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It can be a daunting task understanding where to start an embroidery business or deciding what kind of embroidery machine is the best one to begin with. Rest assured, the best place to start is by knowing exactly what you want to achieve and getting it down with good old pen and paper.
So, whether you are starting your embroidery business from scratch, have the promise of work, or you’re currently using a domestic embroidery machine such as a Brother PR680, PR1000 or Janome for embroidery production and wondering what’s next, here’s my take.
If you’re buying your first industrial or commercial embroidery machine, then in most cases a single head embroidery machine is the right place to start.
There are many different models of single head embroidery machines because every manufacturer builds machines for different users and applications.
Using the range that YES Group has supplied for over 30 years as an example, SWF Korea offers everything from the compact 7-needle SWF Sunny through to larger 15-needle commercial embroidery machines.
Compare this with manufacturers such as Brother, Tajima and Janome. Machines like the Brother PR680, PR1000 and Janome certainly have their place, but you’re never going to embroider a horse rug or football boot efficiently because they simply weren’t designed for those applications.
Before looking at machine specifications, think about what you actually want to embroider.
Once you know the products you want to produce, you’re already much closer to choosing the correct embroidery machine.
If you’ve never embroidered before this can be difficult to answer.
However, if you’ve already owned a domestic embroidery machine you’ll already have an idea of your production capacity.
Now write down the average number of colours in the logos you typically embroider.
Today, the number of colours is far less important than it once was. Most commercial embroidery machine manufacturers including SWF Korea, Happy Japan, Tajima and Barudan offer 15-needle machines with automatic colour change.
So what’s next?
If you’re unsure what production levels a machine is capable of, here’s an easy comparison tool for production volume and profitability.
Embroidery Productivity Calculator
An average left chest logo is around 6,500–7,500 stitches, taking approximately 7–8 minutes to embroider. That’s roughly 8 logos per hour, 64 per day or around 320 per week, depending on stitch count and machine speed.
Now it’s simply a case of choosing the single head embroidery machine that best suits your business.
The most important thing isn’t just purchase price—it’s choosing the machine that allows your business to produce more, earn more profit and meet the applications you need.
Machines with larger sewing areas, faster speeds and features such as automatic tensioning, like the SWF KX-T1501, can make production easier and more profitable over the life of the machine.
After all, every business wants to make as much money as possible while reducing downtime.
Eventually you’ll ask yourself:
“Do I need a multi head embroidery machine?”
If a single head is no longer enough, then the next question becomes whether you simply need more production or whether you still need flexibility.
A traditional multi head embroidery machine is generally cheaper than buying multiple single head machines.
However, lower purchase price doesn’t always equal higher productivity.
If you’ve already outgrown a domestic embroidery machine but still need flexibility, then two single head machines may actually produce more than a traditional two-head machine.
Why?
Because if one single head experiences a thread break, the second machine continues stitching.
With a conventional multi head embroidery machine, one thread break stops every head.
Traditional multi head machines also require every head to be loaded before production can begin.
These small delays soon become significant over months and years of production.
Price alone should never determine which commercial embroidery machine you buy.
Reliability, engineering, support and after-sales service are equally important.
Manufacturers such as SWF Korea, Happy Japan and Barudan manufacture entirely within their own countries of origin and have decades of engineering experience behind them.
If you need production without sacrificing flexibility, there is another option.
Back in 2003, SWF Korea introduced the world’s first patented Dual Function embroidery technology.
The SWF KX-1502D combines many of the advantages of multiple single head machines with the purchase price of a traditional multi head machine.
Ultimately, don’t start by asking which embroidery machine is the best.
Start by asking what your business needs.
What do you want to embroider?
How much do you want to produce?
How much do you want to earn?
Once you’ve answered those questions, the right solution becomes much clearer.
Whether that’s a single head embroidery machine, multiple single heads or a flexible multi head embroidery machine, choose the solution that supports your business today while allowing it to grow tomorrow.
For more information, browse our range of Single Head Embroidery Machines, Multi Head Embroidery Machines, or book an embroidery machine demonstration to discuss the best option for your business.
