Embroidery is declining due to fast fashion, mass production, and limited interest from younger generations. Digital printing and low-cost clothing reduce demand for hand-crafted details. Additionally, embroidery requires time and skill, making it less accessible in a convenience-driven market.
The global embroidery market is expanding at an impressive 9.71% CAGR, yet traditional hand embroidery is declining at an alarming rate. Despite projections showing the industry growing from $2.98 billion in 2023 to $5.70 billion by 2030, we’re witnessing a significant shift away from handcrafted techniques that have defined this art form for centuries.
The current state of the embroidery industry
Looking at recent market reports reveals fascinating insights into the embroidery landscape. Various sources place different values on the industry, indicating the complex nature of this market.
Global market size and growth forecast
According to reliable research, the global embroidery market was valued at $2.98 billion in 2023. Although projections vary, most studies anticipate significant growth, with forecasts suggesting the market will reach between $5.70 billion and $8.0 billion by 2030-2034. This growth primarily stems from expanding textile sectors and increasing demand for customized products.
The embroidery machine market specifically shows more modest but steady growth, with projections of 3.28% CAGR between 2025 and 2034. Furthermore, embroidery contributes approximately 0.0066% to global trade, highlighting its niche but important position in the world economy.
Key regions leading the embroidery market
Asia Pacific consistently emerges as the dominant region, accounting for approximately 41% of the global embroidery market[64]. This leadership position stems from several factors, including the region’s robust textile manufacturing base and growing hotel industries that drive demand for embroidered fabrics.
North America follows as another key player, with significant growth potential. The region’s strength comes from increasing demand from restaurants, hotels, and the fashion industry. Moreover, North America is expected to experience the fastest CAGR in coming years, fueled by rising interest in personalized products.
Europe maintains a strong presence as well, with countries like Germany, Italy, and the UK contributing substantially to the global market.
Embroidery prices 2023: what’s changed?
Embroidery pricing typically ranges between $1.00 and $3.00 per 1,000 stitches, though actual costs vary based on several factors. A detailed look at pricing structures reveals tiered pricing based on quantity and stitch count. For instance, small orders (1-23 pieces) with less than 2,000 stitches cost around $9.99 per piece, while larger orders (288-575 pieces) drop to $2.10 per piece.
Furthermore, additional fees apply for customer-supplied items, digitizing setup, artwork charges, and special threads. These pricing structures help explain why embroidery as a traditional craft faces challenges competing with mass-produced alternatives.
What’s driving the decline in embroidery?
Traditional handcrafted embroidery faces numerous challenges in today’s market environment. Three primary factors are driving its decline, even as the overall embroidery market shows growth.
High cost of machines and materials
The financial barrier to entry represents a significant hurdle for embroidery businesses and artisans alike. Professional embroidery machines range from $5,000 for basic single-head machines to over $20,000 for multi-head commercial models. Furthermore, these machines require regular maintenance and occasional parts replacement, adding to operational costs.
Raw material expenses have also increased substantially. Cotton thread prices rose by approximately 22% between 2020 and 2022, while specialty threads like metallic and silk varieties saw even steeper increases. Additionally, stabilizers, hoops, and software licenses add thousands more in startup and ongoing expenses, making it increasingly difficult for small-scale artisans to compete.
Labor shortages and skill gaps
The embroidery industry faces a critical shortage of skilled artisans. Traditional hand embroidery requires years of training and practice—a time investment many younger generations are unwilling to make given uncertain economic returns. In fact, the average age of professional embroiderers has increased to 57, indicating fewer young people entering the field.
Training programs have declined by almost 40% over the past decade, further limiting opportunities for skill development. Consequently, many traditional techniques risk disappearing entirely within a generation.
Shift toward fast fashion and mass production
Perhaps most significantly, consumer expectations have fundamentally changed. Fast fashion has conditioned buyers to expect lower prices and quicker turnarounds. Hand-embroidered pieces that once took weeks to complete now compete against machine-produced alternatives that can be manufactured in hours.
Most consumers now prioritize price over craftsmanship, with surveys showing 68% of shoppers prefer lower-cost embroidered products even at the expense of quality. This shift has forced many traditional embroiderers to either adapt through automation or abandon the craft entirely.
The combination of these factors explains why embroidery as a traditional handcraft continues to decline despite the broader industry’s growth.
How technology is reshaping embroidery
As traditional methods struggle to survive, technological innovations are rapidly reshaping the embroidery landscape. These advancements simultaneously address efficiency challenges while potentially accelerating the decline of traditional craftsmanship.
Rise of machine embroidery and automation
The evolution of embroidery technology has been remarkable—from early hand machines in the 19th century to today’s computerized systems. Modern embroidery machines have revolutionized production with features like wireless design transfer and automatic stitch adjustments. Wilcom’s WiFi-powered EmbroideryConnect, for instance, now allows users to seamlessly send designs to any USB-powered machine wirelessly, reducing production errors and machine wear-and-tear.
High-end machines can automatically adjust tension, trim threads, and detect errors, increasing production efficiency with less human intervention. This automation surge continues, with about 40% of North American and European manufacturers adopting these systems to meet precision demands.
Impact of CAD and design software
Computer-aided design (CAD) software has transformed how embroidery designs are created and modified. Wilcom’s patent stitch process revolutionized the industry by allowing digitizers to resize designs without redigitizing the entire pattern. Today’s software options like EmbroideryStudio 2025 and Hatch Embroidery offer extensive editing capabilities for stitch types, colors, and densities.
Cloud-based solutions are increasingly popular, with tools like WilcomWorkspace enabling production teams to view, resize, recolor, and generate accurate stitch estimates online. Furthermore, AI algorithms now assist designers in creating complex patterns by analyzing trends and preferences, making embroidery more accessible to beginners.
E-commerce and digital customization trends
The rise of e-commerce has dramatically altered how embroidered products reach consumers. Online marketplaces have expanded globally, with projections suggesting e-commerce sales will reach $5.5 trillion by 2027. This digital shift has made embroidered items more accessible and affordable.
Simultaneously, demand for personalization has surged by 30% in recent years, pushing the industry toward digital customization tools. Additionally, embroidery-specific web applications now enable customers to preview, modify, and approve designs online before production, creating powerful upselling opportunities for businesses.
These technological developments, while enhancing efficiency and creativity, continue to shift the industry further from traditional handcrafted methods—explaining in part why embroidery as a heritage craft faces an uncertain future.
Opportunities and efforts to revive the craft
Despite declining traditional practices, bright spots of opportunity remain for embroidery’s survival. Indeed, several movements and initiatives are working to breathe new life into this ancient craft.
Growing demand for personalized products
The market for customized embroidered items continues to expand rapidly. Consumer desire for unique, personalized products has fueled this growth, with surveys showing the embroidered apparel market alone is projected to reach USD 10.50M by 2033. This rising trend directly addresses why embroidery as a craft can find new relevance in today’s market. On-demand embroidery businesses have emerged to meet this need, offering personalization options that appeal to consumers seeking distinctive items. The rise in personalized products has created a lucrative market for businesses that can deliver high-quality, custom embroidered products efficiently.
Support from NGOs and artisan cooperatives
Across the globe, organizations are working tirelessly to preserve embroidery traditions. These initiatives focus on providing artisans with technical skills, marketing opportunities, and financial support. For example:
- The Marketplaceindia cooperative empowers women through embroidery, involving artisans in all aspects of business from skill development to financial decisions
- Organizations like Dooziba have provided more than 1000 rural women with transformative opportunities through hand embroidery
- The IBU Foundation has raised over USD 200,000 to fund 12 projects helping elevate 6,000 artisan women in 11 countries
These cooperatives have significant economic impact—in some communities, embroidery sales amount to more than 60% of total community income.
Sustainable fashion and slow design movements
Meanwhile, the growing eco-conscious consumer base has sparked interest in sustainable embroidery. The “Slow Stitching Movement,” founded in 2014, emphasizes mindfulness and sustainability in embroidery, connecting the practice with environmental values. This approach contrasts sharply with the fast fashion trends partly responsible for why embroidery is declining as a traditional craft.
Furthermore, fashion designers are incorporating hand embroidery into sustainable clothing lines. Brands like Tints use hand-embroidered artwork on wholly sustainable hand-weaved clothing, utilizing organically sourced cotton and natural dyes. This marriage of traditional craftsmanship with environmental consciousness represents a promising path forward for embroidery in contemporary markets despite current embroidery industry challenges.
Conclusion
The embroidery landscape presents a fascinating paradox. Despite impressive industry growth projections toward $5.70 billion by 2030, traditional hand embroidery continues facing an uncertain future. Throughout this article, we’ve explored why embroidery as a heritage craft struggles while the broader market thrives.
Undoubtedly, financial barriers present significant challenges. High equipment costs, rising material prices, and the substantial time investment required for handcrafted pieces make it difficult for artisans to compete with machine-produced alternatives. Additionally, the critical shortage of skilled craftspeople threatens the preservation of techniques passed down through generations.
Fast fashion has certainly transformed consumer expectations, prioritizing speed and affordability over craftsmanship. Meanwhile, technological advancements like computerized machines and CAD software have revolutionized production efficiency but further marginalized traditional methods. Though these innovations expand access to embroidered products, they simultaneously contribute to the erosion of handcraft traditions.