Commercial Embroidery Hoops
There’s one major accessory every happy embroiderer needs—a set of commercial embroidery hoops. But not just any, it has to be the right kind!
But, how do you know which one is the right one? How do you tell them apart and choose the best from the rest?
This buyer’s guide is the answer to all your ‘how,’ ‘why,’ and ‘where’ questions.
Here, we’ll get you up to speed on the different types of hoops available on the market. We’ll cover their sizes, shapes, the materials they’re made from, and how they pair with embroidery machines.
We’ll also highlight some common mistakes people often make and give you tips on how to avoid them.
All to prime you for selecting the right hoop for your machine and projects.
By the end of this read, you should be well-prepared to choose and use hoops like a pro.
So, read on for lots of Pro tips and recommendations to make your shopping easier.
What Is an Embroidery Hoop and What Do You Use It For?
There are two types of readers for this article: those who already run an embroidery business and those who dream of starting one someday. If you’re in the second group, you might not know much about commercial embroidery hoops yet, and that’s okay!
In this section, we’ll walk through the essentials to get everyone on the same page.
So, what better way to start than by asking: “What exactly is an embroidery hoop? And what is it used for?”
Put simply, an embroidery hoop is a tool designed to keep your fabric tight and secure while your machine stitches your design.
Typically, though not always, it’s made up of two rings—an inner ring and an outer ring. And the way it works is, you place your fabric over the inner ring and then snap the outer ring over it to hold the fabric firmly in place.
And there you have it—you now know what an embroidery hoop is. You can now get on with the rest of your day.
Or can you?
Well, let’s pause here for a moment.
An embroidery hoop does more than just secure your fabric. It opens up a world of creative possibilities for decorating clothes, home decor, crafts, and more.
Whether you’re adding a personalized monogram to a shirt, a pretty pattern to a pillow, or a fun design to a tote bag, the hoop ensures that your fabric stays put so your design turns out perfectly.
Besides holding your fabric taut and steady, embroidery hoops help with centering and aligning your design.
And that, in a few words, is what an embroidery hoop is all about.
At the same time, we’re not quite done here yet. We still have the rest of the article ahead of us and plenty of pointers to cover, so let’s keep going.
Want to know where embroiderers typically get their wholesale supplies? Read this article!
Types of Embroidery Hoops and Hooping Devices
Here we are. In this section of the article, we’ll go over the various types of embroidery hoops and hooping devices, giving you a better idea of what’s out there, what your choices are, and when to use each one.
That said, below is a list of some of the most popular and widely used hoops among embroiderers. While this isn’t a complete list of every hoop out there, these are the ones you’ll often see people using (and shops carrying).
Along with each hoop, we’ve also included a brief description of each hoop and its typical uses.
So, take your time to go through each one of them.
Standard Hoops: At the top of the list are standard hoops, and for good reason. They typically come with most embroidery machines and are used for flat apparel like polos, jackets, sweatshirts, pants, and shorts that are usually made of fabrics like cotton, linen, and polyester.
However, they can also be used on canvas and more delicate fabrics like knits if you take precautions and use special techniques, such as stabilizers, to prevent stretching and distortion during hooping and stitching.
These hoops commonly range in size from 3.5″ round hoops to 12 x 16 rectangle commercial embroidery hoops and come in various shapes such as oval, rectangle, square, and circle.
Cap Hoops: Next are cap hoops, which likely do not require a lot of explanation as the name can be easily understood.
In essence, cap hoops are designed specifically for embroidering on caps and hats.
They have frames that typically conform to the cap’s curved surface and can accommodate different cap sizes and shapes. The way it works is simple: the cap is typically “hooped” or stretched over the frame, ensuring that the area where the embroidery will be placed is held taut. Once the cap is securely attached to the hoop, it’s inserted into the embroidery machine.
What’s more, cap hoops come in various sizes and configurations to fit different types of caps, such as trucker hats, beanies, and fitted caps.
Jumbo Hoops: Jumbo hoops are larger-than-standard hoops. They’re perfect for when you want to sew out larger designs that just won’t fit in the smaller hoops. Think big monograms, elaborate patterns, or cool artwork on things like oversize jackets, blankets, or large tote bags. In other words, when you wish to go BIG, go with jumbo!
Specialty Hoops: Specialty hoops are designed for specific applications, such as embroidering on shoes, pockets, or other hard-to-reach areas. They are essential for niche projects or materials that standard hoops might struggle with. Remember that the more specialty products you can offer because of these specialty hoops, the more you set yourself apart from competitors. These hoops allow you more creative possibilities.
Magnetic Hoops: Next on the list are magnetic hoops, which are perfect for those hard-to-hoop areas like collars, cuffs, or pockets. These tricky spots can be a real headache to embroider, but magnetic hoops make the process much easier.
The magnets create a strong, invisible force that securely holds any type of garment in place, eliminating the need for traditional hooping.
They’re compatible with any backing—or even no backing at all—and allow you to hoop items directly on the machine, skipping the usual table-to-machine transfer.
The list goes on and could include even more options like Fast Frames, Allied Gridlock hoops, Embroidery Grip, and Mighty Hoops. But we’ll leave that for you to explore and research yourself. After all, isn’t that the most fun part, anyway?
There’s still plenty more to cover, so let’s keep things moving.
Choosing the Right Material for Your Embroidery Hoop
Let’s get right to it and talk about the different materials used to make hoops, their pros and cons, and how each material influences the quality and ease of your embroidery work.
Essentially, the three most common materials for hoops are plastic, wood, and metal, so those are the ones we’ll focus on here.
Plastic: Plastic, a material we are all familiar with, brings its typical characteristics to embroidery hoops as well. It is lightweight, flexible, and affordable.
These hoops are commonly made from ABS plastic, polypropylene, or other specially engineered plastic compositions.
Depending on the manufacturer and brand, some plastic hoops feature centimeter scale grid lines, dot markings, and lines on the inner hoop, which help you visually position your garment, design, and hoop exactly where you want them.
Metal: Moving on to metal hoops and frames, you’ll find plenty to appreciate about them, even if you didn’t expect to. Most notably, they are known for their durability, stability, and resistance to warping and flexing, making them less likely to break. They provide a very firm grip, even on thick or challenging fabrics. However, they are heavier than both plastic and wood, which is to be expected since they are usually made from aluminum or stainless steel.
Wood: While wooden hoops may not be as common as plastic or metal hoops in commercial settings, they bring a special kind of look, feel, and functionality that many embroiderers appreciate. They often provide a softer, gentler grip, which can be ideal for more delicate fabrics.
To answer the question of which material is best for hoops, it’s really up for debate. Ultimately, it depends on the specifics and requirements of your project. Are you embroidering as a hobby or for commercial purposes?
If you need something more durable and reliable, metal frames might be the better choice. But given the abilities of modern materials and their compositions, plastic can also provide the same level of stability.
So, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each material in the context of your needs.
Explore how Avancé Commercial Embroidery Machines can fulfill your embroidery needs.
Ready to Start or Expand Your Embroidery Business?
Chat with us below, call us at 877-793-3278, or click the button and let us help you get your business growing.
The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Commercial Embroidery Machine Hoops for Your Business appeared first on Avancé Commercial Embroidery Machines.