The Embroidery Column
Are you looking at embroidery diff erently?
We are now living in a world of on-demand. In this article, Julian Wright, sales director at Amaya Sales UK, asks the question, why are you looking at embroidery diff erently?
With modular machines the following applies: • Four heads can all run the same design or can run four different designs at the same time, or can run two T shirts, one jacket and one cap at the same time.
• By threading and framing one head at a time and being able to start the fi rst head embroidering before the other three are set up gives you a massive advantage in time and productivity.
• If you get a thread break on one head, only that head stops, the other three continue.
I
n recent years we have seen massive leaps forward in the world of print on-demand. Producing one-off garments, at high quality, and with a quick turnaround is now very much achievable with different printing methods. Technology has been leveraged in such a way, that selling a virtual product online and then producing it, is simple to achieve, reduces waste, minimises slow moving stock and maximises profi tability. Why should we not consider embroidered products on demand in the same way? Are we assuming that every design would need to be digitised ‘in fl ight’ to make this a viable opportunity? Do we think it is just too complex a process? The truth is, consumer demand for an embroidered product actually exceeds that of a printed product, but I believe in the fi rst instance it is accessibility and a fear of the unknown. But if you delve deeper into it, embroidery fulfi llers, on the whole, are not able to produce embroidery ‘on-demand’ for the following main reasons. • They operate predominantly multi-head machines.
• They don’t have the technology to enable it.
• They don’t have the knowledge on how to do it.
Something else that is a massive | 62 | May 2025
consideration in this discussion is the shift in the market to a smaller average order size.
Do you know what yours is? We helped an industry leading embroiderer with exactly this problem.
Initially they ‘assumed’ their average order size was between 36 and 42 units. Their actual average order size when the analysis was done, was less than six units. This number had signifi cantly shifted in the last fi ve years and without realising it, their customers were giving them a very clear message. Times have changed. We want smaller orders; we want them more often and we want them quickly. Whether your focus is pure on-demand, or whether you have a mix of workwear, schoolwear, sportwear etc., being able to produce smaller quantities, at pace is what every embroiderer needs to be able to deliver today. And it is possible. Certain embroidery machine
manufacturers have addressed the issue of effi ciency for on-demand and smaller order production and have done this by offering a truly modular system that allows you to achieve maximum capacity from the heads you have.
What does modularity in embroidery really mean? To explain it consider four modular machines verses a four-head fi xed multi-head machine.
The opposite occurs with a multi-head. All heads run the same design, all heads start embroidering at the same time after framing up, and all heads stop in the event of a thread break on one.
By partnering with the right manufacturer who is offering modular embroidery machines, you will have the unique combination of hardware and software to give your business the perfect production model for on-demand and short run embroidery orders.
The latest system developments that help make on-demand production possible include web-to-embroider ready fi les and integrated barcode/ QR readers. Imagine that from the point the consumer purchases a customised embroidered item online, the current technology will enable the fulfi ller to receive a production ready fi le that can be downloaded to the machine by the scan of a bar code which will also automate colour set up and hoop selection and design data loading.
To summarise, consumer buying habits drive change in any marketplace. Right now, embroidery fulfi lment companies are seeing a change in order quantities and delivery expectations from their customers. If you are entering into the world of embroidery, or it’s time to look at new equipment, don’t look past what your customer is asking for and what the future holds.
Future proof your business with the right embroidery equipment.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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