We're screen printers wanting to add an embroidery machine. I have no idea how to embroider, but I hear a lot of embroidery companies outsourcing their digitizing.
If I buy a machine, are their training centers? How did you all learn how to operate the machines?
We're screen printers wanting to add an embroidery machine. I have no idea how to embroider, but I hear a lot of embroidery companies outsourcing their digitizing.
If I buy a machine, are their training centers? How did you all learn how to operate the machines?
Are you thinking one head or multiple? Since you are already doing production you need to think of how much throuput you'll need. It's a good idea to outsource the digitizing in the begining. Youve got enough of a learning curve on the embroidery part and good digitizing takes years to master. At the start, get familiar with good digitizing, learn to do simple designs, editing and spend your time selling what you can produce.
If you buy a new machine, usually some kind of training is included. You can also get instruction at trade shows or contract with a tech that works on your machine to come out, train on location and show you how to take care of your investment.
Ian
__________________ imprimeo! ....Digitizing, DTG and Embroidery..FREE Embroidery SOFTWARE Sierra Consultant, Stitch ERA Universal Dealer, Digitizing trainer for GUNOLD USA
Some companies provide training (like SWF), others don't. The training we got with our Brother PR600 was a 10 minute overview of the machine... Other than that, we had to figure it out on our own. I bought some PE-Design tutorials on the internet and learned how to do most of what I know from them. It took longer but some of us learn better from doing than from being told how to do something...
When we bought our SWF, since it has a sequin attachment, they sent a tech to our house to set it up and show us how to use it... VERY helpful and the tech also taught us a number of things not necessarily related to the machine... We still have to go to the training classes for the software but I knew enough about embroidery software that we've been able to get by so far.
Digitizing is an art form. You could have 10 people digitize the same design and you will get 10 completely different stitch files. I'd suggest doing like we do - learn how to do simple editing and lettering and sub out the more complicated stuff. You can also purchase design collections that have thousands of designs already digitized... edit them, watch them stitch, then try to learn how the person approached the design and you will get a lot of insights...
Another thought... unless you have the volume of work to justify the expense of the machine and the time involved to learn how to do it right, you're probably better off subbing out your embroidery work. We do work for a couple of local shops since they don't have the equipment or time, and we sub out any screen printing work to them. It works for both sides... In this economy, focus on what you do well and sub out the rest to people who specialize in that type of work... it keeps both in business...
I bought my equipment from SWF East and got excellent training at their Tampa, FL facility. They give one day (8 hour) training on the basic embroidery machine then two days training on the digitizing software. The others are right, digitizing is an artform, but the training will enable you to do quite a bit of digitizing (I have done all my own digitizing with the exception of one design which was just above my skill level). You might still have to outsource the difficult designs though. Good luck in your new venture!
Thanks for you reply everyone! Well I know we have the work to justify the expense because we also operate a wholesale distribution company and sell mainly hats to retailers. We currently buy already embroidered stock design hats (like the ones that say FBI, US MARSHALL and stuff like that) from California. Their hat prices are about $3 already embroidered, so I am wondering if it'd be worth it to do it in-house. The main reason I'd like to do it in-house it to add it to our screen printing company as well as add new designs to the hat line up. The importers don't want to do new designs for us unless it's 10k pieces and up.
I think we'll need multiple heads, but I am afraid to jump to that yet as I have no clue about the machines. I am going to attend the ISS show in the beginning of next year so I guess I'll have to check out what's out there.
As far as subbing it out, we've been doing so and it doesn't work well. We lose a lot of jobs because all of the companies near us charge almost retail price. I've been through 7 embroidery companies to contract through and it's getting old.
Does anyone know what the cost of thread per 1,000 stitches is? I'm trying to see if it'd actually be more expensive for us to produce the hats in-house.
The cost of thread is minimal. I would guess maybe a few cents per thousand if that much. The backing is cheap as well, so there is not much expense in the materials. I planned on getting a multihead but was convinced to begin with a single head compact unit since it would still be useful for small runs even after upgrading to a multihead at a later date.
Does anyone know what the cost of thread per 1,000 stitches is? I'm trying to see if it'd actually be more expensive for us to produce the hats in-house.
You also have to think of the time cost. Thread cost is inconsequential, but if you have one head and you do a 10K design you'd be lucky to get 5 cap per hour. Figue the cost of cap and time, that $3 per cap is cheap. Now if you're talking a 6 head, the cost dynamics are different.
Ian
__________________ imprimeo! ....Digitizing, DTG and Embroidery..FREE Embroidery SOFTWARE Sierra Consultant, Stitch ERA Universal Dealer, Digitizing trainer for GUNOLD USA
So, is it worth contracting out the embroidery work? Because I have been reviewing the various embroidery companies and the machinery but I too am afraid to go full force knowing that some items can be purchased less than the embroidered price. Any suggestions?
I too am afraid to go full force knowing that some items can be purchased less than the embroidered price.
Not sure what you mean by this? You can certainly purchase items already embroidered very cheaply if you want to buy 10K of them. If you are looking for very small orders, it can be cheaper in the long run to do it yourself.
We originally had someone doing our embroidery work. The setup fees were killing us. Run the same design but change a thread color? Another setup fee. Change to a different shirt? Another setup fee. Hats? Another setup fee... Not cost effective for doing custom work... So we bought a 6 needle machine and learned how to do it ourselves. Problem is, most of my designs are 8-10 color... we keep the 6 needle machine for doing hats and small jobs stuff and bought a 15 needle SWF for the 7+ color designs as well as doing jackets. It all depends on how deep ($) you want to get and if you want to take the time to learn how to digitize and embroider....
$3 a cap for already embroidered is REALLY cheap. If would take a lot for you to be able to produce these yourself. If you are doing it yourself, you would charge about $1 per thousand stitches and that's only for the embroidery, not the hat, shirt, etc. It's a great deal of practice to get it started, and MANY mess ups along the way!
I am not trying to to talk you out of it, but you should know the down side before you jump in!
The digitizing is a whole other issue!
I would say start small, learn your way through, and move on to greater machinery, etc.
Good luck!!
I don't know where you are located but if you are in the US, Melco tends to get mixed reviews for their support .... some swear by it and others at it.
Most SWF East customers seem to be very happy with support. SWF Mesa gets slightly less positive reviews.
You may also wish to check out machines from Barudan, Tajima, ZSK, Happy, Toyota and Brother ... all have been around a long time and have a proven track record.
Which machine brand has a dealer / tech nearest you ? That's where I would start if you are looking to purchase. Check out the machine[s] and dealer[s] reputation.
I have only dealt with SWF East and I can tell you I received both excellent training and support. When my machine arrived I had a bad bearing in the cap unit. Everything worked, but I wanted it fixed (would have caused problems in the future). They mailed the part out that day then followed up to make sure the parts arrived and all was taken care of. I am very happy I bought into this company.
Screen Printer adding Embroidery 
