Theeembroideryhandbook.us



Copyright © 2019 by Jim Serritella

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Document disclaimer. The authors and publishers have taken great care in the preparation of this book, but make no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of the use of the information, presented financial computations, or templates contained herein. The Appendix pages contain a “Sample” watermark on each page. See the appendix section on removing the “Sample” watermark.

Printed in the United States of America

Cover Photos supplied by Madeira USA

Cover and layout by fabrications.us

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DEDICATION

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We dedicate this book to those individuals who came before us, those who participated in our focus of freedom, and to those who will follow us providing additional efforts to remain free from oppression – The United States American Veteran – from all services.

Betty & Jim Serritella

Additionally, we dedicate this publication to the wives and husbands whose love of embroidery and service to others brought us to this point in our lives. And to the National Network of Embroidery Professionals (NNEP), , who have made all of our lives better in understanding this crazy business – with smiles and hugs. Thank you (

Table of Contents

Preface 1

A Little History 3

Where to Begin? 5

Questions and Answers 8

What’s it going to cost? $$$$ 8

Can you make money with a single head commercial machine? 8

What do I NEED to be in the embroidery business? 8

A Machine 8

Threads 9

Hoops 9

Backing/Topping 9

Designs 9

Some Basic Assumptions 10

What do you need for an embroidery business? Some NON-tangible items… 10

External Marketing Tools 11

What it Takes to Make Money with a Single Head Machine 12

Contract Embroidery … Get Help! 13

Great Customer Service 14

Item/Garment Sales with Embroidery 14

Competitive Pricing (a little high is OK) 15

Time Management 15

To Digitize … Or NOT to Digitize? 15

Niches or ??? 16

Pricing…You Need It 17

Taxes 18

Networking…A Must! 18

Time and Money 19

Additional Pricing/Expense Considerations 20

The Reality of Embroidery 21

Room Space 21

Hardware 21

Software 21

Support Equipment 22

Support Services and Organizations 23

Garment/Item Vendors – Trade Shows 23

Design Companies 24

Formats 24

Training 25

Marketing Hints 25

Tricks 27

Soda Straw 27

Thread Racks & Frames 28

Suppliers 28

Lessons Learned 31

Deposit Comes With The Order 31

Sewout a Proof for a Large Order (More Than 1) 31

Mobile Embroidery 33

Introduction 33

Two Stories 34

Is It Profitable? 36

Full Cost Analysis? 36

Expensive Toys? 37

Cons 38

What Event Should You Really Go To? 38

What Is Mobile Embroidery? 38

We Embroider Your Material – Here! 39

Tear-Down Set-Up Time 39

Can You Fix It? 40

How Much And What Type Of Apparel Do You Bring? 40

Questions – That Need Answers 41

Travel Distance 42

Be Ready – Just In Case 43

Events? 43

Need Help? 44

Production Control 44

New Trailer Concept 45

Storage 45

Heavy It Up 46

What Does it Take to be a Successful Mobile Embroiderer? 46

More Questions 47

Thoughts And Considerations 47

The Trailer 48

The Layout 50

Outdoor Setup 53

Indoor Setup 60

The Checklist 60

Internal Traveling 63

Traveling Safety 64

In Summary 65

Interesting Articles 66

Mistakes Embroiderers Make and Wish They Didn’t 66

A Beginners Guide to Profitable Embroidery 70

Glossary of Embroidery Terms 71

Needle & Backing Reference Chart 86

Backing FAQs: 87

Backing Types Pros & Cons 88

Toppings: 90

Adjusting The Thread Tension 90

Setting the Upper Thread Tension (Using the a Tension Gauge) 91

Bobbin Reference Guide 92

Thread Tensions FAQ 92

Looping and Birdnesting 96

Pricing 98

Selling Decorated Apparel – Slide Presentation 99

A different story, but the meaning is the same… 135

The End 137

Appendices – Sample Documents Included 138

Document Disclaimer 139

Business Plan Outline 140

Buying a Single Head Machine 150

Customer Production Approval Before Sewing Any Order 157

Employment Agreement 158

Intellectual Property Release – Permission to Copy a Logo 163

Laundry/Washing Instructions 164

Policy for Sewing on Customer Provided Material 165

Staff Assessments (Raises) 166

The Company Policy Manual 168

The Real End 191

Preface

WELCOME TO THE BIBLE – BASIC INFORMATION BEFORE LEARNING EMBROIDERY – THEE EMBROIDERY HANDBOOK. A NEW 200-PAGE MANUAL WHERE INDUSTRY INFORMATION “FROM A TO Z” WILL BENEFIT THE READER. THERE ARE Q&AS, SAMPLE FORMS FOR CORPORATE CONSIDERATION (SEE DISCLAIMER STATEMENT), AND “HOW TO” IDEAS FOR YOUR IDEA BIN. THERE IS SPACE ON MOST OF THE PAGES FOR YOUR “NOTES & THOUGHTS.”

The authors have been in the embroidery industry more than 25 years. Betty and Jim Serritella started E-Z Stitches Plus, LLC, in 1992. Like most rookies, the first year was a learning year for industry activities and customer development. Jim developed EZ-Estimator, the embroidery pricing production software. Jennifer Cox, President of National Network of Embroidery Professionals, is a major contributor the Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook. Thanks to her insight and embroidery knowledge, the Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook is a thorough and supporting document for all embroiderers. Hell-o Hooper!

If you are a novice to the embroidery industry, the Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook is for you. Experienced folks can surely benefit from the Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook as a refresher course of information and forms. It will save you money and it will make you money. Have you ever embroidered customer shirts with the wrong color thread? (See the Proof form.) Create and customize the form with your individual company logo and parameters for information. The Appendices are most helpful in providing embroidery and company assistance. They contain things you need to know and follow.

There are numerous questions/answers to cover the world of “what if.” AND if we don’t answer your specific question in the Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook, reach out to us for a review and reply to your topic. Reach us through the information on the last page of this book.

The Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook is for your enjoyment and reading. People and companies have contributed to this effort and we thank them for their assistance in making this a better embroidery foundation. Their participation is duly noted by their contribution and/or photos.

Thank you for purchasing the Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook. Success is at your fingertips!

A special thank you to Ms. Marty Williams, Principal and Desktop Specialist of Fabrications – fabrications.us or info@fabrications.us – for the cover design, and editorial and graphic support in getting the Bible – Thee Embroidery Handbook to production.

The End

IN THE WORLD OF EMBROIDERY, THERE IS NO END…THE CONE JUST KEEPS UNWINDING. 5,000 METERS IS ABOUT 200,000 INCHES OF THREAD. IT JUST KEEPS COMING UNRAVELED!!

The Bible - THEE Embroidery Handbook is a compendium of information you can use to your benefit for the development of your business. The templates (see Appendices) can be purchased and opened for you to customize and adopt for your company. The entire handbook is a PDF document. The templates (Microsoft Word documents) allow you to change text, wording, imaging to best suit your situation. All supplied text is an example for your consideration (i.e., the Company Policy Manual or the wording on the Permission to sew a logo form, etc.).

Print the Bible - THEE Embroidery Handbook. Put it into a 3-ring binder, and add notes/text to it as you see important articles that have a direct bearing or impact on your embroidery life. New technology is always coming down the road. Embrace it, go with it, and learn from it. You will be a better embroiderer and business person.

Join an organization such as NNEP () or a machine users’ group. Get involved and ask questions and provide answers (if you can). Attend conventions and announce yourself ahead of time, meet new friends, face to face. They’re all lovely people to know.

Maybe this section heading should be “THE BEGINNING.” Life has an end, but in the world of embroidery…and contrary to the beginning text…

“The Journey never ends –

‘cause we are always ‘on the way!’”

Enjoy my friends.

Jennifer Cox, NNEP



Betty & Jim Serritella, E-Z Stitches Plus, LLC

sew@

301-253-3971

Tell your friends about the Bible –Basic Information Before

Learning Embroidery – THEE Embroidery Handbook

APPENDICES – SAMPLE DOCUMENTS INCLUDED

DOCUMENT DISCLAIMER

Business Plan Outline

Buying a Single Head Machine

Customer Production Approval – Before Sewing any Order

Employment Agreement

Intellectual Property Release – Permission to Copy a Logo

Laundry / Washing Instructions

Policy for Sewing on Customer Provided Material

Staff Assessments (Raises)

The Company Policy Manual

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