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It doesn’t happen overnight.
You’re getting orders. Customers seem happy. The machines are running every day.
But you’re working harder than ever, and somehow, the bank balance isn’t growing. Sound familiar?
That’s what we call “going broke slowly.”
It’s one of the most dangerous places a growing print business can be; because on the surface, everything looks fine. Until it isn’t.
Here’s what we often see when we speak to shops running embroidery machines, DTF printers, or a mix of both:
The truth? Many of your competitors are undercharging too. That’s not a race you want to win.
Let’s say you’re producing A5 DTF transfers for £0.30 in materials and energy. If you’re selling them for £1.50, you’re making a profit, right?
Not quite.
You also have:
By the time it’s all added up, you could be making less than minimum wage on a job you thought was profitable.
If you’re setting prices to beat competitors or “get more orders,” you may already be falling into the slow-burn trap.
It doesn’t mean losing customers; it means keeping the right ones, staying in business, and building something that lasts.
Raising prices can feel risky; especially in a competitive market. But increasing your profit per order doesn’t always mean charging more.
Here are three practical ways to improve your margins without losing customers:
Offer premium packages by using DTF + embroidery together, for example:
This adds perceived value and allows you to charge more per item while keeping your actual costs manageable.
You’ve already won the sale; don’t stop there.
Try offering:
Even a small percentage of customers saying “yes” can have a big impact over the course of a month.
Time is money. So are spoiled transfers and thread breaks.
More efficiency = more margin, even with the same pricing.
Sometimes, boosting profit starts with spending, wisely.
Adding or upgrading equipment can unlock time, speed, and quality advantages that directly impact your bottom line. For example:
Adding a Quick Cut DTF Transfer Cutter to your DTF workflow reduces labour, improves precision, and speeds up production.
Upgrading to a multi-head or dual-function embroidery machine can dramatically increase output without adding staff.
The right tool doesn’t just make the job easier; it makes every job more profitable.
Explore quantity or volume discounts on supplies with your vendors – you may have to spend on bulk orders of inks, backings or transfer rolls, but you’ll save big in the long run.
