Our Staff Is Huge Fans of Matt's Off-Road Recovery on You tube
When it comes to off-road recovery, Matt’s Off Road Recovery is the leader in the industry. With its comprehensive services and experienced staff, they offer top-notch solutions for anyone who needs help getting their vehicle back on the road. Now, Northwest Embroidery wants to join forces with Matt’s Off Road Recovery as their official t-shirt vendor.

Northwest Embroidery is a family-run business that has been in operation for over 45 years. They specialize in custom embroidery and screen printing for businesses and individuals alike. With their extensive experience and high quality products, they are confident that they can provide an excellent service to Matt’s Off Road Recovery by creating one of a kind t-shirts that will help spread awareness about the company.

For those unfamiliar with Matt’s Off Road Recovery, it is an organization dedicated to providing assistance to anyone who finds themselves stuck or stranded while out on the trails. From simple tows to complex extractions, they provide a wide range of services that are tailored to each individual customer’s needs. By partnering with Northwest Embroidery as their t-shirt vendor, Matt’s Off Road Recovery can further cement their position as a leader in the off road recovery industry.

 Northwest Embroidery Loves Matt's Off Road Recovery T-Shirts

Northwest Embroidery wants to be the official t-shirt and hoodie vendor for Matt's Off Road Recovery apparel. We specialize in creating high quality, comfortable clothing that celebrates the spirit of off road recovery. Our team of talented designers have worked closely with Matt's Off Road Recovery to create a unique line of shirts, hoodies, and caps that both look amazing and provide great comfort.

The t-shirts feature an iconic design that captures the essence of off roading. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching, sure to make a statement wherever you go. The hoodies are made from premium materials and feature a modern cut that looks great on all body types. The caps come in several different styles and colors, so you can find the perfect one for your outdoor adventures.

Northwest Embroidery is committed to delivering quality products that represent Matt's Off Road Recovery in a way that is both stylish and practical. We strive to provide excellent customer service while offering our customers unique designs at competitive prices. So if you're looking for a way to show your love for off road recovery, there's no better option than Matt's Off Road Recovery apparel from Northwest Embroidery.

Northwest Embroidery Likes Matt's Off Road Recovery Caps

At Northwest Embroidery, we're really excited about Matt's Off Road Recovery! Not only do we love their t-shirts, but now we can offer customers another great option: their caps. Our team takes pride in being able to provide customers with a wide range of products from Matt's Off Road Recovery.

We know that our customers appreciate the quality of Matt's Off Road Recovery items. Their caps are no exception—they're made with excellent materials and feature vibrant colors that are sure to make a statement. Plus, they come in lots of different styles so customers can find the perfect one for them.

No matter what type of off road recovery item you're looking for, Northwest Embroidery has you covered. We want to be part of the Matt's Off Road Recovery family and look forward to helping you find the perfect cap or t-shirt to show your support.

Northwest Embroidery Want's To Be Matt's Off Road Apparel Supplier

Matt's Off Road Recovery is a company that needs a reliable apparel supplier. Northwest Embroidery would like to be that vendor and provide their services. They believe they have the capacity and expertise to meet Matt's requirements in terms of quality, price, and turnaround time.

Northwest Embroidery specializes in custom t-shirts, hats, and other apparel, making them a great choice for all of Matt's needs. Their team is experienced in creating unique designs that will help promote Matt's brand and make sure customers recognize it. Plus, they offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, so Matt can rest assured his order will be fulfilled quickly and accurately.

In short, Northwest Embroidery has the perfect solution for Matt's Off Road Recovery when it comes to apparel production. Their experience with custom designs, competitive pricing structure, and fast turnaround times make them an ideal choice to be Matt's official apparel supplier.

The Northwest Staff Loves Watching Matt's Off Road Recovery

At Northwest Embroidery, we love watching Matt's Off Road Recovery. It's a unique and thrilling show that captures all the excitement and danger of off-road recovery. We've been captivated by the daring stunts and amazing recoveries made by Matt and his team.

We particularly admire the skill and expertise they bring to each recovery job. The way they plan and execute each rescue is an inspiration to us all. They have mastered the art of off-road recovery and it shows!

We'd be honored to become Matt's official apparel supplier, so that everyone can share in our admiration for this incredible show. Our high-quality products are perfect for any off-road enthusiast, and we'd be proud to contribute our part in supporting Matt's Off Road Recovery.

 Conclusion
In conclusion, Northwest Embroidery would love to be Matt's Off Road Recovery T-shirt vendor. Everyone at Northwest Embroidery is passionate about the sport and loves watching Matt's Off Road Recovery adventures. Not only do they want to provide t-shirts, they are interested in providing caps and other apparel as well. With their expertise in creating quality products, Northwest Embroidery could provide a great service for Matt's Off Road Recovery fans. This would allow them to show off their pride and support for their favorite off road recovery team. Northwest Embroidery looks forward to hearing from Matt’s Off Road Recovery and hopes to become their go-to supplier for all of their apparel needs.

Matt and Ed, we can help you with Golden Nugget swag. T-shirts, hats and bags. You need cool bags for your Matt Straps.  Call us 253-922-5793.. WE are big fans up here in Seattle

Embroidery is an art form that has been popular in Massachusetts since the 1600s. Even today, it continues to be a beloved craft and creative outlet for many people across the Bay State. In fact, according to The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Massachusetts currently ranks as one of the top five states with the most registered members! This reveals the immense appreciation held by locals for this timeless craft.

But why do so many people love embroidery? From its unique history to its versatility in modern applications, there are plenty of reasons why we can’t get enough of this old-fashioned skill. To explore these further and uncover what makes embroidery such a cherished activity, let's take a look at 5 Reasons Why We Love Embroidery in Massachusetts.

From colorful wall hangings to intricately detailed patches and pins, embroidered items have become increasingly popular over recent years - becoming more than just a hobby but instead an exciting way to express creativity through vibrant designs. Whether you're new to needlework or simply curious about all things related to embroidery, read on as we dive into some compelling facts behind this captivating craft and discover why it remains such an integral part of life here in Massachusetts!

## 1. History Of Embroidery In Massachusetts

Why has embroidery become such a beloved craft in Massachusetts? With its centuries of history and remarkable artistry, it's no wonder that this traditional textile art is still going strong today.

Embroidery in the Bay State dates back to colonial times when colonists used homespun fabrics and threads from local sheep flocks. Women often created intricate designs with motifs like flowers and animals for clothing, home décor, bedding, and quilts. This incredible skill was passed down throughout generations, ensuring that its legacy lived on despite wars or societal changes. It wasn't until the 1980s that needlework shops began appearing around the state, allowing more people access to supplies and instruction which eventually led to an explosion in popularity.

Today, many schools across Massachusetts offer classes dedicated to learning different types of embroidery stitches while some towns even host their own annual festivals celebrating the craft! There are countless books filled with patterns and techniques as well as online resources offering tutorials so anyone can learn how to stitch beautiful pieces. In addition to being able to make gorgeous works of art, embroidery continues to be admired by many because it honors our shared past as well as current culture — proving that time-honored traditions never go out of style.

## 2. Artistry Of Embroidery

It's no secret that embroidery is a timeless art form. For centuries, it has been used to create beautiful pieces of work and express creativity like nothing else can. Even in modern times, the ancient craft of embroidery continues to bring people together from all walks of life - especially here in Massachusetts!

When you look at an embroidered piece, you can't help but be amazed by its beauty and complexity. From the intricate stitches to the unique designs, each piece is truly one-of-a-kind. The level of detail and skill required for creating these works of art make them even more impressive. Plus, there are several different types of embroidery techniques out there - so whether you prefer hand stitching or machine embroidering, you're sure to find something that suits your style.

Embroidery also offers an incredible range of possibilities when it comes to telling stories through artwork. By combining color palettes, textures and patterns with thoughtful imagery, wearers can create meaningful statements about themselves – or their community – on whatever fabric they choose. Here's how:

* Color Palette: A carefully selected combination of colors sets the mood for any design; warm tones evoke feelings happiness while cooler hues convey a sense of calmness.

* Textures & Patterns: Combining various fabrics creates texture which adds depth and complexity to any project; incorporating subtle details such as stripes or polka dots further enhances this effect.

* Imagery: Incorporating iconic images such as state flags or other symbols relevant to the wearer’s identity gives meaning beyond words alone - making it personal and special.

By using these elements together in creative ways, the final product becomes much more than just cloth adorned with thread - it becomes a powerful representation of who we are as individuals and communities alike. And because each piece is unique in its own way, wearing embroidered clothing always stands out from the crowd!

## 3. Uniquely Massachusetts Embroidery Designs

The skillful craftsmanship of embroidery in Massachusetts is truly something to behold. From intricate designs inspired by the local culture and history, to vivid colors that bring a modern twist on traditional styles, each piece made in the Bay State has its own unique charm. Here are some reasons why we love embroidery in Massachusetts:

* Rich cultural heritage – Embroidered pieces often feature images or symbols from Native American tribes, representing their connection to the land and honoring their traditions.
* Colorful and bold – Whether it’s bright florals or geometric patterns, Massachusetts-made embroidery always stands out with vibrant colors and interesting designs.
* Creative flair – Local artisans use various elements such as beads and sequins to add texture and depth to their work - making for one-of-a-kind works of art.
* Quality materials – The quality of fabrics used for embroidery projects is often high, ensuring years of wear when cared for properly.

Embroidery in Massachusetts brings together two worlds - creativity and tradition - into one beautifully crafted piece. It's no wonder why so many people love wearing these creations!

## 4. Skillful Craftsmanship Of Embroidery In Massachusetts

Massachusetts embroidery is renowned for its skillful craftsmanship. It takes patience, attention to detail and a creative eye to make the intricate designs that are so popular here in Massachusetts. Let’s take a look at why we love the craft of embroidery in this state:

• The artistry: Embroiderers use their own unique creativity when they create pieces with vibrant colors, shapes and patterns.
o Imagination – From landscapes to abstract works of art, each design tells an individual story through its imagery.
o Precision – Each stitch must be exacting in order to achieve the desired result.

• The tradition: Embroidery has been practiced by generations of artisans in Massachusetts for centuries.
o Legacy – Experienced crafters pass down their skills and knowledge from one generation to the next.
o Culture – Artwork reflects local customs and values, allowing us to appreciate our heritage through these timeless creations.

Embroidery celebrates local culture while providing us with beautiful handmade works of art that will last for years to come. By appreciating skilled craftsmanship in Massachusetts, we can honor both old traditions and new ideas as we continue celebrating our culture through embroidery.

## 5. Celebrating Local Culture Through Embroidery

The fifth reason why we love embroidery in Massachusetts is celebrating local culture through this art form. From traditional indigenous designs to modern-day motifs, the craftsmanship of Masschusetts' embroiderers reflects its cultural diversity and makes it a vibrant place for art.

For instance, one can find exquisite hand sewn items such as:
* Traditional Indigenous Designs:
- Wampanoag Nation beadwork
- Narragansett textiles with intricate weaving patterns
* Modern Day Motifs:
- Maine lobster applique designs on clothing items
- Boston skyline patchworks stitched onto hats or bags.

Embroidery has become an integral part of the fabric of Massachussets' culture and identity. It's not only a way to express our creativity but also serves as a reminder of how much we value preserving our heritage and traditions. As we continue to celebrate the skillful craftsmanship of Massachuetts' embroiderers, let us recognize their contribution to preserving our history and culture by supporting them whenever possible. With that said, let's take a look at how embroidery helps preserve hertiage in Massachusetts.

## 6. Preserving Heritage Through Embroidery

It's easy to see why embroidery is loved in Massachusetts. From its vibrant colors, intricate designs and historical significance, there is so much that the craft has to offer. But have you ever stopped to consider how it can be used as an important tool for preserving heritage?

Embroidery not only captures tradition and history within a piece of fabric or clothing, but also serves as a tribute to those who came before us. By stitching together vivid images, symbols and words we are able to create something timeless - something that pays homage to our ancestors' lives, cultures and stories. Embroidery offers an opportunity to bridge the past with the present and honor the people whose experiences shaped our society today. It's like having one foot firmly planted in yesterday while keeping another step ahead towards tomorrow.

The unique skill of embroidering allows us to tell meaningful stories and share special memories with future generations. Not only does this practice keep these tales alive, but it also helps connect us all by creating tangible links between different family members or communities across time. Whether through traditional patterns or modern-day motifs, embroidered items are truly priceless keepsakes brimming with sentimentality and meaning - perfect for meaningful gift giving!

## 7. Meaningful Gift Giving With Embroidery

Embroidery is a great way to show someone you care, and in Massachusetts it has been part of the culture for generations. Not only does embroidery look beautiful and capture memories, but it also provides meaningful gift giving opportunities. Here are just three reasons why:

First, custom pieces can be tailored towards an individual’s interests or style, making them feel extra special on their big day. Second, there’s something about receiving a handmade piece that adds sentimental value to any celebration. Finally, these works of art often become lasting keepsakes with stories shared from generation to generation.

Gifting embroidered items not only brings joy to friends and family members, but also helps support local businesses. Artisans who design and create these masterpieces rely on customers like us to keep their craft alive - which makes buying from small shops even more important!

## 8. Supporting Local Businesses Through Embroidery

Embroidery is like a bridge, connecting people around Massachusetts and beyond. It offers an opportunity to reach out to those in need of support, be it through gift-giving or helping local businesses stay afloat.
It’s easy to love embroidery for its ability to bring communities closer together. Every stitch that's sewn into fabric carries the potential for meaningful connections between individuals and organizations. This makes affording gifts easier on both the giver and receiver, as well as supporting small businesses during a time when they might otherwise struggle financially. By buying from these stores or customizing your own pieces with their help, you're doing your part to keep them from going under while also creating something unique and special for yourself or someone else.
The act of threading needlework not only supports local shops but strengthens relationships too – whether it’s keeping traditions alive, celebrating special occasions such as weddings or birthdays, or simply showing appreciation - this type of craftsmanship connects us all together more deeply than ever before.

## 9. Connecting People Through Embroidery

It's no secret that embroidery has become a popular pastime in Massachusetts. According to the Embroiderers' Guild of America, an estimated 2 million people throughout the country are actively engaged in needlework projects every year. Connecting people through embroidery is one of the most powerful reasons why we love it here:

First, there’s the sense of community and collaboration it provides. By teaching each other new stitches and techniques, individuals can come together to create something meaningful. Second, there’s the joy of creating beautiful artwork from raw materials like thread and fabric. Third, there’s the connection between generations as many designs have been passed down for centuries. Finally, there’s its ability to help us express our creativity without worrying about perfection or being judged by others around us.

Embroidery encourages self-expression and puts more focus on learning than what results you get at the end — making it even more special when your project does turn out well! As a result, this art form continues to bring communities closer together while also helping us explore our own imaginations.

## 10. Popularity Of Embroidery In Massachusetts

Embroidery in Massachusetts is like a beacon of light, shining brightly and radiating joy. It has become increasingly popular over the years as a creative outlet for those who love to stitch. From their own homes, people are creating intricate pieces that bring beauty into the world.

Massachusetts has experienced an explosion of enthusiasm for embroidery recently. Many towns have special clubs and meetups dedicated to the craft, where members can show off their work and learn new techniques from one another. Embroidery classes are also popping up all across the state, allowing anyone with an interest in stitching to practice it without having to purchase expensive equipment or materials. The community spirit surrounding this art form has been growing steadily, which is why more and more people are turning to it as a source of comfort and connection during difficult times.

## Conclusion

Embroidery in Massachusetts is a rich tradition that has been around for centuries. From its history to the skillful craftsmanship of handmade pieces, it’s no surprise that embroidery remains popular in the Bay State today. In fact, according to recent surveys from the American Needlepoint Guild (ANG), more than 60% of Massachusetts residents have participated in some type of embroidery activity within the past year. This statistic shows just how popular and beloved this unique art form is among locals!

Whether you are looking for a meaningful gift or simply want to celebrate local culture, embroidering offers something special for everyone. Not only does it provide an opportunity to connect with friends and family through creative expression, but also helps support small businesses throughout the state. Embroidered items can be found everywhere from online shops to street fairs, so there's no shortage of options when it comes to creating something truly beautiful and one-of-a-kind.

For those who love both crafting and supporting their community, embroidery in Massachusetts is a great way to do both at once. With its deep roots in history, vibrant designs, and skilled crafters - we will continue to see why people across the Commonwealth embrace this timeless artform each day.

​According to industry statistics, in 2022, there will be over 3 million construction companies in the U.S. With such market saturation, making sure your construction company stands out from the competition has never been more critical. Business owners can grow their construction company by handing out t-shirts and caps to help promote their company.  

Your construction business caps and t-shirts should be high quality with a crisp, bold logo that's seen from 25 feet away. Your t-shirts should have a left chest print and a full back print that displays your logo and slogan in bold letters. 

Marketing is valuable, meaning a construction company shirt is only as effective as the branding it displays. Analyzing how effectively your logo and slogan communicate your construction company's purpose and identity can help to look at different companies that have mastered it.
Before we get started, check out some t-shirts Northwest Custom Apparel has printed for construction companies like yours. 

​The industry that creates and sells decorated apparel is an American phenomenon that emerged over time due to changing lifestyles and technological advances. Social and political movements. and evolving consumer preferences. The terminology for this industry today includes "decorated apparel," '·apparel graphics," embellished clothing," or "the T-shirt industry." But whatever you choose to call it. The field encompasses a vast realm of components - from those who create, manufacture, and distribute leisure apparel to those who transform "blank'" apparel into everything from utilitarian everyday garb to graphic masterpieces and trendy fashion attire.

​A brief look into the industry's history will help anyone thinking of participating in the world of decorated apparel understand its roots, its cultural derivatives, and its continuing appeal.
The genesis event that started the T-shirt on its way to mass appeal occurred in 1913 when the basic white T-shirt was made part of the standard uniform of the U.S. Navy. By the 1930s, the T-shirt was marketed as a men's underwear product referred to as a "gob shirt" or
'gob-style" shirt, owing to its association with sailors.

​During WWII, T-shirts, though officially undershirts, became a preferred choice as a comfortable warm, weather garment, favored by American sailors serving in the South Pacific theater. After the war, T-shirts rose in acceptance as an underwear staple in the 1950s. With navy veterans leading the way, they moved to center stage as leisure and recreational apparel. 

Among the factors driving the increase in appeal and mass acceptance was the leading role performance of actor James Dean in the motion picture Rebel Without A Cause in 1955. Hot on his critical success in East of Eden, Dean played a T-shirt-clad troubled teen and, in so doing, quickly attained celebrity as the reigning Hollywood symbol of alienation and volatility of the mid-50s youth culture. His death on September 30, 1955, affected the beginning of a personality cult following whose adherents saw Dean's T-shirt as an iconic representation of youth culture.

Marlon Brando, who, like Dean, embraced the naturalist ''method acting;' wore a white T-shirt under his leather motorcycle jacket in The Wild One. That visual permanently reinforced the "coolness" of T-shirts as the de rigueur apparel of the new American youth culture, as thoroughly masculine, and what any self-respecting teen male, rebellious or otherwise, should be wearing, especially when the ladies were around. Elvis Presley, too, merits mention as another pop culture icon who preferred wearing T-shirts when hanging out with his buds.

In the early '50s screen printed T-shirts -- and sweatshirts -- appeared, initially within the custom arena encompassing schools, colleges, clubs, and summer camps. By the mid-60s, printed tees and sweats had earned permanent positions on souvenir stands and college bookstores racks and shelves.
Colorful graphics emerged as an offshoot of the colorful custom art done on hot rods. Particularly in California and Florida, automotive airbrush artists enjoyed the fun and profit of turning their talents and high-pressure airbrushes from decorating funky cars to creating funky T-shirts, the standard uniform of gearheads.
​
One popular method of multicolor decorating on shirts was to start with direct-screened black line-art or heal-printed graphics and colorize them by airbrushing additional colors onto the designs. Taking their cues from the street rodders, California airbrush artists made decorated T-shirts a fixture at the beach, too, where colorfully-designed T-shirts quickly became the favorite garb of surfers as The Beach Boys exploded on the music scene. Philadelphia heart-throbs Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, and Fabian moved into their subsequent careers as stars of Hollywood's new genre - beach flicks - with Annette Funicello and other hot starlets; youth culture in the early '60s was being propelled by AM radio and network TV to mirror whatever was happening in California. And tens of millions of Mickey Mouse Club alumni, the first generation to grow up with T-shirts as an integral part of their attire, made T-shirts the virtual uniform of the Baby Boomers.

The antiwar protest in the late 1960s elevated decorated T-shirts into a medium for mass expres­sion as well as for individual expression. Until the Vietnam War, deco­rated rated tees and sweats told the world where you visited as a tourist, what school or college you were attending, and who your favorite team was. With the T-shirt already the after-class garment of choice for col­lege students, young protesters quickly discovered their T-shirts could, with four spray-painted strokes, be emblazoned with a single icon to indicate where one stood on the question of continued American mili­tary involvement in Southeast Asia.

​With prices hiked way up, major gasoline providers soon moved to become not only the wholesalers and distributors of gasoline but also its retailers. The traditional American institution of the service station that dispensed gasoline was earmarked for extinction. Big Oil canceled station leases where it could to eliminate competition from independent operators and reduced the volume available to those remaining operators where it couldn't. The corporate-owned gasoline superstation had replaced its two-pump ancestor within a few years. Thousands of small neighborhood and highway gas stations were vacated by their owners, who lost their leases and the ability to procure the gasoline for resale that provided them with their retail profits and their main drawing cards for customers.

Needing tenants for these highly-visible abandoned gas stations, their owners offered low rents to anyone who could cover the landlord's real estate taxes and monthly mortgages. Enter a cadre of Baby-Boomer entrepreneurs, now in their 20s and 30s, in search of low-cost locations for specific newly-emerging business categories that flourished in these old stations: plant and flower shops, specialty food and produce stores, and T-shirt shops.
​
These new retail T-shirt stores offered immediate gratification through the medium of T-shirts decorated with heat transfers and custom iron-on lettering and at very reasonable prices. The generation that grew up in T-shirts and wore their political opinions in the '60s now opted to wear messages of their creation and colorful multicolor plastisol graphics. They could buy a while-u-wait custom gift for under ten bucks and had an alternative to sporting goods stores for outfitting the teams they -- or their kids -- played on. Customers soon began asking the retailers if they could provide what we refer to as custom orders for schools, businesses, events, and organizations today.

This blog comes from the works of industry consultant Mark Venit. Mark was a consultant for Northwest Custom Apparel for 20 years. We will miss you Mark. 
Jim and Erik Mickelson

​The world may change, but building authentic relationships never will. No matter what is happening in the world, one thing will always be accurate in business: Relationships matter most.
New digital tools pop up daily, promising to keep you connected to your customers and prospects. But the more platforms there are, the more fragmented communication with stakeholders. That makes it more challenging than ever to build and maintain relationships with the people who are essential to your business. Using solely digital tools to maintain genuine connections can be a significant challenge.
Reducing people to an avatar and a customer number is too easy

​Sending emails is a lazy and impersonal way to thank clients for their business. You must provide a memorable gift to your client, and I will show you how to do that. As you all know, sending direct mail, corporate gifts, or branded swag isn't anything new. But it's necessary to take a more strategic, creative approach to have a successful customer engagement strategy. The truth is that people crave real, authentic connections. And that is what integrating a gift-giving solution into your overall marketing strategy and workflow will do

Northwest Custom Apparel can assist you with your gift giving programs this year. Contact our customer service department to personally work with you on your gift giving program.  Please call us at 1-800-851-3671 or Email at sales@nwcustomapparel.com 

​We are starting our first day without our graphic artist, Steve Deland, who is taking a well-deserved vacation along the Oregon Coast. Steve has over 35 years of experience and is our foundation for creating incredible artwork for our customers. Walking into work this Monday morning, I felt helpless, like our company would crash and burn this week without an artist. The stress of customers calling asking about t-shirt artwork and needing it done quickly is a nightmare. We don't have anybody to replace Steve, so I am looking for a local artist to step in and help us on this week's art projects. I will take retired, current, and even kid artists so we can keep our business printing t-shirts. 

​Ali, our shipping and receiving clerk, has a 5-year-old daughter named Selena, a talented youngster in the artwork world who will be assisting us.  ​Little Giggles Daycare in Edgewood, WA, taught Selena graphic artwork using fingerpainting and crayons with which she created her graduation shirts.  

​Pricing your embroidered apparel with a pricing matrix allows you to increase your profit percentage on lower cost items such as t-shirts and baseball caps. The matrix will allow you to say price competitive on higher cost products such as North Face Jackets. An example is when you sell a t-shirt for $8.00 (cost is $2.00) you are making 75% margin($6.00 /$8.00) *100 = 75%. You are making a high profit percentage on this t-shirt. 

​Let's look at the North Face Jacket that you sell for $90.00 and the cost is  $50.00 you are making a 44% margin. ($40.00/$90.00)*100 = 44%. You are making a $40.00 profit which is way more than the $6.00 profit on the t-shirt with a margin of 75%.

​You wouldn't be price competitive if you sold the North Face Jacket at a 75% margin. $50.00/(1-.75) = $200.00 selling price. You need to have different margins based on the cost of the item.

​If you are adding the embroidery to the items you need to include your decoration costs and the quantity you are embroidering. Let's say we are selling 12 t-shirts. The embroidery selling price is $8.00 with a $4.00 cost per item. 

As you can see you will make more money by doing the same amount of embroidery work by selling higher priced North Face jackets.  Remember when you will have to decrease your margin percentage to stay competitive in the marketplace. "Work smarter not harder."

​The benefits of embroidery are that it gives an elegant finish and screams quality when stitching a company's logo. Embroidery operators find personal satisfaction while stitching a clean, crisp logo and seeing the customer smile. Embroidery operators must possess hand-eye coordination to take a thread and insert it through the embroidery needle. Our operators find stitching healing and allow them to relax and get their minds off of everyday stress. Operators have also mentioned it builds confidence, improves eyesight, and reduces anxiety. 

​Embroidery is applied with a needle and thread, limiting the design's small detail. Owner Jim Mickelson says, "If you can draw it with a Sharpie felt tip pen, we can embroider it." The left chest logo position is the most popular embroidery location. It is on the left chest because when shaking hands with a customer, they will be able to read your logo. The left chest design is usually 2" tall and 4" wide, making it able to be viewed from 3 to 5 feet away. Embroidery isn't the best option for items you can't frame a circular embroidery hoop. Troublesome embroidery items include backpacks with zippers, polo shirts with a pocket, jackets with seams running down the back, and any lightweight fabric, making securing a stitch impossible. 

​Embroidery's pricing unit is based on the "stitch count" in a design. Generally, an embroidery machine can stitch 550 stitches per minute. Multi-head embroidery machines can have different heads, from one to 12 sewing heads, making larger embroidery machines more efficient and pricing lower. A typical left chest embroidery logo has 8,000 stitches and 3 thread colors and is the optimal design for an embroidery machine to be productive. Pricing embroidery is based on the number of stitches, machine speed, labor rate, and factory overhead. For example, if you know your factory rate is $100.00 per hour, use an 8-head embroidery machine and can produce 16 logos per hour. The calculation would be $100.00/16 = $6.25 per logo. I also suggest taking the worst-case production rate and dividing it into the factory costs, so you can factor in the operator's bathroom breaks, inefficiencies, and machine problems. To be safe on the above calculation, I would say the hourly rate is 12 units, which would increase the cost to $8.33 per logo

​Monogramming shirts using embroidery takes a lot of time since you can only do 1 personalized name at a time. I have seen so many shops price personalization too cheaply. You need to think hourly factory rate again at $100.00 per hour. Operators can stitch 6 monograms per hour on average, which is not a very good production rate. Once again, divide your $100.00 shop rate into your units per hour; $100.00/6 units = $16.66. You probably think, "I could never charge that to my customer."  When you have a loyal customer base and provide excellent service and products, the price doesn't even come up in discussion. 

​The question, "Is embroidery profitable?" is not a clear-cut answer due to many factors I will explain. Many people get into the embroidery business because they know many people and belong to organizations such as the PTA, churches, kid's baseball league, and civic groups. These organizations are a great starting place to sell your embroidery, but what happens when you are finished selling to them and need customers for the next 8 months? Newbies should create a business plan that consistently brings in monthly orders. I know your eyes are seeing dollar signs, but you need a solid marketing program to keep the embroidery orders rolling to stay profitable. An embroider starting out with a marketing plan, business fortitude, and doing everything correctly could see a $30,000 profit at year's end. 

​If I haven't yet scared you away about joining the embroidery industry, please keep reading about how to purchase an embroidery machine. Our factory at Northwest Custom Apparel uses 100% Tajima embroidery machines, and we have been using Tajima embroidery machines since 1977. When purchasing your first embroidery machine, you need to determine how many embroidery heads you need to be profitable. A single-head machine is for the hobbyist that works out of a bedroom and stitches for friends and family. I will focus on the multi-head embroidery machines with 4,6,8 and 12 embroidery heads that will make you profitable. There are several different manufacturers of embroidery machines, and the popular ones in the United States are Tajima and Barudan. I prefer Tajima due to its durability, uptime, and low maintenance costs. Hirsch is the distributor of Tajima in the United States, and I suggest you talk to Kris Janowski, the Vice-President, and remember to tell Kris, "Northwest Embroidery sent me." 

​We started digitizing in 1977 using jacquard punch tapes and a digitizing board where an 8,000 stitch logo could take all day to punch. We have gone through the struggles in the early years of punching embroidery tapes. Technology has evolved, and digitizing is simple with the correct digitizing software. Our preferred digitizing software is Wilcom, which is user-friendly and has enough bells and whistles to keep the professional digitizer happy. Wilcom is worth its price with the increase in productivity and the quality of stitching and is a must-have for a beginner embroider. There are free copies of embroidery software out on the internet by just doing a Google search "Free embroidery software download." Due to the glitches and lack of technical support on the free digitizing software, I do not recommend this digitizing route. Another suggestion is contracting your digitized designs to a professional digitizing company with low cost, quick turnaround, and fantastic quality. You will then ask, "the digitizers are in India, and their quality is horrible," which is the opposite since they digitize 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week, and are graded by their quality of work. The company we use for our digitizing is www.qdigitizing.com, and the contact is Steve Freeman, who has been a US digitizer for over 30 years. 

​Embroidery thread is available from a plethora of manufacturers all over the world. I suggest you pick a thread supplier that is US based and has longevity in the thread industry. Since 1977, Northwest Embroidery has used Robison Anton thread for its vast inventory of thread types and colors. Madeira embroidery thread is our second choice when Robison Anton doesn't offer what a customer is requesting. Once you pick a thread supplier, stick with the supplier and form a long-term business relationship because there will be a day you are in a pinch and need a special favor. 

​As people tell you, the embroidery industry is not always lucrative and easy; however, with a marketing plan, you will be more successful than 80% of the other embroiders. Keep your head up and chest back and always stay positive, and you will one day have a profitable embroidery business. Erik Mickelson is available to answer your questions about starting your new embroidery adventure, and feel free to reach out to me. 

​While you are on a construction site wearing a Carhartt hoodie or jacket and looking down at the Carhartt logo, you wonder what Carhartt's history was? You may think Carhartt is a brand for 20-30 years of age. Nope, you are almost 100 years off that guess. In 1889 Carhartt was founded by Hamilton Carhartt in Detroit, Michigan. Carhartt's started with two embroidery machines and six employees and was similar to Northwest Custom's beginning, but 100 years earlier. Old man Carhartt had a saying, "Honest value for an honest dollar." that resonated with many laborers in the Detroit area. 

The 1890s were booming for Carhartt, with the Trans Northern Railroad laying track only 2 miles from Carhartt's original manufacturing site. The site was perfect for Carhartt to sell jackets to the railway workers. Plus, being so close to the rail tracks, he could ship his jackets to the West Coast. Carhartt's expansion grew to 8 facilities around the country and continued growing until the Great Depression hit. 

​The Great Depression did thousands of businesses to close down and send their workers packing. Carhartt wasn't immune to this either; however, they pivoted and refocused on new customers and products. Carhartt closed down its jacket manufacturing facilities and started to make canvas tents from the same fabric as their jackets. The tents were for the workers of Roosevelt's "New Deal" program, the WPA (Works Progress Administration). President Roosevelt executed the WPA in May of 1935 to lift the bludgeoned economy out of the Depression. The Carhartt and the "New Deal" put thousands of workers back into Carhartt's factories, weaving canvas and sewing together tents for the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp). The CCC would cut trails in the newly formed National Park System. The CCC workers would again wear the Carhartt jacket and camp in the tents manufactured by Carhartt. It was a boom for Carhartt and its employees, who remained employed before leaving to fight in World War 2 in the early 1940s. 

The boom of the Great Depression and Roosevelt's New Deal had Carhartt riding on cloud nine financially before World War II started and drafting many male employees. Luckily, Carhartt could retain many female seamstresses and hire additional "Sally the Seamstresses" to work while the men were fighting off Adolph Hitler. World War II was even a better deal for Carhartt than the Great Depression by sewing military uniforms, such as cold weather jackets for European battles in winter. The soldiers liked the Carhartt jacket for its warmth and durability during the battles. One soldier even claimed that the jacket was so durable that a German round bounced off the jacket, saving his life. When World Two was over, Hamilton Carhartt was in his mid-90s and resigned from the day-to-day operations by turning the reigns of Carhartt over to his eldest son, Vinny. 

​Custom embroidery on the Carhartt jacket craze started in 1977 when constructing the Trans Atlantic Pipeline in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Nearly every pipeline worker demanded Carhartt embroidered jackets for employee identification and, more notably, staying warm in the sub-zero temperatures of Alaska. Northwest Custom Apparels founder, Jim Mickelson, started his company also in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Jim initially worked for the Atlantic Richfield company as a project manager based out of Tacoma and worked two weeks per month in Prudhoe Bay. Jim would sell embroidered trucker caps to coworkers and other oil companies up north. Like Carhartt, the pipeline workers wanted a warm sturdy baseball cap to keep their heads warm in the arctic. 

​Carhartt is known for its industrial embroidered work jackets that construction workers find a necessity to wear on the job sites. The popular colors of Carhartt jackets are the muted earth tone brown canvas jacket. The jackets are stiff, durable, and long-lasting but difficult to hoop and embroider. Embroidery companies must use special heavy-duty locking frames that are extremely expensive and only trained operators can use. Northwest Custom Apparel's staff is trained in using the Carhartt embroidery frames and is able to frame the stiffest jacket or bag. 

​In my inaugural episode of "Embroidery Adventures," I haven't laid out a roadmap to how I will create embroidery adventure videos to keep the audience entertained. I started by giving a factory tour of our embroidery and cap departments and ending with an overview of our showroom.  I hope you enjoy the video and I would love to hear more comments about what you would like to see in upcoming "Embroidery Adventures". Stitching is in my blood and I am excited to share my embroidery adventure with you.  You can reach me at erik@nwcustomapparel.com 

​Our embroidery factory has commercial, industrial machines that can stitch 8 items in synchronization, which allows us to keep the embroidery costs down. You can see why embroidering one thing is costly because you aren't utilizing the other 7 embroidery heads. 

The Japanese company, Tajima, manufactured our embroidery machines, and we have used this brand for nearly 40 years. The embroidery machines hold up to 10 different thread colors, giving you a pleasant color palette to make your design pop. The speed of the embroidery machines, on average, runs at about 550 stitches per minute to ensure quality and productivity. We ran the machines at nearly 900 stitches per minute, and they still produced crisp embroidery. The embroidery machine you see in the video is stitching polo shirts and fleece pullovers that are excellent choices for outfitting your employees.

​The difference between a baseball cap and garment embroidery is the frame used to mount the cap. The cap frame is circular, sits inside the cap, and then clicks into the embroidery machine. The machines are Tajima and can stitch 8 baseball caps at a time. Caps are a little trickier to get crisp embroidery due to the spherical layout of a cap crown. You are limited to the size of your embroidery logo to 4" wide by 2" tall. Anything more significant, the embroidery needle would strike the cap bill, causing damage to the cap and machine.  

​As you can see in the video, we have a fully stocked showroom with sample caps, promo items, workwear, t-shirts, polos, and much more. We specialize in workwear such as safety hoodies, vests, Carhartt jackets, and t-shirts.

​The video hits a panoramic shot featuring some of our notable customers over our 45-year history. The embroidered logos collages include football teams, fire departments, tribal, plumbing, Starbucks, and city and municipalities. Suppose you are familiar with the Discovery Channel and the show "Deadliest Catch." In that case, you will notice Captain Phil Harris and his son in front of our employee group photo. We stitched Phil's jackets for his boat, the Cornelia Marie. 

​On June 5th, 2008, our embroidery production crew hit a production record by stitching 20,000 caps within 7 days. This embroider feat hasn't been broken since then and may stay in the Northwest Custom Apparel record books for many more years. The order was for the release of Microsoft's "Halo" video game that year. Microsoft gave out a Halo cap to the first 20,000 customers who purchased the game. Our production manager at the time, Mongkon Ham, worked the crew for 12 hours per day, 7 days per week, to complete this order on time. 

​In the following embroidery adventure, only time will tell what we will have in store for the audience. We are flying by the seat of our pants when creating these adventures. We would appreciate your comment and give us ideas on what you would like to see for the next adventure. I see embroidery daily and need your comments to keep the videos going.