NNEP publishes state of embroidery pricing benchmark report

The National Network of Embroidery Professionals (NNEP) has published the State of Embroidery Pricing: 2026 Benchmark Report, the first industry-wide study of pricing practices among embroidery and decorated apparel businesses. Released in conjunction with NNEP’s 30th anniversary, the report draws on data from 545 shops across the country.

The report introduces the NNEP Pricing Index, a composite annual benchmark measuring how completely embroidery shops are building their pricing across five drivers: production cost, real labor, intended profit, capacity pressure, and end customer value. The industry average score in the inaugural index: 7.54 out of 20.

The majority of shops scored in the Pricing Blind Spots tier, indicating pricing decisions are being made without a complete pricing structure in place. The data also shows that a significant portion of shops have not calculated a true production cost in the past twelve months, do not carry a defined profit margin target, and price identically regardless of schedule capacity.

“This data has never existed before,” said Jennifer Cox, president and co-founder of NNEP. “The industry has operated on instinct and stitch count pricing for decades. The benchmark gives shops something they have never had, a way to see where their pricing system stands relative to the broader industry, and a structure for improving it.”

The report is available at nnep.com/benchmark for $95.