There are a lot of supplies required to begin an embroidery business. It is more than just an embroidery machine. In addition to the supplies and inventory, you will also need to put related areas near each other, so that your workflow is efficient. Thus, the shipping boxes need to be near the shipping area and where the shipping labels are printed. The embroidery thread and hoops need to be near the embroidery machines. The embroidery blanks need to be near the order prep area. Arranging your workspace is more than just making room for an embroidery machine. Here is what you might also need.
Embroidery machines. Depending on what your business is doing, I have seen businesses using both single needle and multi-needle machines. Multi-needle machines for multi-colored designs and hats. Single needle machines for small items (felties, single color designs, etc.). You do need a decent sized hoop, so a single needle machine doesn’t mean a smaller hoop machine.
Thread storage. You need hundreds of thread colors, which means a way to organize and store these threads for easy access.
Embroidery hoops. And a place to store lots of hoops. You will want traditional hoops in various sizes, as well as magnetic hoops. If you have a cap driver, then you will also need room for the cap hoop.
Hooping area. You will need a place to set up a hooping station, table space to use regular hoops, and spot for hooping caps.
Iron and ironing station. You may need to press the embroidery area both before (to remove shrinkage and wrinkles from the fabric) and after (to remove any puckers). You might also want a heat press.
Computer station. You will need software for your computer and a place to use your computer. Even if you don’t digitize, you still need some software to edit designs.
Place to organize orders. If you do a lot of orders at one time (such as 30 shirts in different colors and/or sizes), then you need a wall of shelves and baskets to organize your orders. You would put each order’s blanks along with the order sheet in a basket, and then work from that. The finished items stay in the basket and move to the ready to ship area.
Storage space for inventory and supplies. You will need a place to store blanks to embroider, such as hats, shirts, and other embroidery blanks. You will also need a place to store other inventory and supplies, such as patches, stabilizers, key fob hardware, needles, and more.
Packing material storage. You will need a place to store branded materials for packaging your finished items for customers. You will need bags, invoices, business cards, stickers, etc. You want the items to look nice when the customer picks up their order. You will also need a place to store boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packing materials if you ship items. Your packing material storage needs to be near your shipping area to create an efficient workspace.
Shipping area if you sell online. You need a computer to generate the shipping labels to send to the printer. You need shipping labels and boxes and tape and bags. The space needs to be large enough so that you can lay out the order along with the boxes, pack the items in bags, and have tape and scissors nearby.
Cutting station. You will likely need a cutting station, depending on what you make/sell. This can mean anything from a small table with a fabric cutting board all the way up to a 5ft x 8ft table.
Grommet press table. If you do key fobs or need a grommet press, then you also will need a grommet station and place to use a hammer without damaging your nicer work station.
Sewing machine and table. If you do any type of sewing along with the embroidery (such as sewing on patches, name tapes, etc,), then you will need a sewing machine and sewing table. You may also need a serger.
Customer area. If you have a business where customers will come to you, then you will also need a customer area. This area can simply be a small waiting area with a chair or two separated from the work area, it can be a larger area with displays and products to purchase, or it can be a retail store area. It is important that the machinery and supplies are kept away from the customer area so that customers don’t accidentally get near the embroidery machines. It is not only a liability issue for your business if a customer is injured by your equipment, it can also be a problem if a customer breaks your expensive embroidery machine.
*************
No matter how or what you sell, a well thought out workspace can improve productivity and reduce frustration. Supplies need to be easily accessible near the station where they are used.