Are you looking to expand your business to meet your project demands?
The use of commercial embroidery machines can really improve the crafting process, either by making commissions easier or by making it possible for business owners to sell more products.
However, there are many functions and features a machine comes with that can leave many scratching their heads.
Don’t get tangled in information!
Join me as I look at 6 embroidery machines that could help you decide on a new needle embroidery machine—faster than you could make 100 million stitches on a Camfive machine EMB HT1501.
Best From The Review
Top Pick
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 1400
An upgrade from the Janome Horizon MC 12000 and comes with an extra large embroidery area and embroidery field that allows you to create large projects.
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 1400
This commercial embroidery machine is my top pick.
Out of this lineup, it is the best embroidery machine that can be of use to sewers regardless of their level of crafting experience.
Featuring hundreds of built in designs and stitches, this embroidery machine is ideal for those potentially looking to upgrade to a new embroidery machine.
Or, it could be the choice for those who have a large volume of orders to fulfill.
Best For Small Business
Singer 20U109 Industrial Sewing Machine
Easy to use and one of the best in this lineup for those looking for efficiency.
Singer 20U109 Industrial Sewing Machine
The winner of this category is the Singer 20U109 head embroidery machine.
In my eyes, this is one of the best choices for a small enterprise.
The sheer speed of this embroidery machine alone means that this is an ideal investment for those looking to improve project delivery times.
Designs
These industrial embroidery machines also allow custom stitch designs and are large enough to accommodate some of the biggest craft projects including curtains, quilts, and throws.
The weight of this unit should not be a negative factor for buyers, as it is still very light for a commercial unit compared to other embroidery machines that are more expensive options.
Best Value
Brother SE660
When it comes to getting value for money, I would recommend the Brother SE660 as it comes with 103 built stitches and has a great 4X4 hoop.
It also features a large screen which makes stitch selection a breeze.
Top Commercial Embroidery and Sewing Machines
Top Pick
Janome Memory Craft 14000
An upgrade from the Janome Horizon MC 12000 and comes with an extra large embroidery area and embroidery field that allows you to create large projects.
Janome Memory Craft 14000
Let’s get one of the most expensive single head machines on the list reviewed first, shall we?
Spoiler: it’s not the Horizon Memory Craft 12000.
The Janome Memory Craft is an upgrade from the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 and comes with an extra large embroidery area and embroidery field.
This allows you to create large to extra-large creations, such as quilts, duvets, or curtains to name a few.
Designs and Stitches
The Janome Memory Craft machine comes with 400 built in stitches, perfect for crafters of all levels.
If that wasn’t enough, this Janome machine also features 350 built in designs for sewing enthusiasts to expand their range of products.
Display
This Janome unit comes with a massive LED screen that features 16 million colors.
The touch screen allows for quick edits of designs whether built in or imported by USB from a computer.
Looking for speed?
This machine can produce over 1000 stitches per minute, making for speedy and efficient projects.
Features
To continue, there are a number of features included in the unit designed to make sewing easier.
These include speed control, an auto-thread cutter, and an Acuflex Dual Feeding System to help tackle multiple thick layers when making projects like quilts.
Specs
- Color: White
- Material: Metal
- Power Source: Power Cord
- Dimensions: 30.5 x 30.5 x 18 inches
- Weight: 88.8 Pounds
- Stitch Speed: 1000
Pros
- Large color LCD touch screen
- 9‘1×11’8 embroidery area
- Large embroidery field
- Automatic needle threader included
Cons
- Expensive
Janome MB-4S 4 Needle Embroidery Machine
Perfect machine for embroidery as it comes with 100 built in designs, and it can sew at up to 800 stitches per minute.
Janome MB-4S 4 Needle Embroidery Machine
Janome MB series is a perfect machine for embroidery as it comes with 100 built in designs, and it can sew at up to 800 stitches per minute.
What’s more, this embroidery only machine is dubbed the “World’s First Home Use Four Needle Embroidery machine” by Janome, quadrupling the capacity and delivery potential of the Janome MB-4S.
Designs
Users can upload designs to the embroidery machine via USB, where they can be saved on the internal machine memory.
To execute the design, the Janome MB-4S machine comes with an automatic needle threader!
Bobbin Winding Motor
Something about this embroidery machine that some crafters might like is the Bobbin Winding Motor.
This motor can wind a bobbin at the same time as the machine creates designs.
Investing in this may be a lot for some business individuals, however, due to the sheer capacity it has, it could be a price worth paying – especially for those who want to level up their business.
Unit Threading
Another reason that the Janome MB-4N and MB-4S is not a Janome MB series machine for beginners is that it doesn’t automatically thread a unit.
Users have to do this themselves, which can be time-consuming or confusing if you don’t know your way around a machine.
Specs
- Color: White
- Material: Metal
- Power Source: Power Cord
- Dimensions: 26 x 18 x 25.5 inches
- Weight: 64 Pounds
Pros
- USB Capabilities
- Can store up to 1.5 million stitches
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Threading can be confusing to non-expert embroiders
Brother PE800
Ideal for owners with a small enterprise that may be testing the waters with a commercial embroidery machine.
Brother PE800
At 650 stitches per minute, this single head embroidery machine doesn’t push out a million stitches with the fastest speed.
However, the slow speed of the Brother PE800 embroidery machine does allow for increased ease of use.
This could be the right machine for owners with a small enterprise that may be testing the waters with a commercial embroidery machine.
Embroidery Field
The 5” x 7” embroidery area and embroidery field make this machine perfect to use when creating large scale projects or commissions.
While this embroidery machine may not deliver the sheer performance of a Janome brand, it is a perfect embroidery machine starting point.
Designs
Designers can select from 138 built in designs, or they can select their own through the USB feature included—just import straight from a computer!
A commercial project can last long into the night when vision and light are an issue. Not with this unit, thanks to the built in bright LED lights that illuminate designs.
Specs
- Color: White
- Material: Plastic
- Power Source: Treadle Powered
- Dimensions: 21.75 x 19.02 x 19.09 inches
- Weight: 13.7 Pounds
Pros
- USB Port included to upload designs
- 25 year warranty
- 138 built in designs
- Bright LED light
Cons
- Low stitches per minute speed
Best Commercial Embroidery Machine For Small Business
Singer 20U109
The Singer 20U109 commercial embroidery machine is easy to use and one of the best in this lineup for those looking for efficiency.
While this machine is in the higher price range, it is significantly less than some of the other Janome machines featured.
Additionally, it comes ready to use so crafters can dive straight into work.
Features
This embroidery machine for commercial use features an easy to use USB element which allows designers to edit and tailor cool designs as they go.
The sewing field of this head machine is large enough to use for the biggest projects you might have.
You could use this when creating quilts, curtains, and more.
Built-in embroidery designs include straight and zig-zag stitches, and there is an extra-large sewing field for creators to work with even the largest of projects.
Extra Highlights
This embroidery machine uses a heavy duty motor that can deliver a mammoth 2500 stitches per minute.
If you’re looking for a unit that can create projects with an exceptional turnaround time, this Singer series machine may be for you.
Design
Those who like to work with custom designs will appreciate that they can store up to 50 stitch designs in the unit’s memory capacity to make the entire process a breeze.
Storage can be found on the left side under the table of the head embroidery machine.
Upholstery
It’s worth noting this: some of the reviews and feedback from other crafters say that this may not be well designed to handle upholstering.
Keep this in mind, as that can lead to issues with embroidery needles or material feed elements.
Weight
This is also one heavy machine, coming in at nearly 200 pounds.
So, this isn’t a machine for those looking for something easily portable.
This is a unit that is so heavy that once it’s placed, it’s going to be staying there unless there’s a small group available to move the machine safely.
Specs
- Color: White
- Material: Steel
- Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 40 inches
- Weight: 200 Pounds
Pros
- A blinding 2500 stitches per minute.
Cons
- Weight means that the machine cannot be moved easily once set up as it needs many people to move.
Best Value Embroidery Machine
Brother Embroidery Machine SE660
A durable unit that can tackle a range of embroidery work with its large work area.
Brother Embroidery Machine SE660
If you’re after a commercial embroidery machine that is value for money, then this Brother embroidery unit may be for you as it is a durable machine and can tackle a range of embroidery work due to the large 4” x 4” work view area.
Stitches
This embroidery machine has 103 sewing stitches built in, and those who work on creative pieces can upload work via the USB feature which can be saved for later use in the internal memory.
It has been noted by members of the community who have used this unit that using hoops with this machine that are not Brother branded can cause issues.
Designs
When uploading work, this machine stores designs but can only keep three designs at once.
Some reviews have also noted that there are occasions when the LCD screen has issues, but this is something that is yet to happen to my machine – knock on wood!
Specs
- Color: White
- Material: Metal
- Power Source: Treadle
- Dimensions: 21.18 x 15.51 x 16.54 inches
- Weight: 11.8 Pounds
Pros
- 100+ Built In Stitches
- Large embroidery area
- Large LCD screen
Cons
- Built in memory cannot hold many designs
Brother SE625 Computerized Combination Embroidery Machine
For small or medium creators looking to scale up their production whilst staying within a budget friendly price range.
Brother SE625 Computerized Combination Embroidery Machine
One of the things I like most about this machine is the CD of designs that comes with it, giving 280 designs in total covering embroidery fonts, nature, and the alphabet.
Display
Designers can use the SE625 to edit work directly, adjusting a design via scale, drag, and drop on the large colorful screen.
Users will love the hoops that come with the machine, as three sizes come as standard: 4 x 4 hoops, a 4 x 6.7 for larger work, and a 1 x 2 for small detailed commissions.
Speed
This is another machine that does not create work with the greatest of gusto, so those looking for a powerhouse machine will maybe want one that is faster than 710 stitches per minute.
RECOMMENDATION
I’d recommend this for small or medium creators looking to scale up their production whilst staying within a budget friendly price range.
Specs
- Color: White
- Material: Metal
- Power Source: Power Cord
- Dimensions: 21.06 x 16.42 x 15.28 inches
- Weight: 25.3 Pounds
Pros
- Large Screen
- Multiple Hoops
Cons
- Stitch speed is slow compared to other units
What type of embroidery machine should I buy?
It completely depends on the type of sewer you are, and how a commercial embroidery machine would enhance your sewing and embroidery designs and the embroidery process as a whole.
While there are many factors that can determine what kind of machine a commercial business should invest in, I believe there are two major considerations that should be looked at before anything else: business type as well as production value vs. cost.
Business Type
First, consider the type of sewing and embroidery business you run and what elements of that you are looking to improve.
One embroidery machine may offer better features compared to others depending on this—literally ask yourself, “why?”
Pair the answer to the above criteria, with the second consideration of production vs cost.
Production Value vs Cost
Are you looking to invest in the best commercial embroidery machines to keep up with the sheer number of projects you have to deliver?
You don’t have to be a commercial enterprise to choose a home embroidery machine, but they aren’t recommended for a beginner. This is mainly because they can be confusing and for amateurs, sometimes overwhelming.
What is a commercial embroidery machine?
A commercial embroidery machine is similar to a standard sewing machine in that it’s able to sew standard sewing projects.
But, they come with enhanced or improved features so they can tackle the complex embroidery designs that a standard machine cannot. Some of them will be multi-needle machines like the ones I’ve reviewed here.
Features
Some are faster and deliver bigger motors for faster stitches per minute.
Other embroidery machines for commercial use give the user an opportunity to expand creation catalogs, thanks to built in designs or built in stitches.
They may even have the ability to import embroidery files directly via a USB port.
What is the Best Commercial Embroidery Machine?
There are some amazing commercial sewing machines that can deliver sewing and embroidery projects well outside of their designed parameters.
However, the saying, “you get what you pay for” has never rung more true, especially for business owners.
Inclusions
If a business is searching for one of the best easy-to-use commercial embroidery machines, it depends on two things mentioned above.
Some machines have better warranties, some more features, and others more built in embroidery designs. It’s down to what you want.
Value
It may seem sensible to listen to the first embroidery machine reviews.
You might be dazzled by an amazing machine that can do 100 million stitches because it has big figures—but do you need it?
NOTE
In order to get the “best”, it comes down to whether a machine comes with all the features and capabilities that improve the overall experience of owning a professional embroidery machine.
Things to consider when buying the best commercial embroidery machine
There are a myriad of options available on the commercial embroidery machine market.
So, it’s important to think about a few factors from the sewing field that can help make the decision of getting a new single head embroidery machine easier.
What’s Your Price?
As a business owner, it’s only wise to budget for the amount you can invest in a machine.
Spending money on a commercial sewing machine with all the bells and whistles without needing all the toys is not a wise investment.
Consider the needs of your business and how you’re looking to improve the sewing experience. Then, set a limit on how much cash you’re willing to part with.
NOTE
There are some sound investments from the list above bound to suit all levels of home business or single head embroidery companies with varying customer base sizes.
Which Warranty?
Are you the kind of creator who wants a machine for the ages? Or are you the kind of crafter that goes through many embroidery machines in a shorter time than most?
That may affect the warranty you want to get with a machine in order to cover it from fault for as long as possible.
Extended Warranty
If you’re after single embroidery head machines with a warranty that gives you peace of mind for an extended time frame, it may cost more initially.
But, the reassurance is priceless.
Lifetime Warranty
If you’re someone who knows that this is a machine needing to last a long time, you may also want a warranty with a long timeframe.
This is just so you know you aren’t going to be left spending extra money later in the future.
Possible Upgrade
However, on the other hand, if you’re after an embroidery machine for home that isn’t for professional investment or business, then it may be good to consider only paying for a machine with a lower warranty, just in case you upgrade to a bigger and better head embroidery machine down the line in your journey.
How Build Affects Machines
I hate to bang on about purpose and machine life, but that’s what it really boils down to.
If you run a business that delivers a high number of projects or commissions annually, then you may have more of a need for a bigger built machine compared to a small home business.
A machine for a commercial embroidery business varies in size depending on the number of features on offer, and the size of projects it can deliver.
Check out the features of the Janome MC 1400 in the video below…
Function
The way some of the best commercial embroidery machines are built can also impact operation and experience.
A machine built with certain materials can affect things like sewing stability or noise during embroidery creation.
Seeing as the build of some machines may amplify many elements like the above, business owners might have to invest in accessories to improve the commissions.
Why Quality Counts
This is a similar premise to the above in that some cheaper machines can be of lesser quality than more expensive options.
That doesn’t mean that they aren’t able to deliver a project, it just means that they have certain elements that might pale in comparison to others.
Lower quality machines may also potentially come with their own issues or factors that could make the business experience worse.
If that wasn’t enough, a business owner should think of the quality of the final product they are delivering and how a machine would improve their business.
For example, embroidery patterns give an apparel venture more options when it comes to creating or improving their fashions.
FAQs
How Much Does A Commercial Embroidery Machine Cost?
There are embroidery machines perfect for commercial businesses across a range of prices in the remote computer screen market.
It all depends on the features available, the specifications of a machine, and how it improves the sewing and embroidery experience.
High End
Some business owners may find it beneficial to spend a significant amount of money on a head commercial embroidery machine like the Camfive EMB HT1501 single head or a Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000.
Entry Level
For those without the top end price range, there are many machines that feature elements beneficial for a business, including a thread cutter, LED light, or large LCD screen.
In the end, it boils down to how the machine enriches the project experience and makes business easier.
Is An Embroidery Machine Business Profitable?
I would say that if you’re an embroidery or commercial sewing business without a multi needle machine, you would profit from investing in one.
They give you more options, like editing control, color LCD touch control panel, or improved memory capacity compared to standard options.
Better Features
These improved features and extended options can open up a new world of possibilities when it comes to design and embroidery.
These could allow a business owner to potentially expand their product range, which in turn could increase profit over time.
For those who may already have one of the easy to use best embroidery machines, is it time to upgrade?
Considering an Upgrade
Improving the unit you use for your business could improve current functions and operations.
Investing in one of the all-new best commercial embroidery machines may give commercial embroidery designs an update, or at least improve the production numbers, commissions, and orders.
It would all depend on which features are used on a machine.
Some may have a faster sewing speed, offer more stitches per minute, or have more built in embroidery designs compared to other needle embroidery machines.
What is the best commercial machine embroidery thread?
Cotton thread is stronger and gives more range and spread with regards to built in stitches. Brand name threads can be expensive, so it’s important for financially savvy business owners to choose the right threads for their embroidery machine so they aren’t wasting crucial funds. You can also refer to the included machine instruction manual to check which thread is suitable for your machine.
Factors To Consider
When considering the type of thread to use for an embroidery machine it’s also important to consider thread weight and the intensity of the color in relation to your business design expectations.
It’s also important to remember that over time, needle embroidery machine thread can degrade, delivering less effective embroidery compared to non-aged items.
Damage
Heat and light can dull the quality of the thread, which could lead to embroidery design breakages.
Sun exposure could also dull the vibrancy of thread color.
No business owner wants to utilize all the features with which a machine comes just for the final design to be lackluster or flawed.
How often should embroidery machines be lubricated?
If you’re reading this then there’s a high likelihood that you already know all about sewing machine lubricating oil, used to keep the best commercial embroidery machines in tip-top condition.
Possible Issues with Commercial Embroidery Machines
If a used machine is not regularly lubricated, this can lead to issues with commercial embroidery machines and affect features.
These machine features include the automatic thread cutter or automatic thread trimmer, feed dogs, or material feed features to name a few.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend taking the time to lubricate your commercial embroidery machines at least every three months, otherwise, you may start running into issues.
Service
It’s also wise for commercial embroidery designers to call in a specialist to service an embroidery machine. This will help keep the unit in the best possible condition at least once every 18-24 months.
The last thing you want is for something to go wrong with embroidery machines when you least expect it.
That event could have a domino effect, creating issues in other areas of the business like shipping delays or order cancellations.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to look at which commercial embroidery machines could be beneficial to a sewing and embroidery business.
I hope you have managed to find a machine that is right for you, or at least that this lineup inspired some thoughts and feelings that will make the decision easier.
Top Pick
My top pick for a needle embroidery machine is the Janome 14000, because it offers some of the best machine features and elements that could improve any area of sewing projects.
The automatic needle threader, large screen, and easy to use embroidery designs make project creation simple and a breeze.
This is what you want when creating a large volume of orders!
Best Commercial Embroidery Machine For Small Business
The best commercial embroidery machine for a small business in my eyes is the Singer 20u109 unit, as it comes with a number of built in designs and embroidery features that don’t come with others.
Best Value
The best value embroidery machine for commercial use would be the Brother SE660 which has many built in stitches, a great LCD screen and a handy USB port to import custom designs.
Share your experiences with commercial embroidery machines over with me on social media and let me know which machine you use. I’d love to hear from you!
If you’re looking at options for other potential businesses, check out my review of some candle making kits that anyone can use effortlessly!
