Would you care to find out where embroiderers usually get their supplies?
Imagine if someone shared with you a place where pros order their consumables from…
By tapping into one of these places, you too could order at wholesale prices.
And for a lot of us, it means staying in business!
However, as with everything in life, it’s not as simple as that. It may require lengthy negotiation with suppliers, compromises, and unless you’re in the midst of a client project (or facing a shortage of supplies), it will take time.
But hey, we can speed up the process! So in this ‘embroidery supplies wholesale buyer’s guide,’ we’ll give you all sorts of tips to find a great embroidery supplier.
First off, let’s run through a short list of essential embroidery supplies, tools, and accessories. This way, you’ll get a sense of what’s out there and what options you have. Then after that, we can swap with you a few of our insider-secrets.
If that sounds good to you, keep on reading.
A List of Essential Machine Embroidery Supplies, Tools & Accessories
If you’re just starting and don’t know what supplies to get, here are (listed in no particular order) the essentials you should be stocking up on.
Alongside each of our picks, we’ll also provide you with a quick-tip or a description on what that supply is, how it works, and why embroiderers use it.
- 1. Embroidery Hoop: An embroidery hoop is basically a circular or square-shaped tool that helps keep your fabric nice and tight while the embroidery machine is sewing out the design. Typically, it's got two parts: an inner hoop and an outer hoop that you tighten up to hold down (and even out) the tension on the fabric. Embroiderers use these hoops to stop the fabric from getting all wrinkly during stitching, which helps make the stitches looking clean and sharp. Often these hoops are made out of plastic or metal and installing them is usually a snap.
- 2. Fabric: Some would argue that selecting the right fabric for each embroidery project is just as crucial as choosing the design itself. This holds true because, firstly, you need a material suitable for embroidery. You can use various embroidery-ready materials such as cotton, linen, or even denim! One of the most critical factors is ensuring that the fabric has a tight weave to support the stitches.
- 3. Embroidery Needles: Machine embroidery needles are specialized needles designed for use in embroidery sewing machines. They're typically sharper and more finely crafted than regular sewing needles, allowing them to pierce through fabric and thread smoothly and precisely. Over time, these needles can become dull or bent from use, leading to issues like skipped stitches or fabric damage. Therefore, embroiderers replace them regularly.
- 4. Embroidery Thread: Embroidery thread is a type of thread specifically designed for use in embroidery projects. In machine embroidery, it serves the same purpose as in hand embroidery: to add decorative stitching to fabric. Typically, embroidery thread is made from various materials such as cotton, polyester, rayon, silk, or blends of these materials. Each material offers different qualities like sheen, strength, thickness, weight, and texture. Embroiderers pick out what thread to use based on factors like the desired appearance of the final embroidery, the type of fabric being used, the complexity of the design, and personal preferences.
- 6. Scissors: This is self explanatory. Sharp scissors are essential for cutting thread and trimming fabric. Embroidery scissors with fine tips are ideal for precision cutting.
- 7. Digitized Designs: You'll also need designs. However, not all designs will work on your embroidery machine right out of the box. Before your embroidery machine can interpret the design, it must undergo a process called 'digitization'. This involves creating a set of instructions that accompany your design file. This way, when you load it into your embroidery machine, the machine can read these instructions and understand how to stitch out the design from start to finish. If you don't know how to do it, you can find (and buy) digitized designs in different places on the internet.
- 8. Stabilizers/Backings: Stabilizers help support the fabric during stitching, especially for delicate or stretchy fabrics. They come in various types, including tear-away, cut-away, and water-soluble. Typically, how embroiderers use them is by placing them beneath the fabric before starting the embroidery process. Once the embroidery is finished, any excess tear-away or cut-away stabilizer can be trimmed around the design. Water-soluble stabilizers can be dissolved by spraying or soaking the embroidered piece in water.
- 9. Embroidery Software: Moving along, let's talk about something that might already come with your embroidery machine - embroidery software! It's hands down one of the most crucial tools for any embroiderer. And it's no wonder why - it gives you complete control over your designs. With it, you can create, tweak, and polish your designs to perfection before they're stitched out.
- 10. Marking Tools: Marking tools are a must-have for getting your designs just right on the fabric. You've got options like water-soluble pens, markers, or chalk to choose from. The beauty of these tools is that they can be easily wiped or rinsed away when you're done. Having them in your toolbox can really come in handy for all sorts of situations.
- 11. Machine Oils & Lubricants: Embroidery machines are just like any other equipment—they require regular care. They've got plenty of moving parts inside that need oiling and lubrication. So, make sure you have the necessary maintenance supplies on hand.
- 12. Nippo Needle Threading Tool: If you have bad eyesight or shaky hands, it could be a real pain and struggle to thread a needle. There is a tool that makes it way easier, called ‘’Nippo Needle Threading Tool’’, it is an excellent way to get that pesky little embroidery thread to go through that tricky little needle eye.
There are way more supplies and handy tools for embroidery that aren’t mentioned on this list. With experience (and maybe even wisdom), you’ll figure out exactly what you need to make your workflow smoother.
Now, let’s shift gears from ‘what’ to ‘where’ you can get embroidery supplies wholesale. Think of blank products you can decorate however you please.
Interested embroiderers can read more on ”Quality Embroidery Supplies: Paying More for Your Peace of Mind.”
How to Find Wholesalers and Suppliers for Your Embroidery Business
So now that we’ve covered some of the must-have gear… and you’ve got an idea of what’s out there, let’s next talk about how one would go about finding embroidery supplies wholesale for their embroidery business.
1. Research Online: Start by conducting thorough research online. Look for wholesale suppliers that specialize in embroidery supplies. You can use search engines, social media platforms, and online marketplaces to find potential suppliers.
2. Check Reviews and Ratings: Once you’ve found some potential suppliers, check their reviews and ratings. Look for feedback from other customers regarding the quality of their products, reliability of delivery, and customer service.
3. Attend Trade Shows and Expos: Trade shows and expos related to embroidery and textile industries are excellent places to find wholesale suppliers. These events allow you to meet suppliers in person, check out their goods up close, and really build some solid connections.
4. Join Forums & Groups: Joining industry associations, forums, or groups related to embroidery can provide valuable networking opportunities. Members often share recommendations for reputable wholesale suppliers within the
community.
5. Request Samples: Before making a large order, request samples from potential suppliers. This allows you to assess the quality of their products firsthand and ensure they meet your standards.
6. Compare Prices and Terms: Get quotes from multiple wholesale suppliers and compare prices, shipping costs, minimum order requirements, and payment terms. Choose a supplier that offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality.
7. Ask for References: Don’t hesitate to ask potential suppliers for references from other businesses they’ve worked with. Contact these references to inquire about their experience with the supplier and the quality of their products.
8. Consider Location: Consider the location of the wholesale supplier in relation to your own business. Choosing a supplier located closer to you can reduce shipping costs and delivery times.
9. Verify Certifications: Ensure that the wholesale supplier complies with industry standards and regulations. Look for certifications such as ISO certification for quality management systems.
10. Negotiate Terms: Once you’ve selected a wholesale supplier, negotiate terms such as pricing, discounts for bulk orders, and delivery schedules. Building a good relationship with your supplier can lead to better deals in the long run.
Final Thoughts
As we near the end of our time together, let’s gather our thoughts and leave you with some last pieces of advice and recommendations to wrap things up nicely.
As you have come to learn, there are all these different embroidery supplies, tools, accessories, and equipment that you can add to your new (or existing) embroidery business.
Of course, you don’t need them all, you can get away with bare essentials. But, as you grow in business, you’ll find that having all these different things around certainly helps.
So, just keep that in mind, and take whatever you find useful from this ‘’embroidery supplies wholesale buyer’s guide’’.
Explore how Avancé Commercial Embroidery Machines can fulfill your embroidery needs.
FREE RESOURCE: Have you ever wished for a cheat sheet where you could look up the perfect combination of needle, backing, and topping to use for each specific fabric type? View or download ”The Embroidery Guide.”
Ready to Start or Expand Your Embroidery Business?
Chat with us below, call us at 877-793-3278 or click button and let us help you get your business growing.
