Embroidery Digitizer — Convert Illustrations to 2-Color .PES Files (Immediate Start)

About the work I run a small art business built around my original acrylic wildlife paintings — sporting dogs, game birds, trout, fly-fishing subjects, and more. My work gets applied across a range of products: silk scarves, wallpaper, fabric and textile designs, glassware, and embroidered goods. For this project I need a skilled embroidery digitizer to convert a set of my existing vector illustrations into clean, production-ready machine-embroidery files. I'm looking for someone with a real eye for translating detailed artwork into simple, elegant stitching — preserving the character of the original while keeping the embroidery clean and refined. If this first set goes well, there's a second set to follow. This project: illustrations → 2-color embroidery for cocktail napkins I'll provide 8 finished designs as Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or PDF files. I need each one digitized into .PES embroidery files that stay true to the spirit of the original artwork but are simplified to a clean 2-color design. Each design is needed in two finished sizes — 2.5" and 4.5" (see specs below). End use: these will be embroidered onto cocktail napkins in simple, 2-color embroidery, and the napkins are monochromatic. Each napkin is embroidered in two shades of its own color — for example, an olive-green napkin is stitched in a dark olive and a light olive. So please build each design as two color stops (a dark and a light); you can deliver them as white + black, and I'll assign the actual thread shades per napkin color. Aesthetic: I'm after a timeless, high-end look — refined and elegant, not busy or overly literal. Think classic sporting-art embroidery on fine linen. The 8 designs: 4 bird dogs and 4 game birds. I'll supply all eight as .ai or PDF files. Scope of this project Digitize all 8 designs from the supplied .ai or PDF files into production-ready .PES embroidery files, each design at two sizes (2.5" and 4.5"). Simplify to 2 colors (a dark shade + a light shade) while preserving the character, gesture, and key detail of each original illustration. Optimize the stitching — appropriate stitch types, densities, underlay, pull compensation, and pathing for a clean, professional result with minimal puckering on lightweight napkin fabric. Digitize each size at its final size — do not simply scale one file up or down; stitch density and underlay should be built correctly for each of the 2.5" and 4.5" versions. Deliver organized files with consistent, logical naming (by set and subject). Deliverables & file specs .PES files for each of the 8 designs at both sizes (2.5" and 4.5") — 16 .PES files total (primary deliverable). A matching .DST file for each as a universal backup format. A stitch-out preview image (PNG) of each design/size for approval, plus your native working/source file if you have one. Exactly 2 thread colors per design (light + dark), on separate, clearly labeled color stops. Sizes: deliver each design at 2.5" and 4.5" on the longest dimension, each fit within a square bounding box of that size. The 2.5" version is for the corner of a 6" × 6" cocktail napkin, placed about 1" in from the finished edges. Keep stitch counts sensible for fine, lightweight fabric, especially at the smaller size. What you'll receive The 8 original illustrations as Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or PDF files Guidance on the intended monochromatic look (a dark shade + a light shade of each napkin's color) Napkin size, fabric, and placement details Reference for the timeless, high-end aesthetic I'm going for Timeline You must be able to start right away. Initial delivery due 9/16— the sooner the better. A second set (same style) can be contracted as a separate project if this one goes well. What I'm looking for Proven embroidery digitizing experience — converting detailed illustrations or logos into clean, professional machine-embroidery files (.PES). A strong eye for preserving the character of original artwork in simple, refined 2-color stitching. Taste for a timeless, high-end aesthetic and comfort working to a specified 2-shade color approach. Technical command of stitch types, densities, underlay, and pull compensation for lightweight fabrics. An efficient worker who can turn assignments around reliably and hit deadlines. Perfect written and spoken English and clear, responsive communication (this is a must). Organized file delivery with consistent, logical naming. Genuine interest in a potential ongoing partnership as the line grows. To apply, please tell me 1. A short note on your embroidery digitizing experience, ideally converting detailed illustrations into clean 2-color embroidery. Please share stitch-out photos or samples. 2. How you'd preserve the character of the original artwork in a simple 2-color embroidered design. 3. Confirm you can start immediately and meet the initial due date. 4. Your estimate of the number of hours for the full set (8 designs at two sizes each — 16 files). 5. Your hourly rate within the $15–$22 range. 6. Confirmation that you are fluent in written and spoken English.