System for automated decoration

1. A method for automated decoration of a three dimensional item comprising the steps of:

a) providing an input system;

b) providing print generating software;

c) providing a computer; said computer having a memory;

d) providing a fabric printer;

e) connecting said fabric printer to said computer

f) installing said print generating software on said computer;

g) installing an electronic library of two-dimensional templates on said computer; each of said templates comprising a plurality of two-dimensional pattern pieces; at least one of said pattern pieces having at least one location for a decoration; said two-dimensional pattern pieces being adapted for assembly into a virtual three dimensional item; said pattern pieces being use to fabricate two dimensional fabric pieces for assembly into a three dimensional item;

h) linking said input system to said computer;

i) allowing a customer to select at least one template (customer selection) via said input system;

j) allowing said customer to specify a background pattern for said templates comprising said virtual item;

k) allowing said customer to specify said decoration (customer specification) in steps for said templates comprising said virtual item via said input system;

l) electronically laying out said decoration on said template with said print generating software;

m) generating a two-dimensional print image with said print generating software; said print image being the plurality of pattern pieces for the combination of said customer selection and specification; said print image being designed for printing with a dye sublimation printer;

n) virtually assembling said plurality of pattern pieces into said virtual three dimensional item;

o) displaying said virtual, three dimensional item on a virtual model on said input system;

p) allowing said displayed virtual, three dimensional item on said virtual model to be virtually viewed from different sides of said virtual model;

q) updating said displayed virtual, three dimensional item and said decoration with each of said steps; and

r) sending said print image from said computer to said fabric printer.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said template for a three dimensional item is selected from the group consisting of pants, shorts, shirts and jackets.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said customer specification includes: a color, a graphic, a graphic placement, text, text style, text placement, a name, a name placement, a number, a number placement, a size and a quantity.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the step of generating a print image comprises the steps of:

a) coloring said template according to said customer specification; and

b) placing said graphic, said text, said name and said number on said template according to said customer specification.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

a) cutting said pattern pieces from a fabric whereby fabric pieces in the shapes of said pattern pieces are created;

b) loading said fabric pieces into said printer;

c) printing said print image onto said fabric pieces; and

d) sewing said fabric pieces together to form said three dimensional item.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 in which said printing step is dye-sublimation printing.

7. A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

a) creating a print marker for said pattern pieces;

b) creating a cutting marker for said pattern pieces;

c) loading said fabric into said printer;

d) printing said print image onto said fabric;

e) cutting said pattern pieces whereby fabric pieces in the shapes of said pattern pieces are created; and

f) sewing said fabric pieces together to form said three dimensional item.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 in which said printing step is dye-sublimation printing.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising the step of allowing said customer to modify said specification via said input system.

10. A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

a) saving said print image in said memory;

b) assigning a retrieval code to said print image; and

c) allowing said customer to perform customer selection and specification again by inputting said retrieval code to said input method.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising the step of including said retrieval code in said print image.

12. A method for automated decoration of a three dimensional item comprising the steps of:

a) providing an input system;

b) providing print generating software;

c) providing a computer; said computer having a memory;

d) providing a fabric printer;

e) connecting said fabric printer to said computer

f) installing said print generating software on said computer;

g) installing an electronic library of two-dimensional templates on said computer; each of said templates comprising a plurality of two-dimensional pattern pieces; at least one of said pattern pieces having at least one location for a decoration; said two-dimensional pattern pieces being adapted for assembly into said three dimensional item; h) linking said input system to said computer;

h) allowing a customer to select an three dimensional item (customer selection) via said input system;

i) allowing said customer to specify a background pattern for said templates comprising said virtual item;

j) selecting at least one of said templates based on said customer selection;

k) allowing said customer to specify said decoration (customer specification) in steps for said three dimensional item via said input system;

l) electronically laying out said decoration on said template with said print generating software;

m) generating a two-dimensional print image with said print generating software; said print image being the plurality of pattern pieces for the combination of said customer selection and specification; said print image being designed for printing with a dye sublimation printer;

n) virtually assembling said plurality of pattern pieces into a virtual three dimensional item;

o) displaying said virtual, three dimensional item on a virtual model on said input system;

p) allowing said virtual, three dimensional item on said virtual model to be virtually viewed from different sides of said virtual model;

q) updating said displayed virtual, three dimensional item and said decoration with each of said steps; and

r) sending said print image from said computer to said fabric printer.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 in which said three dimensional item is selected from the group consisting of pants, shorts, shirts and jackets.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12 in which said customer specification includes: a color, a graphic, a graphic placement, text, text style, text placement, a name, a name placement, a number, a number placement, a size and a quantity.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the step of generating a print image comprises the steps of:

a) coloring said template according to said customer specification; and

b) placing said graphic, said text, said name and said number on said pattern according to said customer specification.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

a) cutting said pattern pieces from a fabric whereby fabric pieces in the shapes of said pattern pieces are created;;

b) loading said fabric pieces into said printer;

c) printing said print image onto said fabric pieces; and

d) sewing said fabric pieces together to form said three dimensional item.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 in which said printing step is dye-sublimation printing.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

a) creating a print marker for said pattern;

b) creating a cutting marker for said pattern pieces;

c) loading said fabric into said printer;

d) printing said print image onto said fabric;

e) cutting said pattern pieces whereby fabric pieces in the shapes of said pattern pieces are created; and

f) sewing said fabric pieces together to form said three dimensional item.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 in which said printing step is dye-sublimation printing.

20. A method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

a) saving said print image in said memory;

b) assigning a retrieval code to said print image; and

c) allowing said customer to perform customer selection and specification again by inputting said retrieval code to said input system.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising the step of allowing said customer to modify said specification via said input system.

22. A method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising the step of including said retrieval code in said print image.