Between the threat of rising inflation, uncertain economic forecasts and the increasing effects of the on-again-off-again Trump tariffs, businesses across the decorated-apparel industry find themselves in an uncomfortable position. If you’re a screen printer, embroiderer, heat-press specialist or all of the above, you may already be feeling the pinch of higher costs for blank apparel, embroidery thread, inks and other consumables.

But here’s the good news, though—the custom decorated-apparel industry has proven its resilience in tough times before, and it’s in many ways perfectly positioned for whatever else may come along, in both the near or long-term future. During the pandemic, T-shirt screen printers, direct-to-film (DTF) and direct-to-garment (DTG) decorators pivoted creatively to serve shifting demands. Many businesses not only survived but came out stronger. While the future may posed any number of different challenges, it will also present opportunities for those prepared to adapt, innovate and rethink their operations.

The Impact of Tariffs and Inflation on Custom Decorated Apparel

The Trump-era tariffs on imports, including those impacting everything from textiles to raw materials and some of the industry’s most high-tech decorating equipment (think digital decorating and embroidery, especially), stand to significantly increase costs across the board. Add to this the broader pressures of inflation, and it becomes clear why many businesses are grappling with, or at the very least anticipating rising production expenses.

On top of these challenges, the business community as a whole is contending with the threat of a potential recession—the decorated apparel industry included. Bottom line: no one can predict the exact trajectory of the economy, causing many apparel decorators to feel increasingly uncertain as they face with the prospect of clients large and small possibly reducing spending. Large corporations, for example, a significant revenue stream for many custom T-shirt screen printers and embroiderers, may very well shrink as the business community looks to adapt to difficult times.

Despite these hurdles, though, all is not doom and gloom—because challenges often inspire innovation.

Decorated Apparel and Lessons from Years Past  

The decorated-apparel industry has already proven its ability to adapt. During the pandemic, businesses pivoted to meet changing demands, producing everything from branded face masks to bulk custom Zoom-call-friendly hoodies. The underlying takeaway? Agility is key to survival.

Whether dealing with a pandemic or tariff-related economic uncertainty, innovators in the custom-apparel field have consistently demonstrated resilience. Overcoming challenges has built a more flexible and creative industry primed for navigating this current storm. You can draw inspiration from this success as you strategize for the future.

The Path Forward for Apparel Decorators 

To offset rising costs and prepare for economic uncertainty, here are some concrete steps your business can take:

1) Audit Your Garment Customization Operations

Take a deep, granular look at your current processes and expenses. From energy use to the types of consumables you order, there may be areas ripe for cost optimization:

• Look into energy-efficient equipment upgrades that reduce long-term electricity bills.
• Evaluate your supply chain—could you source blank apparel or consumables in bulk at a discount?
• For example, transitioning to eco-friendly inks not only aligns with sustainability trends but could also cut expenses if sourced strategically.

2) Focus on Innovation, Decorating Tech

When times get tough, bold innovation often leads to breakthroughs. Consider adding new services or enhancing existing ones. For example:

• DTF transfers are fast gaining popularity for their versatility and efficiency in producing smaller-run orders. If your business primarily focuses on screen-printing or embroidery, branching into DTF could expand your service offerings.
• Similarly, specialty embroidery services, like puff embroidery or metallic threads, can help you stand out and command premium pricing.

Investing in innovation not only diversifies your income streams but also positions your business as a leader in the industry.

3) Build Strong Relationships with Suppliers

With costs on the rise, strengthening your relationship with your suppliers could pay dividends. Reach out to negotiate bulk discounts, extended payment terms, or exclusive deals for your business. Many suppliers value long-term partnerships and may offer better terms to help you weather the tough times.

4) Invest in Employee Training and Retention

In good times and bad, your team is the backbone of your business. Investing in training ensures your employees are equipped to handle new technologies or workflows that may boost productivity. Retention is equally important—happy, skilled employees are far more valuable than the costs of hiring and training new staff.

Consider hosting regular skill-development workshops or incentivizing employees with benefits like flexible hours.

5) Use Data to Drive Decisions

Track everything—costs, sales trends, customer preferences—then use this data to make smarter decisions. For example, evaluating sales data might show that custom hoodies are outperforming T-shirts in your region. With that insight, you could pivot to highlight hoodies in your marketing campaigns.

6) Double Down on Community Engagement

Leverage your loyal customer base to drive growth. Whether through social media contests, local partnerships, or special offers for repeat customers, your community can be one of your greatest assets. Highlight their success stories using your services—celebrating their wins is also a soft pitch for your business.

Thriving Through Uncertainty

While economic uncertainty is undeniably challenging, it’s worth remembering that the decorated-apparel industry has always been built on creativity and resilience. Whether you’re a custom embroiderer, heat-press decorator or DTG printer, opportunities abound for those willing to innovate and adapt.

The post Navigating Economic Uncertainty: An Apparel Decorator’s Guide appeared first on Impressions.

The following story was adapted from an online article originally published by the decorated-apparel e-commerce platform InkSoft (inksoft.com), part of the Inktavo family of software solutions for print shops, promotional product and branded merchandise businesses (inktavo.com).

Embroidery is a decoration method most businesses in the custom-branded merchandise and decorated apparel industry offer, either in-house or outsourced. Often, though, it’s a service that isn’t promoted as heavily as disciplines like screen printing, heat transfers or direct-to-film (DTF).

Even if your shop isn’t highly specialized in embroidery and you subcontract it out to another decorator, promoting this decoration method is a great way to boost your bottom line and help your shop stand out from the competition, since it offers certain detail and quality not possible with printed garments. Here’s a look at why it’s worth considering embroidery.

1. A Change in Demand for Embroidered Products

Even though embroidery is often considered a niche decoration method, consider this: one recent report found that the global embroidery market was valued at more than $3 billion and is expected to surpass $5 billion by 2027. A few of the factors contributing to this popularity include:

• Increased Customization: The growth of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer businesses has both impacted decorators since having increased the demand for personalized products. Take a minute and think about how many ads you see a week for a website that will add a logo to a hat, shirt or tote for you with various fonts, colors and substrates. Embroidery offers high-quality, durable personalization, and while it might not offer Amazon-level turnarounds, it’s the kind of customization customers are typically willing to wait for.
• Brand Perception: If you print merch or custom decorated apparel for corporate clients, you’ve probably noticed many of your customers have moved away from cheaper swag for their employees. The days of the cheap T-shirt that ends up on a thrift store rack are fading away. Embroidered logos and designs convey a sense of professionalism and longevity, making them appealing to corporate clients as they consider the promotional items they’re like to offer.
• Fashion Trends: Every few years, an old style previously considered out-of-date comes back and is labeled “vintage” or “retro.” You could argue that some older styles incorporating embroidery have resurfaced in popularity.

2.Expanding Your Customer Base with Embroidery

Typically, you’ve probably seen embroidery on popular products like jackets for sports teams’ swag for schools and corporate clients. However, opportunities exist across other customer niches as well. These include:

Embroidery provides the kind of high-quality, durable personalization higher-end customers are willing to pay for. Photo by c_atta – stock.adobe.com

• Tourism and Hospitality Businesses: Any popular destination represents a great candidate for embroidery, especially if it’s in your immediate area, allowing you to establish a rapport with the owner. Whether it’s a hotel, resort, aquarium, botanical garden, theme park or any other popular spot that people from out of town frequent, these businesses thrive on selling branded merchandise in their gift shops and online. Embroidered polos, caps and tote bags are all great products to offer these customers. Because of their perceived value, you can also charge a premium for the decoration method.
• Small Businesses and Startups: While smaller businesses and startups won’t have as big a merchandise budget as tourist attractions, they’re still in the business of brand building. Anything you can offer them that establishes a professional image, like embroidered apparel, headwear and embellished promotional items for their customers, can be a strong contender.
• Franchises: These businesses can be slightly more complicated to tap into since they often have a particular set of brand guidelines and colors. That said, if your business is skilled at working with chains and larger enterprises, working with a franchise can be a profitable niche for embroidered apparel, the same as other corporate clients. On the plus side, franchises usually have larger budgets and a more extensive workforce, which means larger orders.

3.Complementing Other Custom Apparel Decorating Methods

For those exist shops looking to grow their business, embroidery can be a great way to complement and build on other popular decoration methods, like DTF and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing:

• Mixed Media Designs: Combining embroidery with DTG or DTF creates visually striking and textured designs.
• Premium Tier Offerings: Embroidery can be marketed as a premium option for clients looking to elevate their purchases. A premium product offering is where the “good-better-best” strategy comes into play.
• Versatility: While DTG and DTF are great for detailed, colorful prints, embroidery excels with logos and text that require durability. In other words, if your customer needs the text and font to stand out on a garment or accessory for longer lengths of time, embroidery can be an excellent option.

That said, while adding another service to your customer decorating shop’s menu might sound enticing, there are three big questions to consider before diving headfirst into embroidery:

• Is it profitable for my shop?
• When do I contract out?
• When do I say, “no”?

What follows is a deeper dive into all three questions.

Ensuring Commercial Embroidery Jobs are Profitable

Profitability is critical for any decorating job, and embroidery can get complicated and expensive much faster than, say, DTF, DTG, heat transfers or a single-color screen print. To help out with this process, Inktavo has created something called the Embroidery Pricing Matrix, which you can access at the following URL: inktavo.com/tools-resources/embroidery-pricing-matrix. Before crunching the numbers, though, consider the following factors as well:

• Design Complexity: Complex designs require more time and resources, which impact labor costs and final job prices. Make sure you spell this out for your customers before building a mockup.
• Material Costs: While the cost of raw materials for embroidery, like thread, isn’t necessarily expensive, some garments you’ll be decorating will be pricier than they would be for other methods, like screen printing. Stitching usually requires heavier-duty fabrics. Therefore, if you’re decorating apparel, that will mean more expensive items like polos, jackets and sweatshirts.
• Labor Time: Digitization, setup and actual stitch-out times all need to be factored into the cost of an embroidered design. Subcontracting out, especially digitizing, can speed up some of the process—but only at a cost.
• Routine Maintenance: Like all your other equipment, routine maintenance of your embroidery machines (if you’re stitching in-house) is key to profitability. Make sure you factor in downtime for maintenance on your monthly schedule, so you don’t end up having to deal with machine breakdowns mid-job.

When to Contract Out Your Custom Embroidery Jobs

If you’re not prepared to make the equipment investment, here are a few reasons why contracting out your embroidery work can be beneficial for you and your team:

• Keeping Up with Demand: If your in-house capacity is constantly maxed out, contracting out embroidery helps you stay on top of orders without sacrificing quality or missing deadlines.
• Specialized Orders: For high-volume orders or super detailed jobs, contracting out can save your team labor hours and headaches while still netting a profit.
• Training Capacity: Training to run an embroidery machine takes time, and if it’s not possible at present to factor in that downtime at your shop, outsourcing can save you time on cross training. It will also give you more space to assess whether it’s worth bringing embroidery in-house.

When to Say “No” to a Custom Embroidery Client

You’ve probably had other instances where it’s more feasible to refer your customer to someone else, as opposed to taking on a job yourself, and that happens with embroidery as well, the same as with other decoration. What follows are a few key reasons you might want to pass:

• Short Deadlines: Embroidery is time-consuming and intricate. If the customer “needs it yesterday,” it’s probably not worth the effort. Rushing a job sets you up for errors and could end up costing you more than the job brings in.
• Unprofitable Orders: If a quick calculation with the aforementioned pricing matrix shows the job doesn’t meet your minimum profitability thresholds, it’s worth reconsidering. One option is developing an added fee that works for you and your customer. However, this can be a slippery slope, since making an exception can create unrealistic expectations for future jobs with that customer.
• Design Complexity: If the design is too complex for embroidery, suggesting another decoration method is often a good idea. You won’t be able to charge the same premium fee as with an embroidered logo. But if it’s simpler to print it with, say, DTF and you’ll still be able to keep the customer, that’s a good trade-off.

Again, adding embroidery to whatever other decoration methods you may already be using will help you build a reputation as a shop that offers diverse, high-quality options. Pairing this reputation with tools like online stores and production management software will in turn set you and your team up for that much greater success.  

Mike Clark is the content marketing manager for Inktavo, a family of companies that provides software solutions to help print shops, promotional product distributors and branded merchandise businesses succeed. For over eight years, Clark also served as an associate and managing editor at multiple decorated apparel industry publications.

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To see the complete list of 2025 Impressions Industry Impact Awards Winners, click here. Photo courtesy of Melco

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According to Hirsch, the groundbreaking innovation “marks a significant leap forward in embroidery automation, bringing true digital thread control to shops of all sizes.”

The company goes on to describe the TMEZ line as the first line of embroidery machines in the world to feature i-TM, a smart system that automatically adjusts thread tension based on fabric type, stitch density, and design characteristics—virtually eliminating manual tensioning.

“With i-TM, decorators can focus on creativity and output, not machine settings,” said Ed Levy, VP of Technology at Hirsch Solutions. “We’ve seen this technology transform production floors—cutting setup time, reducing errors, and delivering consistent results across the board.”

Key Features of i-TM system include:

• Automatic Thread Tensioning: No more guesswork. i-TM ensures perfect tension for every design, fabric, and thread—automatically.
• Superior Stitch Quality: Clean, consistent stitches from start to finish, even on complex or layered designs.
• Beginner-Friendly: Removes the learning curve and simplifies operation, making the TMEZ ideal for high-turnover shops and growing businesses.
• Efficiency Gains: Reduce downtime, eliminate test runs, and improve output without sacrificing quality.

For more on the i-TM-equipped TMEZ line and Hirsch Solution’s extensive line of decorating equipment made available via its distribution centers in North Carolina and Arizona, including such top brands as Tajima, Brother, Mimaki, Hotronix and more, click here.

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Pacific Emblem Company’s trademarked LaserCUT® Embroidered patches offer intense detail and pricing that works, to their technical trims (to include Woven, Dye Sub, Chenille, Rubber, PVC, Glitter, Glow, Reflective and more), the company is excited to offer high quality LaserCUT patches that are one-fourth the cost of direct-embroidery and offers amazing detail, up to 12 colors and includes a free heat-seal backing for iron-on applications. Ideal for uniforms, workwear, apparel, corporate, event and promotional use.

The post Pacific Emblem Company Lasercut Embroidered Patches appeared first on Impressions.

Ricoma CEO Henry Ma. Photo courtesy of Ricoma International

In a wide-ranging Q&A with Impressions Content Director, Adam Cort, Henry Ma, CEO of Ricoma International shares his thoughts on everything from advice for entrepreneurs entering the custom apparel market to strategies for building a client base and why the custom apparel business can be such a satisfying one. For more on Ricoma, and its wide-ranging line of embroidery, DTF, DTG and heat-pressing equipment and materials, go to ricoma.com/US.

Adam Cort: What inspired you to get involved in the custom apparel industry, and what makes it such a great opportunity for entrepreneurs today?

Henry Ma: I grew up surrounded by the custom apparel industry, and I saw a unique opportunity to make custom apparel equipment more accessible to entrepreneurs, empowering them to unleash their creativity. Back then, the industry lacked the abundance of information that’s readily available today, and we wanted to be pioneers in sharing this knowledge with the average consumer.

Over the last decade, technology has advanced tremendously, making equipment far more affordable and accessible than ever before. This evolution has created an incredible opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to step into the industry with the tools and guidance they need to succeed. By bridging the gap between accessibility and education, we aim to help others turn their passion for custom apparel into a thriving business.

AC: How has the custom apparel industry changed over the years, and what do you think makes now a good time to start a business in this space?

HM: Custom apparel equipment and technology have evolved over the years, with new decoration technologies emerging and features that make it easy for consumers to operate the machinery. The affordability of the equipment needed to get started in the custom apparel industry is one of the reasons why now is a good time to start a business in this space. On top of that, the communities of people that share information and insight about the industry has also grown tremendously over the years. People in this industry are very willing to help one another and that level of access to support within a large community helps newcomers avoid common pitfalls and have a higher chance of success.

AC: What are the essential pieces of equipment someone needs to get started with custom apparel?

A high-quality heat press is critical to custom apparel decorating for use in a wide range of applications. Photo courtesy of Ricoma International

HM: To get started with custom apparel, there are a few essential pieces of equipment that can set you up for success. A heat press is a must-have—it’s one of the most versatile and cost-effective tools for beginners, especially if you’re on a tight budget. You can easily purchase ready-made transfers online at a low cost, like with our new DTF (direct-to-transfer) program, and press them onto garments, allowing you to start creating custom apparel with minimal upfront investment. Plus, a heat press is crucial for many printing methods, such as direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, where it’s used to cure the design. It’s also great for prepping garments by smoothing and drying them before any application, ensuring a professional finish.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, an embroidery machine is a great next step. Embroidery is considered a premium decoration method with higher perceived value, which means higher profit margins. Unlike printing, embroidery offers unmatched durability and longevity, making it a favorite for professional uniforms, caps and other high-end products. If you can master embroidery, you open the door to a highly profitable segment of the custom apparel market that sets your business apart.

Starting with these two tools—a heat press and an embroidery machine—provides a solid foundation to grow your business while diversifying your service offerings and maximizing profitability.

The Right Decorating Equipment for Your Custom Apparel Company

AC: How do you decide between different equipment options like embroidery machines, DTF printers, or DTG printers for a new business?

HM: Choosing between equipment options like embroidery machines, and DTF printers or DTG printers depends on your business goals, target market and desired results. Each option offers unique benefits, so understanding your needs is key.

Direct-to-transfer systems, like the Ricoma Luminaris DTF Printer, can be used to customize a wide range of articles. Photo courtesy of Ricoma International

DTF printers are excellent for high-volume production, as they can print over 100 transfers per hour. This makes them ideal if you have a steady stream of clients or large orders to fulfill. However, DTF does require an additional step of heat pressing each design onto the garment.

DTG printers, on the other hand, print directly onto the fabric, producing slightly longer-lasting prints compared to DTF. Both methods offer high-quality, durable results, but DTG requires garments to be pre-treated (or purchasing pre-treated apparel), adding an extra step. Printing services like DTF and DTG are in high demand due to their ease of use and vibrant results. However, they face stiff competition since printing is easier to learn and more widely offered.

Embroidery machines, while requiring a higher skill level and learning curve, can set your business apart. Embroidery is a premium, timeless application that offers unparalleled durability and perceived value. The market for embroidery tends to be less saturated than printing, which can lead to higher margins. If you’re willing to master embroidery, you’ll be able to offer a service that stands out as both high-quality and long-lasting.

Systems like the Ricoma Vision DTG-Printer are easy to use and provide stunning results . Photo courtesy of Ricoma International

Ultimately, your choice should align with your business model. For example, if you’re creating simple tourist tees or vacation merchandise, a heat press with pre-made transfers might suffice. But if you’re targeting high-end corporate clients or creating premium, custom designs, embroidery or DTG printing could be a better fit. Starting with a clear vision of your target market and production goals will help you choose the equipment that’s right for you.

 AC: What initial investments should someone expect when starting a custom apparel business, and what are some tips to manage costs?

HM: Starting a custom apparel business requires thoughtful investments, but with smart planning, you can manage costs effectively. The biggest initial expense is equipment, which depends on your focus. For instance, a heat press is an affordable starting point, allowing you to create a variety of products with minimal investment. If you’re aiming for higher-value offerings, embroidery machines or printing equipment like DTF or DTG printers are excellent options, though they come with higher price tags.

You’ll also need materials like blanks, thread, ink or transfer films, which are essential for your production process. To manage costs and ensure you never run out when you need them most, Ricoma offers a convenient Subscribe and Save program. This allows you to have these supplies delivered on a schedule that works for you while saving a little on each order, keeping your operations running smoothly and efficiently. You should also create a wholesale account to ensure you’re maximizing your savings on blanks.

Marketing and Standing Out in the Custom Apparel Market

AC: What’s the best way for new business owners to stand out in a competitive market and what are some initial marketing tips that you recommend?

HM: For new custom apparel business owners, standing out in a competitive market is all about leveraging your unique strengths as a small business. One of the best ways to differentiate yourself is by focusing on custom, personalized work. Large businesses often lack the time and flexibility to handle small, detailed custom orders, but as a small business, you can fill that gap by offering tailored solutions that meet specific customer needs. Whether it’s one-off designs, intricate embroidery, or fast turnaround times for small orders, your ability to cater to unique requests can set you apart and create loyal customers.

Another key advantage is providing exceptional, personalized customer service. While larger companies may struggle to maintain a personal touch, you can go above and beyond by building relationships with your clients. Take the time to understand their needs, offer guidance on design choices and provide proactive updates on their orders. This level of care not only creates a positive experience but also encourages repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

From a marketing perspective, start by tapping into your local community. Partner with small businesses, schools or organizations that need custom apparel. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers are incredibly powerful, so focus on delivering quality work that gets people talking. To expand your reach, optimize your online presence by creating a professional, SEO-friendly website with examples of your work, easy ways to contact you, and clear calls to action.

Social media is another invaluable tool for showcasing your capabilities. Post consistently on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, and highlight your custom projects, behind-the-scenes processes and customer testimonials. Engage with your audience regularly to build trust and community.

Once you’ve built a strong foundation through referrals, local partnerships and organic social media efforts, you can explore paid advertising to scale your reach. By focusing on personalized service, custom work, and community connections, you can carve out a niche that helps your small business thrive, even in a competitive market.

AC: What are the common challenges new entrepreneurs face in the custom apparel industry, and how can they overcome feeling overwhelmed by technical aspects like digitizing or learning how to use equipment?

 HM: One of the most common hurdles new entrepreneurs face is feeling overwhelmed by the technical aspects of the business, like learning how to digitize designs or operate equipment. This is completely normal—no one starts as an expert, but with persistence and the right tools, you can gain the skills you need to succeed.

The key to overcoming these challenges is leveraging the resources available to you. For instance, many equipment manufacturers, like Ricoma, provide comprehensive training and support to help you get started. This includes free onboarding sessions, live training with an instructor and extensive libraries of tutorial videos that walk you through everything from operating your machine to mastering digitizing software. Additionally, joining online communities of other business owners in the industry can provide invaluable support. Platforms like Facebook groups or industry forums allow you to ask questions, share experiences and learn from others who have been in your shoes.

Another common challenge is managing the learning curve while still delivering quality products to your customers. My advice here is to start with simpler projects while you build your confidence and skills. You don’t have to take on everything at once—focus on mastering one process at a time.

When it comes to digitizing, many beginners find it intimidating at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. If it feels like too much to tackle right away, you can outsource your digitizing to professionals while you focus on growing your business. Over time, as you gain more experience, you can bring digitizing in-house to have more control over your designs and cut costs.

Finally, time management and balancing all the moving parts of a business can be tough for new entrepreneurs. To stay organized, create systems for scheduling, pricing, and order management. Many businesses overlook the importance of having these foundational processes in place, but they make a huge difference in managing your workload and reducing stress.

Scaling Up Your Business

 AC: How can a small custom apparel business scale up and successfully expand into additional services?

 HM: Scaling up a custom apparel business starts with diversification. Once you have a steady flow of clients, expanding into additional services is one of the best ways to grow your revenue and customer base. For example, if your business is primarily focused on embroidery, adding DTF printing allows you to cater to a wider range of customer needs, from high-volume printed designs to more intricate embroidery projects. Offering both services gives your clients more options and positions your business as a one-stop shop for custom apparel.

To make this transition smoothly, start by analyzing your customer base and identifying the most in-demand services. If many of your clients are asking for printed designs, DTF printing is a natural next step.

Investing in new equipment can feel daunting, but many suppliers offer training and support to help you get started. Focus on mastering the basics of the other service and leverage your existing reputation and relationships to market your new service. Reach out to your current clients and let them know you’re expanding your offerings. This not only drives immediate business but also reinforces your position as a versatile and reliable provider. Scaling doesn’t have to mean overextending—expand strategically by introducing services that align with your current operations.

AC: What’s the most rewarding part of starting a custom apparel business?

HM: Although I don’t run a custom apparel business myself, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with thousands of entrepreneurs in this industry, and I often hear directly from our clients about what makes it so rewarding. The most fulfilling part, they tell me, is the ability to bring ideas to life and see their creativity turned into tangible products that people love. There’s a unique sense of pride in creating something that brings joy and meaning to others.

Another rewarding aspect is the freedom and flexibility that come with running your own business. Many of our clients talk about how this industry allows them to take control of their future, set their own schedules and build something that aligns with their passions. It’s also incredibly gratifying to watch their businesses grow, from taking on their first client to expanding their offerings and achieving financial independence.

AC: What advice would you give to someone who is passionate about custom apparel but hesitant to take the leap into entrepreneurship?

HM: If you’re passionate about custom apparel but hesitant to take the leap into entrepreneurship, my advice is simple: just start. Don’t overthink it, don’t wait for the “perfect” time—because the perfect time doesn’t exist. The truth is, you’ll never feel 100 percent ready, and that’s okay. What matters is taking that first step.

Many people let fear of the unknown or lack of experience hold them back, but here’s the thing: you’ll figure it out as you go. You don’t need to have everything mapped out or be an expert from day one. Start small—get a heat press or an embroidery machine, take on a few orders, and let the process teach you. The beauty of this industry is that you can start part-time or even from your home and grow at your own pace.

You’re not alone, either. There are countless resources, communities, and support systems to help you succeed. You don’t need to have all the answers to get started—you just need to believe in yourself enough to take that first step.

For more on Ricoma, its complete line of custom apparel-decorating equipment and materials, and its extensive training and financing resources, click here.

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Having come from the commercial side of embroidery, I must admit one of the things that surprised me most when entering the home or hobbyist embroidery industry was the shape of the hoops

You see, in the commercial embroidery industry, the shapes of most hoops are circular/round. In the home embroidery industry, one the other hand, most hoops are rectangular or square, which is why you get sizes like 5-inch-by-7-inch hoops.

Now logically, the commercial (or circular) hoops do make more sense. The reason is because with rectangular hobbyist hoops, there are four corners where the fabric is held securely, but there are also the long straight areas of the hoop between the corners that are not held as tightly or securely. This leads to the fabric becoming loose and causing issues like design misregistration and puckering.

By contrast, because commercial hoops are circular, the material is held securely and evenly in all areas of the hoop. Instead of only having four strong corners, the pressure is evenly dispersed throughout the entire hoop, which makes the fabric less likely to become loose or pull inward. Think of it like a drum: a drum is circular so that the drum skin (or drumhead, as it’s also called) can be stretched evenly across the entire surface to make it tight.

In the commercial world, round, or circular, hoops are often favored because they provide even tension across the entire area being embroidered. Photo by Ismail Sadiron – stock.adobe.com

To this day, I personally prefer using circular hoops over square or rectangular-shaped ones, because they do a better job of holding your fabric and stabilizer securely in place. However, it is by no means a must. The good news is many home and commercial crossover machines now come with circular hoops. You can also custom order circular hoops for most brands as well.

Correct Machine Embroidery Hooping

Properly hooping a garment will increase the correct registration of a design, and reduce puckering and movement. Unfortunately, I often see embroiderers take a screwdriver and tighten their hoops as much as they possibly can after hooping. Do not do this on materials you care about! It will cause hoop burn, making the fabric look stretched and worn. Instead, try implementing the following hooping instructions into your embroidery.

Step 1: Get Your Hoop & Fabric Ready

The first step toward proper hooping is to grab the piece of material you’ll be stitching on, fold it in half and give it a tiny bit of pressure. This will give you a measurement of how thick the fabric is when folded and also provide you a visual guideline showing you how to properly pre-adjust the space between the two halves of your hoop.

The idea is that by pre-adjusting the hoop to the right size beforehand, you won’t have to play around with any tightening after the material is hooped.

After inspecting the material you’ll be embroidering, take your hoop and pull on the corner that has the adjustable knob and loosen or tighten it to make the separation between the two halves of the hoop roughly the same width of the visually measured folded fabric.

Step 2: Hoop Your Material

When you’ve finished your adjustments, place the bottom half of your hoop on the table in front of you, so that the adjustable corner with the knob is the farthest away from you.

After properly laying your material and stabilizer on top of the bottom half of the hoop, take the top half of the hoop and in one swift motion, push it forward and down into the bottom half of the hoop to pop it into place. If adjusted properly, there should be a little bit of resistance, but you shouldn’t have to fight with the top piece of the hoop to press it in.

Instead of tightening the hoop by turning the knob afterward, while the hoop is still on the table grab the material sticking out of the longer sides of the hoop and pull gently. Then pick up the hoop and push the corners of the hoop in slightly, making it drum tight and machine-ready.

That’s it, now you’re ready to place your hoop on your machine and start stitching!

Hooping Tips, Tricks and Techniques

Now that you know how to hoop and the difference between commercial and home embroidery hoops, here are some helpful techniques and tricks that will help you tackle any embroidery hooping project:

Using the smallest hoop possible for a particular design will ensure the material being embroidered is as secure and stable as possible. Photo by Ruslan Shaforostov – stock.adobe.com

1: Use the Correct Hoop Size

Simply put, you will always get the best results if you use a hoop that is closest in size to the design you are embroidering. If, for example, your design measures 3.5-by-3.8-inches, use a 4-inch-by-4-inch hoop, not a 5-by-7. Although this is a fairly basic sounding principle, quite a few embroiderers don’t follow it.

2: Use T-pins for Large Rectangular Hoops

If you ever need to secure your fabric in a large rectangular hoop, I suggest you use T-pins to hold the fabric securely in place. Note, though, that when employing this technique the T-pins may leave holes in the underlying fabric, depending on the kind of fabric you are working on.

For this technique, you’ll hoop your fabric as you normally would. Once this is complete, you’ll use T-pins to secure the stabilizer or fabric in place and stop any potential movement. The T-pins should be inserted where the stabilizer or fabric sticks out from in between the two hoop frames after being hooped flush with the frame. This way, if the stabilizer or fabric begins to pull in around the loose areas of the frame, the T-pins will be there to catch it against the frame and stop any movement.

I recommend inserting these T-pins around the long straight areas of hobbyist hoops as these sections are not held as tightly or securely. The corners will not require T-pins.

3: Use Double Sided Tape

Using double-sided tape is a great technique when dealing with sheer, slippery or stretchy fabrics, the reason being that the stabilizer touching the outside part of the hoop will do a much better job holding on to the hoop.

The issue of puckering within a design often occurs when the material touching the plastic of the inner hoop doesn’t grip the material sufficiently. The result, if you have one part holding securely and the other slipping, is distortion and puckering. Applying double-sided tape to the outside of the inner hoop where the material touches the hoop eliminates this slipping between the stabilizer and fabric and will give you much better results.

The best part is, the tape will work for multiple hoopings, until it loses its stickiness, at which point you simply remove it and apply a new piece. I’ve also found it doesn’t harm or leave any residue to most fabric types. Essentially it does almost the same job as the T-pin technique but is much less invasive of the fabric. This technique is a win-win in my book.

3: Don’t Over-Tighten the Embroidery Hoop

Again, remember not to over-tighten the hoop by aggressively adjusting the knob after the fabric has been hooped. I see this all the time with beginning embroiderers. They first hoop very loosely, then aggressively turn the knob to tighten. A finger-tight turn or two may sometimes be needed, but never take a screwdriver and tighten the hoop to the max. This is a waste of time, causes fabric burn and will be harmful toward your embroidery stitch out.

As suggested earlier, instead of tightening the hoop by turning the knob afterward, while the hoop is still on the table grab the material sticking out of the longer sides of the hoop and pull gently. Then pick up the hoop and push the corners of the hoop in slightly, making it drum-tight. A simple finger-tight turn at the end may sometimes be required but not always. You don’t want a loose hoop allowing the fabric to slip, but you also don’t want to damage your hoop or the fabric being embroidered by over-tightening.

Embroidery Hooping Aids Make It Easy

If you’ve ever tried hooping with an embroidery hooping aid, I don’t have to explain the perks. If you haven’t, well, you’re in for a treat! Embroidery hooping stations, boards and other systems are great aids that help you hoop more quickly and easily.

In terms of who will benefit most from the use of these kinds of tools, I would recommend a hooping aid for anyone who:

• Has trouble hooping
• Hoops difficult items, like baby onesies, sleeves, embroidery buddies or socks
• Embroiders multiple similar items at a time, for example, 10 shirts or more
• Doesn’t enjoy hooping

I say this because hooping aids really do speed up the process and reduce the chances you’ll make a mistake and have to hoop again. Not to mention they actually make hooping fun!

My personal recommendation for a quality hooping station that won’t break the bank is the Echidna Hooping Station. It’s the only hooping aid on the market that uses magnets to allow you to hoop quicker and easier than ever. Simply place your hoop on the elevated non-slip board, secure it in place with powerful magnets and hoop.

Hooping aids of this kind fit virtually every sized hoop on the market and are not specific to any particular machine brand. The Echidna system, in particular, is easy to use and, unlike other hooping stations, doesn’t require additional add-on attachments, have a giant instruction manual or cost a fortune.

What’s Next for Embroiderers?

Hopefully, this article has taught you a thing or two about hooping. If you’re new to commercial machine embroidery, I would strongly suggest you try hooping a few items along the lines of the steps provided above. Although hooping isn’t the most fun part of embroidery, it is one of the most important, and as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.

If you’re more experienced and in search of an easier way to hoop, do check out a system like the Echidna Hooping Station. It makes the entire hooping process much faster, easier and less frustrating. In the meantime, keep on hooping, learning and creating beautiful embroidery! 

Award-winning embroiderer John Deer is head of The Deer’s Embroidery Legacy, a family business since 1958 with operations covering the length and breadth of the embroidery business, including production, education, digitizing and distribution of the Tajima SAI embroidery machine. Embroidery Legacy’s long list of blue-chip clients have included Coca-Cola, Disney, and, yes, even the equipment manufacturer John Deer.

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With its appropriately named SUMMIT embroidery system, embroidery industry leader Melco is aiming to take its game to a whole new level through a combination of performance and ease-of-use.

Capable of sewing up to 1,500 stitches per minutes and equipped with 16 needles, the SUMMIT offers a 10.1-inch HD resolution touch screen, built-in barcode scanner, automatic thread tensioning with Acti-Feed, and an ultra-responsive operating system.

According to the company, “By automating tedious tasks, the SUMMIT frees you to take on more projects, expand your business and unleash your creative potential.”

Additional features include:

• A compact lower arm, allowing operators to easily embroider smaller areas, like pockets and sleeves
• A 16.1-inch-15.5-inch sewing field
• A self-sharpening carbide cutter capable of providing years of trouble-free performance
• A laser alignment system that takes the guesswork out of design placement and avoid costly mistakes with registration, and tracing.

Integrated Barcode Scanner, Ultra-responsive OS

The SUMMIT’s easy-to-use touch-screen interface gives you all the information you need at a glance, including automatic maintenance reminders, access to a variety of step-by-step, on-screen guides to ensure your machine is running at its peak, and 30 days of on-screen tracking.

The system’s built-in barcode scanner quickly loads designs and design settings via the Melco’s proprietary OFM file system. The system’s cutting-edge software also allows you to quickly load hoop settings.

For more information on the SUMMIT and Melco’s entire line of embroidery machines and software products and services, go to melco.com. To get an idea of what the SUMMIT is like in action, check out the video below.

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