EnMart Embroidery Talk

Sometimes the most basic stuff is the stuff that’s easiest to forget.  If you run a machine embroidery business,  you don’t want to forget about Sprayway products.  These sprays are very useful for any shop and can save you a lot of problems and hassle.   If you haven’t checked out our Tools and Accessories section lately,  here’s a little refresher course on what Sprayway products can do for you.

Sprayway Anti Static Spray -  This spray helps counteract static electricity charges that can attract dust to you machines.   It can also be used on fabric to help eliminate static cling.    This spray can also be used to prevent static electricity shocks which could damage a computer memory.

Sprayway Clean Jet Lint and Dust Remover – This is essentially “canned air”.  It can be used to clean small or delicate areas in your embroidery machine.  Use it remove lint from bobbin cases.

Sprayway Fast Tack Reposition Spray -  If you don’t want a permanent adhesive,  this is the spray for you.   You can use this spray to make regular backing into an adhesive stabilizer.   This is non staining and non transferable.

Sprayway Silicone Spray – This product stops sticking and binding and protects your machines.   Silicone spray can also be used to speed fabric flow and reduce friction.

Sprayway Spot Lifter – If you’ve ever had to discard a piece of fabric because you got a spot or a stain on it,  this product is for you.  Spot Lifter removes stains from cloth.  It is safe and effective when used on cotton, wool, synthetic materials and silk.  Spot Lifter is also guaranteed not to stain the cloth.

Sprayway Spray Adhesive – For temporary bonds,  look to Sprayway Fast Tack.  For more permanent bonds,  try Sprayway Spray Adhesive.   This product bonds to foam rubber, cardboard, plastic, glass, wool, cloth and metal.  It has a quick and long lasting tack and is water resistant.

For those of you who work in shops where MSDS sheets are required,  I would also like to point out that EnMart offers downloadable MSDS sheets for all Sprayway products on our web site.  Just click the MSDS link on the top menu bar to see the list.

Those of you who’ve read this blog for a while may know that I’m quite fond of doing series of posts.  Some topics are just too big to cover in one post, and doing a series allows for more in depth discussion and examination of a particular product or issue.  A series is also a great way to lead people through a particular topic in step 1, step 2, step 3 kind of a way.  A blog series can be a great educational tool.

One of the products that I’ve always thought would be perfect for a blog series is our machine embroidery backing.   The backing you choose can make such a difference in the success or failure of your embroidery, but there are so many different types of backing from which to make your choice.  How do you know which machine embroidery backing or topping is right for your job?  How do you know which one you should use?

This is where we come in.  Among other things, this blog is an educational tool for our customers.  Part of what we do here is help you make informed decisions about the products we sell.  Choosing the right machine embroidery backing can have a big impact on the look of your finished product and the ease of getting the product to that finished state.      It’s a choice that shouldn’t be left to chance and which requires an understanding of backing types, how backing can impact a finished design, and what sorts of backing or topping work best for various designs.   Over the coming weeks, our Backing Basics series will lead you through the all these subjects and more as we conduct an in depth discussion of machine embroidery backing.

Backing Basics will cover a wide variety of machine embroidery backing related topics including:

• Choosing the right backing for your job and garment
• The different types of backing
• Why quality matters when it comes to backing
• Environmentally friendly backing
• Backing weight
• Specialty backing

We are also open to answering any questions about backing that our readers may have.  If you have a backing related issue or question, please leave it in the comments here on the blog or contact us with your question.

Digitizing is something that a lot of machine embroiderers would probably like to do, but weren’t sure they would ever be able to do.   For some, the cost of the digitizing software is prohibitive.  For others,  the complexity of using the software seems daunting.  Some people just don’t care to digitize at all, and so hire expert digitizers to do the work for them.  If you’re in the last category, the new software EnMart has to offer probably won’t be of interest.  Everyone else, however, could benefit from ordering a copy of EnMart’s new offering, Stitch Era Universal Free Digitizing Software.

The Stitch Era Universal software is the first advanced software for the creation of embroidery designs that is free to end users.  It includes a large number of features, and performs all the functions necessary for digitizing including format conversion, pre-digitized letters, letters from true type fonts, advanced stitch editing, auto-digitizing, conventional digitizing, interactive digitizing and many more.   At a cost of $4.95, which covers shipping, handling and the creation of the CD,  the software is free to end users.   EnMart has also made a special offer, which allows buyers who purchase $30 worth of thread from our Thread and Thread Related category to use the code SEU2010 to get the software for free.

Stitch Era Universal is compatible with many major embroidery machines.  You can find a complete list of machines on which the software works on the Sierra web site.   The software also works with Windows.  The recommended and minimum configurations for your computer are available on the Stitch Era website.   Best of all, buying one copy of the software gives you the license to load it on to multiple computers, so you can use the software in your shop, on the road or in your home.

In October, EnMart is ready to help you prepare for the upcoming holidays.  If you create any sort of holiday themed embroidery, then our holiday thread palettes are sure to be of interest.   Our October special palettes also include a gold and silver metallic mini cone, perfect for adding that special sparkle to your holiday embroidery.

Our Christmas Palette contains all the shades necessary to embroider Christmas trees, Santa Claus and snow.   EnMart’s Thanksgiving Palette offers a variety of colors perfect for capturing the Autumn spirit of Thanksgiving.  The Halloween Palette provides all the colors you would need to embroider the spookiest ghosts, most ghoulish graveyards and wickedest witches.   Best of all, each palette is available at prices that are positively spooky.

In October, EnMart also offers a thread sale which allows bigger savings when you buy more cones of thread.  If you’ve been looking to convert your inventory over to Iris thread, October is the month to do so.     Our price breaks start at 6 cones, and go all the way up to 144 cones.  The number of cones can be of any color combination, although they must all be polyester.

Finally, EnMart is proud to introduce a new environmentally friendly backing in October.  Our Hydro-Stick backing is a moisture-activated adhesive backing that eliminates the need for spray adhesives.  It will not gum up your embroidery needles or embroidery machines. Perfect for medium to heavy stitch count designs, and medium to heavy weight garments and other products such as blank patches. If you’re looking for an ec0-friendly, non toxic backing choice, Hydro-Stitch could be the perfect option for you.

As always, all monthly specials last from the beginning to the end of the month.  These specials will expire on October 31, 2009.   To take advantage of any of our specials, just visit the EnMart website, or contact us at 1-866-516-1300.

We all know that environmental friendliness is a big issue these days.  Your customers want garments and embellishments created with products that are not harmful to the environment.  You want to please your customers without spending a ton of money on supplies or being limited in your choice of products.  I’m happy to say that EnMart can help you meet your goals and your customers wishes.

If you’re looking for thread that is manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner, you should really learn about Iris Thread.   This thread is manufactured by Hilos Iris, a company which is dedicated to environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.   From the dye stuffs used to color the thread to the waste water that is created in the manufacturing process, Iris does everything possible to be environmentally friendly.  You can read about Hilos Iris and their commitment to the environment in the About Us section of their web site.

EnMart also offers environmentally friendly inks for those who are decorating garments or other items through sublimation.   The Sublijet Inks available from Sawgrass Technologies are considered “green ink” because they are water based, and as such are demonstrably less harmful to the environment than solvent based inks.    When these inks are paired with recycled, recyclable, natural or biodegradable substrates, you get a finished product that  is certifiably green.   To learn more about “Green Ink Technology” you can download Sawgrass’ paper on the subject.

Another environmentally friendly product category that EnMart is currently investigating is backing.   One product we are looking into is the Hydro Stick Backing from QST.   This hoopless stabilizer has a moisture activated adhesive, which eliminates the need for traditional adhesive backing, which creates waste paper or spray adhesives, which often come in aerosol form.   The adhesive on this backing is also designed not to gum up the needles on your embroidery machines.

Environmentally friendly embroidery and sublimation products don’t have to be hard to find or hard on your wallet.  EnMart’s inventory of environmentally friendly products is expanding, so keep checking back to see what has been added.  If you known of a eco-friendly product that is not currently in our product inventory, please let us know in the comment section of this post.   As we’ve mentioned in the past, when you speak, we listen.

As many of you may already know, Melco recently decided to stop selling machine embroidery thread and supplies and concentrate solely on selling embroidery machines.   This decision has left many of the customers who used to buy Arc thread and the other machine embroidery supplies that Melco sold without a supplier.

Because Amaya machines were designed to fit a specific cone of thread, EnMart has always worked with the owners of these machines to get around this problem.  We have written blog posts on the subject, and provided instructions in our e-mail newsletters.   If machine operators use the simple techniques that we recommend, it will be easy to run Iris thread on an Amaya machine.

EnMart also now stands ready to assist those Melco customers who are now without a supplier.   We are currently working on a thread conversion chart which will convert the Melco colors to Iris colors.   This chart will most likely join our other thread conversion charts on the EnMart web site.   Our Sales and Customer Service staff will also have a copy.

EnMart also offers a wide variety of machine embroidery supplies similar to what Melco sold.  We have bobbins and bobbin cases,  adhesive spray and sewing machine oil and a wide variety of backings and toppings.   EnMart also sells Schmetz needles and thread clips.   If you are searching for a equivalent for the supplies that Melco sold, give us a call.  We’ll be happy to help you make the conversion.

For your convenience, EnMart has three locations to serve you.  Orders can be shipped from EnMart Corporate, in Michigan, EnMart East in New Jersey, or EnMart West in Nevada.  Plans are also in place to open EnMart South in Georgia later this year.

If you have any questions about EnMart or the machine embroidery supplies we sell,  you can call us at 1-866-516-1300 or leave a comment on this blog.

I just wanted to take a moment today to let everyone know that the June specials are up in the EnMart store.  Our specials this month center around our RunRite magnetic bobbins.  You can get a box of 144  for $26.95.  We also offer bulk discounts, so the more you buy, the more you save.

Our RunRite magnetic bobbins offer uniform tension control and better stitch consistency.   These bobbins also allow for more efficient use of all the thread on the bobbin and prevent backlash and overspin.   RunRite bobbins also come 144 to a box,  which is 44 more than are offered by other magnetic bobbin manufacturers.  If you’ve wondered about our magnetic bobbins, now is the time to give them a try.

In June we are also continuing our series of Starter Kits.  This month, Starter Kit #2 offers a 5500 yd cone each of black and white thread and a box of the RunRite magnetic bobbins.   This is a great way to try Iris thread and the RunRite bobbins for one low price.

Finally, EnMart is offering free shipping on two of our most popular heat presses.   The DK20SP and the DK20S are both available with free shipping in June.  If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a heat press, but wanted to avoid shipping charges, now is the time to buy.

You can see all our specials by visiting the homepage of the EnMart store.

Since blank patches are one of our most popular products, I thought today might be a good time to answer some Frequently Asked Questions about our blanks.  If you have a question I haven’t answered here, please leave it in the comments or contact us to ask.  We’ll be happy to help.

Q1:  What fabric are your blanks made of?

Our blanks are made of 100% polyester fabric.   This fabric is tough enough to stand up to industrial grade washing and drying.

Q2:  What are your standard color choices?

Our standard fabric color choice is white.  Our standard border colors are Red, White, Black, Navy, Rental Blue, Kelly Green and Gold.

Q3: Can I get blanks in other colors?

We have a wide variety of merrow and fabric colors available for a small upcharge.  Download this PDF to see our entire range of color choices.

Q4:  In the pictures on your site, the blanks have rounded corners.  Can I get blanks with squared corners?

Our standard blanks comes with penny round corners.   We can create blanks with squared corners in some sizes, but that is a special request and currently cannot be ordered through the web site.  If you need blanks with squared corners, call EnMart Customer Service at 1-866-516-1300 and we’ll be glad to take your order.

Q5:  Is there a minimum order for blanks?

The minimum order for blanks is 10 pieces.

Q6:  I would like to embroider the blanks I buy myself.  How do I embroider a single blank patch?

Embroidering single blank patches is quite simple.  We’ve created a step by step instruction guide which will walk you through the process.

May is a month of specials at EnMart!

In addition to our special on bobbins and our special on bobbins and black and white thread, we are also offering special pricing on our Geo.  Knight heat presses this month.  Until the end of May, our DK20S 16 x 20 Manual Swinger Heat Press and our DK20SP 16 x 20 Air Operated Swinger Heat Press are on sale.   We’re selling them at prices so low, we aren’t allowed to advertise them on our site.   To see the incredible low price, just add the heat press to your cart.  We can tell you this sale price is a substantial savings off the normal prices of these presses.  If you’ve been looking for a heat press, now is the time to buy.

While you’re checking out the low, low prices on two of our most popular heat press models, you should also take a look at our bobbin prices.  EnMart has also increased the amount you can save when buying our Hi-10 bobbins in bulk.   As of today, buying 30 boxes of bobbins, which equals a case, will allow you to purchase each box of bobbins at the bargain price of $19.99 per box.   If you’re looking for a substantial savings on bobbins, stock up now while these bargain prices are still available.

Finally, if you’re looking for a quality screenprint transfer, we wanted to remind everyone about Ntrans.   EnMart has now added a video on our site which shows in detail how the Ntrans process works.   If you’ve been wondering how Ntrans would work for your business,  you can now see first hand how easy these transfers are to apply, and how amazing they look on finished garments.

So far, May has been an exciting month at EnMart, and there’s more to come.  If you want to keep up to date on everything that’s happening,  make sure to keep an eye on this blog.  Those who don’t already receive our NewsBites and sale and special e-mails, may also want to add themselves to our mailing list.  If you would like to be added to the list, simply contact us and request that we add your name and e-mail.   We don’t want anyone to miss out on these great opportunities, so we’ll be glad to add you to the list.

EnMart is proud to announce that we have added some additional products to the EnMart store.  In the next few months the store inventory will be changing frequently, so please keep checking back to see what’s new.  We will also alert you to new product offerings here on the EmbroideryTalk blog.

One of the new products that has been added to the store is ColorMaxx Ink.  ColorMaxx Inks are available in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, and White, and can be used on 100% cotton garments, or on garments up to a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester. See our Ink FAQ’s for more information about suitable materials for printing. We also offer PreTreat and CleanJet cleaning solution.   You can also find direct to garment printing accessories in the EnMart store.

EnMart has also added some new sizes and shapes of blank patches to the EnMart store.   The additional sizes and shapes were added after examining blank orders over the past year.  The new additions are the sizes and shapes that you have ordered most often, which previously could not be ordered from the web site. It made sense to add them to the existing web site inventory so you can order them quickly and easily whenever you wish to do so.  As a reminder, EnMart has also increased our color offerings, so you can now order a wide variety of fabric and border colors from our web site as well.

Finally, we have also added merrow floss to our web site.   Iris Merrow floss is perfect for creating borders for patches.   Our merrow floss is available in 17 colors.

EnMart is always open to suggestions for products we should carry in our store.  If you know of a product you think would be a useful addition to the EnMart store, please leave a comment for us and let us know.  Our product offerings will be expanding regularly, so keep an eye on this blog and our web site for the latest updates.