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An apparatus and method for supporting and transferring a material between a screenprint machine and an embroidery machine without having to remove the material before the designs are complete. The apparatus and method maintain the alignment of the area on the material to be embellished with the des

An apparatus and method for supporting and transferring a material between a screenprint machine and an embroidery machine without having to remove the material before the designs are complete. The apparatus and method maintain the alignment of the area on the material to be embellished with the designs in both machines, thus providing a properly registered design including both screenprinting and embroidery.

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1. A method for screenprinting and embroidering designs onto a material comprising the steps of:registering a support frame for proper alignment in an embroidering machine and a screenprinting machine;inserting the support frame into a recess formed in a screenprint platen such that a top surface of

1. A method for screenprinting and embroidering designs onto a material comprising the steps of:registering a support frame for proper alignment in an embroidering machine and a screenprinting machine;inserting the support frame into a recess formed in a screenprint platen such that a top surface of the support frame is flush with a top surface of the screenprint platen;attaching the material to the top surface of the screenprint platen, such that an area on the material to be screenprinted covers a central aperture formed by the support frame;screenprinting a design onto the material;removing the support frame, with the material attached, from the platen; andinstalling the support frame onto the embroidering machine such that stitching can be added to the design. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching a backing material to the top surface of the support frame such that the backing material covers the central aperture, and attaching the material to a top surface of the backing material. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the support frame is registered in the embroidering machine by installing the support frame into the embroidering machine, positioning a first alignment marking on the support frame below a needle of the embroidery machine, moving the support frame horizontally, and aligning a second alignment marking on the support frame below the needle. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the support frame is registered in the screenprinting machine by lining up alignment markings in the support frame with corresponding markings on the screenprinting machine. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the backing material is attached to the top surface of the support frame by adhesive means. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of applying an adhesive to the top surface of the support frame before attaching the backing material. 7. The method claim 6, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of a hot-melt adhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive, spray adhesive, and double-sided adhesive tape. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the adhesive means is located on the backing material. 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the backing material is attached to the support frame before inserting the support frame into the recess in the screenprint platen. 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the backing material is attached to the support frame after inserting the support frame into the recess in the screenprint platen. 11. The method of claim 2, wherein the material is attached to the backing material by spray adhesive or by using a backing material having an adhesive surface. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of drying the design before embroidering. 13. An apparatus for securely holding a material during application of a design by screenprinting and embroidering, comprising:a support frame comprising a rigid material arranged to form a central aperture wherein the screenprinting and embroidering occurs;means for installing the support frame onto an embroidering machine;means for aligning the support frame for proper registration of the central area in the embroidering machine and a screenprinting machine; anda screenprint platen having a recess formed in a top surface thereof, the recess having a shape that is substantially similar to a shape of the support frame, and a depth sufficient for the top surface of the support frame to be flush with a top surface of the screenprint platen. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a backing material attached to the top surface of the support frame. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screenprint platen comprises a bracket attached to a bottom surface of the platen for installing the platen onto a screenprinting machine. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support frame is a thin metal plate. 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support frame is a geometric shape encompassing the central void, t he shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, triangle, square, rectangle or trapezoid. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for installing the support frame onto the embroidery machine comprises a pair of arms extending from opposite sides of the support frame in parallel relationship, the arms having apertures for attachment to leaf springs on the embroidery machine. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of the arms further comprises an aperture for engagement with a leaf spring on the embroidery machine. 20. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a first adhesive applied on the top surface of the support frame for attaching the backing material to the support frame. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a second adhesive for securing the material to the backing material.