Need advice about starting an embroidery business

keeli810 · February 12th, 2009, 12:07 AM

I am a dance teacher at a successful studio with over 400 students and its own dancewear store. The studio owns a digital embroidery machine, but rarely uses it. They've offered me the chance to develop an embroidery business under their umbrella. I would specialize in custom leotards, dance bags, etc.

Beyond selling these items in their dance store, I'd create an online presence through Etsy and Ebay.

I'd love any advice you have to give to a newbie! I don't want to put a lot of time and investment into something that won't be profitable.

Carrie
Orlando, FL

dangig · February 12th, 2009, 12:55 AM

send me a pm with ur # and time zone.ill be more than happy to help and answer any questions you have. if your interested..

keeli810 · February 14th, 2009, 09:45 PM

Sorry dangig but I'm new here... what do you mean by my #? Phone #? If so, I'd rather just get advice via the forum. Thanks!

dangig · February 15th, 2009, 12:56 AM

ok, well there alot of questions to be answered. but the internet is a good base for strumming up orders. what kind of machine are they offering??.. any idea of how many pieces you have to produce etc..

SunEmbroidery · February 15th, 2009, 12:31 PM

The fact that you have decided on a niche and have experience in that area is a great start. I would specifically define what type of items you want to provide. Are there items that aren't currently available but would sell to dancers?

I would get machine and software training and spend some time learning how to hoop (spandex can be tricky), run your machine and create files. I would contract out digitizing of designs. You will need to create name files with stock embroidery fonts for embroidering names on bags so I would practice getting your lettering to look nice on different fabrics (purchase practice material at your local fabric store) and becoming familiar with your fonts. Depending on what software system system you have you may want to purchase additional embroidery fonts so you'll have more variety. To hoop bags you'll need either Fast Frames or clamps. Fast Frames http://www.fastframes.com/ are great and less expensive but you'll want to invest in a clamping system if you embroider lots of heavy bags.

If you could attend a trade show such as http://www.issshows.com/ or http://www.nbmshows.com/ you would really learn alot (they offer good classes) and receive samples and catalogues from vendors.

Sign up for a free subscription with industry trade magazines such as http://www.asipublications.com/Stitches/ and http://www.impressionsmag.com/impressions/index.jsp . These publications contain lots of helpful information as well as contact information for clothing and supply vendors.

For online selling I would spend time checking out existing sites and take note of what you think will work for your market.

keeli810 · February 27th, 2009, 09:53 PM

Thanks so much! Fortunately they have someone at the studio who will do the embroidery for me. I will be more in a design and marketing role.