How to Embroider on the Side of Caps with a Cap Driver (Ricoma Guide)

Watch the video: “How to Embroider on the Side of Caps with a Cap Driver” by EMBROIDERY HUB

A crisp side logo on a cap looks pro—but only if you give your machine the room and the fabric the tension it needs. In this hands-on Ricoma walkthrough, you’ll extend your cap X-axis, hoop traditionally, align with needle 1, and trace for safety. Then you’ll stitch with confidence and avoid the dreaded driver pole collision.

What you’ll learn

• How to extend the cap frame X-size on a Ricoma control panel so the needle can reach the side panel

• How to hoop a cap on a cap driver in the standard way, then shift the driver to the side

• How to align using needle 1, stretch the fabric evenly, and secure tension with binder clips

• Why tracing first helps prevent crashes with the bracket/pole and confirms fit

• Advanced options for tighter back-seam placements and software-based planning

Understanding Side Cap Embroidery Side embroidery on caps is all about access and stability. The side panel doesn’t have the same structure as the front, so you’ll need to stretch the fabric evenly and hold it under tension during stitching. The video contrasts two options: you can press a regular hoop to the side and embroider “like a flat,” or, as shown here, use the cap driver to embroider the side while the cap is mounted traditionally. The tutorial focuses on the cap driver method.

Pro tip If you plan to do this often, save a machine setup profile with your extended cap X-size so you don’t have to repeat the configuration each time. ricoma hoops

Configuring Your Ricoma Machine for Side Embroidery To reach the side panel, you’ll first adjust the cap device’s horizontal range. On the Ricoma control panel, enter EMB parameters, then Frame. The default cap X-size is typically 260 mm, which covers front placements. For side embroidery, increase X-size to 350 mm. Confirm with OK. When you go to Design Set and choose the cap hoop, you should see the frame display update (e.g., 350 x 75).

Why extend the X-axis? Without the extended X-size, the head won’t travel far enough to position the needle over the side panel. Increasing to 350 mm is “an okay number” for most side placements shown in the video.

Watch out Don’t forget to save the updated frame settings. If you skip OK, the machine may revert to default limits.

Accessing EMB parameters and Frame The navigation path in the video is: EMB parameters → Frame → Cap frame X-size. This is where you change 260 to 350 mm for the side panel.

Quick check After you change the X-size, open Design Set and select the cap hoop. If the display shows the extended width (e.g., 350 × 75), you’re set.

Visual confirmation of the expanded area The frame graphic on the control panel will show the extra horizontal capacity after the parameter change, confirming you can safely shift the design further to the side.

Hooping the Cap with a Cap Driver Hoop the cap the traditional way—just as if you were going to embroider on the front. Mount it on the cap driver. This keeps the cap stable and familiar while you reposition later for the side.

Next, use the arrow keys to shift the driver so the side panel sits under the needle area. The extra X-size is what makes this move possible.

From the comments A viewer asked how to be sure the cap is set correctly if their trace runs outside the intended area. The video’s approach is to adjust with arrow keys until your trace path clears all edges and obstructions. Run trace again after each micro-move until it’s right. cap hoop for embroidery machine

Achieving Perfect Design Placement Center with needle 1 In the video, needle number 1 is your guide. Bring the head to needle 1 and position the point exactly where you want the center of your design on the side panel. If you’re aiming between the panel seams, visually “eye” that center, then nudge up or down as needed.

Fine-tune the vertical position Use the arrow keys to make tiny vertical adjustments until needle 1 sits perfectly at your desired centerline.

Stretch the garment evenly Before you add any clips, gently stretch the side-panel fabric so it lies smooth. This is crucial—unlike the front, the side has less structure and can wrinkle easily, which affects stitch quality.

Secure with binder clips Once the fabric looks even and taut, add binder clips to the back latch to lock in that tension. This helps keep the stitch field stable during the run.

Quick check

• Needle 1 is centered where you want the logo

• The fabric is smooth (no ripples or slack)

• Clips hold tension without distorting the panel

Executing the Embroidery Process Trace first With placement set, run a trace. You’re checking two things: that the design fits the side panel where you intend it, and that the head movement won’t clip the driver’s bracket or pole. The video emphasizes tracing as your final safety check.

Start the run If the trace looks clean, start the design. You should see a smooth stitch-out on the side panel if tension is even and placement is true.

Review the result When finished, the example design is centered neatly between the panel seams—proof that visual centering via needle 1, plus stretching and clipping, does the job.

Watch out If you try to reach too far toward the back seam, you can risk a collision with the pole or bracket. If the trace grazes hardware, stop and rework your plan.

Advanced Tips for Complex Side Placements Going farther back? Plan for clearance If you want to center the design with the center seam farther back, the video warns that the pole and binder-clip bracket get very close. One option is to extend the cap X-size even more (for example, 400 mm). Another tactic is to hoop the cap slightly off to the right (not centered on the device ring). Doing this shifts your workable area when you move to the side, providing extra clearance near the back seam.

Software-driven precision There’s also a more technical method: measure the cap with a tape measure—from seam to seam around the side—then set up a matching area in your software. You’d also record measurements from the center to the side seam to place the logo precisely in your design file. This requires more precision and planning, but it can be useful for repeat jobs with consistent caps.

Results you can expect A centered, clean result on the side panel using the straightforward method. The video demonstrates that careful alignment with needle 1, even stretching, and proper tracing keep things consistent and low-risk.

Quick Checks, Safety, and Troubleshooting Quick check list before stitching

• X-size extended (e.g., 350 mm) and saved

• Cap hooped traditionally on the cap driver

• Needle 1 centered on the side panel

• Fabric stretched evenly; binder clips secured on the back latch

• Trace run without any hardware interference

Safety

• Keep clear of the back bracket and pole—if your trace comes close, adjust immediately

• If you need additional side reach, consider increasing X-size further (the video cites 400 mm as an option) and/or hooping slightly off-center

Troubleshooting

• Off-center design: Re-check needle 1 position and vertical alignment

• Puckering or uneven stitches: Re-stretch the panel and reposition clips to ensure even tension

• Trace hits or grazes hardware: Reduce design size, re-position with arrow keys, or re-hoop off-center to gain clearance

From the Comments: Real Questions, Practical Takeaways

• “Show how you set up the cap.” The video hoops traditionally first, then shifts the driver so the side panel is under the needle. Stretch the side panel before clipping so the fabric lays smooth.

• “Can the software move the machine automatically to the side?” Not specified here. The demo uses arrow keys with an extended X-size after setting the frame.

• “What about stabilizer?” Not mentioned in the video. The focus is on garment stretch and binder clips for tension.

• “EM1010 specifics?” The comment thread suggests “yes,” but the video only demonstrates the method on a Ricoma setup and doesn’t detail EM1010 steps.

• “Exact frame offsets or corner radius?” The video shows X-size 260 mm default, extended to 350 mm, Y-size 75 mm. Offsets/corner radius aren’t specified.

Pro tip If you frequently switch between front and side placements, consider saving two presets—one with default cap X-size (e.g., 260 mm) and one extended (e.g., 350–400 mm)—so you can swap quickly. ricoma embroidery hoops

Watch out Chasing the back seam without planning clearance is where crashes happen. If your trace skirts the bracket or pole, pause and rethink the approach (larger X-size, off-center hooping, or a smaller design).

A note on gear and accessories This tutorial centers on the Ricoma cap driver method for side placements. If you’re exploring additional accessories not shown in the video, plan and test carefully. The video does not cover third-party or alternative hoop systems. mighty hoops for ricoma

When software planning makes sense If you run a cap program with consistent blanks, measuring seam-to-seam and building a design-area template inside your software can save time later. It’s more technical but reduces guesswork in repetitive jobs. ricoma mighty hoop starter kit

Frequently asked (based on viewer themes)

• What’s the default cap X-size? The video references 260 mm as typical for the front.

• What extended size works for sides? 350 mm is demonstrated; 400 mm is mentioned for further reach.

• Can I center on the back seam? It’s possible but risky due to the nearby pole. Use off-center hooping and/or more X-size if you must approach the back.

• Do I need to trace? Yes—tracing confirms fit and prevents collisions.

Closing stitch Side cap embroidery looks sharp when you give the needle enough travel, control your tension, and trace for safety. The combination of extended X-size, needle 1 centering, even stretching, and secure clips delivers clean results with minimal drama.

Editor’s note on scope This guide reflects only what’s shown or explained in the video. Where the video doesn’t specify (e.g., stabilizer type or automatic software moves), we’ve called that out rather than assume details. mighty hoop ricoma

Optional references & planning prompts

• Make a simple checklist you can laminate and keep at the machine

• Keep a dedicated bin for binder clips used only on caps to maintain consistent grip

• If you plan to approach the back seam regularly, test your off-center hooping strategy on a blank cap until your trace is reliably clear mighty hoops

Note on related setups The method here focuses on Ricoma’s cap driver workflow. If you use other hoop types or station aids, test carefully and always trace before you sew. embroidery machine hoops