Stock Designs.. do you use them?

Robert Young

Hi, as a digitizer that specializes in custom projects I have always wondered while walking the aisles of our trade shows and seeing the numbers of companies offering stock design books.... do those that buy them actually use them?

I mean I see the kiosks at the mall.. someone sees a stock wolf head and wants to add keyboard lettering above it on a hat... but in general does the average embroiderer actually use the 1000's of stock designs that come in these packages?

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Modern Embroidery Designer
www.volant-tech.com
www.volantfineart.com

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If you mean the stock embroidery designs in the books that come with the disc to download the design, I have bought a few and have used many of them.

I bought the embriodery library from Action Illustrated, and have paid for it by using the stock designs from the catalog. I do admit I charge a "design fee" for a new customer, even though the design is in the catalog. If re-order of course, there's no fee. And, if they stay a customer, and order more items but with a different design that's in the catalog, I may or may not charge them another fee, depends on how I feel if they are going to be as a customer. Just a chance I take.

I bought the 6000 design Dakota Heirloom catalog collectin, for $99 I believe, and I've used it more than I ever thought I would. My wife does towels and pillows and other things as well, and displays and shows them, and we've sold a lot of those designs. It was a great purchase. We've done dozens and dozens of dinner napkins and other items for formal dining rooms and "foo-foo" stuff.

I bought a few of the "package deals" from the internet design retailers,,,xmas, sports, holidays, etc, and have used quite a few.

As for the screen print and other catalogs, I've bought the Action Illustrated set, and although I've not used it to it's full potential, I'm glad I went ahead and bought it.

And, I also buy various single designs from the internet design sites, like Grand Slam, especially when they're on sale, or even 75% off. I've got some really good military designs that way.

Good question Robert.

BJ24

I never personally use stock designs but I had customers when I first started out that wanted me to adjust or add to them. They had too many issues with their clients wanting something more specific and it was taking longer to edit and fix it than just start from scratch. Since I started in this business I think if people are going to spend money now they want to have an original design not something that someone else may already have. I used to see the same animals for schools but over the past couple years I have seen them individualize their mascots even more. Just the trend I have seen here.

Earl Smith

When I bought my first embroidery machine the whole "package" came with a stock design Disk and catalogue included. A real help when I was starting out. Only really used for one offs or small orders because these customers tend to want "something different" on their towels or garments and it could usually be found in the catalogue.