considering a embroidery machine

By 1leon on Jul 05, 2010

i do screen printing for a while now and i am considering a embroidery machine to further my business. i do roughly 50 to 300 screen printed shirts a month. i now and again my customer will ask for 5 to 12 polo t shirts with embroidery. so i am considering a home based unit with a 5 by 7 hoop. so far i have looked at lots of them and think this may be a good buy http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp22854-0855.html

secondly they say it will support usb stick and customer service says it will connect to a computer. i know i am going to need software. but don't know which one. i called a few companies the told me from 2200 usd to 10000 usd. i am not doing any thing complicated and not willing to invest that much for a dozen shirts. i tried to sub out the embroidery but it cost too much by the time i get the shirts its nearly 20 dollars. so can u please help.

By dbjerknes on Jul 10, 2010 - 9:03 AM EDT

I have a Toyota 850 with everything, including software for $5000. It is a complete package as I have a 9100 also and looking to buy a second 9100 so I can link them. Any interest, let me know.

By diavale on Jul 5, 2010 - 4:19 PM EDT

I was in the exact situation you are now a short while back. Check out my ad in the embroidery section. I am downsizing my equipment a little bit. With the items I am letting go you will have an entire embroidery shop set up as soon as you get it to your location.

By jacosandy on Jul 6, 2010 - 7:17 AM EDT

You have to figure out if you really need a big commercial machine or if one of the littler ones will do. Personally for that little of shirts I would go with one of the six color machines, but then again you can get a used larger one for about the same price that one of those would cost. I have a combo sewing and embroidery machine and it is having to go to the repair man for the second time because I have own out the tension piece for the second time, I am branching out and I am going with Melco, I have had 2 home embroidery machines and they are a great way to start.

Now for software, for the best program at lowest cost I recommend Embird. I have been using it on my machine and works great and has lots of conversion formats. Free 30 day trial but you can't save the designs till you purchase it. There are a lot of support groups out there for Embird. I belong to about 5 of them. Also another great place to look is Allbrands Sew Forum.

Hope this helps.
Sandy in Costa Rica

By jacosandy on Jul 6, 2010 - 7:17 AM EDT

You have to figure out if you really need a big commercial machine or if one of the littler ones will do. Personally for that little of shirts I would go with one of the six color machines, but then again you can get a used larger one for about the same price that one of those would cost. I have a combo sewing and embroidery machine and it is having to go to the repair man for the second time because I have own out the tension piece for the second time, I am branching out and I am going with Melco, I have had 2 home embroidery machines and they are a great way to start.

Now for software, for the best program at lowest cost I recommend Embird. I have been using it on my machine and works great and has lots of conversion formats. Free 30 day trial but you can't save the designs till you purchase it. There are a lot of support groups out there for Embird. I belong to about 5 of them. Also another great place to look is Allbrands Sew Forum.

Hope this helps.
Sandy in Costa Rica