11 Things You Should Check Before Buying An Embroidery Machine

Embroidery machine is a partner to the business owner and its value cannot be less emphasized. The groundbreaking innovations in machine embroidery over the span of last few decades have wholly revolutionized the industry. Let us deal with the trouble that comes with it.

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Praises aside, embroidery machines have shown the way to a dilemma that is rampant with technological advancements. There are innumerable options and features to deal with, which is great in the first place, but it also becomes overwhelming in some instances. Convenience comes with a price, even if it’s a small one. Profuse options with profuse information, with no definite conclusions, leaves layers of confusions and questions. The repercussions of this dilemma can be long-lasting and ultimately devastating for any business.

In the sight of financial investment that goes into buying such equipment, testing is not an option here. An embroidery machine costs thousands of dollars. Even a home-based single head machine typically costs $2,000-$7,000. This is a significant investment for someone who is just starting out. Moreover, it is not about the price only. The technical limitations of a particular machine will also impact operations of the business in long run. The only way out is researching your needs and finding out a machine that is best suited.

Below is a quick list of things you should consider while buying an embroidery machine. Make sure that the machine is well-suited for your specific business needs. Without further ado, let us have a quick look:

Scope Of Machine:

The first thing you have to figure out is the scope of your embroidery machine. This benchmarks your minimum needs and hence, provides the starting ground for the buying process. In case you decide to go with a home-based machine, you definitely would not want to spend thousands of extra bucks on features that you will eventually not end up using. Similarly, a commercial business model requires a bigger and a better version.

Apart from the immediate use, you should also take into account your probable future plans. Look for an embroidery machine that has the flexibility to cater for your future business needs as well. For instance, if you are starting with embroidering, you might as well need sewing capability along the way. Make sure that your embroidery machine does serve well for such affiliated needs.

Manufacturer’s Reputation:

As mentioned before, testing out the product is not an option. Research is the only tool you have at your hands. Ensure that you capitalize on this sole option convincingly. Look out for user reviews on machine embroidery forums. All name brands are more or less good with their products. When you are done with researching the manufacturer, look out for an great local dealer. A great dealer will not only deliver the product as promised but will also excel in providing the support.

Field Width:

Field width is the distance between the needle and body of the embroidery machine. This also represents the largest width you can sew-out. In other words, it is the largest size of design you can work with. The more the field width, the larger the designs you can offer to your future customers. It increases your capability as an embroider. This feature is of more significance to commercial embroiders as compared to the home based ones.

Hoops:

Don’t just go after the machine’s immediate features. Also, inspect additional accessories thoroughly. The embroidering process is of an integrated nature. All fragments have to be on-spot for producing the desired results. Hoops are an integral part of the whole process. Check the number of hoops and their sizes that your manufacturer has to offer with a particular model. They will dictate the size of designs. Moreover, also see the maneuverability of hoops inside the machine.

Ask your dealer about the sizes and prices of additional hoops. You might not need them now, but you probably will. Don’t just settle for what you need right now but alongside, anticipate and plan for the near future needs.

Guides and Training:

Embroidery machine manufacturers often provide training classes and manuals to make their customers adept with product’s features. They are especially useful for novice embroidery start-ups. Many manufacturers have their blogs set up to educate their customers about different challenges they are likely to encounter.

Costs for the equipment include training and support part. So, to be sure, just double-check this with your dealer. Inquire and check about the programs they run in this regard.

Automatic Threading:

This is another feature that has contributed towards making life much easier for the embroiders. Automatic threading makes it possible to restart the process after a thread break. If you are tired or your vision is not at the very best, this feature is an absolute life saver. It re-threads the machine on its own, making the process smooth, easy and seamless.

Sewing Unit:

Most embroidery machines that are surfaced today have this inbuilt sewing ability. It is good to have an equipment with additional features which can be utilized when needed. Moreover, equipment that has this dual ability to embroider as well as sew, has diverse features and they also perform better in the long run. In addition to this, if your primary sewing facility is out of order or is scheduled for a routine service, it is good to have an alternative side-by.

Accessories Compatibility:

Additional accessories like hoops, clamps, presser feets and quilting tables are often added to the embroidery machine. They enhance the equipment’s innate ability. Accessory manufacturers are eager to fill in the gaps that actual manufacturers leave. You should look forward to benefiting from these accessories too. For this reason, you should always check compatibility of the equipment with different accessories.

Camera:

It is a really smart feature that is going to increase the efficiency of your work. The camera enables you to view the backside of the embroidered surface. You can see the items that have come out of the hoop and realign them to save the garment. Another pretty smart use of the camera is to align the items straight, even if the garment is in a crooked hoop. You don’t have to re-hoop the fabric all over again. Both features contribute towards inducing efficiency to your operations.

Number of Needles:

More the number of needles a machine has, the better it is for the embroider. Especially, if you have to deal with logos and complex designs involving different colors, multiple needles become inevitable. In this case, 4 or 5 needles are sufficient but this should only be seen as a minimum. More needles mean that you will always have more colors available, and thus, it saves time spent on swapping threads.

Customer Support:

Even the best embroidery machine won’t do that great if you don’t know how to make use of its cutting-edge features. So, support from the manufacturer becomes a necessity, especially if you are a beginner. Embroidery is a complex process for someone who is just starting out, involving various technical variables like thread and stabilizer tension.  So, you will always be needing support for running your business flawlessly. Before making a purchase confirm that your manufacturer has specially dedicated staff for technical support and service to the customers.

These are some of the things that you should thoroughly check before arriving at the final decision. While making the decision, go for features that can help you grow into a better and bigger machine embroidery business.

Even after buying the embroidery machine, you will be needing help here and there to meet your customer expectations. A very important aspect of the process is embroidery digitizing. Look for a great embroidery digitizing services who have a concrete reputation of delivering quality digitized files with a quick turn around time. For help with your digitization related issues, reach us and connect.

For thoughts and queries, use the comment section below. We are really interested in knowing what you have to say.

Picking your first embroidery machine can be scary. First, you don’t even know the questions to ask because, duh, you have never used one. Second, most people don’t want to spend a ton of money “just in case they don’t use it.” We hear this one a lot. Or they think an embroidery machine is only used for putting designs on T-Shirts for the grandkids and they don’t have any grandkids.

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In the 30+ years of home embroidery machines, we have found ways to do just about everything in an embroidery hoop! From embroidering zippered bags in the hoop to quilting a queen size quilt, embroidery machines are continually being pushed to new limits every year.

Take some time researching your local options before making a buying decision. If you are lucky enough to have one or two amazing sewing machine stores in your area that specialize in embroidery, we guarantee that your purchase will be worth what you spend because they will be there every step of the way.

Better yet, if they offer classes that let your try out an embroidery machine before you purchase you will definitely be making a better choice instead of wishing you had spent the extra money on a fancier embroidery machine a few months later.

Hands-on national embroidery events are a great way to see, learn, test-out, and talk to other embroiderers about what they have learned after buying their first embroidery machine. Many embroiderers will tell you how many embroidery machines they have owned along their own embroidery journey.

Check out what online tutorials and videos are available for the embroidery brand and model you are considering. This website, SewingMastery.com, offers over 4,000+ sewing machine and embroidery videos to help you master your embroidery machine.

Here are a few suggestions of items to look for and questions to ask when buying your FIRST embroidery machine.

PRO TIP: Print off this list of questions and take it with you when comparing different brands of embroidery machines.

1. What is the largest embroidery design size the embroidery machine can embroider?

This is probably the #1 question people need to ask when purchasing a new embroidery machine. When admiring store samples, ask what size of embroidery machine hoop was used to embroider the design. Though an embroidery hoop looks to be one size, keep in mind that embroidery designs are not stitched to the very edge of the hoop.

Look at the physical inner size of the embroidery machine. The distance between the needle and the body of the machine is the largest embroidery width. The longer the embroidery machine and the wider the embroidery designs.

2. How many hoops come with the embroidery machine?

Get a list of included embroidery hoops and accessories that are included with the embroidery machine purchase. We often have numerous hoop sizes out and about for projects we are working on at any given time. Do not assume all hoops are included with the embroidery machine.

3. What additional hoops are available and what are the prices?

Embroidery machines offer additional hoop sizes. See what sizes are available and get an idea of the range of prices so you are not surprised later.

4. Does it have a black and white or color touch screen?

Machines with a color touch screen offer more options. From touching and dragging designs around the screen to selecting different functions, each brand of machine is set up differently. Sit in front of the machine and see if it is easy to navigate around the machine.

5. Can it combine more than one embroidery design on the screen?

This sounds like a simple request, but not all models can do this. If you want to combine an embroidery design with a name on the screen to stitch out all in one pass, you will need a machine that can combine designs. If the machine you choose does not have this option, look to purchase embroidery software for your Windows or Mac computer to do this.

6. How does one transfer embroidery designs to the embroidery machine?

These days the most common way is with a USB stick. A USB stick can easily move embroidery files from a CD or that were downloaded to a computer to the machine. Computers and embroidery machines do not need to reside in the same room for this simple transfer. Newer embroidery machines have WiFi for transferring designs and some machines will need a cable to connect together for this transfer. Be sure the option you choose will work with the technology you are used to.

7. Does the embroidery machine sew too?

Most embroidery machines are both a sewing machines and an embroidery machines. Even if you already have a sewing machine you plan to keep and sew on while the embroidery machine is running, owning an embroidery machine that sews is not a bad thing. These combination machines often offer more features than machines that are embroidery only. It is nice when your main sewing machine is in for its annual service you still have a sewing machine close by.

8. How many built-in alphabets does it have? Can and how do you add more alphabets?

Most embroidery machines include just a couple of built-in alphabets. But what if you want more? How do you add more alphabet styles to the embroidery machine? Purchasing additional embroidery software programs that install on a Windows or Mac computer is the easiest way to increase the alphabet options, but some companies offer free lettering software that you just need to download from the company’s website.

9. Does it need to connect directly to a computer to embroider? 

We are seeing fewer and fewer of these types of embroidery machines, but some embroidery machines must be connected to a computer to embroider. Over the years, these users often feel tethered to their embroidery machines and often get discouraged from using them in the long run.

10. Does the store you are buying it from offer classes? Are they one-on-one classes or group classes? 

Buying your first embroidery machine from a local, reputable sewing machine dealer is the best way to safeguard your purchase. Most stores are more than willing to offer classes, help troubleshoot problems, and service your precious new family member. Ask what classes are offered. There are stores that you can instantly know that they would bend over backward for you and those that won’t. Find where you fit in the best. These people will become your friends over the next couple of months.

OK, we had to add a few more tips more than 10…

11. Does the store you are buying the embroidery machine from have onsite, year-round service technicians? 

Amazing sewing machine stores have trained and certified, full-time service technicians on staff. Having on-site or full-time technicians mean getting machines returned in a timely manner. Of course, the good sewing machine service centers will be a bit busier because they are that good. The word always travels when people find good service people that know their stuff. Give them the time they need to do their best work for a smooth service visit.

Side note about buying used embroidery machines:

If considering purchasing a used embroidery machine, be sure it has a USB port. Embroidery machines that use embroidery cards or floppy disks are very outdated embroidery technology and do not interface with current Windows or Mac computers. There are no embroidery machine manufacturers that support these older embroidery machines.

These suggestions should help you select the right embroidery machine for the type of embroidering you are wanting to do. Keep in mind, once you own an embroidery machine and start using it, you might get hooked. That is OK! If you grow out of the first embroidery machine, find the next one that will give you some additional growth in the room.

Fast forward to after your embroidery machine purchase…

Congratulations! Here is a short checklist of things to do in the first three months after purchasing your first embroidery machine:

Contact us to discuss your requirements of embroidery machine for garment factories. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

• Schedule your embroidery machine classes. If you didn’t get embroidery classes with your purchase, seek out a store that has embroidery classes you can attend.
• If classes are not available in your area, check out the Embroidery Essentials Online Course. 
• Open the embroidery machine and embroider a few built-in embroidery designs prior to your first class (your teacher will thank you!)
• Attend your in-store embroidery classes
• Read your embroidery machine’s manual AFTER your hands-on class – it will make more sense after the class!
• Sign up for any and all embroidery events your local store is hosting – always sign up early, embroidery events are fun, entertaining, and educational so they fill up quickly!
• Watch some online tutorial videos

Take This Online Course Immediately After Purchasing Your NEW Embroidery Machine!