Embroidery Startup Advice

digidana · January 25th, 2016, 08:39 AM

after reading your first post, my first thought was to do a lot of reading, research, and then attend a trade show. you'll pick up a lot of information there. but you should go in knowing what you want. they will try to sell you a bunch of stuff you don't need to start.

you can buy a used machine for not a whole lot of $. other than that you'd need thread, backing, bobbins, needles, etc.

as far as questions to ask the embroidery customer....i don't know screenprinting, but i don't think it would be a whole lot different. you'd need to know if they have garments, or would you need to order them. design placement (left chest? under collar? etc). do they already have the design digitized, or would it need to be. if its just lettering, or maybe with a stock design, you should be able to set that up without too much trouble. then you would have them pick thread colors.

one good way to get into embroidery without the investment is to work in conjunction with a local embroidery shop and sub out the work. it would be a good way to gauge how much embroidery business will come in. we did this in reverse when my mother (the embroiderer) was ready to retire. you could order the garments, negotiate a contractor rate with the embroiderer, still mark up the embroidery a bit and make some money. then when you're ready and have a better understanding, take the plunge and do the embroidery in-house.

Robert Young · January 25th, 2016, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prosperi-Tees

I think I asked the question too broadly. In screen printing I know the questions to ask a customer. How many shirts are you looking for. What type? Do you have art? How many colors and locations etc etc. What are those questions that I would have to ask and know the answers to. I think that would be a better question.

For the design part (digitizing) here are a few questions to ALWAYS ask:

1. The art will usually be on paper with a white background... well do the white areas inside the art itself get included as thread or should that be the fabric showing through if possible? (this is the number 1 question we ask)

2. Have you had this embroidered before? If so may we see an image of what was done before? Are we trying to match that or were there areas that you would like to see improved? (if you do not ask this question then when you show them the first sample they will invariably say: "gee, why doesnt it match this", as they then show you a sample!)

3. Ask for the size they want. Industry standard is about 3.5 inches wide for a left chest, but they may want 4.5 or 2.5.. always ask.

4. On lettering do you want a trim between each and every letter or may we kern closer so there are only trims between each word? This is important for your pricing if you choose to price higher for the additional time all that trimming will take!

Prosperi-Tees · January 25th, 2016, 06:45 PM

I never knew about #4. I think it is those types of details that I need to know. I guess I need to know the process from a-to-z to fully trust that I can offer it to customers.

Robert Young · January 26th, 2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prosperi-Tees

How hard is it to learn everything?

As you know in your current business none of us will ever know everything but if you pick the niche you want to specialize in then that sure narrows down the learning curve,
Are you planning on hats as well or only flat goods at this time? Maybe write down the list of items you want to offer in embroidery and start with ONE of those. Polos for example. Much easier to research and become proficient in one product at a time. After 4 or 5 then the concepts will all run together and you will feel confident to embroider nearly anything! It is just at the beginning to help you feel less daunted just concentrate on one.

You might need a month to feel ready to go to your second product offering or you might need 6 months. That is dependent on your volume and amount of time researching and learning about that product and how to embroider it.

Robert Young · January 29th, 2016, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prosperi-Tees

What budget machine and software that is the most user friendly?

I think this depends on the products you want to offer your clients? Are you thinking a table top machine or a more professional free standing? Are you wanting to offer cap embroidery or only flats. OR flats now with caps down the line? How large an embroidery area would you need? 8 inch max or nearly 20 inches, etc?

When you answer these questions you will automatically narrow down your options. Let us know your thoughts about these and I am sure others will chime in with advice to help.

Usually I would recommend "new" embroiderers to only buy a brand new machine for their first. BUT you have already been in business a while and have subbed out embroidery for a while as well so you already have contacts and more than a basic knowledge of the medium. For you to purchase a pre-owned machine from a quality dealer or person who took good care of it would make sense to me.

That being said I would still factor in local support availability. Who in your area is competent to work on which makes of machine? Answer the questions above then answer this question and wherever there is overlap... those are your only realistic options.

SOFTWARE: the embroidery machine should come with enough to sew. Now if you meant digitizing software I would steer clear of that for now. One step at a time. Remember what you wrote about embroidery in the past, you wanted to do both, emb and print, but opted to concentrate on print to start. Same concept. Get the machine, sell enough to keep it running and making you money while subbing out the rest THEN think about getting some digitizing software. I believe you SHOULD have digitizing software and use it for more than just editing if someone in your plan has the inclination...but just not now.

Robert Young · January 30th, 2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prosperi-Tees

Should I not even try to learn digitizing?

Eventually YES... to start? NO. You will have enough to do to master the machine and to sell product to keep it running. Later when you have enough for the machine and you are subbing out enough you can then think about researching which software to buy and then take the time to learn at least the basic editing functions.

Which software? Hands down I would argue Wilcom. It is more expensive than most for sure but it is the best out there. And like most you can buy it in modules so you only upgrade when you want more features or bells and whistles.

Do I use it? No, I bet on the wrong horse 20+ years ago and still use Wings (old Gunold product) and feel that the learning curve for me would be too steep considering the volume of work I produce on a daily basis. I know my software inside and out, that takes years IMO.

Also WHERE do you learn to digitize? Three days of software training barely lets you know when the computer is on, lol School of hard knocks? Trial and error while consistently re-inventing every single thing every other digitizer has already done? We are a lot that rarely shares info and there is no school for this or much in the way of training materials that are Current.

Robert Young · January 31st, 2016, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prosperi-Tees

Do you find that there is money to be made in the 1-11 piece orders?

YES! Once you find your starting niche. Pick something that interests you and only go after people who have that same interest. For example. I have two pugs so I joined the local Pug Meetup through Yahoo. They meet at least once a month and I can tell you these people are downright CRAZY when it comes to all things pug related! lol Come up with some products, little aprons, little pillows, beds, placemats, etc.... it just builds from there and as they are "custom" usually with the lettering and Tons of stock pug images already out there (no need to re invent and they dont know) They are willing to pay a bit more. And they feel good that their money is going to someone with their same interests, not just some random company.

Now I realize this is an overly simplified example but my point is (yes Robert , what IS your point?! lol) Pick niches you LIKE.... as many as you can handle and go for their money. You are doing something you have an interest in, meeting new friends, and providing a service they never knew they needed!

Mike Jonesy · April 8th, 2016, 09:14 AM

Thanks for this forum guys, its really helpful. I started my home based embroidery business about 2 months ago as a part time job. I bought a Singer futura embroidery machine from Amazon, and at the moment i am outsourcing designs. Of course i don't yet have many orders, but its rising and i'm optimistic. I have also bought a training course from embroideryhomebusiness.com, so i have learned a lot of things about embroidery and embroidery digitizing. I am thinking of buying an entry level embroidery software as well in order to start practicing in digitizing. My question is, what embroidery software do you use, and which would you suggest for a small business like mine?

proost · November 1st, 2016, 08:40 PM

Man oh man, dug this thread (love that pun) up from the archives and it basically covered everything I heard as a good recommendation. I just bought my machine and opted for Wilcom because digitizing is a key goal for me as well. I don't need to make a $ at the moment because I'm still actively employed (active duty) and have a year to build a path that works with the time I have before I retire. My goal is to figure it out, have fun, eat the elephant one bite at a time, and chart my course!

Thanks for the NNEP recommendation. Checking that out now. A lot of change since the last time I was involved in 2001-2003.

Robert Young · November 6th, 2016, 07:39 PM

thank you for bringing this thread back up. SO many people just impulse buy. Think about what you LIKE... your PASSION... and there you go...money will come.

Sorry to make it SO simplistic.. but I have seen it. Don't do what you "think" will make money... go after what you LOVE...Your PASSION (S). I am telling you , the money will come.

and the beauty is... you will never work a day in your life if you follow what you are interested in.