If you’re thinking about starting an embroidery business, the first thing you’ll need is the right sewing machine. Although there are some embroidery machines made for very light and medium use, it’s best to get one made specifically for business use. In fact, the best commercial embroidery machines are not only easy to find but are also a lot less expensive than you might think.
Commercial embroidery machines can be used for personal use or business use, and they can accommodate both small businesses and larger ones depending on the features they offer. The machines are computerized and use data with detailed information so that you can get a perfect design every time.
What Is a Commercial Embroidery Machine?
One of the biggest advantages of commercial embroidery machines is their ability to create beautiful designs in just minutes, as compared to it taking days or even weeks when you embroider by hand. The results are also more accurate in the end, and you can even create more than one of the same item and all of them will look the same.
Commercial embroidery machines are sometimes expensive, but if you’re going to operate a business, you’ll want to offer your customers the very best product in the end, which costs money. Fortunately, you can get these machines on sale at various times and even occasionally find used ones that work great.
One thing is certain: if you’re going to have an embroidery business, you need one of these machines. They practically do the work for you, and they’re a lot easier to learn than you might think.
What to Look for in a Commercial Embroidery Machine
Most of the best commercial embroidery machines have similar features, which make creating beautiful works of art a lot easier. The thing is, if you’ve never bought one of these machines you might wonder how to start. Not to worry, though, because below is a list of things you need to consider before buying an embroidery machine.
1. The Size of your Workspace
You may not have thought of this, but different machines come with different workspace sizes. If you’re looking at samples from the machine, ask store personnel about the machine hoop size used because they can vary. Always pay attention to the machine’s inner size, as well as the distance between the machine body and the needle. This will be your largest embroidery width.
2. The Number of Hoops with the Commercial Embroidery Machine
Most embroidery machines come with various accessories that include one or more embroidery hoops. Check to see what hoops are included with the machine you like best because it may not include what you need. Think about the projects you work on and consider what hoops you’ll need for those projects. Then, make sure the machine has those hoops.
3. The Ability to Combine Various Embroidery Designs
Machines that combine designs are great if you wish to combine a name on the screen with a certain embroidery design. Unfortunately, not all machines can do this. If the machine you end up buying doesn’t have this feature, you might be able to purchase software for your Mac or Windows computer to do this for you.
4. The Type of Touch Screen on the Embroidery Machine
If you sit in front of a machine to test it out, you’ll be able to tell how easy it is to use the touch screen. Usually, touch screens in color (as opposed to black and white) are better because they tend to offer more options. Play around with the dragging features to make sure the touch screen is easy to operate and can help you create the perfect design.
5. The Number of Built-in Embroidery Alphabets
This is important because you won’t be using the same alphabet with every project. You need variety, but even machines that only come with a few built-in alphabets usually allow you to purchase software so you can add additional alphabets in the future. In fact, some manufacturers have lettering software on their websites that you can download for free.
Naturally, you’ll need to consider your budget as well as these things, but the good news is that the best commercial embroidery machines come in a wide range of prices, so finding one that fits your budget shouldn’t be difficult.
The Best Commercial Embroidery Machines:
Naturally, some commercial embroidery machines are better than others, and when you research machines, you need to take a look at reviews by the experts as well as reviews left by real-life customers. Below are some of the best commercial machines on the market today.
1. Brother PE770 Embroidery Machine
This has been the top-rated embroidery machine for some time, and it is easy to understand why. It can accommodate all types of industrial businesses and produces a whopping 650 stitches per minute. You can use it for a small shop or even a much larger business because that’s how good it is.
The machine has a high-quality touch screen that allows you to control all of your settings easily, even if you’re a beginner. You also get 1,600 different embroidery designs and six font styles, giving you a lot of options when it comes to creating the perfect masterpiece.
There are also other features you might not expect but which will come in handy as you hone your craft. These features include a thread-cutting feature and an adjustable speed, and the latter makes it much easier to work at a pace that makes you the most comfortable.
Pros
- Easy touch screen for convenience
- Very versatile features
- Can be used for most industrial jobs
Cons
- Instruction manual is hard to understand
- Can be a bit pricey for some at around $1,900
Overall, the Brother PE770 embroidery machine is very user-friendly and should help you create all types of masterpieces in no time. Even if you’re an advanced embroiderer, you’ll enjoy its many features and you should be able to advance your skills even more, allowing you to become a master embroiderer sooner than you think.
2. Janome MB-4N 4-Needle Embroidery Machine
If you want an embroidery machine that utilizes some of the most advanced features available, you need this machine. You can use it for both home and commercial use, and you get features such as hundreds of design templates, a speed of 650 stitches per minute, and USB compatibility that allows you to import new designs from other applications.
The LCD screen in this machine is nothing short of amazing. It is high-tech indeed and offers limitless ways to create very unique designs. The screen lets you look at the design before you start sewing so that you can correct any flaws before embroidering the actual design. It also displays information in several different languages.
The machine provides very smooth operation and gives you an automatic thread-cutter to make embroidering easy and convenient. It is user-friendly and doesn’t require you to be a techie just to understand it. In fact, even beginners can begin creating masterpieces soon after taking this machine out of the box.
Pros
- Hundreds of built-in designs
- Automatic thread-cutter
- High-tech LCD screen that is easy to read
Cons
- Some people consider it a bit complex
- Some claim it is unreliable and inconsistent
3. Janome Horizon Memory Craft 14000 Sewing & Embroidery Machine
This is by far one of the best commercial embroidery machines on the market today, and there are numerous reasons why. Although a bit pricey at around $7,000, it does come with various accessories and is very powerful. In fact, even large commercial embroidery businesses can be accommodated with this machine.
The Janome Memory Craft 14000 offers more than 400 different fonts and designs, and the zigzag motion that the thread makes lets you work on all types of fabric, even the challenging ones. You get a large LCD screen to help you through the process, and it is even compatible with computers so you can make changes in your design, acquire other fonts and designs, and so much more.
In addition to all of this, you also get high-quality lighting that helps you see what’s going on at all times and zooming features to ensure that your work is of the highest quality. It has tons of features that both casual users and business owners can take advantage of, and its overall performance sets it above the rest.
Pros
- Very detailed work is possible
- Can connect the machine to your computer
- Very large space to work with
Cons
- A bit pricey for many people
- Difficult to find a used machine to buy
Although the machine is pricey, it offers so many modern features and so much attention to detail that you can embroider just about anything on it. In fact, with this embroidery machine, if you can think up an idea in your head, you’ll be able to create it in real life, and it’s a lot faster and easier than you think.
4. Janome MB-4S Commercial 4-Needle Embroidery Machine
Instead of providing 600 stitches per minute, this one does a full 800 stitches per minute. This means that when compared to other types of embroidery machines, this one allows you to complete numerous tasks a lot faster and easier. It is a very user-friendly embroidery machine yet still has a lot of high-tech features.
For one thing, the Janome MB-4S embroidery machine allows you to store more than one million stitches in its memory, which means you can use them any time you like. These include both stitches available in the design memory of the machine or those that you find online. You can use your USB, which comes with the machine, to import even more designs to use.
This embroidery machine is indeed very high-tech yet it doesn’t require you to be a tech genius to figure out how it works. You can use the machine for everything from towels and clothing to blankets and even hats, among others.
Pros
- Very user-friendly
- Stores over one million stitches in its memory
- Comes with a full 25-year warranty
Cons
- A bit pricey at around $5,300
- The backward stitch capability doesn’t work like people think it should
The machine also has a preview feature that allows you to view patterns before you start sewing, and all of the items you’re working on can be applied to many different articles, regardless of the fabric you use. The machine is perfect for someone who wants to start an embroidery business but doesn’t want to spend $10,000 to do so.
5. Brother SE625 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine
If you want a high-quality embroidery machine that you can use for your business but you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on it, the Brother SE625 machine is one to consider. It sells for around $800 but still offers features such as 650 stitches per minute, automatic speed adjustment for the perfect pace, and up to 1,600 embroidery designs for your convenience.
The touch-screen display makes it easy to operate and create designs, and you can even use a USB to upload many more designs and embroidery fonts available. In fact, with the USB option, you have more designs and fonts available to you than you’ll likely need in a lifetime, but it’s good to know they’re there. This is a technologically advanced machine with modern features you’ll love.
One of the things people love best about the machine is its excellent customer service department and its 25-year warranty. Because of these things, you can call them any time and get the assistance you need to create beautiful works of art.
Pros
- Convenient touch-screen display
- Comes with a full 25-year warranty
- Automatic speed adjustment
Cons
- The display screen is black and white
- Some claim it broke shortly after purchase
Indeed, this computerized sewing and embroidery machine is worth buying because you get an advanced machine at a reasonable price that can grow with you as your business grows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Embroidery Machines
Below are some frequently asked questions you might want to consider before buying your embroidery machine.
Q: What are the best embroidery machines when you’re making hats?
A: Look for two things when you make hats – a design that is easy to use and user-friendly, and features that are adjustable so that any size hat can be accommodated. For these reasons, the Brother PE770 embroidery machine is an excellent choice for people who make hats.
Q: Can I use any type of fabric when sewing on my embroidery machine?
A: Generally, you can use any type of fabric on your embroidery machine as long as it fits underneath your needle. Having said this, certain fabrics work better than others. These include fabrics that have tightly woven structures, such as silk, linen, and wool. In addition, soft fabrics such as satin and even fleece are sometimes easier to hold in place with a hoop and slide underneath the needle a little better than other fabric types.
Q: Can a commercial embroidery machine run automatically on its own?
A: Yes and no. Although the machines are computerized, an operator still has to control some of their functions. You have to be there to enter your design into the computer, plug the USB in when necessary, secure the fabric onto your machine with a hoop or holder, then select the threads you wish to use with that particular project. In addition, you have to monitor the work that the machine is doing in case the thread’s tension needs to be adjusted or the fabric gets displaced somehow.
Q: Do I have to use accessories for my projects?
A: Although many accessories aren’t a necessity, some of them simply make the task a lot easier on you. These include embroidery nippers to trim thread, a thread stand so that you can use multiple spools of thread at a time, and even a long metal ruler that allows you to cut your fabric to the exact dimensions you need. The thing is, many of the best commercial embroidery machines on the market today come with a lot of accessories, meaning you won’t have as many to purchase yourself.
Q: Should I test out the machine before buying one?
A: This is up to you, but many people find that when they try out the machine in person, it helps them get a good “feel” for it and makes it easier to decide which one is right for them. It also teaches you a lot about the machine that you may not always learn by simply reading a description online or in a magazine.
In Summary
Choosing a good high-quality commercial embroidery machine doesn’t have to be difficult, and some of the best commercial embroidery machines available today are described in this article. But there are others as well, and as long as you do your due diligence and research the brand and at least a few customer reviews, it will bring you one step closer to finding a machine that perfectly suits your needs.
