- Best Commercial Embroidery Machines for Your Creative Business
- What is a Commercial Embroidery Machine?
- Why Would You Need a Professional Embroidery Machine?
- Pros of Using A Commercial Sewing Machine
- Cons of Using a Commercial Embroidery Machine
- A Commercial Embroidery Machine Probably is Not For You if…
- Features to Look For in The Best Commercial Embroidery Machine
- What Can I Make on a Commercial Embroidery Machine?
- Summary: Our Top Picks for the Best Commercial Embroidery Machine
- The Takeaway: Which is the Best Commercial Embroidery Machine for Me?
If you’re in the market for the best commercial embroidery machine, you know that you need a machine that can handle more than the average embroidery machine designed for the home sewing hobbyist.
But how do you know how to choose a high-quality commercial embroidery machine, when there are so many choices out there, and so many features to sort through?
This guide was created to help you figure out the best commercial embroidery machine that can take your hobby level embroidery to a genuine home business so you can start producing high quality embroidered goods in a fraction of the time, increase your productivity and keep your customers happy.
Now let’s have a look…
Best Commercial Embroidery Machines for Your Creative Business
Here are our top picks for the best commercial embroidery machine out there. These machines are complex, powerhouses that can be intimidating for the new user, so take a look through these options, the features they offer to determine which is the best machine for your creative business.
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#1 Janome MB-4S Four Needle Embroidery Machine
- Remote Computer Screen (RCS): The Remote Computer Screen (RCS) gives you total set-up and editing control with up to 65,536 colors. One RCS can power many machines, saving the cost of additional controllers
- LED Light: The LED Light offers precise lighting for outstanding results | On Board Control: The MB-4S includes an on-board sub-control device. You can use it without the controller! The MB-4S also includes 3 MB of memory which can store up to 1,500,000 stitches or up to 100 designs
- Automatic Thread Cutter: The MB-4S automatically cuts jump threads - even between letters - saving you time and hassle. Dedicated Bobbin Winding Motor: This feature - not found on professional machines - winds new bobbins even while the machine is stitching a design
- 4 Needle Commercial Machine
- Bonus Package Includes: Janome MB-4S Hat Hoop (100mm x 60mm), Janome Lettering Hoop Holder Unit, Janome No.7 Lettering Hoop J8 (25 x 121), Janome No. 9 Lettering Hoop J6 (66 x 66). *Items may be substituted and are subject to stock on hand. Packing might vary
All the Details
- Number of Needles: 4
- Max. Stitch Speed: 800 spm
- Embroidery Area: 9.4″ x 7.9″ / 238mm x 200mm
- Built-in Designs: 50, 10 fonts
- Software Compatibility: .jef+, .jef, and .dst
- Connectivity: USB
What We Like
This machine is compatible with most industry-standard formats. It’s also compatible with 6 industry-standard Tajima hoops. Small footprint. Ten built-in fonts for 2 and 3 letter monogramming. This machine has a feature that allows it to wind a new bobbin while the machine is still stitching. Automatic thread cutter.
What We Don’t Like
It has 4 needles, which may be limiting depending on how many colors you want to be able to offer.
Our Verdict
This is one of our top pics for the best commercial embroidery machine. It’s easier to learn than many of the more complex machines out there and you can edit on the fly with the remote computer screen.
#2 Janome MB-7 Embroidery Machine
All the Details
- Number of Needles: 7
- Max. Stitch Speed: 800 spm
- Embroidery Area: 9.4″ x 7.9″ / 238mm x 200mm
- Built-in Designs: 50, 10 fonts
- Software Compatibility: .jef+, .jef, and .dst
- Connectivity: USB
What We Like
This machine is a step up from the Janome MB-4S above. It has 7 needles for embroidering more complex designs. This machine is compatible with most industry-standard formats. It’s also compatible with 6 industry-standard Tajima hoops. Small footprint. Ten built-in fonts for 2 and 3 letter monogramming. This machine has a feature that allows it to wind a new bobbin while the machine is still stitching. Automatic thread cutter.
Our Verdict
This Janome is one of our top pics for the best commercial embroidery machine. It’s easier to learn than many of the more complex machines out there and you can edit on the fly with the remote computer screen. The 7 needles make it more flexible with multi-color designs. Good value for the price.
#3 SWF MAS 12-Needle Embroidery Machine
All the Details
- Number of Needles: 12
- Max. Stitch Speed: 1000 spm
- Embroidery Area: 14″ x 9″
- 400 design slot memory
- Software: .dst format
- Connectivity: USB and LAN ports
What We Like
This machine allows you to instantly convert photos into embroidery ready data without extra editing. The quick-change cap system allows you to transition from hoops to cap embroidery with ease. The touch screen is large and easy to use. This machine comes with an assortment of frames and includes cap frames. On-screen editing and creation is easy with the large screen.
What We Don’t Like
This is a great machine for someone serious about their embroidery business, but may be too complicated if you are just thinking about transitioning your hobby to a business.
Our Verdict
This machine is our top pick for the best commercial embroidery machine if you’re really serious about your embroidery business. It is a quality machine with a 7-year warranty that has a ton of functions that let you be creative.
#4 Melco Amaya Bravo 16 Needle Embroidery Machine
All the Details
- Number of Needles: 16
- Max. Stitch Speed: 1100 spm
- Embroidery Area: 14.25″ x 11.75″
- Built-in Designs: 1800, 84 fonts
- Software: Compatible with home and commercial file formats
- Connectivity: Ethernet
What We Like
This machine is the fastest in its class at a maximum stitch speed of 1100 spm. It comes with online webinar-style software training. This machine is fast, powerful and is loaded with features and accessories to help you start up your embroidery business.
What We Don’t Like
There’s no remote screen so you’ll need a compatible computer to hook this machine up to. This machine is heavy, weighing in at 165 pounds (210 pounds with cart)
Our Verdict
This machine is a great investment if you’re serious about your embroidery business. It’s loaded with features that can help you take your business to the next level. Aside from the steep learning curve, it’s a great machine and one of our top choices for best commercial embroidery machine.
#5 MakeIT Products & Equipment Commercial Embroidery Machine
All the Details
- Number of Needles: 15
- Max. Stitch Speed: 1200 spm
- Embroidery Area: 20″ x 14″
- Built-in Designs: 10 lettering fonts
- Software: .dst and .dsb
- Connectivity: USB
What We Like
This machine is reliable and comes with all the accessories you need to kick off your embroidery business. The company is located in California and has a great support staff to help you get up and running quickly. For a powerful machine, it’s pretty compact. The 5-year warranty is a nice feature.e
Our Verdict
We like that this machine is designed in the US, and has support staff in California. The MakeIT embroidery machine is a compact, high-precision, high-speed embroidery machine. It’s a good choice if you’re expanding your home embroidery business.
#6 CAMFive EMB HT1502 Double Head Commercial Embroidery Machine
- Double (02) Head. 15 Colors. Full set of frames and accessories included.
- Touch Screen HD LCD 8” Humanized design Control Panel with Instant design and 100 Million stitches of memory capacity.
- 19.6” x 16.5” large working area and high speed 1200 spm. Semi-Compact Design works 24 hours a day.
- Can embroider beautiful designs in t-shits, Caps, Polos, sport and work uniforms, jackets, hoodies, leather products, backpacks, sweat suits, bags, visors, towels, etc.
- Us inventory, training and support
All the Details
- Number of Needles: 15
- Max. Stitch Speed: 1200 spm
- Embroidery Area: 19.6” x 16.5”
- Design Memory: 100 million stitches
- Software: EMB, DST, DSB, DSZ formats
- Connectivity: USB
What We Like
This double head machine can double your output. You can design simple names, numbers, and letters by typing into the LCD panel. Great machine for embroidering promo items and personalization. You can edit, combine and separate designs on the display panel. Automatic thread cutters and break detectors make for a less frustrating business.
What We Don’t Like
This machine, because it has two embroidery heads, takes up more space than the other choices. It’s also heavy at 420 pounds.
Our Verdict
If you have the space for this larger machine, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for the best commercial embroidery machine for your home embroidery and monogramming business. The fact that it has 2 embroidery heads means you can get twice as much done in the same amount of time.
#7 Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 Embroidery and Sewing Machine
All the Details
- Number of Needles: 1
- Max. Stitch Speed: 400-1000 spm
- Embroidery Area: 9.1″x 11.8″
- Built-in Designs: 338, 10 fonts
- Software: .JEF, .JEF+
- Connectivity: USB
What We Like
Easy to use machine that embroiders, quilts and sews. Good number of built-in designs and fonts.
What We Don’t Like
This is more of a traditional sewing machine rather than a dedicated embroidery machine.
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a machine that you can use to embroider, quilt and sew on, this is a good choice, especially if you are still toying with the idea of an embroidery business.
What is a Commercial Embroidery Machine?
The best commercial embroidery machine is a wise investment that will help you scale up your embroidery business with a minimum of fuss. Commercial embroidery machines are made to be more durable than an embroidery machine designed for the home sewist.
These machines are designed for hours and hours of continuous use. They’ve been designed to be quality machines that are reliable workhorses for your home embroidery business day after day and week after week.
Why Would You Need a Professional Embroidery Machine?
If you’re a home sewist who just wants to add an occasional monogram or design to your projects, you don’t need a commercial embroidery machine.
But if you are thinking of starting an embroidery or monogramming business, you’ll definitely want to consider upgrading your home machine to the best commercial embroidery machine you can afford.
Your customers will want quality embroidery that is sharp and clean, and you’ll want a machine that can produce embroidered projects quickly, repeatedly and minimize the downtime needed to maintain, thread and troubleshoot.
Pros of Using A Commercial Sewing Machine
A commercial embroidery machine is probably the best choice for you if:
- You want to take your home monogramming business to a more professional level
- Want to speed up your production of embroidered projects
- Want high-quality embroidery that will keep your customers coming back for more
- Want to offer designs with multiple colors
- Want to be able to embroider large areas
- Want access to design software to improve your workflow
- Once you are up and running, these machines are workhorses
- High stitch rates mean super fast completion of complex designs
- Want to embroider on many different types of projects
Cons of Using a Commercial Embroidery Machine
Along with all the positive features of the best commercial embroidery machines, there are drawbacks to consider before you take the plunge with a new machine.
- Commercial embroidery machines are expensive
- These machines are complex electronic devices
- The learning curve can be steep for a new home business
- Most machines require a larger footprint than a home machine so you’ll need more space
A Commercial Embroidery Machine Probably is Not For You if…
If you are a home sewist looking to monogram or embroider an occasional project, a commercial embroidery machine will probably be overkill for you. These expensive machines are an investment, have a steep learning curve and are suited to high volume, high demand embroidery needs.
If you’re only looking for a machine that does monogramming, take a look at our recommendations for the best monogramming machines.
Features to Look For in The Best Commercial Embroidery Machine
If you’ve decided that it’s time to upgrade to a professional level machine, here are the features to look for in the best commercial embroidery machine.
Stitch Speed
A machine with a high stitch speed means you can complete your projects faster and increase your productivity as well as your profits.
Number of Needles
The number of needles determines the number of thread colors you can use at one time. You may be happy with a four-needle commercial embroidery machine if you plan to keep your designs simple, but you may want to consider a model with more needles if you plan to produce more complicated designs.
Embroidery Area
The size of the embroidery area determines the size of designs you can offer. Many machines offer accessory hoops in different sizes to add to your machine.
Connectivity Options
The ability to use a USB port to upload designs is a feature offered in most commercial machines, while some require you to connect them directly to a computer.
Design Memory
If you want to store designs for repeat business, look for a machine with the ability to store designs in memory for later use.
Software
If you may already have a collection of designs, make sure the machine you choose has compatible software since various manufacturers use different file formats.
Design Preview
This feature allows you to see where the needle will travel without actually making any stitches. It is super helpful to make sure you’ve positioned your design correctly.
Available Accessories
If you want the ability to embroider different types of projects, look for a machine with available accessories like different hoop and frame sizes for items like hats, and oddly shaped items.
Built-in Designs & Fonts
Check the number and variety of built-in fonts and designs in the best commercial embroidery machine for you.
Size & Weight
Professional monogramming and embroidery machines can have a large footprint and be cumbersome to move around your workspace. Some machines have a wheeled base that makes movement easier.
Price
The price of these professional embroidery machines can vary based on the features available, the number of needles, etc. But you can expect to pay many thousands of dollars for a quality machine.
Warranty
This is an expensive investment so make sure to check the warranty details of any machine you choose.
Training
Some companies offer specialized training that can really help you get up to speed quickly so you can start making money with your investment.
Ability to Embroider Different Types of Projects
Some of the best commercial embroidery machines come with frames that allow you to embroider different sizes and shapes like jacket backs and baseball caps.
What Can I Make on a Commercial Embroidery Machine?
The number of projects is as endless as your imagination and your customers’ needs.
- School and letterman jackets
- Sweatshirts
- T-shirts
- Baseball caps
- Towels
- Bags
- Sports accessories
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Shoes
- Military and police patches
- Baseball windbreakers
- See more great embroidery project ideas at Embroideryonline.com
Summary: Our Top Picks for the Best Commercial Embroidery Machine
Once again, here are our top picks for the best commercial embroidery machine for your creative business.
The Takeaway: Which is the Best Commercial Embroidery Machine for Me?
If you’re looking to upgrade to a professional level machine, you probably already have ideas about the kinds of things you’ll be creating. Take a look at your design requirements and choose a machine that will meet your requirements with a bit of room for expansion down the road. The best machine for you is one that meets your needs, while not blowing your budget.
Happy Creating!
