Choosing a commercial embroidery machine is one of the most important decisions within your business. So it shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all, they are by far the most important asset to your business. But which one is best suited to your company?
These machines are designed in all different models and sizes to cope with the needs and demands of your customers. There are many different factors that you should take into consideration before investing to make sure that you definitely pick the right one.
You need to make sure that the machine you pick is the perfect fit for your business as a whole, not just in one particular area. For example, you might pick one with an ultra-fast speed, however, if you don’t use the rest of the features, you’re giving yourself unnecessary costs. And that’s something no business wants.
This post will help you discover what to look for in a commercial embroidery machine and display 4 of the best options available to you.
How to Determine Which Commercial Embroidery Machine You Need
When beginning your search, ask yourself the following questions:
- How big is my business? Also, what type of business are we?
- What are my production needs? What’s the maximum and minimum capacity my business can work at?
- What are the main needs of my business? And what are the main demands of my ideal target market?
There are no two businesses that can answer the above questions identically, which is why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach that works when buying these machines.
Your market segment will also determine what kind of machine you’ll need. From bed manufacturers to clothing embroiderers, within each segment, businesses will produce all different kinds of products. So, what works for one definitely won’t work for another.
When weighing up your options, the key features that you should consider are:
- Number of heads and speed. Will the machine be able to operate at a speed that’ll allow you to comfortably complete your orders? And is there room to build on this too?
- Size. Is it big enough for your products? Will it fit in your workspace? Is there room for another should you grow?
- Colours. How many colours can the machine offer?
- User-friendliness. Is it easy to operate? Is there another language function?
- Connectivity. Can it connect easily to the design software?
Commercial Embroidery Machines Suitable for Startups
When starting out, businesses are at their smallest in size and production and they’ll look to grow on this.
And the commercial embroidery industry is no different. There are plenty of options available to startups. Let’s look at a few.
1. HappyJapan HCH-P
This product is the entry-level machine from the ever-reliable HappyJapan range. Durable and intelligent, this machine is the perfect choice for sole traders and shops who are just starting out in embroidery.
The machine comes with a huge package of features that allow embroidery to be as simple as possible, yet produce advanced results. It’s compact body and brilliant high-speed performance is enough to impress anybody. A top choice.
This model is ultra user-friendly, which makes this model even more attractive. It’s easy to see why so many entry-level embroiders opt for this machine.
It’s key features are:
- Number of heads: 1
- Maximum speed: 1000 revs per minute (RPM)
- Needles: 7
- Tubular embroidery area: 285mm x 290mm
- Low-profile cap frame (optional): 67mm x 180mm
- Colour LCD touch screen control panel
2. HappyJapan HCS2-1201
This machine is just as compact as the HCH series is a great choice for any startup embroidery business. It has been designed with industry use in mind, with heavy duty drive systems and additional needles.
With professional stitch quality, this machine is capable of creating impressive results. There’s a reason why it’s HappyJapan’s longest standing model.
You won’t have to worry about spending too much on maintenance and repairs with this option. It’s built to last and the quality of the parts ensure that it’ll last you a long while.
The key features of this machine are:
- Number of heads: 1
- Maximum speed: 1000 RPM
- Needles: 12
- Maximum embroidery field: 285mm x 290mm
- Memory capacity: 40 million stitches
- Colour LCD touch screen control panel
Commercial Embroidery Machines Suitable for SMEs
Once you’ve started making headway in your chosen industry, there may come a time where you need to expand and add further machines to your production line. Again, there are many options for you to consider. Here are two of our main picks.
HappyJapan HCR3-1506
It’s easy to see why this model is a bestseller by businesses of this size. It packs so much production power in a small space – just 10 feet. Which is ideal for those businesses that need to expand immediately but don’t want to shell out on a location that is far too big for them.
If you’re looking for efficiency, then look no further. This machine has no problems in being run day after day for long periods at a time, perfect for you to be smashing through those orders.
Reliability is a key characteristic of your commercial embroidery machine. And in the HCR3-1506 you certainly have that in abundance. Without your machine, you have no means of creating your product, so it’s crucial that it can be relied upon.
It’s key features are:
- Number of heads: 6
- Maximum speed: 1200 RPM
- Maximum Flat Embroidery size 450mm x 500mm
- Tubular Embroidery Area : 420mm x 440mm
- Free PC connection software
- Machine memory 40 million stitches – up to 250 design can be saved
- USB and LAN network port
Commercial Embroidery Machines Suitable for Large Businesses
Things may seem pretty hectic at SME level, however, larger businesses still need to be able to embroider on a larger and quicker scale. Here are two of our favoured picks.
HappyJapan HCR3-1512
When your production reaches this level, durability and reliability become all the more important. Which is why the Happy Japan name is always a good place for your business to look at for their commercial embroidery machines.
12 heads allow you to turnaround the biggest of orders in minimal time, without any form of a lapse in quality. The steady structure and the advanced technology of the HCR3-1512 allows for the most premium quality embroidery. Which is why this machine is so popular with larger businesses.
It’s key qualities are:
- Number of heads: 12
- Maximum speed: 1200 RPM
- Maximum Flat Embroidery size 450mm x 500mm (360mm)
- Tubular Embroidery Area : 420mm x 440mm
- Machine memory: 40 million stitches – Up to 250 design can be saved
- USB and LAN network port
- Automatic thread trimmer
- Automatic colour change
Commercial Embroidery Machines Suitable for Large Businesses
The main distinction between HappyJapan machines and competitor models is simple – our machines are industrial in nature. Whereas competitor machines, are largely commercial. This small difference in wording that other brands will use is actually very important.
Industrial machines are designed specifically to be part of an industrial production line that embroiders en-masse. Commercial versions are meant for hobbyists. This is due to their speed when completing jobs, but also their hardiness and versatility. Commercial machines are slower, across the board.
Don’t believe us? Need some proof? Please look below.
Because we get so many enquiries from customers who have been sold commercial embroidery machines for their industrial production requirements, we conducted an experiment in an attempt to educate business owners before they are mis-sold models that aren’t fit for use.
We simply loaded a typical design onto a selection of HappyJapan machines, along with a competitor machine and set them going:
As you can see, the results speak for themselves.
Be Sure to Make the Right Decision When Deciding
As we mentioned earlier, you should take time when deciding which machine you’re going to choose.
It’s a huge thing that can change the outcomes of your business, so we strongly advise you that you don’t rush and take it lightly.
Extensively researching and comparing your options puts you in the best position of making the right decision for your business. Save yourself decision-making time, and seek with confidence the knowledge from a credible supplier source – that can serve your business from start-up commercial level machines through to those built to aid your growth and larger production jobs.