Embroidery
Stitch counts, thread, and machine time priced per piece.
Machine embroidery is priced by the stitch — but most makers don't price that way. Stitch count drives thread use, stabilizer, and the minutes the machine runs; digitizing a design is a real one-time cost; and hooping every blank is hands-on labor that adds up across a batch.
CrafterBy ties thread and stabilizer to the design, adds machine time by stitch count, folds digitizing in as a one-time cost, and prices singles or bulk runs — so a 12,000-stitch logo isn't priced the same as a name.
The challenge
- No cost tied to stitch count
- Forgetting stabilizer and thread per design
- Ignoring hooping labor and machine run-time
- Undercharging for one-time digitizing
How CrafterBy helps
- Cost thread and stabilizer per design
- Add machine time scaled by stitch count
- Include digitizing as a one-time cost, amortized over the run
- Price singles and bulk runs from one template
How to price your Embroidery work
- 1Add the blank (shirt, cap, towel) as a material or component.
- 2Cost thread and stabilizer by the design's stitch count.
- 3Add machine time by stitch count at your machine rate.
- 4Add digitizing once, spread across the run size.
- 5Add hooping/handling labor and set a margin.
Worked example
Embroidered cap (8,500-stitch logo)
- Blank cap$4.20
- Thread + stabilizer (by stitch count)$0.95
- Machine time (8,500 stitches)$1.60
- Digitizing (one-time, over a 24-cap run)$1.25
- Labor — hoop, trim, finish$3.50
Digitizing is a real cost — charge it once and amortize it, or a small first order loses money.
Common pricing mistakes
Pricing a 4,000-stitch and a 15,000-stitch design the same.
Eating the digitizing cost instead of amortizing it over the run.
Forgetting hooping — it's hands-on time on every single piece.
What you'll cost & track
Materials you'd track
Equipment run-cost
Price products like
Frequently asked questions
How do I price machine embroidery?
Cost the blank, tie thread, stabilizer, and machine time to the stitch count, amortize digitizing across the run, and add hooping labor. A higher stitch count should mean a higher price — CrafterBy scales it for you.
How should I charge for digitizing?
As a one-time cost spread across the order. On a big run it's pennies per piece; on a single item it's the whole fee — so either charge it upfront or set a minimum that covers it.
Why price by stitch count?
Stitch count is what actually drives thread, stabilizer, and machine minutes. Pricing by it means dense, detailed designs pay for the resources they consume.