What Do You Need to Start an Embroidery Business? Equipment Checklist
What you need to start an embroidery business
In this article
To start an embroidery business you need an embroidery machine (ideally multi-needle), hoops and a cap frame, digitizing software or a digitizing service, stabilisers, threads and needles, blank garments, a workspace, and the basics of a business: registration, pricing and a way to sell.
Equipment checklist
| Item | Rough cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Embroidery machine | $5,000 – $20,000 | Multi-needle for business |
| Hoops (various sizes) | $100 – $500 | Often some included |
| Cap frame and driver | $200 – $800 | For hats |
| Magnetic hoops | $50 – $150 each | Faster hooping |
| Digitizing software | $0 – $3,000 | Or outsource designs |
| Threads (starter set) | $200 – $500 | Polyester is durable |
| Stabilisers (backing, topping) | $100 – $300 | Cutaway, tearaway, water-soluble |
| Needles, bobbins, scissors | $100 – $200 | |
| Hooping station | $100 – $500 | Speeds production |
| Heat press | $300 – $1,500 | Patches and vinyl add-ons |
| Blank garments | Varies | Buy from wholesale suppliers |
Workspace
A spare room or garage with good lighting, a sturdy table, power and storage for blanks and threads.
Business setup
- Business name and registration
- Sales tax permit (for selling goods)
- Home occupation permit if needed
- Liability insurance
- Accounting and invoicing tools
Selling setup
- A website with product pages or quote forms
- Etsy or marketplace listings
- Social media
- Price list for businesses and teams
Skills to learn
Hooping and stabiliser choice, thread tension, digitizing basics, and fixing thread breaks and puckering.
Full guide: How to start a small embroidery business. Earnings: Can you make money with an embroidery machine?.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to start an embroidery business?
A machine, hoops, digitizing, stabilisers, threads, blanks, a workspace and business registration.
Do I need digitizing software?
Not at first; you can outsource digitizing, but learning it saves money long term.
What's the most important purchase?
A reliable multi-needle embroidery machine.
Where do I buy blank shirts and hats?
From wholesale apparel suppliers.
Do I need a heat press?
It's optional but useful for patches and mixed products.
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Start a conversationWritten by Sachin Rawat
AI & automation engineer · websites, apps and motion design
I build AI agents, automations, websites, apps and motion design for businesses. These guides answer the questions people actually search, written from hands-on experience building them.
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