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How to Avoid Hoop Burn from Embroidery Hoops
How-to's

How to Avoid Hoop Burn

June 30, 20250

Say Goodbye to Hoop Burn: Why Mighty Hoops Are the Burn-Free Solution for Embroidery

We’ve all been there—you finish a beautiful embroidery design, unhoop the fabric, and boom… hoop burn. That awful ring around your design where the fabric was pinched too tight. Whether it’s a plush sweatshirt, a soft tee, or a specialty garment, traditional embroidery hoops can leave behind unwanted marks that ruin the look (and the customer experience).

But here’s the good news: Magnetic Mighty Hoops have entered the chat—and hoop burn is officially canceled.

What Is Embroidery Hoop Burn?

Hoop burn happens when a traditional hoop—especially one with a tight outer ring—compresses the fabric so much that it leaves a permanent mark or crease. It’s most common on:

  • Soft cotton or tri-blend T-shirts
  • Sweatshirts and hoodies
  • Plush fabrics like fleece or minky
  • Any garment that’s sensitive to pressure or stretch

In short, hoop burn is what happens when your fabric says, “Ouch.”

Why Mighty Hoops Don’t Cause Hoop Burn

Unlike traditional hoops that pinch, twist, and pull the material to stay in place, Mighty Hoops use magnetic force to gently but firmly secure your fabric. That means:

✅ No over-compression
✅ No harsh pressure points
✅ No weird rings left behind

Instead of squishing the fabric, Mighty Hoops hold it evenly and effortlessly—perfect for delicate materials and high-stakes projects where appearance matters.

How It Works: The Magnetic Advantage

Mighty Hoops are designed with powerful rare-earth magnets that snap together around your fabric and stabilizer. The pressure is distributed evenly across the hoop, which keeps the material flat without crushing the fibers.

That’s why you can use them on everything from thick Carhartt jackets to soft onesies and come away with a clean, professional finish—every single time.

Traditional Hoops vs. Mighty Hoops

Feature Traditional Hoop Mighty Hoop
Hoop Burn Risk High Practically zero
Pressure Points Tight rings pinch fabric Magnetic grip holds evenly
Time to Hoop Slow, requires adjustment Fast snap-and-go
Wrist/Hand Strain Common with tight hoops Minimal with ergonomic design
Best for Plush or Stretchy? Not ideal Perfectly suited

Real Talk: You’ll Never Go Back

Once you hoop a T-shirt, sweatshirt, or jacket with a Mighty Hoop, you’ll instantly notice the difference:

  • No visible rings or marks after unhooping
  • No need to steam out pressure lines
  • No tug-of-war with screw-tightening hoops
  • Just smooth, centered embroidery that looks professional

It’s a game-changer for custom apparel shops, high-volume embroiderers, or hobbyists who just want things to look perfect without the stress.

Pair with a HoopMaster Station for Even More Magic

Want to avoid hoop burn and get perfect placement every time? Use Mighty Hoops with the HoopMaster Station and adjustable fixture. It lines up your garments perfectly and helps you hoop faster—without the guesswork, stretching, or misalignment that can cause damage to your fabric.

Ready to Ditch Hoop Burn for Good?

Explore the full lineup of Mighty Hoops and placement tools at www.hoopmaster.com

Your embroidery should turn heads—not leave marks. Let Mighty Hoops help you stitch clean, smooth, and stress-free.

How-to's

How to Hoop Thick Jackets with Magnetic Hoops

May 15, 20250

Embroidering thick jackets like Carhartt, canvas, and insulated workwear can be one of
the trickiest jobs in commercial embroidery. Traditional hoops often struggle with the
bulk, and misalignment is common. 

But with the magnetic Mighty Hoop and the HoopMaster System, hooping thick
garments becomes consistent, accurate, and far less frustrating.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to properly hoop heavyweight jackets
using the 5.5″ Mighty Hoop, the 5.5″ Fixture with FreeStyle Arm, and other helpful
accessories.

What You’ll Need to Hoop a Thick Jacket With Magnetic Hoops

Using the right tools makes all the difference. Here’s the setup we recommend when
hooping thick or insulated outerwear:
5.5″ Mighty Hoop® – A strong magnetic hoop that can clamp over seams,
zippers, and heavy fabrics without excessive pressure.
5.5″ Fixture with Freestyle Arm – Holds the hoop steady and allows for
consistent placement.
Portable Mounting Base – A lightweight, compact surface to stabilize the
Fixture during the hooping process.
T-Square Attachment – Helps ensure exact placement from garment to
garment, using fixed reference points.

These tools are designed to work together, making hooping not just possible—but fast
and repeatable.

These tools are designed to work together, making hooping not just possible—but fast and repeatable.

Step 1: Marking Placement for Repeatability

carhartt jacket

If you’re hooping the left or right chest area, start by determining logo placement on
the first jacket of each size. Getting this step right means you won’t have to measure
again for every jacket.
Here’s how to mark and measure efficiently:

  • Pick repeatable reference points—for example, the base of the collar or the
    edge of the pocket.
  • Unzip or unbutton the jacket so it lays flat.
  • Place it sideways on the fixture so the left or right chest is accessible.
  • Mark the logo placement using a washable fabric pen or placement sticker.
  • Use the placement mark to align your T-square and Fixture measurement
    lines so you can repeat this placement on future jackets of the same size.

By locking these placements in, you reduce human error and save significant time when
hooping large orders of multiple garments.

Step 2: Adjust the Fixture for Heavy Fabrics

hoopmaster fixture

The HoopMaster Fixture includes a blue sliding clip that affects how the lower hoop
ring releases during hooping. For thick jackets, move this clip to the shorter slot
position.
 This change allows the bottom ring of the hoop to easily attach to the top ring
when hooping.
 Using the blue clip in this position is recommended for any garment heavier than
a basic sweatshirt, including canvas, denim, quilted linings, and Carhartt-style
workwear.
 This position keeps the bottom ring from getting stuck in the Fixture when you
remove the hoop.
This small adjustment is one of the easiest ways to avoid frustration when hooping thick
materials.

Step 3: Hooping the Jacket

hooping a jacket

With your placement marked and your fixture adjusted; it’s time to hoop the jacket:

  1. Place the lower ring of the Mighty Hoop into the fixture. Make sure the warning
    labels are facing down.
  2. Lay the jacket on top, positioning the placement mark roughly in the center of
    where the hoop will go.
  3. Align your reference points:
    o Horizontal: Match the jacket edge with a known edge like the backing
    material holder.
    o Vertical: Use the zero point of the T-square and line it up with a fixed
    part of the jacket (e.g., the collar seam).
  4. Attach the top hoop ring to the Fixture arms and press down to engage the
    magnets.
     
lining it up

**Pro Tip: Don’t stress if your jacket doesn’t align with one of the printed ruler lines. Just use a straight edge, like the inner edge of the backing holder, to create a custom measurement you can replicate.

Step 4: Removing the Hooped Jacket Safely

removing hooped jacket safely

Thick garments can put stress on the hoop, so it’s critical to remove the jacket without damaging the hoop or shifting the garment inside it.

Follow these steps:

  • Never pull from the top ring alone—the jacket’s weight can cause the bottom ring to fall off.
  • Instead, reach under the hoop, grab the bottom ring, and lift both rings up and out together.
  • Once off the fixture, flip the jacket over and check the back for any puckering or bubbles in the lining.

If the lining looks loose or uneven, it’s best to rehoop the item for a cleaner result.

Step 5: Prepare for the Embroidery Machine

Before stitching, make a few final checks:

  1. Hold the top and bottom of the hoop firmly when transporting to the machine.
  2. Rotate your design 90° in your embroidery software to match the sideways hoop orientation.
    Support the weight of the jacket once hooped—don’t let it drag during stitching. Too much pull can cause the bottom ring to come loose, especially if embroidering close to an edge or seam.

Investing in a proper hooping setup and following these best practices ensures your stitch-outs are clean, centered, and securely hooped.

What About Tricky Areas Like Zippers or Pockets?

Some designs require placement near challenging features like:

  • Chest pockets
  • Heavy seams
  • Metal zippers
  • Multi-layer panels

Thanks to the strength of the Mighty Hoop® magnets, these problem spots are usually not a problem at all.

  • You can hoop over most seams and zippers with no issue.
  • The magnetic pressure adjusts evenly, reducing risk of damage or misalignment.
  • The HoopMaster system gives you enough control to work around features while keeping alignment consistent.

Final Thoughts

Hooping thick jackets doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right equipment, repeatable measurement techniques, and a few smart adjustments, you can dramatically speed up your production and reduce embroidery headaches.

If you’re ready to take the hassle out of hooping heavyweight garments, explore the tools featured in this tutorial:

Shop Mighty Hoop
Learn More about Hooping

5 Questions we always get asked about our products!
General

Our Top 5 Questions – Asked and Answered!

June 20, 20250

 

Question 1. Can I just buy the Mighty Hoop by itself?

Yes, of course! Mighty Hoops are magnetic embroidery hoops that grip fabric using powerful magnets, making it ideal for anything from thick garments to delicate materials. They reduce hooping-related strain on hands and wrists caused by manual adjusting of traditional hoops for different fabrics. They also lessen the chance for hoop burn. However, the HoopMaster Station and Mighty Hoop Fixtures are extremely helpful when you are looking to achieve fast, easy, consistent, and accurate placement, especially when hooping multiples. Not sure what is right for you? Click here to learn more. https://hoopmaster.com/about/hoopmaster-vs-mighty-hoop for a breakdown of our HoopMaster Magnetic Hooping System and Mighty Hoop capabilities.

Question 2. I love Mighty Hoops! I want to embroider caps now, what Mighty Hoops do you have for caps?

Currently, we do not make a magnetic Mighty Hoop for cap fronts. We do make a special magnetic Mighty Hoop designed for short sleeves and some cap backs. Although less known than our traditional Mighty Hoops, the 4.375” Round magnetic Mighty Hoop offers something a bit different. This hoop has less magnetic strength, as it was designed with smaller magnets, allowing it to have a smaller outer ring. This makes it easier to get into tight areas like short sleeves and some cap backs. It will not hoop thick bags, workwear, leather, or other difficult fabrics. The 4.25″ square magnetic Mighty Hoop would be a better option for that type of embroidery. The 4.375″ Round Mighty Hoop will fit most commercial embroidery machines, including the Brother and Baby Lock 1, 6 and 10 needle tubular machines. Looking for more information on this unique Mighty Hoop? Click Here https://hoopmaster.com/?s=4.375&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Questions 3. Do you do embroidery yourselves?

Although we no longer make embroidered goods to sell, we are constantly up to date with the embroidery industry’s latest machines, supplies and trends. We also do embroidery onsite for new product development and educational videos. In the 80’s we were called Midwest Embroidery and did contract embroidery and embroidery digitizing for more than 15 years before starting Midwest Products, Inc., home to the HoopMaster Hooping System and the Magnetic Embroidery Hoop, Mighty Hoop. You can learn more about our history here. https://hoopmaster.com/about

Question 4: How fast do you ship?

We obviously ship crazy fast! Most orders ship same or next day! Midwest Products, Inc. not only designs, patents, engineers, and produces its products in the USA, it also ships directly from its facility in Germantown, Wisconsin. We know how important it is to have the right embroidery tools for the job when you need them. Our shipping team takes great pride in accurately, efficiently, and quickly delivering your order. We use multiple shipping providers to make sure your HoopMaster and magnetic Mighty Hoops are delivered as quickly as possible. We offer Next Day Air options, and with ample notice, offer customer pick up at our facility. If you are overseas, don’t worry! We have multiple HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop resellers worldwide just waiting to assist you. Not sure where there is a reseller in your area? Just email us at info@hoopmaster.com and someone from our amazing Customer Support Team will assist you. Don’t be fooled by illegal Chinese copies, like MaggieFrame, SewTalent, MagnaHoops, or SewTech Magnetic Embroidery Hoops promoting fast shipping. These products are shipped from China illegally to the US and ship the opposite of fast. Interested in learning about our patents? Click here to find out more. https://hoopmaster.com/patents

Question 5. My hoops are jumping together and shifting my placement and sometimes my garment doesn’t come off my Station. How do I prevent this?

A: We have an answer for that too! Our engineers put time, effort and years of embroidery knowledge behind all our products, including the patented Blue Clip! We have created a WHOLE YouTube video explaining this little piece of wonder to solve both issues. Watch it here. https://youtu.be/1gF3XA1rx3g

Answers to the Top 5 Questions in this video

Have a question you’d like answered? Reach out to us at info@hoopmaster.com or on our socials! Be sure to follow us on our channels for all the latest news and product information.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HoopMaster2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mightyhoop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopmastermightyhoop/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopmastermightyhoop

Happy Hooping!

Midwest Products Inc. Home to HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop
General

Midwest Products, Inc. Innovators in Embroidery Hooping Systems and Magnetic Hoops

March 10, 20250

Introduction:

Midwest Products, Inc. is the world leader in commercial embroidery hooping systems. As the sole manufacturer and innovator in the embroidery industry and best known for developing the HoopMaster Station and magnetic embroidery hoops called Mighty Hoop. These embroidery tools have revolutionized hooping by providing precision, efficiency, and ease of use. Whether you are a small business or a large production facility, these products simplify the embroidery process, ensuring consistent hooping results every time.

What is the HoopMaster Station?

The HoopMaster Station is a specialized hooping board designed to streamline the embroidery setup process. It provides a structured platform that ensures accurate and repeatable placement of garments in embroidery hoops. This tool eliminates guesswork, reduces errors, and speeds up production, making it an essential investment for embroiderers seeking consistency and efficiency. Watch this video to understand more about the function of the letters, numbers, and holes on the Station. https://youtu.be/TybpAhjqTgQ (Starts a 01:01)

What are Mighty Hoops?

A Mighty Hoop is a magnetic embroidery hoop designed to hold garments securely without the need for excessive manual tightening. Unlike traditional hoops that rely on tension and clamping pressure, Mighty Hoops use powerful magnets to hold fabric in place, significantly reducing strain on the user’s hands and ensuring uniform tension for high-quality embroidery results.

How Magnetic Hoops Work:

Magnetic hoops aka Mighty Hoop function by utilizing strong embedded magnets that clamp fabric between the top ring and bottom ring of the hoop. The magnetic force securely holds the material without causing stretching or distortion, making it ideal for various fabric types, including thick Carhartt jackets, leather, delicate lace, silk, and everything in between. This innovative design allows for easy hooping and removal, reducing the physical effort required in traditional hooping methods.

Benefits of Using Mighty Hoops:

Mighty Hoops offer numerous benefits over conventional hoops, including ease of use, reduced operator fatigue, and improved hooping accuracy. The strong magnetic hold ensures that fabric stays in place, preventing shifting during embroidery. Additionally, the hoop’s design minimizes hoop burn, making it a preferred choice for embroiderers working with delicate materials. These advantages contribute to faster production times and more consistent embroidery quality.

Mighty Hoops and Tubular Embroidery Machines:

Mighty Hoops are only compatible with tubular embroidery machines. A tubular embroidery machine is a type of embroidery machine designed to accommodate open-ended garments such as shirts, jackets, and bags by allowing free movement of the fabric around the hoop. Unlike flatbed embroidery machines, which require fabric to be clamped flat, tubular machines allow for more versatility in hooping and stitching.

There are many different brands of tubular embroidery machines, including:

  • Tajima
  • Barudan
  • Brother
  • Baby Lock
  • Happy
  • SWF
  • ZSK
  • Melco
  • Ricoma
  • Bai
  • Bernina
  • Avance
  • Smartstitch
  • Toyota (and so much more!)

Depending on your machine brand and model, we will install a specific style of brackets on your Mighty Hoops to ensure they fit properly. Each machine requires uniquely designed brackets for seamless compatibility, allowing the hoop to be securely attached and function correctly with your embroidery machine.

View our entire brand machine list here: https://hoopmaster.com/products/mighty-hoop

Don’t see your machine brand? Email info@hoopmaster.com

Visit this link to see what we offer for Brother and Baby Lock Flatbed Embroidery machines. https://hoopmaster.com/products/hoopmaster-home-edition

Reducing Hoop Burn:

Hoop burn occurs when excessive pressure from traditional hoops leaves marks or indentations on the fabric. Mighty Hoops significantly reduce hoop burns because they do not require tight clamping. The magnetic hold applies even pressure without crushing fibers, making it ideal for sensitive materials such as fleece, silk, and performance fabrics.

Enhancing Efficiency:

Efficiency is key in any embroidery operation, and Mighty Hoops contribute by reducing setup time and minimizing rework. The quick and easy hooping process allows embroiderers to complete more orders in less time. The combination of HoopMaster Station, Mighty Hoop Fixtures and Mighty Hoops creates the perfect hooping set-up.

Basic Operation:

Using Mighty Hoops to hoop your garments is simple. The fabric is placed between the two magnetic hoop components, which snap together securely. The hoop is then positioned in the embroidery machine’s frame, and the design is stitched. Once completed, the hoop can be easily separated, and the finished product removed with minimal effort. This process eliminates the need for manual tightening, making it accessible for users of all experience levels.

User Precautions:

While Mighty Hoops offer numerous advantages, users should exercise caution due to the strength of the magnets. Handling the hoops carefully is essential to avoid finger pinching or accidental snapping. Additionally, individuals with pacemakers or medical implants should consult their healthcare provider before using magnetic hoops due to potential interference. View our warning list here: https://hoopmaster.com/support/mighty-hoops-magnetic-hoops-safety-warning

Conclusion:

Midwest Products, Inc. continues to set industry standards with its innovative embroidery hooping systems. The HoopMaster Station and Mighty Hoops have transformed the way embroiderers work by improving accuracy, efficiency, and user comfort. Whether you are an experienced embroiderer or just starting, investing in these high-quality American made tools can elevate your embroidery projects, making the process faster, easier, and more professional.

HoopMaster vs Mighty Hoop - What's the Difference?
General

HoopMaster vs. Mighty Hoop: Understanding the Differences

February 28, 20250

Many embroiderers are familiar with both HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop, but not everyone knows how they are related—or how they differ. Both patented products come from Midwest Products, Inc., and while they work together seamlessly, they serve distinct purposes in the embroidery process.

The Origins of HoopMaster

The original HoopMaster system was designed as a precision hoop placement tool to work with the standard hoops that come with your embroidery machine. Before its invention, embroiderers often struggled with consistent hoop placement, leading to alignment issues and wasted time. HoopMaster solved this problem by introducing:

  • A Station, which provides a stable base for hooping shirts, sweatshirts, jackets.
  • A Fixture, designed to securely hold the hoop while placing garments.
  • A Portable Mounting Base with Fixture and FreeStyle Arm, which allows for hooping smaller garments, Onesies, bags, and anything else that can’t fit on the Station.

While the HoopMaster system tremendously improved accuracy and consistency, there was still a major challenge when using traditional hoops:

  • You still had to manually adjust the inner and outer rings to match the fabric thickness.
  • The tightening process was hard on your wrists, especially after repeated use.
  • Traditional hoops could cause fabric distortion and hoop burn, particularly on delicate or thick materials.

These challenges made hooping tedious, especially in high-production environments. That’s where Mighty Hoop came in.

The Introduction of Mighty Hoops

Over time, as embroidery technology evolved, Mighty Hoops were developed and patented as an industry first magnetic hooping solution. Unlike traditional hoops that rely on tension and pressure, Mighty Hoops use strong magnets to hold the fabric securely in place. This offers several advantages:

  • Less strain on fabric – No need to over-tighten the hoop, reducing the risk of hoop burn.
  • Faster hooping – Simply place the fabric and let the magnets do the work.
  • Easier hooping of thick materials – Works exceptionally well with items like leather, Carhartt jackets, and heavy sweatshirts.

While Mighty Hoops provided a new way to hoop garments, they were designed to be fully compatible with the original HoopMaster Station. Instead of the HoopMaster Fixture holding a standard hoop, Mighty Hoop Fixtures were introduced to securely hold Mighty Hoops in place during the hooping process. This allowed embroiderers to continue using the same HoopMaster setup while benefiting from the ease of magnetic hooping.

HoopMaster & Mighty Hoop: A Perfect Pair

Even though they were developed at different times, HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop are designed to work together. The HoopMaster Station remains a critical tool for ensuring precision placement, while the Mighty Hoop provides a stress-free and efficient hooping experience.

HoopMaster Station with 5.5" Mighty Hoop Fixture

Today, embroiderers can choose to use HoopMaster with either traditional hoops or Mighty Hoops, depending on their needs. Regardless of the choice, the same fundamental concept applies—using the HoopMaster system to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the hooping process.

Midwest Products, Inc.: The Company Behind It All

HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop are both embroidery tools specifically invented, engineered, and patented, by Midwest Products, Inc., a US company dedicated to improving efficiency in the embroidery industry and inventing new and innovative embroidery accessories. HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop are manufactured, assembled, and distributed worldwide from their manufacturing facilities in Germantown, Wisconsin. Their products have led them to become the world leader in commercial embroidery hooping systems. Helping embroiderers of all skill levels throughout the world streamline their workflow and improve the quality of their work.

By understanding the differences and connections between HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop, embroiderers can make the best choice for their production needs, whether sticking with traditional hoops and the original HoopMaster setup or upgrading to the magnetic ease of Mighty Hoops while still benefiting from the precise placement of the HoopMaster Station.

Midwest Products, Inc. takes great pride in manufacturing all of our products in the USA. Our patented HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop products are designed to be the best in the industry, which we are! We are also committed to providing outstanding customer service, ensuring that every customer receives the support they need. Our sales and customer service team are located right here in our home office and warehouse in Germantown, WI, so you can always count on talking to a knowledgeable representative who truly understands our products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you still sell HoopMaster Products?
A: Yes! The HoopMaster system is still available and continues to be a reliable tool for precise hoop placement.

Q: Do you sell the traditional hoops that come with embroidery machines?
A: No. We do not manufacture or sell the standard hoops that come with your embroidery machine.

Q: Why would someone still buy the traditional HoopMaster setup when the Mighty Hoop system is far superior?
A: We understand that our patented Mighty Hoops are an investment. Large embroidery shops needing 200+ Mighty Hoops of just one size can see costs add up quickly. Many shops slowly invest in our line of products while still using the hoops that came with their machine. By using the HoopMaster setup, they can continue to achieve consistent placement while gradually transitioning to Mighty Hoops over time.

How to use the 5.5 Mighty Hoop Starter Kit
How-to's

5.5″ Mighty Hoop Starter Kit

January 8, 20250

The 5.5″ Mighty Hoop Starter Kit was designed to be compatible with almost every tubular embroidery machine in the world! This kit is intended to be the perfect starting point in almost every embroiderers journey. Whether you are just starting out or you have a large embroidery shop, this system will make the embroidery hooping process seamless. Perfect design placement, consistent hooping, and increased productivity are just some of the benefits you can expect to have when using this kit.

 

Watch the video below to learn how to use the 5.5″ Mighty Hoop Starter Kit and see how it could benefit you.

 

If you just purchased the kit and want to learn how to set it up watch the video below.

Be sure to leave a “Like” and “Comment” if you found this video helpful! Don’t forget to “Subscribe” and turn on “Notifications” to get video updates! Have a question about our products? Leave us a comment or send us an email at info@hoopmaster.com.

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