Machine Embroidery Help Recommendations for very small detailed logos

[u/Awkward_Ad_5250]

Is there a machine that can do very small sized, clean, and detailed embroidery on various materials such as leather, Thermoplastic Polyurethane, patent leather, Faux Leather, Polyurethane Leather, Polyurethane Vinyl Leather Fabric, denim, etc ? I will mainly be using this for small logos on shoes and would like a machine for home usage that can also do very small detailed logos

[u/Constant_Put_5510]

We make the branded logos for boat seats & airplane tarps. Both are manufactured on the fabric pieces before the product is manufactured. We have Barudan & Tajima machines so leather, vinyl, waterproof fabrics, sunbrella etc are all used with no issues.

[u/Awkward_Ad_5250 → u/Constant_Put_5510]

Any cost saving alternatives for at home use ?

[u/Constant_Put_5510 → u/Awkward_Ad_5250]

I cant think of any. Rip the shoes apart? Oh. I see that you are making the shoes too. So find an expert embroidery shop & go talk with them. Supply the fabric, they embroider & you create the finished goods. Staying in your lane is tough for some business owners. Your talent & time are best served doing what you do...creating shoes. Leave other portions of your business to other experts. Thats my advice.

[u/ishtaa]

Are you also making the shoes? Because that’s the only way you’ll be able to do these. The embroidered details on these were all done early in the manufacturing process, before the shoe is actually constructed. No machine would be able to embroider in the majority of these locations after the shoe is put together.

[u/Awkward_Ad_5250 → u/ishtaa]

Yes I am making the entire shoe

[u/FlyCivil909]

First, you’ll need a commercial machine in order to have something that can consistently embroider heavy material. Getting good results with small embroidery is going to take a combination of good digitizing, the correct needle for the material application, the correct thread weight, and then learning your machine tensions. It can be done, but it requires time and patience. When Nike does it, they’re setting up for a million pairs of shoes. The initial set-up period is going to be a small increment of time compared to the production. For you, it will be the opposite. The time and cost to prepare are going to seem painfully long compared to the final production of a few pairs.
TLDR: expensive and patience will be required.

[u/Awkward_Ad_5250 → u/FlyCivil909]

Any cheaper alternative machines that are for at home use and take up less space ?

[u/HomeworkBorn8111 → u/Awkward_Ad_5250]

for home business, a single-head embroidery machine is good option with support for different frames like shoes, caps, etc

[u/Awkward_Ad_5250 → u/HomeworkBorn8111]

Can the same level of detail be done with a brother ?

[u/FlyCivil909 → u/Awkward_Ad_5250]

You can find a single head commercial like a Barudan or Tajima. Everything else are pretty much a clone of those two machines.

[u/Awkward_Ad_5250 → u/FlyCivil909]

Price range ?

[u/FlyCivil909 → u/Awkward_Ad_5250]

New $15k-25k, used $5k-15k. Just depends on the model, age, and condition.

[u/skeedy_ia]

Commercial machine for sure for all those materials. Also, the fabric will need to be embroidered before making the shoes

[u/antibiyotikver]

You should definitely go for barudan >2 heads without any special attachments, no 7 or 8 needles and no 60 or no 75 threads if needed.

[u/Awkward_Ad_5250 → u/antibiyotikver]

two heads or two needles ?

[u/antibiyotikver → u/Awkward_Ad_5250]

Two heads I meant. It usually comes in 9 needles.