1. Embroidery Business Guide
   
   
2. Embroidery Designs - To digitise yourself or Outsource
   
   
3. Where to operate from
   
   
4. Choosing an embroidery machine type
   
   
5. Optimising work time
   
   
6. Machinery components
   
   
7. What to embroider
   
   
8. Marketing your own goods
   
   
9. In conclusion
   
   

Choosing an embroidery machine type

You will need to consider the type of machine you choose very carefully. Your chosen machine will be the backbone of your business, so you should look for the best quality embroidery machine you can afford. You can either buy or lease, and the machine may be new or used, but if a cheap embroidery machine is used, frequent breakdowns can quickly bring you new embroidery business to a screeching halt.

Other than the choice between buying, renting, new and used, there is also the choice of machine type. Commercial embroidery machines come with single or multiple heads, and your choice here will depend on the size of the orders you are expecting to take. If you intend making one-off, custom embroidery items, such as personalised gifts, a single head machine will be suitable. However, if you expect regular orders for multiple items of the same design, such as logo embroidery, or other business embroidery, a four or six head machine would be more suitable.

Multiple head embroidery machines cut down running cost per item by reducing the time required to produce multiple items. An order for ten embroidered garments can be done on a single head embroidery machine, but at a higher cost to you and your customer.

If you are uncertain of your prospective order sizes, start with a single head machine. If larger orders become the norm for your business, you can always invest in a multiple head machine, and keep the single head machine aside, for samples, small orders and to cover breakdowns.

Another choice of machine is a modular configuration. These can have modular heads added as your business grows, and allow for customised head configuration.

A modular embroidery machine would be suitable if you are expecting slow, but steady growth of your business, can afford a more expensive machine, and want the convenience of a customisable embroidery machine.

In addition, consider the types of item you are going to be embroidering, and chose an embroidery machine that can accommodate hoops of the appropriate size.

After choosing the type of embroidery machine you intend using, the next thing to consider is a supplier, and brand. Often, manufacturers of commercial embroidery machines market and retail there own machines, and with the larger, better-known manufacturers, such as Baruden, Tajima, Brother and Toyota, quality is almost guaranteed. Of course, the extra quality supplied by these manufacturers has its price, but also ensures your business has less idle time waiting for repairs. Most suppliers of quality embroidery machines offer technical support and full training in the set up and use of their machines. Although embroidery machines are easy to use, you would be well advised to seek training in your chosen machine, as the quicker you learn to use it, the quicker you can turn a profit.