Startup

[Stitch Up]

I would have posted sooner but been so busy lately.

Good luck with the Tajima, I'm sure it's a good machine.

Be prepared for a very steep learning curve and don't expect to make money from a single head machine. I believe that if you plan making money from a single head machine you must get into a niche low volume market where you can pitch your prices higher. Don't do what we did and go for things like school badges etc. A school badge on a single head machine will take the best part of 45 minutes to stitch out and probably longer if you add in the prep and finishing times. What's more, Tesco are about to enter this arena and can blow us all out the water on price.

Forget auto-digitising. The software might claim it does it, but it doesn't work!

Conversely, if you get any volume orders for badges/patches, out source them to someone like ETC and heat press them to the clothing.

Embroidery is great but do your research, try and add extra value, maybe mixed media - i.e. embroidery + print or rhinestones.

Cheers

John

[joconnell]

Thanks for all the helpful advice.
I have had an initial meeting with a sales rep. from GS UK Ltd. At the moment I am looking at Brother PR650. They are always doing deals, either free cap frame or software. He has suggested a trip to their head quarters in Nottingham which I will do before I commit myself. I was a bit disappointed to hear that Tesco are getting into the embroidery which will make it difficult.
Although if they use the same pricing that they use for sublimation products, I think I could compete.
Regards,
James

[Stitch Up]

GS UK are a good company. Mark is one of their embroidery guys and very enthusiastic

Tesco are only entering the school uniform market so don't be too concerned. Tesco are to big and powerful in my opinion. They've driven many farmers to the wall and for that, I refuse to shop there.

The PR650 is a good machine albeit a little slow, make sure it suits your requirements and business plan. With any single head machine, you won't be able to take on larger orders - it just takes to long.

Cheers

John

[joconnell]

John,
Thanks for your reassurance. I don't intent to go bigtime initially. I would be looking at small business of one up to maybe ten and maybe individual looking at personalising.
Regards,
James

[Stitch Up]

The personal market is where you win compared to the BIG boys. They can't be ars*d to digitize a logo unless they're gonna turn out 50 plus shirts, anything less and they'll charge you for the design/setup.

Have fun.

John