Machine embroidery costs/help?
03-31-2015, 05:46 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,940
I made a few quilt labels for close friends a few months ago. Well now one of the gals came to me asking if I'd embroider 22 labels for some quilts that she and some friends made for a retreat lodge.
She said that she wants to pay me, but I have no clue of what to charge. What would be a going rate to tell her my cost? Is there anyone that does embroidery for profit of "break even"? Do you charge per stitch, hoop time, by the hour, or all of the above? It would be 10 words "Made for____ Family Retreat Name, City, State, and year" These would all be the same, but 22 of them. I was thinking I could do 2 inside the larger hoop and only hoop 11 times.
ANY ideas or comments would be lovely! Thanks
She said that she wants to pay me, but I have no clue of what to charge. What would be a going rate to tell her my cost? Is there anyone that does embroidery for profit of "break even"? Do you charge per stitch, hoop time, by the hour, or all of the above? It would be 10 words "Made for____ Family Retreat Name, City, State, and year" These would all be the same, but 22 of them. I was thinking I could do 2 inside the larger hoop and only hoop 11 times.
ANY ideas or comments would be lovely! Thanks
03-31-2015, 06:43 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,547
I made some labels for a friend, I charged her what I would charge a stranger. Friend or stranger, it cost me the same to make it either way. I have a 10 needle embroidery machine with a 14x8 inch hoop so I was able to get 6 in one hooping. I charged her $6.50 per label and she gladly paid it. Some people do charge by the stitch but that can get pretty expensive and cost prohibitive.
03-31-2015, 07:43 AM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Maumee, OH
Posts: 291
I make embroidered monograms for bridal gowns and charge $15 for either a monogram or wedding date. I charge $20 if they want both on the label. That being the case, I would discount if there were multiple labels of the same. I think $10 each is a fair price for your time, materials, expertise, and cost of owning and running your machine. Good luck. Some people really have no idea what is involved in this kind of custom product.
03-31-2015, 08:11 AM
#16
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 64
Depending on how big the labels are it really won't take that much stabilizer and fabric. The biggest issue I think is whether or not you have the software to make the design and if it is only going to be 1 color. Are you going to add a satin stitch to the edge or are they going to make the piece an applique themselves? If using a satin stitch, make the label design very simple and easy to trim in your hoop,
You have to be careful of making the labels as a favor price because there are always those unintended consequences.
If you don''t have software, send me your info and I can whip it up in Embird for you very quickly at no charge.
I would make them for $6.50 if I had the design. That is $143 for the entire job.
If you want the design contact me at [email protected]
You have to be careful of making the labels as a favor price because there are always those unintended consequences.
If you don''t have software, send me your info and I can whip it up in Embird for you very quickly at no charge.
I would make them for $6.50 if I had the design. That is $143 for the entire job.
If you want the design contact me at [email protected]
03-31-2015, 11:21 AM
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lititz, PA
Posts: 186
I would charge at least $1.75 per 1000 stitches and add the cost of fabric, stabilizer, and thread.....although it's pretty hard to calculate the cost of thread when you can't determine how many yards you will use.
03-31-2015, 02:35 PM
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 170
This is one thing that I was thinking of. Most people don't have a clue as to what a big investment you have in your machine. What if something happened to it during the stitch outs ( and Murpheys Law says it probably will!) Also, do you want to be in business? when the quilters know you did the labels they may ask you do do future ones.
03-31-2015, 04:29 PM
#20
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Long Island
Posts: 24,820
Keep in mind she may come back for more next year. so you'll be doing more. if she can't afford it, do not do it. I made this mistake once a while ago. and Murphy's Law kicked in and cost me a fortune to do her a favor. it came back and bit me on the butt as they say. DO NOT cut yourself short, or your work. $6,50 per label sounds good. You could even chg more if it's a specialty thread. Keep in mind she wants it perfect too. good luck.
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