3 Factors a Retail Company Should Consider When Buying Embroidery Thread
Retail companies use embroidery thread for branded items, decoration, resale, and customization and always need quality materials. Buying the right embroidery thread may seem simple for a retail company, but the things that matter aren’t always obvious at first. Consider these three major points when it’s time for your retail company’s next embroidery thread purchase.
1- Consistent Color and Quality
Many retail companies use their embroidery thread for logos and other branded graphics that must adhere to brand guidelines. You may need to contact several outside sources and a supply chain manager to find out how consistent the color is. Measure the size of each dye lot and consider how many logos you do each month.
Most professional embroiderers must use a single dye lot per order and may have months with significantly larger orders. Discuss delivery times with your potential thread suppliers and evaluate the amount of storage space you have to stock up and cover slow months. Talk with your finance team to make plans in the event you have to get rid of extra thread that doesn’t match the next dye lot.
Color matching is not always as simple as it looks, and many specialty threads have two to five color strands in them. Some threads contain flecks of metallic or whole strands of metallic fiber, textured fiber, or treated fiber. Whether you embroider with designer thread, metallic fiber, expensive silk, or specialties like glow-in-the-dark thread, color matching is essential.
Evaluate color matches using different types of fabric, test patches with different designs, and solid color sections of different sizes and thicknesses. The thread may take on different color tones against different background colors and with various outline colors or techniques.
2- Ask About Pricing Options
Embroiderers may need to change pricing for their customers based on the price they pay for each lot of embroidery thread. Do your best to forecast price changes, and keep in mind any significant issues that come up during holidays. Some companies also deal with significant supply and pricing issues during certain sporting or event seasons.
You may be able to circumvent any seasonal issues by bulking up on the thread early, provided the color is predictable. If your customers don’t use a color scheme you can purchase in time, you may need to find multiple thread sources.
3- Machine and Design Compatibility
When you test thread consistency, always look out for the way each lot interacts with your machines and chosen designs. Not every thread will pass through every machine without breaking or twisting, and you should evaluate combinations. Getting threads to work together on machines in different designs, stitch types, layers, and thicknesses can be tough.
Purchase with a plan to complete your designs in case certain brands, lots, or types don’t work well in specific instances. If one type or color won’t work in combination with a reliable base thread, fabric, or machine, you can substitute. Keep track of your own in-depth tests with notes from a reliable team as you purchase each lot of thread.
