EMBROIDERY BUSINESS
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Stitch Count
How many stitches per hour does your business generate? How many minutes of sewing are achieved in
a typical hour? The average single head shop generates 4-6 hours of sewing and runs 1000 stitches per
minute (even though the machines are capable of stitching 1200 this takes into account the complexity of the
designs and materials used.) The remaining time is dedicated to production preparation, machine downtime,
and administrative duties.
Cost per Stitch
60 Minutes x 1000 Stitches = 60,000 Stitches per Hour
Basic Hourly Cost ÷ 60,000 Stitches = Cost per Stitch
÷ =
Note: One way to be more accurate in stitch count, is to keep a log of your machine stitch count every hour
for a week.
Cost per Stitch X 1,000 Stitches = Cost per 1,000 Stitches
X 1,000 Stitches =
Cost per 1,000 stitches should be your minimum charge – your dead bottom discount price for large
quantity orders. Mark the price up from this base price according to quantity, job complexity and any
additional production costs.
Additional cost in production time.
• The number of color changes and trims in the design add time to the production so just don’t base the cost
on the number of stitches in the design.
• Specialty threads like metallics cost more.
• Appliqué designs usually have lower stitch counts but extra time is needed to cut the appliqué, unless it’s
pre-cut, and position the appliqué in the hoop. There is also the added cost of the appliqué material.
• Hooping difficult items such as jacketbacks.
• Multiple hoopings.
These items add to your hourly production cost and need to be counted. Special design work is worth the
extra cost and you need to price it by the complexity of the job.
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