Ricoma Insights Quarter 3

3rd QUARTER • 2018 EDITION ACADEMY DOWN UNDER RICOMA AUSTRALIA HOSTS 2019 EMBROIDERY CONFERENCEMachine EMBROIDERYspotlight: BUSINESS GUIDEEm-1010 7 CRITICAL THINGS TO DO BEFORE11 Reasons Why You’ll Love STARTING AN EMBROIDERY BUSINESSRicoma’s EM-1010 Q + A WITHRICOMA INSIGHTS PUBLICATION • ISSUE 0003 RICOMA ENGINEER XIPING HE REVEALS LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

W hen I first looked into the embroidery machine market, I found it was dominated by extremely expensive machines from Japan, Germany, the United States and South Korea. To compensate for those high equipment costs, embroiderers had to mark up their prices. This narrowed the market of consumers who bought custom goods. I immediately saw an opportunity to change the market by providing good quality embroidery machines at affordable prices. This would not only lower the barrier to entry into the embroidery business, but also increase the amount of custom goods available to people. From the start, our mission has been to make the world look more fashionable and polished through decorative em- broidery on things people wear and use.Through years of relentless efforts by our staff, we have become one of the lead- ing manufacturers of embroidery equipment. We have been fiercely devoted to ensuring top quality, developing proprietary technology, and providing global24-hour customer service and support – all at affordable prices. Now that we’ve positioned ourselves as one of the most well-known companies in our industry worldwide, we wanted to give our audience deeper insight into who we are.Thus, Ricoma Insights was born.Within these pages, you’ll get to know more about Ricoma’s vision, technolog- ical innovation, new products, embroidery techniques, and more. With each piece of content we create, we aim to keep the apparel and textile decoration industry alive and thriving and help our customers succeed in their businesses. I hope you enjoy getting to know us and the industry a little better through Ricoma Insights. FRANK MA Founder & President

3rd QUARTER • 2018 EDITIONIn This Issue...You can read through the News and Events section to get updates on the latest in the embroidery industry and Ricoma. Diveinto the Profiles section to meet our featured distributor and read an exclusive interview with a Ricoma engineer. Finally, checkout the Features section to get professional machine embroidery tips and insights.Profiles Features News + Events 2 ACADEMY DOWN UNDER Ricoma Australia Hosts 2019 Embroidery Conference 2 RICOMA LAUNCHES ONLINE SHOP Ricoma Accessories Available for Sale Online 3 EMBROIDERY HUB RELEASES NEW EPISODES Host Explains How to Embroider on Leather, Cardstock and Clutches 4 SEWING EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION Ricoma Returns to Northern China’s Most Influential Sewing Exhibition 4 TOOLS OF THE TRADE Top 5 Machine Embroidery Accessories of All Time 7 EMBROIDERY BUSINESS GUIDE 7 Critical Things To Do Before Starting an Embroidery Business 10 MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: EM-1010 11 Reasons Why You’ll Love Ricoma’s EM-1010 12 MEET JEFF ROSARIO Screen Printer Expands Custom Apparel Business with EM-1010 13 Q + A WITH RICOMA ENGINEER Xiping He Reveals Latest Developments 14 DISTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT Hubert Gietl, founder of CCS GmbH 16 UPCOMING EVENTS Don’t miss our upcoming trade shows worldwide

ACADEMY DOWN UNDERRicoma Australia hosts 2019 embroidery conferenceBlessington, Ricoma’s Australian distributor, will host its Academy Down Under will be held at the Sea World Resort annual quilting and embroidery academy in February. in Queensland, Australia, from Feb. 14 to Feb. 18. This time, the convention will host a series of classes The conference will feature 12 tutors from different sewingstrictly on Ricoma machines. and embroidery backgrounds, including Laura Gomez, Ricoma’s Content Specialist. Laura will teach six classes on machine embroidery, covering everything from 3D puff embroidery and cap embroidery to free-standing lace and in-the-hoop stuffed animals. In addition to embroidery, attendees will also learn quilting techniques from the conference’s expert quilters. For more information on the conference, visit https://blessington.com.au/academy/Ricoma Launches Online ShopRicoma accessories available for sale onlineRicoma embroidery machine owners, rejoice! Ricoma embroidery software. has launched an online accessories shop. Visit shop.ricoma.us to view the full collection of tools andNow, Ricoma machine owners can buy accessories directly accessories available to help embroiderers expand theironline, eliminating the need to call in for quotes. Instead, site businesses.visitors can easily browse through the shop to view pricesand purchase the tools they need at any time of the day.“We wanted to provide an additional option to embroidererswho prefer to purchase online,” said Ricoma’s VP MiguelCiarreta. “We understand that some people don’t have thetime to call for a quote in the middle of the workday, so nowyou can shop anywhere, anytime, any day.”The site offers must-have embroidery machine accessoriessuch as the Mighty Hoops, the Gen2 cap frame, the All-In-One-Hooper and the 8-in-1 Hoop Set.Aside from specialty hoops and accessories, the shopalso stocks heat presses, steam presses, fabric cutters and2

EMBROIDERY HUBReleases New EpisodesRicoma’s hit embroidery show has released three new Embroidering on Clutchesepisodes covering projects Embroidery Hub viewers have In this episode, Laura uses HoopTech’s Slimline clamps tonever seen before. hoop and embroider a small leather clutch. Leather clutchesSince the show’s start in June 2017, Ricoma’s YouTube channel are usually too small or too thick to embroider on a traditionalhas amassed a following of upwards of 8,000 followers. hoop, making these clamps the perfect solution for difficult-During its run, Ricoma’s YouTube channel has aired episodes to-hoop items.on a wide range of embroidery projects from patches and Click here to watch these clamps in actionfree standing lace to cap embroidery. Recently, Ricoma has Embroidery on Leatherreleased episodes on leather, cardstock and clutches. Ever wondered how people manage to embroider on leather without ruining their fabric? In this video, Laura shares theEmbroidering on Cardstock best tips and materials for embroidering on leather all whileWhen we said you can embroider on virtually anything, we protecting it in the process.meant it. In this episode, Laura embroiders birthday cards Click here to learn the best practices for embroidering onon cardstock. leatherClick here to learn the best practices for embroidering oncardstock 3

SEWING EQUIPMENT EXHIBITIONRicoma returns to northern China’s most influential sewing exhibitionIn June, Ricoma attended the 19th Chinese International showcased a variety of advanced machine models, including Sewing Equipment Exhibition at Qingdao International multi-head embroidery and tubular (cap) embroidery Expo Center. machines.Recognized as the most influential sewing industry platform Attendees stopped by Ricoma’s booth for a look at thein Northern China, the exhibition held eight pavilions with display of embroidered products like handbags, jackets,over 1,500 booths in the sewing industry. At the fair, Ricoma caps and more. Guests stayed to witness special embroidery techniques such as bead and sequin embroidery, and even placed orders for their next embroidery machine. In the Chinese domestic market, Ricoma has remained a leader in the flat embroidery and DIY embroidery machine market. Ricoma has also developed numerous international partnerships that have helped its products reach over 140 countries. Ricoma plans to continue to win customer trust and support by growing its global network and providing high-quality products and services to customers across the globe.TOOLS OF THE TRADETop 5 machine embroidery accessories of all timeMachine embroiderers: Brace yourselves! It’s time #5 we reveal our five favorite machine embroidery accessories of all time. While there are loads ofhelpful embroidery tools to choose from, we’ve narrowed itdown to the top five in order to help you get started on yourkiller embroidery stash. “With these tools, Robot Frame practically anything Shoe embroidery can be difficult, if not impossible, without is possible...” this specialty device. That’s why the Robot Frame has earned a spot on this list.With these tools, practically anything is possible, so check The Robot Frame consists of two adjustable clamps thatout exactly what these must-have accessories can achieve inorder to determine which best suits your needs.4

get a strong hold on unusually shaped goods during the #3embroidery process. Although this device is the mostexpensive on this list, it’s a necessary investment if you plan Hoopmasteron offering professional shoe embroidery. In fact, there’snothing else like it on the market besides its sister model, the The Hoopmaster is perfect for those who struggle with designManual Robot Frame. placement and need to crank out consistent bulk uniformWhile the Robot Frame is best for a firm hold on very thick orders.shoes like cleats, those who plan to stitch on other types Embroiderers use the Hoopmaster’s placement guides toof shoes like boots or canvas shoes can opt for the manual know exactly where to place their designs according to therobot frame. This frame consists of a lever that clamps down shirt and hoop size. If you’re looking for quick and easythe material to embroider all types of items such as shoes, design placement and hooping, the Hoopmaster will surelybags and boots for less than half the price. cut the time it takes to complete bulk orders and keep yourClick here to learn more about the Robot Frame production flowing.Click here to learn more about the Manual Robot Frame This device is custom made for your hoops and can be purchased with either standard hoops or Mighty Hoops#4 depending on the hoop you plan on using the most. Click here to learn more about the HoopmasterGen2 Cap Frame #2The Gen2 Cap Frame probably ranks number one in theheart of anyone who has used it. While you can create cap Mighty Hoopsembroidery on standard cap embroidery hoops, the Gen2cap frame opens up the window to opportunity if you’re Coming in at a very close second are Mighty Hoops. As itsreally serious about embroidering hats. name suggests, these hoops are very mighty! If you own theseDesigned with clips to hold stabilizer during the hooping powerful hoops, you’ll probably argue that they deserve theprocess, the Gen2 hoops caps faster and easier than number one spot.traditional hoops, making it great for businesses who plan The perfect solution for embroidering thick materials, theseon specializing in caps. powerful hoops work like regular hoops, except they clingIt also opens up the embroidery area to allow you to get closer together instantly when they meet. This eliminates any stressto the bill without experiencing any issues such as needle or on your hands and reduces the possibility of hoop burnthread breaks. You’ll also get a larger sewing field on the two (marks left behind on your fabric from traditional hoops). Infront panels of the caps while still maintaining registration fact, they practically hoop the material themselves.and high quality. Available in a wide range of sizes, these hoops will makeRegular cap embroidery hoops are also limited when itcomes to embroidering certain caps. With the Gen 2, you 5have the open area of the frame to easily work with trickycaps like visors.Click here to learn more about the Gen2 Cap Frame

your job a whole lot easier if you plan on embroidering thick hard-to-hoop items and areas with limited space such asmaterials like jackets and bags. They also work great for pockets, sleeves, cuffs, baby clothes, and more.hooping delicate materials that may be prone to hoop burn, The set also includes embroidery hoops that allow you tosuch as satin. embroider on the back and sides of caps.Some embroiderers love these hoops so much, they even While we appreciate its versatility, above all, these hoopsuse them on regular items, such as polos and towels, to cut also work to prevent machine embroidery issues such asproduction time. puckering. Usually, when you embroider knit materials, theClick here to learn more about the Mighty Hoops material tends to stretch when it’s hooped, causing the fabric to bunch up around the embroidery design. However, when#1 you float your material using the 8-in-1 hoop, you’re able to maintain the material’s original properties to ensure the best quality embroidery. Click here to learn more about the 8-in-1 Hoop Set8-in-1 Hoop Set Bottom LineNumber one is an absolute MUST in every machine Always remember the golden rule of embroidery: If youembroiderers arsenal. Although we pretty much can’t live can hoop it, you can embroider it!without everything else on this list, you’ll get the most “bangfor your buck” with the 8-in-1 Hoop Set. This set consists With the right tools and materials, you can embroider onof one master bracket and eight specialty hoops of different virtually anything. To view more machine embroiderysizes that allow you to embroider on an extensive list of items. accessories, visit www.shop.ricoma.us.These hoops are a lifesaver because you can “float” thematerial over the hoop using adhesive stabilizer, rather than For more machine embroidery insights, connect with otherhooping it traditionally. This allows you to easily embroider professionals on our Facebook group, Embroidery and Custom Apparel Mastery.6

EMBROIDERY BUSINESS GUIDE7 critical things to do before starting an embroidery businessIf you’re thinking of tapping into the business side of Step #2: Find the right embroidery, your first question is probably something machinery like… Once you’ve narrowed down what types of“Where do I even begin!?” items you’d like to sell, you’ll need the rightLuckily, we’ve broken it down into a simple 7-step process machinery and toolsfor you. to make it happen. To make the timeIn this article, you’ll learn what to do in each step of the you spend on laborprocess and discover some insider tips along the way. Let’s worthwhile, you’ll needdive in! an efficient machine that allows you to quickly make your dollar back. Step #1: Define your While single-needle machines are more accessible due ideal customer and to their inexpensive price tag, you’ll need a multi-needle learn his/her needs to finish projects quickly enough to make a good profit. Otherwise, you’ll spend too much time on labor and not When starting off, it’s have enough time to pick up larger orders. important to begin On a multi-needle, you can quickly embroider multi-colored with an idea of who designs within minutes. With a single-needle, you’ll have your ideal customer is to constantly swap out the needle and run the machine at so you can stock up on a slower speed. Not to mention, single-needles are not built the right materials and for constant daily use, while multi-needles are built to last tools needed to serve longer. that particular market. You may need to purchase some specialty hoops in order to embroider certain items. For instance, if you think you’llOnce you determine WHO your ideal customer is, figuring need to constantly embroider thick materials, you may wantout what to sell them is second nature. to invest in a good pair of specialty hoops that will help you get the job done. However, these tools are only available onFor instance, if you decide you want to tap into the fraternity/ multi-needle machines, which is another reason why it’ssorority market, you can easily determine the type of important to find the right machinery that allows you tocustomized apparel they’ll need: caps, t-shirts, polo shirts, embroider the items you plan to offer in a timely manner.duffle bags for weekend-long mixers, sashes for formals, andso on. Step #3: Figure out your business costsOnce you have an idea of who you want to sell to and what After you’ve chosenyou want to sell, conduct some market research to find where the right tools, youyour customers are and verify what their needs are. should be able to closely estimate the cost ofConducting market research can be as simple as logging on running your business.to social media and searching relevant hashtags to see what In business, there areyour customers are wearing and posting. generally two types of costs: direct costs andTIP: If you’re interested in the sorority market, visit the indirect costs.sorority’s website and/or social media. Take note of what theylike to wear, the events they host and more. This will help 7you verify what your target customers need, rather than justassuming.

Indirect costs are usually fixed costs that remain the same But how do you determine how much to purchase?each month, such as rent. Some embroiderers choose to order the merchandise theyMeanwhile, direct costs usually vary each month, as they are need after they’ve already received an order. This helps takedirectly tied to production. This means, these costs will vary the financial risk of overstocking off of your business.based on how many orders you receive. The only problem?In the embroidery business, direct costs like stabilizer, thread This can drastically increase turnaround times and can evenand bobbin are inexpensive compared to other businesses. lead your customer elsewhere.However, be mindful of other costs many don’t consider, such However, if you’re embroidering on the side, this approachas the cost of digitizing, labor, marketing and packaging. may work for you. Some embroiderers start off small and don’t have the resources to invest in large quantities of Step #4: Register your various items. If that’s the case, stock up on the basics and business listen to your customers as you go. At first, you may spend a little more on shipping if you receive a rush order you need Next, you’ll need to to fulfill, but it may be less than the cost of overstocking a register your business. large quantity. As a business owner, You can also get around this issue by finding wholesalers you’ll get access near you. That way, you can purchase in-person, or get faster to benefits such as shipping at reduced rates. wholesale prices and On the other hand, if embroidery is your main source of tax-free purchases on income you should definitely have your main offerings on- items you plan to resell. hand. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending a lot more in rush The exact steps in the shipping, and you’ll pay higher costs for smaller quantities. process will vary by You’ll also experience longer turnaround times thanstate, but generally, for the embroidery business, you’ll need competitors who are fully stocked on blanks and materials.to do the following: As your business grows, you’ll know exactly what materials and blanks you’ll need to keep in stock depending on your 1. Start by filing for an EIN (Employer order volume. Identification Number) on www.irs.gov 2. File for articles of incorporation within your state. “As your business grows, you’ll know exactly what materials and 3. Turn to your local government to determine blanks you’ll need to keep in stock resale licensing regulations and any permits depending on your order volume.” you may need to get a resale certificate within your business location. (You will need this resale Step #6: Create a certificate in order to get access to wholesale pricing structure prices in some stores.) Most embroiderers we know don’t have a Step #5: Stock up on standard price sheet materials because the price of each garment depends on One of the main the design the customer questions embroiderers wants embroidered. pose when starting Because of the nature of a business is how to this service, you need to determine how much determine a pricing structure to follow every time you quote stock to have on-hand. a customer. Some embroidery machines include an assortment of startupmaterials that can get you through your first order or two.But during that time, take the time to stock up on thread,needles, stabilizer and blanks so you can start your orders assoon as you receive them.8

“In the apparel business, store or Etsy for listing your products online. social media is the best way Whether or not you’re planning to sell in person or online, to market your services and you’ll need to set up a social media presence. In the apparel business, social media is the best way to market showcase your work.” your services and showcase your work. Rest assured, before someone buys from you in the apparel business, they haveMany embroiderers price their work with a simple formula most likely visited your social media. When setting up yourof $1 per 1,000 stitches plus the cost of the garment. While social media, be sure to list your business’ contact info onthis may work in some cases, it is not accurate in other cases. your bio and provide plenty of photos of samples for futureSure; you can easily charge $12 for a $5 polo with $7,000 customers to see.stitches on it, but what happens if your customer wants a You’ll also need to list your business on Google, and makelarger design on a pillowcase, perhaps? sure your contact info and address are up-to-date. ListingIf your pillowcase’s design is 75,000 stitches, your pillowcase your business on Google is free and will help customers whocosts $5, and the artwork costs $10, would anyone pay $90 are searching for embroidery services in your area find you.for an embroidered pillowcase? Listing your business on Google also gives you a reliableProbably not. platform for happy customers to leave reviews. Not only doTherefore, it’s best to determine a target profit you want to potential customers trust Google reviews more than reviewsmake per hour and price your item based off your raw costs on your website, but the more reviews your business receivesand the time it takes you to complete the project. on Google, the higher your chances are of being found onHowever, be mindful not to underprice your work, as this Google by new customers.stitch count rule can also work against you.For instance, some customers may bring in their own SO WHAT’S NEXT?garment and ask you to embroider it. If you give them a flat Now that you’re familiar with the seven crucial steps you needfee of $1 per 1,000 stitches, this pricing does not take into to take before getting started in the embroidery business, it’saccount the special considerations necessary to embroider time to put this insider info to good use.this project. Although jumping into a new business or hobby can beFor instance, some materials need to be embroidered at intimidating, you’d be surprised how many people likeslower speeds and some designs have many color changes, you got started with little to no embroidery (or business)increasing the time needed to complete the item. experience.For that reason, it’s important to calculate all your costs and In an effort to capture what it’s like to build an embroideryinclude labor into your pricing structure, especially for larger business, we interviewed four crafters and entrepreneursorders. who turned into embroidery business pros. In these exclusive video interviews, they each shared… Step #7: Create an • How they got started in the embroidery business online presence • Where they find their customers Last, it’s time to get • The types of embroidery projects they create digital. • Their best tips for startup businesses First off, you’ll need to • And so much more! determine what your Click here to see how these everyday folks transitioned into point of sale will be. the embroidery business seamlessly Will you be selling After all, what better way to get started than to see what the online or in-person? If pros are doing? you’ll be selling online, you’ll have several quickand easy options, such Shopify for creating your own online 9

MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: EM-101011 reasons why you’ll love Ricoma’s EM-1010Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to embroider at vests, sports uniforms and more with the machine’s home, a crafter who wants to start a business, or largest 12.2” x 8.2” hoop. an entrepreneur in search of the ideal entry-level 2. It’s compatible with a wide range of professionalmachine for your shop, Ricoma’s EM-1010 is the perfect attachmentsmachine to help bring your vision to life. The EM-1010 is also compatible with some of the industry’sWith the EM-1010, you can embroider a wide range of best specialty accessories such as Mighty Hoops and thecaps, flats and finished garments from practically anywhere. 8-in-1 hoop set.Weighing only 99 pounds, you can take the EM-1010 The optional Mighty Hoops are designed with magnets thatanywhere you plan on running your machine – whether it be allow you to easily frame tough-to-hoop items and minimizethe mall, the craft fair or even your bedroom! hoop burns.But that’s just ONE of the reasons why you’ll love this You can also broaden your capabilities with the 8-in-1 hoopmachine. While we can think of countless reasons why EM- set. With these eight specialty frames, you can embroider1010 owners love their machines, we’ve narrowed it down to pockets, pant legs and other small areas that are nearlythe top 11. Read on to discover 11 things Ricoma customers impossible with a regular frame.(and you) will absolutely love about the EM-1010. Meanwhile, every EM-1010 is compatible with a wide-angle1. You can embroider a wide variety of items for less cap system that allows you to stitch high quality designs onWith four different-sized hoops included, no project is too all sorts of caps – without having to spend thousands morebig or too small for this versatile machine. on an additional cap attachment. • The 2.8” x 2” hoop is perfect for small items like baby 3. You can easily upload and store designs – even while clothing, while the 2-inch sewing arm allows ample your machine is running room to sew onto smaller areas like sleeves. Once you’re ready to embroider, you can efficiently upload • With the 4.3” x 4.3” hoop, you can stitch on anything designs straight from your computer with the EM-1010’s from smaller beanies and onesies to larger items like network capability. You can also use the USB input to quickly tees and tanks. upload and store up to 20 million stitches on your machine’s • With the 7.5” x 5.5” hoop, you’ll be able to embroider large internal memory from anywhere. on garments like polos and robes as well as accessories In fact, it’s so efficient that you can even import designs like totes and backpacks. • You can also embroider larger designs on jacket backs,10

while your machine is running thanks to its dual internal run multi-colored designs from start to finish without anyprocessor, which really saves you time if you need to upload interruptions. You can sit back as you watch the machine headyour next design as you’re embroidering. automatically move from one needle to the next as the design runs.4. You can edit and personalize designs directly on your In fact, the machine practically runs itself – especially withcontrol panel its patented thread break detection system. This system isThe EM-1010’s easy-to-use 7-inch HD LCD touch-screen designed to feed thread smoothly through the thread pathpanel allows you to edit your designs directly on your screen. to reduce thread breaks and automatically stop if one doesYou can easily resize, duplicate, rotate and adjust your design’s occur. That way, you’ll never worry about skipping a stitch.stitch density, compensation and more. 8. It makes appliqué a breezeAnd if you want to add a personal touch to your project, you With the touch of a button, the machine will bring the hoopcan choose from the machine’s built-in fonts that allow you out to you, so you can quickly place your appliqué fabricto create personalized designs directly on your panel without directly on the hoop and continue stitching away.having to digitize. 9. It makes adjusting and mastering tension easy Adjusting thread tension is easy with the machine’s factory5. It takes all the guesswork out of centering and tracing calibrated thread tension system.You can quickly select which hoop you are using with the With it, you’ll only need to make minimal adjustments tomachine’s preset hoop option. That way, your machine will your tension to get the best quality. All you have to do is turnautomatically center your hoop and show you your design the knobs and instantly see your design come to life. You canrelative to your hoop to simplify design placement. even turn the knobs to adjust tension as your design runs.To make sure that your design is ready for embroidery, you 10. Its sleek-yet-functional designcan also trace your design with the one-step tracing feature The machine’s LED lighting system near the needles improvesto guarantee it’s placed perfectly within your hoop. visibility so you can monitor your design’s progress and make sure you don’t miss any details.6. It’s as fast as commercial models 11. It makes quality control faster than everWith a maximum speed of 1,000 stitches per minute, you can Once you’re done embroidering, you won’t spend hoursswift through projects without compromising design quality, cleaning up your design. The machine’s automatic threadso you can focus on learning new techniques and perfecting trimming feature makes post embroidery cleanup easieryour craft. than ever, so you can have a clean and crisp finished product that your customers, family and friends will be sure to love.7. You’ll never have to switch a spool during an embroidery Bottom Linejob again Although the EM-1010 is an entry-level machine, it’sWith 10 needles and automatic color change, you can quickly designed with your future in mind. If you decide to purchase another machine in the future, you can connect your EM-1010 to any other Ricoma embroidery machine and easily input designs directly from your computer. So if you’ve been searching for that perfect machine to start or grow your business, you’ll find the right price, capability, quality and support with Ricoma’s EM-1010. Click here to check it out 11

MEET JEFF ROSARIOScreen printer expands custom apparel business with EM-1010Whether it’s music or apparel, Jeff Rosario creates. “They answered all my questions,” Jeff said. “They were able That’s why the idea to start his own custom to inform me, and I was very impressed with that.”apparel business came so naturally to Jeff, a longtime With Ricoma’s 0% financing, Jeff was also able to purchaseperformer and drummer. his equipment on the spot, knowing he would easily be ableHe now owns Immortal Prints, a screen printing and to cover his monthly payments with just one small order.embroidery shop in New Jersey, USA, where he spends the Even before he bought the EM-1010, he already had a spotbulk of his day embroidering hats on his EM-1010. for the machine waiting for him back at his shop.After being exposed to tour merchandise throughout the “It was just nice and compact with a stand,” Jeff said. “Icourse of his drumming career, Jeff realized the impact already had a spot for it.”custom apparel had on the success of certain brands – Soon after he began making his own band merchandise,especially bands. musicians and bands would flock to Jeff, asking where heJeff remembers shows where he would scope out the got his work done.competition’s merchandise tables. “Embroidery, when you see the quality of it, it’s beautiful,”“There was another band that had this whole merch table Jeff said. “People want it.”that had like 40 pieces on their table – lights and everything That’s how Jeff began building his customer base. Now, Jeff– and everyone would just pass our table. That kind of hurt,” creates all kinds of screen printed graphic tees for bands andJeff joked. “So I said ‘I’m not going to let that happen to me,’ embroidered apparel on his EM-1010.and I just started making merch for my band.” Jeff describes the sense of fulfillment being an apparelBefore purchasing an embroidery machine, Jeff looked decorator gives him. For Jeff, getting to make his customers’into several brands of equipment, and finally decided on artwork come to life is one of the main reasons he enjoys hisRicoma’s EM-1010. He knew he made the right decision profession.when he visited the ISS show in Atlantic City. “When you first see that look – that ‘ah, this is awesome’Not only was he attracted to the machine’s quality and look – that’s what it’s all about,” Jeff said.display, he was also impressed by Ricoma’s knowledgeablestaff members who attended the show.12

Q+A WITH RICOMA ENGINEERXiping He reveals latest developmentsResearch and development is essential to improving in the embroidery industry and silently recognizes our technology, and Ricoma’s engineers are devoted to thoughts and ideas. constant innovation. We caught up with Researchand Design Engineer Xiping He to gain insight into the 3. How do Ricoma machines differ from comparablemanufacturing process and talk about what’s new. brands?Read on to see what he had to say. Spoiler alert: The answer All the core components of our machines are developedto #4 may blow your mind! with our own molds for new parts. We never purchase any parts that have been used “Perfection, refinement on other machines to ensure1. How did you get started machine stability and quality willin the embroidery machine not be compromised. Even if it costs more money and energy toindustry? and customer satisfactionI joined Ricoma in 2007 as an is our constant pursuit at develop, we want to guarantee theordinary assembly worker. When Ricoma.” best quality product.I first got started, I barely knewanything about the industry, but Perfection, refinement andI soon fell in love with it. After years of research and hard customer satisfaction is our constant pursuit at Ricoma.work, I leveraged my passion for machine development and One time, a customer placed an order for a sample partdesign to become a research and design engineer. and only provided us with a color number. To satisfy the customer’s request on that color, we ran a lot of tests and made tons of adjustments. Before we finally made the2. What are Ricoma’s biggest advantages in the research perfect sample part, there were nearly 200 scrap parts forand development sector? toning!We are never afraid of being copied. It’s what makes us We take pride in achieving customer satisfaction at all costs.unbeatable. Our energetic team continues to move forwardwith technological innovations at all times. That begins with manufacturing every part and completing every task wholeheartedly.This, of course, is one of the main reasons I work withRicoma. Do you know how we feel when we see industrypeers copying us? We are proud of it! 4. Tell us about the latest developments you’re working on and how it came to be.It proves our leading position as an innovative performer I once attended an embroidery machine exhibition where 13

a visitor pointed out one of our embroidery machines and the near future, this embroidery machine can become asaid, “This machine looks pretty good. It must be able to home appliance, much like a television.embroider photos.”People then asked me about the price of the machine and 5. How do you evaluate your overall experience as athe photo formats the machine could read. I thought for a Ricoma engineer?while and replied, “There is no embroidery machine in the The most important part about engineering is getting yourmarket with that function, but we will be make it a reality ideas to stand out in a constantly evolving industry.soon.” But like all Ricoma employees, I’m working to makeAt the time, we saw the public demand for an embroidery embroidery machines more intelligent and accessible thanmachine that reads photos and stitches realistic images. ever before. I’m honored to be a part of a company thatAfter years of hard work, we made it come true. helps make people’s lives more convenient and meaningful.This technology integrates embroidery into everyday life As I mentioned earlier, I began my career at Ricoma as anby recording bits and pieces of life, much like a printer. ordinary assembler in the production line. Ricoma gave meThis form of recording moments is even more special than the opportunity to learn, grow, and apply my enthusiasm toprinted photos and preserves a lot longer. I expect that in make my work more significant.Distributor SpotlightHubert Gietl, founder of CCS GmbHStrategic partnerships are the key to global expansion. embroidery experience to develop our own embroidery Today, Ricoma machines are available in over 140 digitizing software using modern computer systems. countries thanks to committed distributors like Hubert The software was developed for practice and was initiallyGietl, founder of CCS GmbH in Nabburg, Germany. only used on the Macintosh computer. Now, MacStitch hasWe caught up with Hubert to ask him a few questions been rewritten several times, extended and expanded intoabout his company and working with Ricoma. During a complete embroidery system available on Windows andthe interview, Hubert details how the partnership came four different languages.to be and reflects on his experience distributing Ricoma Due to MacStitch’s success, we began receiving more andmachines. more requests for embroidery machines. That’s when we began selling Toyota embroidery machines in 1993, andHow did you begin distributing embroidery equipment soon became a leading supplier of embroidery machines,and supplies? embroidery software and embroidery materials in Germany.CCS GmbH started out as an embroidery company in 1986, Everything from a single source! That’s what today’sbut in two short years, I realized I could use my practical customers want!14 How did you become a Ricoma distributor? After Toyota stopped producing embroidery machines in 2010, we sold the Expert ESP9100 embroidery machine for a while. However, since the machine would not be produced anymore, we started looking for another supplier and came across Ricoma embroidery machines, which were very similar to the well-known Toyota machines. Our current embroidery machine customers would also need more embroidery machines in the future, and it was very helpful that the Ricoma machines were similarly constructed. The embroidery frames, the rotary hook and

“Ricoma is always is always open to suggestions for improvement, changes open to suggestions for are implemented very quickly, and you always get a quick improvement, changes are response whenever you ask about a specific topic. They’ve implemented very quickly, even sent technicians directly to our premises three and you always get a quick times for technical training. Last week. we held a three- response whenever you day training session for our dealers. The dealers were ask about a specific topic.” enthusiastic about the technical background information, which helps them offer better service to their customers.the needle system were identical, and there were many What are your thoughts on Ricoma’s latest developments?different accessories that could be used on both of these Over the years, we have seen an improvement in themachines. processing, the built-in parts and the precision of theNow, we are the exclusive distributor of Ricoma embroidery machine. Our recommendations are always followed up,machines in Germany, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg since and we have excellent communication with the technicians2015. and shipping department. The latest developments are evidence of great technical understanding and creativity,What Ricoma machines do you have in stock, and how especially the SWD machine, which fills the industry’s needhave your customers responded to these machines? for large and bulky embroidery solutions.We currently sell single-head Ricoma embroidery machines, Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share?such as the TC, MT and EM series. Sometimes, we also In the last four years, we have experienced a decrease insell the CHT series to customers with a higher volume of turnover and an increase in machine sales every year. Thisproduction needs. We’ve received a large percentage of is partly due to Ricoma’s machines. We expect furtherpositive reports on Ricoma and are particularly pleased that increases in sales over the next few years, as Ricomaour Toyota customers are now using Ricoma machines. embroidery machines have made a name for themselves in the market. I would also like to mention that this, of course,What has your experience with Ricoma been like? is also due to our commitment, as our customers knowI am very satisfied with Ricoma’s cooperation. Ricoma that we are always at their disposal with advice, action and technical support. It’s a pleasure to have a strong partner by our side who shares the same commitment to their customers. 15

UPCOMING EVENTSReady to dive deeper into the embroidery world? Come join us at an upcoming event near you. You’ll learn industry insidertips from our embroidery specialists, and witness our latest technology live. SGIA LAS VEGAS October 18-20 Las Vegas, Nevada NBM CHARLOTTE November 2-3 Charlotte, North CarolinaUSA VISCOM ITALIA 2018 EUROPE October 18-20 Milano Rho, Italy CREATIVA BARCELONA November 8-11 Barcelona, Spain CREATIVA MALAGA December 1-3 Malaga, Spain16

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 3rd QUARTER • 2018 EDITIONLaura Gomez is the content specialist at Ricoma. As a University of Florida journalismgraduate, Laura’s role at Ricoma combines her two major passions: communicationsand apparel. On her free time, Laura enjoys fueling her shopping sprees and gastronom-ic adventures with a trusty cup of Starbucks or a Cuban colada. You can reach Laura [email protected] if you would like to chat embroidery, write for us or have any sugges-tions for future articles.helpful linksEmbroidery & Custom Apparel Mastery Facebook group Join GroupJoin our Facebook community to connect with other embroiderers, ask WATCHquestions and share knowledge. ricoma.usEmbroidery Hub YouTube tutorials trainingScroll through this playlist to see our how-to videos such as best practicesfor embroidery on knitwear, 3D puff embroidery and more.Ricoma blogVisit our blog for more machine embroidery insights.Ricoma manuals and training videosDownload Ricoma manuals and parts books, and view our trainingvideos here. 17