16 Best Commercial Embroidery Machine to Buy

Owning a commercial embroidery machine can really take your business and skills to the next level. But choosing the best one is not as easy as it seems. Some embroidery units are made for regular home use, while commercial units are designed for answering customers needs and delivering professional results.

In order to choose what is best for you, first, determine your needs. What do you want in a commercial embroidery unit? What’s your budget? Do you need a unit for an upcoming shop or plan to sell online?

I have completed this buying guide in order to help you determine all these things. I also mentioned the few important features you need to consider when buying the best commercial embroidery machine & reviewed the best units on the market. Make sure to check their pros & cons before you make a choice.

What is the Best Commercial Embroidery Machine to Buy?

Every professional designer needs a commercial embroidery unit to boost their creativity, improve their work and make a profit. The few machines that I have highlighted will help you make stunning pieces and help your brand stand out. However, do not forget to check their pros and cons before your final purchase.

• Best Overall: Janome MC 12000 Embroidery Sewing Machine
  “Compact, lightweight, it offers PC connection, user-friendly software, perfect for a smaller business.”
• Runner Up: Janome MC 14000 Sewing Embroidery Machine
  “Stitch composer program, 350 built-in designs, 11 monogramming fonts, AcuFEED Flex technology.”
• Best Budget: Brother SE1900 Sewing Embroidery Machine
  “Affordable, versatile, 5×7 embroidery hoop, automatic needle threading function, rotating feature.”
• Best for Hats: Janome MB-4S Embroidery Machine
  “A large memory capacity, affordable, a lot of extra accessories, high-speed, a 5.7 remote PC screen.”
• Best for Patches: Brother SE600 Sewing Embroidery Machine
  “Quick and quiet operation, versatile, compact, portable, 80 built-in designs, a large embroidery area.”
• Best for Small Business: SINGER XL-580 Embroidery Sewing Machine
  “Manual thread bobbin, needle up/down programming, advanced threading system, 50 built-in designs.”
• Best for Beginners: RiCOMA EM-1010 Embroidery Machine
  “Cap and hat attachment, industrial features, a lot of online training videos, 24/7 technical support.”
• Best for Home Business: Janome MB-7 Embroidery Machine
  “Programmable jump thread trimming, auto-return post thread break, easy programming, 800 SPM.”
• Best Small Commercial Embroidery Machine: Bernina Bernette Chicago 7
  “10-year limited warranty, adjustable foot presser pressure, a large work field, 100 embroidery designs.”
• Best Multi-Head: CAMFive Eight Heads Embroidery Machine
  “Automatic thread cutters, touchscreen, powerful motor, 15 needles, 8 heads, touchscreen, great price.”
• Best Single Head: CAMFive EMB HT1501 Embroidery Machine
  “A single head unit, instant punch alphabetic system, multi-task touch screen control panel, 15 needles.”

16 Best Commercial Embroidery Machine 2020

Choosing a commercial embroidery machine is not that hard when you have all the best products on the market reviewed. All you have to do is read my embroidery reviews & pick a unit that meets your needs.

Best Commercial Embroidery Machine Reviews 2020

Let’s review some of the best-selling commercial embroidery machines on the market, take notes of their main pros and cons, overall performance, and of course, price before you make a final purchase. The best commercial embroidery machine 2020 is somewhere down below, so let’s dive into reviews.

Janome MC 12000 Embroidery Machine

If you were searching for a combo machine, this one is the perfect choice for you. Switching between embroidery and sewing is a breeze with this baby. Although it is designed for advanced or intermediate users, beginners can use it as well. It is ideal for experienced users who prefer a large bedroom space.

It comes with a 15-inch stainless steel embossed bed & 425 built-in stitches. It also comes with 338 built-in embroidery designs. You can easily link your unit to your laptop and insert custom designs. Hoops are included (free arm hoop for cuffs and sleeves, a large square, a standard square and a super large one).

Janome MC 14000 Embroidery Machine

If you want to take your projects to the next level, Janome Memory Craft 14000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine can help you out. It is ideal for starting a small home-based business thanks to the embroidery advanced functions and 350 built-in designs including 11 monogramming fonts and 2 & 3 letter function.

The best part? It comes with a max hoop size of 9×11 and speed of 1,000 stitches per minute. Designing and editing designs on the full-color LCD is super easy. Other features include AcuFeed Flex technology that delivers precise control for more detailed work and real-time PC connection with Horizon Link Suite.

Janome MB-7 Embroidery Machine

(Best Embroidery Machine for Home Use)

Another incredible machine that is worth your attention is the Janome MB-7 Embroidery Machine made for both personal and commercial use. It provides easy programming and quick stitching.

In case you did not know, it is an upgrade of MB-4. And I highly recommend this single head unit for your new business.

It is the world’s first home-use seven-needle commercial embroidery machine. It is created to work with embroidery formats used by experts such as dts, jef+, and Jef. It comes with 50 built-in designs including 10 fonts for monogramming. It also has a USB port for inserting custom designs and a speed of 800 SPM.

As you can notice from my Janome mb7 reviews, it is a truly exceptional embroidery machine that has the potential for developing your business into a large company & help you make a name for yourself.

Janome MC 400E Embroidery Machine

If you are looking for a perfect machine that will help you add a personal; touch and monogram clothes, accessories and home décor items, Janome Memory Craft 400E is the right choice for you.

It comes with 160 built-in embroidery designs, 6 fonts for monogramming and a USB port for inserting custom designs.

The possibilities are just endless with this workhorse. It delivers a max speed of 860 stitches per minute and a max embroidery size of 7×7 inches. It also delivers a big table for the expansive workroom & extra hoop sizes you can choose from. MC400E delivers precision and accuracy because of the auto features.

It has a programmable jump thread trimming, built-in needle threader, flexible stitch traveling units of 1, 10 and 100, adjustable speed while embroidering and adjustable hoop positioning. It is just the perfect embroidery unit to start your embroidery business with. You will get it with a lot of free accessories too.

Bernina Bernette Chicago 7 Embroidery Machine

(Best Industrial Embroidery Machine 2018 & 2019)

Bernina is one of the most popular and trusted brands. It began producing sewing machines in 1893 and delivers some of the best machines on the market. Their Chicago 7 Computerized Combo Machine is one of them. I am talking about a well-built, simple to use and comfortable commercial embroidery machine.

This Bernina commercial embroidery machine has 200 decorative stitches, 14 utility, 20 quilting stitches, semi-auto needle threader, needle cutter, embroidery area (110×170 mm) and a USB connection via the embroidery block. It is ideal for both beginners and professional embroiderers with a speed of 800 SPM.

Brother SE1900 Embroidery Machine

If you are looking for something versatile that will help you boost your creativity and take your skills to the next level, SE1900 unit by Brother is a great choice for you. I am talking about a commercial machine with super-advanced features that will help you make any embroidery design you can possibly think of.

Do not worry if you have no experience at all because this workhorse is suitable for both beginners and professionals. It is the perfect machine to start your embroidery business with thanks to the auto needle threading function, rotating feature, 5×7 embroidery hoop for making large designs & inserting designs.

The simplicity of this machine is what attracts customers the most. You can import your custom designs without computer connectivity. All you need to is order this workhorse right now & begin embroidering.

Brother PE770 Embroidery Machine

Another unit that is worth the investment is the Brother PE770 commercial embroidery machine with special features you will adore. If you are looking for a combo unit, this is not the best choice for you.

However, if you are looking for a device that will help you open a successful embroidery business, this is the one.

It comes with 5×7 embroidery hoop for making large designs, quick-set bobbin, 136 embroidery designs including 6 lettering fonts, backlit LCD screen, advanced design editing including preview, rotation, size adjustments, and mirror-image. It also has a built-in memory that allows you to insert your own designs.

Advanced users adore this unit because it has much to offer like easy threading system, an auto thread cutter and a speed of 650 stitches per minute. It stitches very proficiently. Now, let’s check out the cons.

Janome MB-4S Commercial Embroidery Machine

As you can notice, Janome has some of the finest and most powerful commercial embroidery devices on the market. And their Janome Mb-4s commercial embroidery machine is one of them. It features 3MB of memory which can store up to a million and a half stitches or over 100 designs which left me speechless.

It is 4 times faster than any other commercial embroidery machine out there. And it is the perfect unit to start your home-based business with. I can say that it is not as bulky as other units on the market and not as expensive but delivers the same if not better results. It can easily fit into anywhere in your home.

I personally recommend embroidery Janome MB 4s because of features like 50 built-in designs including 10 fonts for monogramming, 2 and 3 letterings monogramming, 800 SPM, 4 LED lights, a stitch counter, and a 5.7-inch remote computer screen. However, these are only some of the advanced features it has.

Brother SE600 Embroidery Machine

(Best Combo Computerized Machine)

Another combo machine that is ideal for both beginners and intermediate users is the SE600 sewing & embroidery computerized unit by Brother. It is ideal for both home and commercial use. If you want a computerized combined workhorse that will take your business & skills to the next level, this is the one.

It delivers 103 built-in stitches, 80 built-in embroidery designs including 6 lettering fonts, 3.7 LCD screen, free arm for a collar, cuffs, sleeves, and legs, USB support to insert your own designs, automatic needle threader, 4×4 big embroidery area for completing larger designs, and a jam-resistant top drop-in bobbin.

CAMFive EMB HT1501 Commercial Embroidery Machine

If you are genuinely interested in opening a business, this is the machine you need to buy. It is focused on promotions and personalization. You can not only perform on conventional flat surfaces like towels, blankets, fabrics and unassembled clothing items but also embroider fancy designs on hats and t-shirts.

I personally recommend the Camfive embroidery machine because of the features it has including 15 needles, 100 million stitches of memory capacity, a touch screen LCD 8’’ Dahao Control Panel, instant punch that is ideal for embroidery numbers, words, letters & names, advanced design editing and so on.

SINGER Futura XL-580 Embroidery Machine

(Commercial Embroidery Machine for Home)

The Singer is one of my favorite brands, to be honest. Their Futura XL-580 is worth the mention when it comes to commercial embroidery machines. It is suitable for both intermediate users and newbies with great potential who want to learn the practice & open their own successful embroidery home business.

It is super easy to use, sturdy and handles heavy-duty projects like no other combo machine out there. However, this is not all that this unit has to offer. It has 50 designs, independent bobbin winding system, expansive hoop for border designs on larger fabrics, long arm design and an electronic thread trimmer.

Compact Embroidery Machine with Single Head

I was searching for a modern, advanced and upgraded commercial embroidery machine to review for you when I bumped into this workhorse. It is compact as the name refers and has a completely new and upgraded design with no interfering areas on the machine for embroidery that you will absolutely love.

Experts gathered to construct this machine relying on previous bad experience in order to make it better and faster. It comes with electronic parts for decreasing the failure rates and has everything you need to start your business. It is perfect for bags, hats, caps, leather bags and other heavy materials and fabrics.

MakeIT Commercial Embroidery Machine

Considering the countless advanced features that this workhorse has, it is unbelievable how compact it is. If you sincerely want your embroidery business to work, you need to purchase this unit because it is a commercial embroidery workhorse specially designed for commercial production and earning big bucks.

It comes with 15 needles, on-screen keyboard with 10 lettering fonts, 1,200 stitching speed per minute and auto-variable speed mode. These are the main features that set this unit apart from other machines on the market. If you want to optimize your business quality and efficiency, this is the machine for you.

Although it is made for commercial use, it can also be used for a home-based business due to compact and portable construction. Have I mentioned that it features a laser-engraved hoop system managed by a Smart Touch Panel? You will never get enough of this device and all the artwork you can make with it.

Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

Another Brother embroidery machine that is worth the investment is the PE800 with built-in memory and USB port. If you purchase this model, you will be able to store and import your custom embroidery designs. You will also get a large embroidery field for complex projects, combining designs and lettering.

The Brother PE800 features a large color touchscreen that allows you to view your designs in color. It comes with 138 built-in embroidery designs, 11 lettering fonts, 14 border styles, and 10 frame shapes. You can enjoy the design editing feature that will allow you to rotate or increase and decrease designs.

RiCOMA EM-1010 Embroidery Machine

(Best Choice for Beginners)

As you can notice by the name of this high-end machine, it is a 10-needle embroidery unit with a large LCD touch-screen panel and many modern features. This is what makes it perfect for both beginners and advanced users. It is ideal for embroidery enthusiasts who want to open their own business and crafters.

However, despite the many features, it is still compact & lightweight. If affordability, industrial features, portability, and durability is what you seek, this is the embroidery machine for you. It has all you need to get your embroidery business started and help you become successful. Now, let’s review the downfalls.

CAMFive Eight Heads Industrial Embroidery Machine

(Best Multi-Head Commercial Embroidery Machine)

Last but certainly not least on our list of best embroidery machines for home use is the CAMFive CFHS-CT1508 with 15 needle, 8 heads, and a powerful motor. It is the most effective embroidery machine on our list that will blow you away with quality performance. You will complete your projects in no time.

The best part about this model is the speed – it is the fastest one out of the rest embroidery machines we have reviewed in this article. Now: let’s determine if this is the machine for you by summarizing the pros and cons. After, you can scroll down and learn how much does a good embroidery machine cost.

What is The Best Commercial Embroidery Machine To Buy?

The reviews below should help you choose the best commercial embroidery machine for you. However, every excellent embroidery machine for commercial use has two important features in common: power and head-spinning price. The machine you buy should be powerful enough to handle different materials.

Always pick a machine with a powerful engine. Also, pay attention to the price. Great units often cost a lot. However, this does not mean that you have to purchase an embroidery machine that will break your bank account. On the contrary, review your options & buy the best quality machine that you can afford.

Commercial Embroidery Machine Brands

• Avance
• Holiauma
• Tajima
• Barudan
• Happy
• Melco
• Brother
• Singer
• Bernina
• CAMfive
• Janome

You can find some of their best commercial units listed in my comparison chart down below. Also, you can read their dedicated reviews below the chart & gain more insight into the unit you are interested in.

What is The Best Embroidery Machine To Start A Business?

For best results, purchase a machine with a powerful motor & advanced features such as the following:

• Janome Memory Craft 14000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
• Janome MB-4S Commercial 4 Needle Embroidery Machine
• Bernina Bernette Chicago 7 Computerized Sewing & Embroidery Machine
• MakeIT Products and Equipment Commercial Embroidery Machine
• CAMFive Eight Heads Professional Industrial Embroidery Machine
• CAMFive EMB HT1501 Single Head Commercial Embroidery Machine

However, make sure to check their pros and cons, overall performance and check other products before you make up your mind. I have reviewed and compared the 15 commercial units worth your investment.

Is The Embroidery Business Profitable?

Are you really interested in opening a home-based embroidery business that takes advantage of your talent? If yes, I am writing this in order to support your decision. Opening an embroidery business is very simple and straightforward. You do not need to be a mastermind to earn big bucks & become successful.

And yes, opening a home-based embroidery business can be profitable. Many people that start out with a 15 needle unit in the comfort of their home, end up with a 4 head embroidery machine and thousands of customers in record time. It is so because customers are easy to find without putting too much effort.

Another reason why this business is very profitable is that embroidery supplies are cheap & easy to find as well. So, if you are feeling confident about opening an embroidery business, do not hesitate. It is very likely that it will become profitable if you give your best and have a plan on how to get things started.

How Do I Start My Own Embroidery Business?

If you have no idea on how to start your own embroidery business, do not worry. I have made a list of steps to follow. All you need are basic business skills and of course, a commercial embroidery machine.

Step 1: Explore The Custom Embroidery Market

In order to gain insight into the industry, you can join embroidery and custom apparel associations, read online forums and communicate with current embroidery business owners. I am sure that you will come in contact with someone who is willing to share their experience and advice on how to start a business.

Also, explore trade shows and visit when you have time in order to connect with suppliers and owners who can help you get things started. Last but not least, read books and articles on custom embroidery.

Step 2: Create Your Business & Marketing Plans

You can hire a specialist to help you analyze the market and help you target your customers. Or you can do it on your own. Determine which customers are you planning to sell your masterpieces to in order to determine what type of accessories and items you want to design, and what buyers you want to attract.

Determining your target buyers will help you develop a marketing strategy as well. You can either target private customers who search for custom embroidery on gift accessories & clothing or you can pick the commercial market and making various marketing items like custom embroidery for uniforms and so on.

Step 3: Purchase a Commercial Embroidery Unit

Most commercial embroidery units connect to a PC and provide software to make digital designs. So, I suggest that you choose a machine that comes with a warranty, additional support and training because mastering software like this can be difficult, especially for beginners who have no previous experience.

Choose a unit that will match your production goals and needs, and has the potential of delivering great results. If purchasing a commercial machine scares you, start with a small household embroidery unit or embroidering by hand. And once you feel confident, upgrade your business with a commercial machine.

Step 4: Call Your Local Authorities

Find out what type of licenses you need to obtain to open your own embroidery company. File with the IRS to register your business and head onto the next step which is finding a location for your company.

Step 5: Choose a Working Location

If you plan to open a home-based business, you will need a clean and large space to accommodate your embroidery unit, PC and supplies. Also, you will need space for administrative tasks & files.

If you choose to have customers visit your home, research local zoning requirements that influence parking & traffic.

Step 6: Contact a Lawyer

Talk to a business adviser, a lawyer or accountant in order to gather more information on how to safely open a business in your area. Do not forget that accounting & taxes will become a part of your daily life, so make sure that you know everything to avoid possible legal issues. Ask about insurance & liability too.

Step 7: Spread The Word

Let your business associates, family and friends know that you are opening your own business. Did you know that the fastest and cheapest way to promote your work locally is with word of mouth marketing?

Step 8: Ask for Assistance

Learn basic business and marketing skills before starting your own business. If you do not have time for this, you can hire a professional to be your consultant or assistant until you learn how to do everything on your own. Also, do not forget about your customer service, accounting, taking orders & advertising.

Step 9: Locate Suppliers For Additional Supplies

Create a system for ordering additional supplies such as clothing, thread, and other accessories quickly. Also, do not forget to keep your supplies documented in order to keep track of what you have in store.

Step 10: Never Underestimate The power of Social Media Platforms

We live in a digital world, right? So, what can attract more customers if not social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest? I personally believe that social media pages and profiles can make or break your business. Create a website. Post frequently to convince your audience or customers that you are available 24/7. Advertise on TV, newspapers, and journals. Or hire a professional to do all this.

What Is A Good Commercial Embroidery Machine?

You can achieve decent results with a unit for home use, however, commercial embroidery machines can deliver even better, more professional results. And they can do it faster and better than household units. They can reproduce designs just perfectly and require way less babysitting than regular devices.

However, choosing a decent embroidery machine out there is not as easy as it appears. Here is a list of important features you need to consider when shopping for a commercial embroidery device this year.

Number of Built-in Designs & Fonts

This matters because the more designs and fonts built-in your device, the more creative you can be. Also, customers will recognize you for your wide variety of designs and fonts. Expect to get at least 50 built-in designs with commercial machines. However, focus on those that offer more built-in designs.

Maximum Embroidery Speed

As you probably suppose, household embroidery devices have a lower embroidery speed. Meaning that commercial embroidery machines have a high speed. For best results, purchase a machine with at least 600 stitches per minute. However, I personally suggest that you buy a model that handles at least 1,000.

Number of Needles

Most commercial embroidery machines in the market feature multiple needles, ranging from universal to metallic and topstitch needles. When purchasing a needle for your project, you need to keep in mind the size & type of fabric you are going to use, and needlepoint to choose the tension fo the top thread.

Embroidery Area

The size of your embroidery area determines the size of your future projects. You can choose from many embroidery field sizes including 4×4, 10×6, 9×11, and so on. However, if you are into larger projects, I say that you buy a model like the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 with a 9×11 inches embroidery field.

Connectivity Options

Some commercial embroidery units can be connected straight to a computer or laptop, so you can easily upload your designs and edit already existing ones, while others feature a USB port, so you can transfer original designs from your PC via a USB stick. What type of unit you pick depends on your personal taste.

Embroidery Software Compatibility & File Format

Different manufacturers use different file formats. Meaning, you need to make sure that the machine is compatible with the portfolio of custom designs in a specific format that you already have on your PC.

Accessories Included

Most commercial embroidery units come with different free accessories such as extra hoops, multiple needles, and thread add-ons. Make sure that the unit you buy comes with all the necessary accessories.

Warranty

Commercial embroidery units usually come with extended warranties. They are longer than those you would expect from a unit designed for a household. For example, Singer Futura XL-580 that I reviewed is covered by a 25-year limited warranty, however, check my comparison chart for details on this device.

What Are The Different Materials In Embroidery?

The materials and yarns used in traditional embroidery vary from time to time and place to place.

Linen, silk, and wool have been in used for over a thousand years for both material and yarn. However, today, embroidery thread is made in cotton, rayon, and novelty yarns as well as in traditional silk, linen, and wool. Natural materials like linen, silk, cotton, and wool make the perfect materials for embroidery.

However, besides yarns and fabrics, you also need tools for machine and hand embroidery such as:

• A water-soluble pen
• Embroidery plastic hoop
• Embroidery wooden hoops
• A pack of embroidery needles
• The popular pinking shears
• Embroidery scissors
• Fabric glue
• Steam iron
• Ironing board
• Thread heaven
• Light tablet
• A printer/scanner

How Much Does A Good Embroidery Machine Cost?

You can find a decent embroidery machine with all the necessary features you need to complete a basic project for about $600. However, for a high-tech commercial device, expect to pay thousands of dollars.

How Much Does A Commercial Embroidery Machine Cost?

Usually, single-head commercial embroidery units cost between $12,000 and $20,000. Most of them are computerized. However, some still are NOT. If this is too much for you, you can always check the market for second-hand but well-preserved embroidery machines. Finding something decent is never that hard.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

In short, if you have the confidence and passion to get your embroidery business started, and the skills and knowledge to design something unique, then do it. However, remember that your success depends on how you promote your business and what commercial embroidery machine you choose to work with.

In this article, you had the chance to review 16 units and pick the best commercial embroidery machine for you. Keep in mind that a good commercial machine is a powerful, fast and pricey machine, however, this does not mean that you have to go bankrupt. Always purchase the best you can within your budget.

I would recommend RiCOMA EM-1010 10-Needle Embroidery Machine for beginners because it is easy to use and affordable, and CAMFive Eight Heads Professional Industrial Embroidery Machine for users with experience because it has eight heads, advanced features & delivers professional industrial results.

I sincerely hope that this guide helps you choose what’s best for you. Feel free to share it with your best friends and family. Also, do not forget to check my site for the newest updates & ask whatever questions you may have on commercial embroidery machines down below. I will be more than happy to answer it.