Pricing questions?????????

[DKYDesigns]

Hi everyone!

My name is Donna and I am new to this forum. I have been reading all the posts for several weeks and have learned a great deal. Ya'll have so many great ideas and solutions it's amazing, I hope you can help me.

I just started a new embroidery business. I've been embroidering for about 7yrs, mostly for hobbie, however I have done the occasional side job. I have 4 machines total (2 Janome MC's 9,000 & 10,000, Babylock 6 needle and my AmayaXT). I refer to my nused (new used)haha AmayaXT as BIG MAMA.

My question is in the pricing department, not for the embroidery but on the upcharge for garments, ie...shirts/hats/bags, etc. I'm not sure what percentage or upcharge I should do.

Oh, by the way, I have the sequin device on BIG MAMA and while I think it is the "best thing since sliced bread", the sequins are rather pricey as well as the actual device, and it's hard to come up w/a price for doing the designs. Can anyone help me.

Also, and other tips of the trade and things to know and do and not to do would be greatly appreciated, I always respect advice given by people who have been there and done that. I know I will get lots of wonderful ideas and advice and I look forward to all of ya'lls expertise.

Looking forward to a long and lasting relationship w/all of you.

[Wishes]

Where are you buying sequins from? Margaret

[DKYDesigns]

I have bought them from Melco. I don't know of any other place.

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Donna Kaye,
In short, here's a place to start after studying your own expenses/overhead in combination with what your market will allow (what your customer will pay based on what they can get it for locally)...
Items supplied by you - when you buy wholesale, you double that price to sell retail. In the biz it's called "Keystone".
Embroidery - $1 per 1000 stitches.
Sequin Embroidery - Double your embroidery price.

Remember what you are charging for, primarily, is your time. Whether or not you sew out one letter or a hundred, you still have to hoop the garment, load the design, set up the thread and machine, etc... so be sure to have a minimum price for any job. Supplies in embroidery are relatively cheap (thread, bobbins, backing, sequins, etc...) I believe sequins are approximately $15 for 20,000. Just make sure you are not underselling yourself. My rule is to buy the best supplies and be certain to build that into your price so that the customer pays for it. Also, customized sequin work will be hard to find so also consider "supply and demand".
Best of luck to you.
Ed Orantes
Melco Tech & Trainer
504-258-6260