The Truth about Bai Embroidery Machines

I recently had the opportunity to interview Sia of Bai Embroidery Machines. She helped dispel some myths about these machines so I wanted to share that.

I also visited a local embroidery shop to see the Bai Mirror in action in order to make an informed opinion of these machines for my YouTube video.

(I have received no compensation for this blog post or the video summary)

Watch my video summary of what I’ve learned about Bai Embroidery Machines:

The full text of my written interview with Bai is below.

QUESTION 1: I was confused with all the company names. Can you explain the differences between Richword, Bai, Poolin, 100Horse, and Yunfu Technology so we can keep everything straight?
Are any of these company names being consolidated or rebranded?

ANSWER 1: It’s understandable that the different company and brand names can be confusing from the outside, so we’d like to briefly explain how they fit together. There has been no rebranding or consolidation of these brands. Instead, they were developed at different stages of our business to serve different product categories, customer groups, and market needs.
100Horse Group is our group-level brand, with four brands serving different parts of the embroidery and sewing ecosystem: BAI, Poolin, Institch, and Richword.
BAI | Commercial Embroidery
BAI was our earliest brand to enter the global market, with a particular focus on the U.S. market. It specializes in professional multi-needle commercial embroidery machines, providing production solutions for embroidery entrepreneurs, customization businesses, and commercial embroidery companies.
BAI has also developed its own supply line, BAI Supplies, which provides embroidery consumables, accessories, and other production-related products. These supplies are available not only to BAI customers, but also to a broader range of commercial embroidery businesses.
Poolin | Home & Entry-Level Embroidery
Poolin originally focused on the development and manufacturing of single-needle embroidery machines and sewing equipment, and has gradually expanded into international markets.
Unlike BAI, Poolin focuses more on home users, embroidery enthusiasts, beginners, and people who want to gradually turn their hobby into a small embroidery business. The goal is to make embroidery more approachable and easier for new users to get started with.
Institch | Embroidery Software & Connectivity
Institch is our dedicated ecosystem brand focused on the digital embroidery experience. Its goal is to make designing, creating, and operating embroidery machines easier and more efficient for
users.
The Institch ecosystem currently includes Pattern(Free Embroidery Designs Sharing), Software(Used Name: Doodle Digitizing), and My Machine, which allows users to connect their embroidery machines via Wi-Fi and transfer design files directly to their machines.
Richword | Embroidery Ecosystem & Marketplace
Richword represents our broader embroidery ecosystem platform, covering embroidery supplies, tools, software, and other embroidery-related products.
Going forward, Richword will continue expanding its product categories and bringing in more quality embroidery brands and solutions. Our long-term goal is for it to become a broader ecosystem platform connecting products, brands, and users across the embroidery industry.
So, in simple terms:
• 100Horse Group — builds and coordinates the overall embroidery ecosystem
• BAI — focuses on commercial embroidery and professional production
• Poolin — focuses on home users, beginners, and growing embroidery businesses
• Institch — focuses on embroidery designs, software，Wi-Fi transmission and machine connectivity
• Richword — connects a broader range of embroidery products and ecosystem resources
These brands have distinct positioning rather than being merged into one brand. At the same time, they can share our capabilities in product development, manufacturing, software, supply chain, and customer service.
Together, they form a broader embroidery ecosystem, with each brand serving a different part of the market.

QUESTION 2: Your corporate operations are anchored in the tech hub of Shenzhen, but your primary manufacturing is in the industrial textile clusters of Zhejiang Province. Most of my audience is not familiar with the high-tech cities of China, so feel free to enlighten us on that. More importantly, since Zhejiang Province has competing factories and shared parts suppliers making embroidery or similar machines, it can be difficult for a buyer to spot the difference between brands. What specific steps does Bai take on the factory floor in Zhejiang to ensure your component testing and assembly precision stand out from the neighborhood competition?

ANSWER 2: Our operations, R&D, and manufacturing teams are based in different cities because we have built an integrated system covering product development, manufacturing, quality control, software, and customer service—not simply a sourcing and resale business. Our core team is based in Wuxi, Jiangsu, where we manage the brands BAI, Poolin, Richword, and Institch, including brand management, product planning, product development, software R&D, and customer experience. From defining what problems a product should solve and how the product experience should be designed, to developing software and providing ongoing support, our team remains involved throughout the process.
There is also one important clarification regarding manufacturing: BAI commercial embroidery machines are primarily manufactured in Dongguan, Guangdong, rather than Zhejiang. In Dongguan, we have our own production facilities and quality-control system, with capabilities covering production, assembly, testing, and quality management. Dongguan has a
mature ecosystem for precision manufacturing, electronics, and industrial components, which allows our engineering and manufacturing teams to improve products and optimize production efficiently.
Poolin home embroidery products, on the other hand, are manufactured through our production systems in Taizhou, Zhejiang, and Wuxi, Jiangsu, depending on the product structure and the characteristics of the relevant supply chain.
So, the fact that our operating and manufacturing locations are different reflects a specialized division of work within our overall system. Our products and brands are managed by our team, while different products are manufactured in the production locations that are best suited
to their manufacturing needs. At the same time, our technology, software, and service systems continue to support customers throughout the product lifecycle.
We do more than manufacture machines. We are involved in the entire lifecycle of our products —from product planning, engineering and manufacturing to quality control, software, training, technical support, and after-sales service.
This is also an important part of how we view modern Chinese manufacturing. Its strength today is not simply lower cost. It comes from mature supply chains, experienced engineering talent, rapid product iteration, and strong manufacturing capabilities.
We use these advantages not simply to produce machines, but to continuously improve our products and support customers after they purchase them.

Reference Information
Factory:
• https://100horse.com/factory
BAI Dongguan Factory:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csfVIY_Q0FY
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MlahgTZXYc
Poolin Taizhou Factory:
• https://100horse.com/TaizhouFactory

QUESTION 3: Can you explain what the term “white label” means in the machine embroidery industry?
We also understand that several brands are coming out of the Yunfu factory with names such as Bai, Poolin, Smartstitch or Feiyu. Is there any difference between brands either in hardware, software, or customer support?

(For the reader: OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer)

ANSWER 3: First, we would like to clarify one important point: Yunfu Technology is trading and sourcing company based in Shenzhen, China, and has no affiliation with 100Horse Group or BAI in terms of ownership, products, operations, or management.
In the embroidery industry, different companies use different product and manufacturing models. For brands that do not have their own manufacturing systems, OEM or white-label manufacturing is a common approach. In this model, a manufacturer provides an established machine platform, and different brands sell the machines under their own brand names.
As a result, products coming from the same OEM manufacturing ecosystem can sometimes look very similar. They may share similar hardware structures, mechanical designs, and even some software functions. In these cases, the differences between brands may be more visible in areas such as brand positioning, sales channels, and customer support.
BAI operates under a different model.
Our commercial embroidery machines are primarily manufactured in Dongguan, Guangdong, and we maintain deep involvement and control over key parts of the product development and manufacturing process, including:
• Engineering and product development
• Component selection
• Assembly precision
• Production testing
• Quality management
The real difference is not simply where a machine is manufactured, but rather how much control a brand has over the entire lifecycle of its product.
BAI does not provide white-label or OEM services. We have our own manufacturing system, supply chain, and product ecosystem, and we remain involved throughout the entire product lifecycle—from product planning, engineering and manufacturing to quality control, software, training, technical support, and after-sales service.
This is why we believe manufacturing capability matters. It is not simply about being able to produce a machine. It is about understanding the product, continuously improving it, and taking long-term responsibility for the product after the customer purchases it.
As OEM and white-label models become increasingly common in the market, it can be more difficult to tell machines apart simply by looking at their appearance or specifications. For someone who is planning to build a business around embroidery, we believe the decision should go beyond price and features.
It is also important to consider whether the brand has the ability to continuously develop its products, maintain control over manufacturing and quality, and provide long-term technical and after-sales support.
When a machine is directly connected to your orders, production, delivery commitments, and ultimately your business, you need more than a brand that simply sells you a machine. You need a partner that understands the product, can continue to improve it, and is willing to support you for the long term.

(note added by Luci: in a follow-up email, Sia clarified that Bai doesn’t do white label machines, but that Poolin does. So I wanted to clarify that distinction between their 2 brands.)

QUESTION 4: Now let’s talk a bit more about the Bai commercial embroidery machines. There are internet rumors that say the Bai is the same as Tajima or Ricoma. Are those machines the same underneath the plastic cover? Or are these different machines made in different factories by different engineers and tech teams?

ANSWER 4: BAI, Tajima, and Ricoma are all professional commercial multi-needle embroidery machines, so it is natural for them to share some fundamental principles and mechanical concepts. For example, they all use systems involving needle bars, drive mechanisms, embroidery frame movement, and thread tension control.
However, that does not mean they are the same machines underneath the cover.
The specific components, electronic control systems, software, assembly standards, testing processes, and machine calibration can differ from one brand and model to another. BAI develops and manufactures its machines according to our own product standards, manufacturing system, and quality-control requirements. BAI is not simply taking another brand’s machine and putting a different logo on it.
We also believe that BAI’s value goes beyond the machine itself. We are building a more complete ecosystem around commercial embroidery:
• BAI Machines — Commercial multi-needle embroidery machines designed to support different stages of commercial production.
• BAI Supplies — Professional embroidery supplies and consumables developed around the needs of commercial embroidery production, helping customers achieve more consistent embroidery results and production efficiency.
• Institch Software — Embroidery design resources, design software, and Wi-Fi file transfer and machine connectivity, helping make the process from design to production more seamless.
• Training & Support — Training, technical support, and after-sales service to help customers move from purchasing a machine to actually putting it into production.
So, rather than asking only whether two machines look similar underneath the cover, we believe customers should also look at whether a brand can bring together the machine, supplies, software, and service into a complete solution—and continue supporting the customer’s embroidery business over the long term.
That is the approach we are taking with BAI.

QUESTION 5: If Bai is not the same under the cover as a Tajima or a Ricoma, etc. then can you explain why the Bai machines have similarities? For example, why does a Tajima style hoop fit the Bai? Or why does the needle bar or pantograph look so similar? How do you respond to those whosay Bai is just a budget copy-cat of Tajima? For example, does Bai have any proprietary engineering or patents?

ANSWER 5: The appearance of a commercial embroidery machine is primarily determined by its function and mechanical requirements, rather than by the brand itself.
These machines have to perform many of the same core functions—such as automatic multineedle color changes, embroidery frame movement, cap embroidery, garment embroidery, and long periods of continuous production. As a result, the industry has developed relatively mature and practical design configurations over time.
That is why you may see similarities in areas such as the machine head, needle-bar layout, worktable, embroidery frame position, and overall proportions of the machine.
The same principle applies to many other types of professional equipment. Different brands of industrial sewing machines, CNC equipment, or commercial printers can have similar external structures because they are designed to perform similar functions. That does not mean they use the same components, electronic control systems, software, assembly standards, calibration methods, or quality-control systems.
One advantage of using compatible industry standards is flexibility. For example, if a customer already owns compatible Tajima-style hoops, they may also be able to use those hoops with a BAI machine. We see this as a benefit for customers because they may not need to replace equipment they already have when moving to a BAI machine.
The same principle applies to components such as needle bars and pantographs. These are mature mechanical systems that are used across the commercial embroidery industry. Different manufacturers may choose to modify, optimize, or develop these components according to the requirements of their own machines. BAI has also been working on improvements and optimization of our machine-head components in recent years.
So, similarity itself is not the issue. The important question is how well those components are engineered, manufactured, assembled, and tested together as a complete machine.
As for the idea that BAI is simply a “budget copy” of Tajima, we don’t think that is an accurate description of what we are doing. BAI has its own product development and engineering process, manufacturing system, and product standards. We continuously improve our machines based on the needs of our customers and the requirements of commercial embroidery production.
When it comes to proprietary engineering and intellectual property, we believe it is important to look at the actual engineering work behind the product rather than judging a machine simply by its appearance. Our engineering team has been continuously working on machine-head improvements, product optimization, manufacturing processes, software, and the overall user experience.
Ultimately, customers should compare the things that matter in real production: long-term stability, embroidery quality, ease of use, software experience, production efficiency, and the ability of the brand to continuously improve and support the product.
That is where we believe the real differences between brands become visible.

QUESTION 6: Since we’re talking about patents, we’ve seen a company from China who copies the Mighty Hoop, potentially infringing on their patent. But you sell the original Mighty Hoops in your online store which are manufactured in Wisconsin, USA. Can you explain your relationship with Midwest Products who make Mighty Hoops and Hoopmaster products?

ANSWER 5: Our relationship is with Midwest Products, the company behind Mighty Hoop and Hoopmaster. BAI is an official authorized distributor of Midwest Products, and we legitimately distribute their products through our sales channels.
Mighty Hoop and Hoopmaster are two of Midwest Products’ well-known product lines, and we work directly with Midwest Products to provide these genuine products to our customers. The Mighty Hoop products we sell are genuine Midwest Products products, manufactured in Wisconsin.
When it comes to embroidery hoops, there are many different mounting systems and designs in the market. Two important specifications are bracket type and hoop arm length, which determine whether a particular hoop is compatible with a specific embroidery machine.
One advantage of using compatible hoop systems is flexibility. For example, BAI machines can work with compatible Tajima-style hoop systems, giving customers more choices when selecting embroidery accessories.
Because Mighty Hoop products are protected by intellectual property rights, we recommend that our customers use genuine products rather than unauthorized copies.
We believe supporting legitimate, patented products is important for both the manufacturers who invest in developing these products and the customers who rely on their quality, performance, and support.
Our role is straightforward: we are an authorized distributor of Midwest Products, and we provide their genuine Mighty Hoop and Hoopmaster products to our customers.

(Luci’s edit: I am an affiliate for Midwest Products, and I followed up with them on this question. They confirmed that Bai is an authorized reseller of their products – and I love that!)

Question 7: Bai is obviously priced much lower than other multi-needle embroidery machines by ½ to ¼ the price of competitors. How is Bai able to sell a good machine at this price point? Is the hardware and software lacking, or are other features or customer service items being left out such as repair, support, education or financing? Let’s talk about what a person can expect if they purchase and use a Bai for their small business.

ANSWER 7: This is an important question, because when customers see a significant price difference, they naturally want to know what they may be giving up.
The short answer is that our pricing is not based simply on using cheaper components or lowering our core manufacturing standards.
On the contrary, compared with some generic OEM machines in the Chinese market, we actually invest more in important components such as motors, bearings, belts, and other critical parts. We believe these components are important to the performance and reliability of a commercial embroidery machine.
At the same time, our machines are significantly more affordable than many traditional international brands. Our current commercial models are priced at:
• THE MIRROR — $6,400
• THE VISION — $8,600
• THE VISION-2 — $11,000
The main reason we can offer this pricing is our business model and supply chain structure.
We manufacture our own commercial embroidery machines and sell more directly to customers. This allows us to reduce some of the costs associated with multiple layers of distribution, dealer networks, and traditional sales structures.
There are also some very low-priced Chinese brands in the market. Some of these companies primarily focus on selling the machine itself, while investing less in areas such as technical support, training, software, or after-sales service.
BAI takes a different approach.
Our goal is to find the best balance between professional product quality and an accessible price. We invest in key components, maintain control over production and quality, and continue building a complete ecosystem around the machine, including BAI Supplies, Institch software, training, technical support, and after-sales service.
We also support financing options like Klarna and Affirm for customers who prefer to purchase their machine through installments. The available financing amount and interest rate depend on the customer’s credit profile.
So, for someone purchasing a BAI machine for a small business, the lower price does not mean that they are simply giving up hardware, software, training, support, or after-sales service. Our approach is to reduce unnecessary costs through our manufacturing, supply chain, and direct sales model, while continuing to invest in the products and support that matter to our customers.
For us, price is certainly an advantage, but it is not our most important advantage.
Our real advantage is value: professional commercial capability, controlled manufacturing, and a complete product and support system at a more accessible price.

QUESTION 8: When a hobbyist or small business owner buys a machine from a local dealer, they can take it in for service or have a tech come out when a major error occurs. With Bai, support is mostly digital, handled over WhatsApp, email, or Facebook groups. If a small business owner has a machine go down in the middle of a major order, what is Bai’s process and turnaround time to get them back up and running?

ANSWER 8: We use a digital-first support model, but our customers are not limited to just one support channel.
Our China-based technical team provides free lifetime online technical support through channels including WhatsApp, email, and our official Facebook community. The main limitation of this model is the time-zone difference between China and the United States.
At the same time, we have been expanding our support network in the United States. We have an official service center in Georgia, which is also the address of our U.S. company.
We recently launched our Service Map, which connects BAI customers with overseas engineers and local technicians. This service is currently being implemented and expanded, and local engineering services are provided based on the technician’s quoted rate.
Customers who purchase their machines through one of our authorized dealers can also receive support directly from that dealer.
When a machine goes down, our first priority is to diagnose the problem as quickly as possible through remote technical support. Depending on the issue, our technical team can help the customer identify the cause and guide them through the appropriate solution. If the issue requires hands-on service, customers can use our U.S. service network, Service Map, or their authorized dealer where applicable.
We don’t want to promise every repair can be completed within a fixed number of hours, because the turnaround time depends on the nature of the problem, the parts required, the customer’s location, and whether on-site service is needed.
But there is one important point we want customers to know: support is not limited to the original purchaser. Even if someone purchases a used BAI machine, they can still contact our official support team for assistance.
So while our support model is different from the traditional local-dealer model, our goal is the same: when a customer’s machine is down and their business is waiting, we want to help them identify the problem, find the right solution, and get back into production as quickly as possible.

QUESTION 9: Many online reviews suggest that Bai machines are fine for people who don’t mind maintaining and repairing their machines, but they are not recommended for people who are brand new to machine embroidery or those who are afraid to open the cover. Can you address that? Is a more technical user the ideal owner of a Bai or do you have technicians in place to train and repair these machines in North America?

ANSWER 9: We would not say that you need to be a technician to own a BAI machine. But we also want to be realistic: any commercial embroidery machine has a learning curve and requires normal maintenance. A commercial embroidery machine is a professional piece
of equipment, so every owner should expect to learn the basics of operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting their machine.
Some of the older reviews you see online reflect experiences with earlier generations of BAI machines, particularly around areas such as initial setup, lubrication, thread tension, and general machine adjustment.
We took that feedback seriously.
Our newer machines have gone through significant improvements in hardware and quality control, and we have also expanded our training and technical support resources.
So, a customer does not need to be mechanically experienced or know how to repair machines before buying a BAI. They should, however, be willing to learn how their commercial embroidery machine works and how to perform basic routine maintenance.
For customers who prefer having access to local technical support, we have also expanded our support resources in North America. These include our U.S. service center, Service Map, and authorized dealer network, which can provide additional technical and service support depending on the customer’s location.
We also provide free lifetime online technical support, so customers can reach our support team when they need help diagnosing a problem or learning how to operate and maintain their machine.
Ultimately, we don’t see the ideal BAI owner as someone who has to be a technician. We see the ideal owner as someone who wants to build a business with a commercial embroidery machine, is willing to learn the basics, and knows that ongoing maintenance is simply part of owning professional production equipment.
Our goal is to make that learning process and ongoing ownership as accessible and well supported as possible.

QUESTION 10: What is the warranty on a Bai embroidery machine? Does that warranty cover parts and/or labor? And how long does it take for a replacement part to arrive at the customer’s door?

ANSWER 10: BAI provides a one-year warranty on the complete machine, starting from the date the customer receives it.
For customers who want longer protection, extended warranty coverage is also available for purchase directly through the BAI website at bai.store.
During the warranty period, if a failure is confirmed to be caused by a defective component, BAI will provide the replacement part free of charge. This includes key mechanical and electronic components covered under our warranty policy.
In addition to the parts warranty, every BAI machine comes with lifetime free after-sales technical support. Our technical team provides one-on-one online assistance with troubleshooting, machine adjustment, maintenance guidance, and part replacement when needed.
For warranty-covered replacement parts, our policy is to normally arrange shipment within 3–7 days, with a maximum delivery time of 10 days, depending on the destination.
If a customer requires an engineer to provide on-site service, that is available as a separate paid service.
Our support also stays with the machine, not just the original buyer. Used BAI machines can also receive lifetime free technical support, although the parts warranty is based on the machine’s original warranty period.
Our complete warranty terms are publicly available, so customers can review exactly what is covered and the applicable conditions before purchasing.
In short, every BAI machine includes a one-year standard warranty, optional extended warranty coverage available through bai.store, and lifetime free after-sales technical
support.

QUESTION 11: Ricoma charges nearly double the price of a Bai for a very similar mechanical footprint.
They justify this with US-based training, local offices, and financing. Since Bai sells directly at a much lower cost, how do you answer the customer who is afraid they are saving $5,000 upfront but buying a $5,000 headache in terms of education and troubleshooting?

ANSWER 11: Ricoma is a well-established brand that entered the market relatively early and has developed a strong global presence. Over the years, it has made significant investments in brand building, training, technical support, warranty systems, and sales and service infrastructure. These long-term investments are ultimately reflected in the overall pricing of its products and services.
BAI has taken a different approach.
We want to put more of our costs into the areas that truly affect commercial embroidery production—key components, manufacturing quality, machine performance, software, and after-sales support, both online and locally in the U.S. At the same time, we use a more direct
and efficient manufacturing, supply-chain, and operating structure to control our overall costs.
Therefore, BAI’s more competitive and better-value pricing does not mean that we are trying to be a “low-cost version of Ricoma.” Our goal is to allow customers to access professional commercial embroidery capabilities with a more reasonable investment, while still providing a complete system that includes the machine, BAI Supplies, Institch software, training,
technical support, and after-sales service.
So we see the difference between the two approaches this way:
Ricoma’s pricing includes the brand and service infrastructure that an established international brand has built over many years.
BAI, on the other hand, aims to use a more efficient cost structure to bring more value directly back into the product and to the customer.

QUESTION 12: On forums like Reddit, the number one complaint about budget Chinese multi-needles—including Bai—is that they require constant mechanical tinkering and manual tension adjustments to avoid thread and needle breaks. Has Bai done anything in the more recent models to address those issues?

ANSWER 12: Yes. And we don’t want to dismiss those older reviews.
Some of the issues people described—particularly initial setup, lubrication, tension stability, and machine tuning—were real challenges with some of our earlier-generation machines.
That feedback directly influenced our engineering work.
In 2024, we made major upgrades to our hardware, components, and systems, and we also redesigned our pre-shipping inspection process.
Today, every machine goes through pre-lubrication, hook timing checks, thread-path verification, and actual stitch-out testing before leaving the factory.
We also upgraded our tension spring systems and internal assembly to improve tension stability and reduce unnecessary manual adjustment.
The goal was not simply to change individual components. We wanted to improve the consistency of the entire machine—from component selection and assembly precision to final testing.
So we don’t claim that the older reviews were wrong. They were a fair reflection of the machines at that time.
What is important is that we listened to that feedback and used it to improve the current generation of machines.

QUESTION 13: Your spec sheet says the Bai can do 1200 stitches per minute on flat items. But seasoned embroiderers know that complex designs, especially on structured hats, need to be slowed down. What speed is actually recommended for flats and caps to get the best quality with the least amount of headache?

ANSWER 13: For our commercial BAI machines, we generally recommend around 1,000 stitches per minute (SPM) for flat embroidery, and around 750–800 SPM for caps.
Of course, the actual speed can vary depending on the design, stitch length, material, and other embroidery conditions.
The 1,200 SPM shown in our specifications is the maximum speed setting, not a speed that the machine needs to maintain throughout every design.
The machine automatically adjusts its actual speed when necessary. For example, longer or larger stitches require the machine to slow down so that the XY pantograph can accurately keep up with the needle movement. This is important for maintaining accurate stitch placement and preventing distortion.
We believe BAI’s ability to perform well at higher speeds comes from three things:
Component precision and quality — we pay close attention to the quality and precision of critical components.
Standardized assembly — we have our own assembly standards and maintain tighter control over assembly precision.
Strict testing and quality control — every machine goes through testing before shipment to make sure the mechanical systems are properly synchronized and the machine can perform consistently at high speed.
So for us, speed is not just a number on a specification sheet. What matters is whether the machine can maintain stable, accurate, high-quality embroidery at that speed.
That’s why we recommend approximately 1,000 SPM for flats and 750–800 SPM for caps as a good balance of productivity, stitch quality, and machine stability.

QUESTION 14: Tell me about the Institch software that controls the Bai machine. Is Wifi included for design transfer at no additional cost? Can I digitize with other software such as Embird, Wilcom, or Embrilliance and effortlessly send it over to Institch without any hiccups?

ANSWER 14: INSTITCH is built around three main functions: Pattern, Software, and My Machine.

1. Pattern — Free Embroidery Designs Sharing
   Pattern is INSTITCH’s free embroidery design-sharing platform, where users can access and share embroidery designs and resources.
   It provides users with embroidery design resources that they can use for their own embroidery projects.
2. Software — Former Name: Doodle Digitizing
   Software, formerly known as Doodle Digitizing, is INSTITCH’s embroidery design software. It allows users to create and digitize their own embroidery designs.
   It also supports importing embroidery files, file conversion, and exporting designs in multiple embroidery formats.
   Supported export formats include: DST, DSB, DSZ, TBF
   Users can create their own embroidery designs directly within INSTITCH. However, when an existing embroidery design is imported, the current software does not yet support full layer level editing or complete editing of embroidery parameters for those imported designs.
   Imported files are primarily intended for file handling and format conversion.
3. My Machine — Wi-Fi Machine Connectivity
   My Machine allows users to connect their embroidery machines to INSTITCH through 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and transfer embroidery files directly to the machine. The Wi-Fi transfer function is completely free to use, with no additional software or transfer fees.
   For wireless transfer through My Machine, the supported embroidery file formats are: DST (Tajima), DSB (Barudan)
   

Can I use Wilcom, Embird, Embrilliance, or other digitizing software?

Yes. Users are not required to use INSTITCH for digitizing.
Customers can either digitize their designs directly in INSTITCH or continue using the embroidery digitizing software they already know and prefer, including Embird, Wilcom, Embrilliance, or other third-party solutions.
Once the design is completed, simply export it as DST or DSB and transfer it to an INSTITCH equipped machine through My Machine.
There is no restriction on which digitizing software was used to create the design. The key requirement is that the final file be exported in a supported DST or DSB format.
So, in simple terms:
Pattern gives you free embroidery designs, Software lets you create and digitize designs, and My Machine lets you connect your machine and transfer designs over Wi-Fi.
And if you already have a preferred digitizing software such as Wilcom, Embird, or Embrilliance, you can keep using it. Export the finished design as DST or DSB, and My Machine can transfer it wirelessly to your BAI machine.
This gives users the flexibility to access free designs, create their own designs, use the digitizing software they prefer, and conveniently transfer embroidery files to their machine over Wi-Fi.
For more information, customers can visit INSTITCH or INSTITCH YouTube Channel.

QUESTION 15: In the Poolin EOC05 review I did a couple of years ago, I had a list of people who might like that machine and those who wouldn’t like it. Can you tell me who the Bai is NOT for? In other words – who is the ideal user and who would be better off buying a different brand?

ANSWER 15: We don’t believe there is one embroidery machine that is right for everyone. Different machines are designed for different users, applications, production needs, and budgets.
For BAI, we don’t define our customer by the size of their business. A small business can absolutely be a BAI customer.
The more important question is why the customer is buying the machine.
If someone is buying an embroidery machine mainly for personal projects, hobbies, or creative exploration, Poolin may be a better fit.
But if someone is starting an embroidery business, taking customer orders, producing hats or apparel, or has a clear goal of generating revenue from embroidery, that customer can absolutely be a BAI customer—even if they are just starting out.
That’s why we designed THE MIRROR as an entry point into commercial embroidery. It is not only for large production shops; it is also designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs beginning their commercial journey.
From there, THE VISION supports growing businesses that need more productivity, while THE VISION-2 is designed for customers who require higher production capacity.

So the BAI journey is not:
Small customer → Big customer
It is:
Commercial intent → Business growth → Increased production

This is also the key difference between BAI and Poolin.
Poolin supports users from creative exploration to emerging business opportunities, while BAI starts with a different question: “Are you buying this machine because embroidery is becoming a business?”
If the answer is yes, BAI can be the right choice whether that business is one person working from home or an established production operation.
So who is BAI not for?
BAI may not be the best fit for someone who only wants a machine for occasional personal use, hobby projects, or has no current plan to produce commercially. For those customers, a Poolin machine may be a more natural starting point.
But customers should not think they need to already be a large company before choosing BAI.
You don’t have to be big to be commercial.
The real question is not: “How big is your business?” It is: “What are you trying to do with your embroidery machine?”
If the goal is to build a business, serve customers, and grow commercial production, BAI is designed to support that journey from the beginning.

That is the entire written interview. I want to thank Sia at 100Horse for taking the time to answer all my questions. And also John at Red Dirt Stitch Co. for showing me his Bai Mirror machines. I went into this interview and demo very skeptical of these machines since I was not impressed with them 5 years ago. But I will admit that my opinion has changed and Bai/Poolin are becoming a force to contend with in the Machine Embroidery arena. It will be interesting to see how they grow in the future.

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