Hooping straight

[cbireley]

I found this forum by total accident last night and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I own my own small embroidery business and am fairly new to it. There are days I think I'll never make it and then days where things go great!

Does anyone have a suggestion, hint, trick they use to make sure garments are hooped straight? I have the Hoop Master board and I find I'm constantly readjusting a shirt etc. once it's hooped on there. Even when it looks straight, the logo will often times be off in one way or another. Shirts w/o a center guide, such as tees and hoodies are a real challenge for me. I've had to redo many items b/c I just can't seem to get the design straight, even w/ measuring, marking, and adjusting. Any helpful hints will be so appreciated!
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[Shuffletown Embroidery]

I find that I can use the placket or pocket to help line things up on the hoop master. Just find a straight edge to follow, like the edge of the fixture. When those garment features don't exist, I mark through the center point with perpendicular chalk lines to aid in hooping.
I have also marked my inner hoops with the horizontal and vertical centers. Mine are old. Maybe the newer ones have markings.

[Juli in Kona]

I use a piece of masking tape. Just be sure to take it off before you start sewing! Ask me how I know!

Juli in Kona

[Steve]

I also use masking tape. I cut it at 5.5" for a 6" hoop and mark the center of the tape. The hoop has divets and I align the divets with the pen marks on the tape.

[cbireley]

Thank you all so much!