011.901
• Bronze Border Clamp (higher tension): Part No.: 990.011.904

Special Solutions for Tricky Projects

Sometimes the standard frame clamps are not enough. For special materials or demanding designs, ZSK EMBROIDERY MACHINES has developed a range of special border clamps that give you security even with the most difficult projects.

Locking Border Clamps

If you are working with very heavy, thick, or even extremely fine materials, this clamp is the best choice. In addition to the clamping tension from the springs, it has an additional mechanism with a toggle lever. As soon as this passes the dead centre, it locks the clamp securely. This ensures maximum stability. The adjustment to different material thicknesses is easily set up with the use of spacer plates.

For ZSK Flatbed Embroidery Machines of the series:
CHALLENGER and S - Z

• Locking Border Clamp 200 mm - Part No.: 990.158.900
• Locking Border Clamp 250 mm - Part No.: 990.158.901

Robust Border Clamps

These robust frame clamps are the first choice when it comes to thick or multi-layered materials. The clever part: the clamping depth is adjusted variably with the help of a screw. This allows for a very fine tuning of the pressure and prevents sensitive materials from being damaged. You can therefore clamp thick fabrics securely or give normal materials a particularly high tension.

• Border Clamp Heavy Duty 200 mm - Part No.: 270.011.974
• Border Clamp Heavy Duty 300 mm - Part No.: 270.011.975

Border Clamps with Deflector

This frame clamp solves a problem with ZSK embroidery machines with a W-head: The integrated deflector ensures that the backing or loose threads do not get caught on the frame clamps and that production runs smoothly.

For ZSK Embroidery Machines with W-head

• Border Clamp with Deflector 200 mm - Part No.: 270.011.816
• Border Clamp with Deflector 300 mm - Part No.: 270.011.817

With the right clamp in hand, nothing stands in the way of your next perfect embroidery project!