Clothing line - do it myself or outsource?

[totallypersonal]

Hi guys,

I'm working with a local business to produce a range of clothing. I used to own a dye sub business so have some idea about printing of t-shirts etc but I'm no expert.

We're looking to take branded t-shirts (Gildan etc) for example, embroider a small logo, relabel them and package them nicely as a high end product.

My question is:

Would it be cheap enough to outsource this and sell for a profit? Or would I be better off buying an embroidery machine and doing it myself?

How much would a very basic embroidery setup cost me? (We only need to do very small designs to start with)

Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

Rob

[logos unlimited]

HI Rob,

I think outsource is the best option to begin with as set up cost and ordering everything in, like threads t-shirts etc will take any profit and a lot more out of your pocket, but once set up if theres enough profit then why not !!! good luck.

Regards Paul

[Earl Smith]

I would agree with Paul. Outsourse to begin with. Embroidery machines are expensive and so is the program that goes with them. A starter setup with a cheap machine would be around 7K I would think.

I do some work for on-line shops. One buys from Primark and I embroider a small emblem. Total cost to them (garment and embroidery) around 7€ each. They knock it out at 20€.
Another customer supplies caps. I do the trial runs for him and then he gets the bigger orders done in China when he has prooved that it sells.
Whatever you do, good luck

[logos unlimited]

HI Earl,
We do all are embroidery in-house as we deal with companies that want there stock with in two weeks or less but just out of curiosity whats the cost of embroidery in China say per 5 thousands stitches and the turn around time ?

Regards Paul

[Earl Smith]

Hi Paul,
Spoke to my customer this morning. He is getting 50 embroidered beanies ( yes 50) at under 3,50€ each, delivered to Germany. Beanie without embroidery is 30 to 40 cents. Takes 3 to 5 weeks delivery time.

[guarddog14]

I would go with a drop shipping service, this way you can try products with out using alot of money on stock that may not sell, this way you get to test the market,

[logos unlimited]

Hi Paul,
Spoke to my customer this morning. He is getting 50 embroidered beanies ( yes 50) at under 3,50€ each, delivered to Germany. Beanie without embroidery is 30 to 40 cents. Takes 3 to 5 weeks delivery time.

Thanks Earl,
its not for me as 3 to 5 weeks is to long but great for people that have shops,
thanks

[totallypersonal]

Thanks for your input everyone. I think we're going to outsource. Seems the best option!

[mrs maggot]

pop a notice up on here in members to members section ABC embroidery (calvinabc) on here offer reasonable prices, as i am sure do other members

[calvinabc]

hi mrs maggot. thanks for that. only just seen this. thanks for the recommendation. always happy to help and give quotes. we have had a good bit of business from the forum. thanks for all the support so far.