Starting a new home-based business

davis002 · March 27th, 2007, 05:00 AM

After spending countless hours for more information on starting an embroidery business, I found this forum. I feel as if I may have found quite the collection of embroidery experts. So here it goes...

The title says it all... I am looking to start my own home-based embroidery business. What I intend to make is police/security/fire patches. My experience is limited to what I learned in the graphics art department in high school quite a few years ago. I don't have the deep pockets to purchase the volkswagen-sized, bmw-priced machine my school had

I plan on starting small. This will more or less start out as a hobby to see if it's worth it. I consider myself to be very good with gadgets and can learn new things rather easily (I was one of those kids that would show my grandparents how to set the time on the VCR at age 4... lol).

I would like to keep the initial investment around $1000-1500. With that said, I was looking at the Brother PE700. It is decently priced, and the PE Design software doesn't look too bad.

Now, I would like to know if this machine will be sufficient for creating patches? If not, does anyone have any suggestions in regards to what equipment might work that is within my price range?

If all goes well, I might plan on buying a Brother PR600II... is this a good machine? Also, does anyone here have any experience making patches?

I guess if any of you could help point me in the right direction and give me some words of wisdom I would greatly appreciate it.

EmbroideryDigitizing · March 27th, 2007, 06:22 AM

The PR700 is a good machine. But as far as i remember it has a smaller pantograph (work area). Please check the machine specs so that you know you have enough work area to make the patches at the size you want.

PR600II is a GOOD machine, no doubt it produces good embroidery in lesser time.

davis002 · March 27th, 2007, 06:37 AM

Thank you for your reply. The PE700 says it has a work area of 5x7, which is more than enough room for just about every patch I would ever produce.

Thanks for the link... That helps break down the process. Also, when I a machine, I might send you some artwork to digitize until I get the hang of it

EmbroideryDigitizing · March 28th, 2007, 01:14 PM

Glad to know i helped you. No problems for digitizing, you can get back to me anytime.

davis002 · March 30th, 2007, 12:54 AM

Another question as I do more research... what kind of backing do I want to use for patches? Anyone suggest a particular supplier for backing, thread, etc?

EmbroideryDigitizing · March 30th, 2007, 12:56 PM

If you patch is on fabric, i guess you will need backing of about 50 to 80 gsm. depending on the fabric type. If your not using fabric at all, you can directly stitch on 2 or 3 layers of the same backing.

Not sure about suppliers in your area. I hope someone else can helps you with that.