1. What is embroidery?

(em-broi'da-re): The art of adorning or embellishing; to decorate with ornamental needlework. Today, this means adding dollar value to garments byembellishing them with names, corporate logos and sports symbols, to name a few. Embroidery is more than fashion or trend. It has been a form of class distinction since the days of the Egyptian Pharoahs.

2. What is computerized embroidery?

Specialized embroidery machines have been designed to work with data from a computer. This data instructs the machine to stitch a particular design, determines the correct stitching order, indicates when to trim threads, and many other functions. In only a few minutes, the computerized embroidery machine will stitch a design that would take your grandmother a week to do by hand…and embroider with precision accuracy that no human can match for near perfect quality!

3. What is the Pantograms Company?

Pantograms boasts a proud and celebrated history in the embroidery industry. In 1967, Pantograms developed and patented the first pantograph-controlled monogrammed-stitching machine. It was used exclusively for embroidered nametags on military uniforms. Today, Pantograms is the world's largest importer of high-qualityTOYOTA brand embroidery machines. We market ready to use, complete embroidery systems throughout North America. We create embroidery machine software that is distributed worldwide. Pantograms offers complete warranty protection for TOYOTA machines, including a 5-year warranty on selected machines. We are also the world's leading supplier of TOYOTA parts and provide a complete selection of embroidery supplies, accessories and stock designs. We conduct national seminars on beginning an embroidery business, training seminars on embroidery technique, design digitizing and service/repair.

4. How is computerized embroidery made?

The artwork for embroidery design is entered into the computer. The computer transfers the robotics instructions necessary for stitching the design to the TOYOTA machine. The machine operator places the item, such as a sweatshirt or ball cap on the machine with a holder or hoop. The operator also chooses the colors of thread appropriate to the design. Once the "set up" has been performed, stitching may begin by pressing the "Start" button on the machine. It will precisely and efficiently stitch the design. A typical logo on a ball cap may take five minutes or so to stitch, roughly a dozen caps an hour.

5. I keep seeing "TOYOTA" - is this the same company that makes the car?

Yes. Different units within the TOYOTA family of companies produce many items other than automobiles. They produce high quality items such as forklifts, air-conditioners, plumbing fixtures, and have manufactured apparel equipment for over half a century!

6. Who buys computerized embroidery?

Anyone who seeks unique identification or fashion on garments. You see it everywhere, on practically every work uniform, almost all club and team wear. People collect baseball style caps with embroidered designs, and it has become the standard for corporate wear as corporations become less formal in their offices. Demand is high for bowling alleys, local retail store employees, golf & country club and yacht club members. School teams and local military units always need more. You're likely to have several embroidered items in your closet!

7. How can I contact potential customers?

The people you know are your best source for the leads that become sales. Virtually every adult works somewhere and their company needs logos on corporate wear and special event items, such as prizes and awards for top-producing employees. The Yellow Pages of your phone directory always works. Embroidery is so popular that customers will seek you out! Contacts you make through social events can lead to very profitable orders.

There is no replacement for working hard and working smart when it comes to building any business. Aggressive canvassing of businesses, schools and organizations in your area produce great results. One entrepreneurial Pantograms customer brought embroidered samples to a business opportunity show. He conducted a drawing that offered a free digitized logo to the winner. People entered by dropping their business cards into a fish bowl on his table. Guess what? Everybody won! He custom digitized the corporate or occupational logo for free then charged for stitching it on a garment that he also sold to his new customer! He built a repeat customer list sooner than he would have thought possible and invested in additional TOYOTA machines to handle his growing embroidery business.

8. What garments can you stitch with the embroidery machine?

Generally, any soft fabric that will fit under the needle of the machine. Shirts, hats and jackets are easy. Horse blankets, travel bags and mattress covers sometimes require special accessories in order to be embroidered. You can stitch any name, logo or ornate fashion embellishment on any suitable garment. The design size can be anywhere from less than a quarter of an inch to eleven by seventeen inches and larger.

9. Where do I buy wholesale items that are suitable for embroidery?

Pantograms customers are provided with our Customer Success Kit. In it you will find companies supplying a wide variety of items wholesale. You can find golf shirts, hats, jackets, work uniforms, aprons, table linens, team wear, neck ties and many other items at special dealer prices. National brands like Fruit of the Loom, Outer Banks, Hanes, Lee and many more. The manufacturers of these items are anxious to do business with you; most do not require a minimum order and will ship UPS right to your door. They will supply you with color catalogs and confidential dealer price lists. You can show items to your customers, add embroidery, handling charges and charge the retail price you set! It isn't necessary to tie up your money with lots of inventory, just a few samples!

10. How Profitable Is Embroidery?

It is customary to mark up any garment you sell; often 50 to 100% or more of its cost. Embroidering that garment is usually priced per thousand stitches. $1.00 per thousand stitches or higher is not uncommon. A single TOYOTA machine can embroider a number of garments in a short period of time. Designs vary in size but a typical shirt logo averages about 5000 stitches. Our TOYOTA machines are capable of running at speeds of up to 1200 stitches per minute and are normally operated at 900 to 1000 s.p.m.

This information presents a general picture on profitability. Embroiderers know that factors like quantity, garment material, the size and quality of the design, thread type and more will affect the time it takes to do a "job" and they adjust prices accordingly. Our Customer Success Kit includes articles with more specific information on pricing and a wealth of other industry tips to help you become very profitable in your new career in the embroidery business.

11. How big is the machine that does the embroidery?

TOYOTA embroidery equipment is built to fit through a standard door, even The Triple Header, our high production three head system! A single head unit is less than thirty inches wide and weighs about 180 pounds. It is considered "portable" by commercial-grade machine standards. These compact features are important for transporting it to events like shows, fairs, and rodeos or when space is limited in a home or small business. The TOYOTA operates so quietly that you can carry on a normal conversation while standing near it during operation. It should not disturb a neighbor, even in an apartment building. The personal computer that connects to the TOYOTA is typical of those being sold everywhere today. It's the perfect piece of equipment for starting a home embroidery business. (See Pantograms' machine brochure for specific weights and dimensions.)

12. What does the computer do in the embroidery process?

The computer processes the artwork from your customer in a manner that the machine can understand. The computer allows you to do lettering with a design, such as adding the date to an event such as a golf tournament. The process works like this:

• Your computer chooses a design from the selection that you have stored on disk or your customer asks you to prepare his artwork for embroidery using the process known as "digitizing."
• The computer program allows you to "input" the artwork so it can be seen on the color monitor.
• Add lettering or dates, re-size the design to fit right on the garment or even edit the design for changes.
• Once you save the design, it can be directly transferred to the TOYOTA machine for stitching.
  The computer has made intricate and complex embroidery available to the public on a scale never thought possible!

13. When you press the start button, does the machine simply do all the stitching like a printer?
No. You don't just load and go. Pantograms instructors will train you in embroidery technique. You will learn how to properly thread the machine, adjust tensions, to operate the machine control panel, proper hooping and embroidery placement techniques and more. You will be given new skills that profit you.

14. Where do I learn computerized embroidery?

Training at Pantograms' Embroidery Academy is included in the purchase price of any of our systems. Learn embroidery basics, the ins and outs of the TOYOTA ESP9000, lettering, editing and digitizing with our Forté Embroidery Software Suite. This 4-day course of hands-on training takes place in our Tampa, FL based classroom. You may opt for individualized instruction at your place of business; we can customize a training curriculum for just about any need.

15. Where do embroidery designs come from…what about names?

Pantograms has thousands of unique and popular stock embroidery designs for your customers to choose. Or, you can create custom designs for your customers with our advanced systems. Names and lettering are done with specialized fonts of embroidered letters that are included with our embroidery system. A large selection is available. Simply type in the lettering you want on the keyboard and it appears in the style and size you chose on the screen. You may alter the lettering in an unlimited number of ways if you wish then stitch it!

16. Will the machine operate automatically so I can do other things while the machine runs?

Yes! The TOYOTA embroidery machine has an automatic stitching routine that does not require operator intervention during stitching. The machine will automatically start and stop and will neatly trim excess thread when necessary. Most models will even change thread colors automatically. The finished embroidery is ready to display. You can work with customers, do administrative work or simply drink a cup of coffee while the machine stitches up to a fast 1200 stitches per minute.

17. Where do I fit in…? "The niche"?

Do you have the soul of an entrepreneur, the eye of an artist and the hands of a craftsman? Have you always wanted to work for yourself? Are you willing to get out and meet people…and ask for an order? Do you have strong initiative? Are you willing to take responsibility for the outcome of a business transaction? Will you listen, plan, be resourceful and persistent? If you have read this far, you probably have most of the qualities you need for success. No one will "invite" you to make money or pay you to pursue an opportunity that is designed to make profits for you. You must recognize opportunity and be willing to take some chances. If the above qualities fit you, you can succeed in the embroidery business.

18. Can the business grow into something big?

Yes! And Pantograms will help you do just that. We want you to purchase more equipment and supplies as your embroidery business grows, so we will help you in any way that we can. We can adapt a computer to connect dozens of machines to the same PC. We have accessories that allow you to do tubular stitching on heavy sweatshirts…very popular at universities and resorts. Our wide cap frame lets you embroider on three-dollar ball caps with a few cents worth of thread for a substantial profit! You see these items and the prices in stores everywhere. We will supply you with the tools for success, train you and your staff and we are always ready to help you.

19. How much does it cost to get started?

As little as $299 per month. The price includes a TOYOTA Embroidery Machine, software, training and the embroidery accessories you need to get started. Depending on your business requirements, we have many other complete systems at varying prices. They range from powerful single-head combinations to our state-of-the-art production plant, the 9000-3 Triple Header modular system, complete with any level of our powerful but easy-to-use software.

20. Do you offer financing?

Yes! Pantograms has agreements with leasing companies to finance these systems for up to five years or longer. Depending on the system you choose, your payments can be as low as $200 a month, and the down payment is typically just two payments. Most customers exercise the 10% buy-out option at the end of the lease so they actually own their equipment. Some customers simply prefer to do business with their own bank.

21. What are the advantages of choosing Pantograms?

35 years of proud service to the embroidery industry ensure unparalleled experience in helping you to get started. Our family owned business offers friendly personalized service as you begin and grow throughout your embroidery career.

• We are the world's largest distributor of quality TOYOTA embroidery equipment. Our warranties are the best in the industry.
• Forté Embroidery Software Suite was created and developed at our corporate Center in Tampa, Florida. It offers five add on levels, so it can grow with your growing business. Our team of designers and programmers are in tune with our customers needs and provide regular software updates to keep you on the cutting edge of embroidery technology.
• Our commitment to your success includes individualized training both at our location and yours. Toll-free customer phone support is available even on weekends. More than a dozen TOYOTA certified technicians are at your service, the largest number anywhere outside of Japan. Instructional videos, CDs and our Customer Success Kit are only a few of the support advantages our customers enjoy.
• We are the world's largest supplier of TOYOTA parts. We also inventory all the accessories and supplies your growing embroidery business can ever need and thousands of unique stock designs. Contact us by phone or order 24 hours a day, right from our web site.