I am starting to add in embroidery in my alterations business-but I don't know for sure how to charge. Mostly what people ask for is monograms on towels and such. I was hoping to get a priceline by checking out craft fairs in our area but since I made that decision, there haven't been any. I am not in a big city either, so I am not going to go so high that people will turn and run. Feedback would be greatly appreciated (I have googled and checked out some sites, but it's kinda all over the place with how to charge)~~Linda~~

Hi. I have a home machine and I get 4euros to add a name in a baby bag to a seller.
Hope you understand my english..

I have a small home business making Memory Quilts and I never even thought of charging per 1000 stitches + hooping fee. I just charge a flat $10 fee per 5x7 hooping. That being said, I have only had requests for names/dates, things like that. I've never been asked to stitch out a really dense design. If I was, I would possibly ask for another $5 (I am quoting Canadian Dollars, here).

Hi there
Funny how you compare home embroidery to commercial.. I am saving for a brother pr650, but I am a little hesitant as my dealer plus my playing with his store one, both confirm there is no difference between the stitch on this and my current innovis,I run 2 exact same items to compare this :-),
I also found that the the pr650 still takes the standard L Bobbin so even though it can run 6 threads still can only do about 8000 stitches per bobbin.. so back to your prices
There are many ebay stores you can look at
I also have a store there.. take a close look at the cheaper end of the market as they are just that very cheap.. my items are priced at the top end of the market, and I have wonderful comments and many people returning for more to me that speaks volumes
as I wont supply a cheap towel with a tiny design on for a quick buck..
I value my reputation far to much..
I also only offer my own designs which makes them limited to me, if you can place samples in your shop for people to see the quality do will do very well.
I also take the view of what is a good price to pay for a present
here in the uk I can supply something for the £10
for the £15 and for the £20 price.
that way you are covering peoples budgets for a present
Have fun big hugs from london
Mooie xx

To be quite honest $1 for every 1,000 stitches is reasonable and $3 to $5 hooping fee as it will depend on fabric and stabalizer I have found by keeping prices down my turnover is greater as I sell far more than the ones that over price me ive seen them have items still on shelves months later where I am replacing all the time hope that helps Hugs Shazells

*4u

Since I technically have a "Home Sewing/Embroidery Machine" (Brother ULT2001) and not a commercial grade machine I only charge between .75 & .80 cents per 1000 stitches...plus a surcharge for hooping/materials costs of $3.00/$5.00 dollar (speaking for the 4x4 hoop) depending on what types of thread/stabilizer the design dictates. Personally I don't feel that I could/should charge the standard commercial rate of $1.00/1000 stitches as I am NOT a business with the same overhead that a business incurrs...but at the same time, I need to make it worth my time and effort also. Besides, if I am to be perfectly analytical, put side by side a commercial machine stitched design will be of a little bit better caliber IMO... JM2C ~Rita