SES Ball Point Chrome Needles – DBxK5 for Commercial Embroidery Machines | Pack of 100
Triumph
SES light ball point needles are the right choice when you embroider knits, jerseys, and stretch fabrics. The rounded ball tip pushes between the yarn loops that form a knit instead of cutting them — preserving the fabric structure and preventing the gradual unraveling that occurs when sharp points are used on knit material. The cleaner, fabric-friendly choice for t-shirts, polos, performance wear, and any embroidery job where the long-term integrity of the garment matters as much as the stitch quality itself.
SES (Light Ball Point)
Knit fabrics — jerseys, t-shirts, fine knits, performance fabrics, stretch materials
DBxK5 System
Universal commercial-machine compatibility (Tajima, Brother, Barudan, SWF, etc.).
5 Sizes Available
65/9, 70/10, 75/11, 80/12, 90/14 — choose at checkout based on fabric weight.
100 per Pack
Production-shop value pack. Triumph chrome plating.
Not sure which point type? See our full needle lineup — Sharp for wovens, SES for knits, ESB universal.
🚚 Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT | 🎁 Free shipping over $200 | 📦 100 needles per pack — $15.00
$15.00
Description
KNIT FABRICS
Triumph SES Ball Point Chrome Needles — Pack of 100
Light ball point pushes between knit fibers — prevents fabric damage on tees and jerseys.
🎯 SES (Light Ball Point)
⚙️ DBxK5 System
📦 100 per Pack
✨ Triumph Chrome
🏷️ Code: B300659
🎯 SES (Light Ball Point) Tip
Light ball-point tip — slightly rounded ball that pushes between knit fibers instead of cutting them, preventing the unraveling that sharp points cause on jersey, knit, and loose-weave fabrics.
🔍 Larger DBxK5 Eye
Engineered with a larger eye than standard sewing needles — allows fluffy embroidery thread to pass through cleanly without fraying or breaking, which is the most common cause of failed stitches.
✨ Smooth Chrome Plating
Chrome coating reduces friction during high-speed stitching, extends needle life, and produces consistent stitch formation across long production runs.
🏭 Universal Commercial Machine Fit
DBxK5 is the industry-standard needle system used by Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Brother, Melco, Ricoma, Happy, Baby Lock, and most other commercial embroidery machines.
Why Choose SES (Light Ball Point)?
SES light ball point needles are the right choice when you embroider knits, jerseys, and stretch fabrics. The rounded ball tip pushes between the yarn loops that form a knit instead of cutting them — preserving the fabric structure and preventing the gradual unraveling that occurs when sharp points are used on knit material. The cleaner, fabric-friendly choice for t-shirts, polos, performance wear, and any embroidery job where the long-term integrity of the garment matters as much as the stitch quality itself.
Best for these jobs:
- T-shirts and jersey-knit garments
- Performance and athletic wear (poly knits)
- Fine knit polos and sweaters
- Stretch fabrics and elastic-blend garments
- Loose-knit fabrics (sweaters, beanies, hats)
- Any garment where fabric preservation matters more than tip aggression
Size Breakdown — What Each Size Is Best For
This ses needle ships in 5 sizes. Choose at checkout based on your fabric weight and stitch count. If you’re unsure, 75/11 is the universal default that handles most embroidery jobs.
Size 65/9 — Ultra Fine
| Best for: | Very lightweight fabrics, fine details, small lettering, monograms |
| Fabric examples: | Fine knits, thin jersey, lightweight performance tees |
| Thread: | 60 wt or finer thread |
| Why this size: | Minimizes fabric damage and needle holes on delicate garments — the most gentle option |
Size 70/10 — Fine
| Best for: | Lightweight to medium fabrics with light stitch counts |
| Fabric examples: | Standard t-shirts, smooth knit polos |
| Thread: | 60 wt or standard 40 wt thread |
| Why this size: | Cleaner detail than larger needles with minimal fabric stress |
Size 75/11 — Standard / Most PopularMost Popular
| Best for: | Medium-weight fabrics — the universal default size |
| Fabric examples: | Performance tees, polos, standard knit garments |
| Thread: | Standard 40 wt embroidery thread |
| Why this size: | The go-to size for most embroidery jobs — excellent balance of penetration and stitch quality. Start here if you’re unsure |
Size 80/12 — Heavy Duty
| Best for: | Thicker fabrics and higher stitch counts |
| Fabric examples: | Heavy knits, structured caps with knit backing |
| Thread: | 40 wt embroidery thread |
| Why this size: | Stronger needle resists deflection and breakage on dense materials |
Size 90/14 — Extra Heavy
| Best for: | Heavy fabrics and very dense embroidery designs |
| Fabric examples: | Loose knits, sweaters, beanies, heavy stretch fabrics |
| Thread: | 40 wt embroidery thread |
| Why this size: | Maximum strength for the most demanding embroidery jobs — heavy canvas, thick twill, large fill designs |
💡 Sizing convention: Embroidery needles use a dual notation — the metric size (65, 70, 75, 80, 90) divided by the Singer/imperial size (9, 10, 11, 12, 14). Higher number = larger needle = stronger but more visible holes. Always size to your fabric, not your design — when in doubt, choose smaller.
Sharp vs. Ball Point — Which Should You Use?
We stock three needle point types, and choosing the right one is just as important as choosing the right size. The wrong point can damage knit garments or produce poor stitch quality on woven goods.
| Needle Point Type | Best For | Avoid On | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp Point | Woven fabrics — twill, denim, canvas, hats, jackets, button-up shirts | Not for knits — sharp tip can cut yarn loops and cause unraveling | 4 sizes |
| ESB (Extra Light Ball Point) | Most jobs, most fabrics — woven AND knit without needle changes | Extreme cases — very heavy woven (use Sharp), or very loose/stretchy knit (use SES) | 5 sizes |
| SES (Light Ball Point) — this product | Knit fabrics — jerseys, t-shirts, fine knits, performance fabrics, stretch materials | Not ideal for heavy woven — ball point can deflect on twill and canvas | 5 sizes |
When to Change Your Needle
⏱️ Every 6–8 Hours of Run Time
Industry rule of thumb: change needles after roughly 6–8 hours of continuous embroidery time. Sooner if you’re running dense designs, heavy thread, or high-stitch-count jobs.
🚨 Immediately on Damage
Replace immediately on any thread break, needle bend, or skipped stitches that don’t resolve with re-threading. A bent or burred needle damages thread and fabric.
🔄 When You Change Fabric Type
Swap needles when moving between very different fabric weights or point-type requirements (sharp ↔ ball point). Don’t carry over a needle worn in on canvas to a fine knit job.
📅 Before Critical Production Jobs
Always start a major production run, customer-priority job, or color-matched specialty thread job with fresh needles. Cheap insurance against costly fabric ruins.
Compatible With All Major Commercial Machines
The DBxK5 needle system is the industry standard for commercial embroidery machines. We carry products for many of the top brands in the embroidery industry:
Tajima
Industrial & commercial
Brother
PR series & commercial
Baby Lock
Multi-needle & single
Melco
Multi-head commercial
Barudan
BEKS & BEKY series
Ricoma
EM & MT-series
SWF
Korean commercial
Happy
HCH & HCS series
Janome MB
MB-4 & MB-7
Toyota
Commercial systems
Complete Your Embroidery Setup
Needles are one piece of the embroidery puzzle. Stock the rest of your shop from one vendor:
🧵 Exquisite 1000m Thread
100+ colors of 40 wt polyester on convenient 1000m spools. The everyday production thread.
🧵 Exquisite 5000m Cones
Commercial 5000m cones for high-volume shops — fewer cone changes per shift.
✨ KingStar Metallic Thread
15 vibrant metallic colors for high-impact decorative embroidery and accent stitching.
🎯 Pre-Wound Bobbins
Save winding time — pre-wound bobbins in standard sizes for commercial machines.
🧢 Cap Backing
Tear-away stabilizer for finished cap embroidery — 3.0 oz and 3.5 oz weights, sheets and rolls.
📐 Tear-Away Backing
For tees, polos, hoodies, and other flat embroidery — pairs perfectly with ball point needles.
✂️ Cutaway Backing
For stretch fabrics and high-density designs — permanent support that doesn’t tear.
💨 Spray Adhesives
Temporary spray adhesive for hooping caps, odd-shaped pieces, and tricky garments.
👕 Blank Apparel
Wholesale blank apparel — tees, polos, caps, jackets — for embroidery decorators.
Why Order from River City Supply?
🚚
Same-Day Shipping
Orders before 3:30 PM CT ship same-day from San Antonio, TX.
🧵
One Stop for the Whole Shop
Needles, thread, bobbins, backing — one vendor for the entire embroidery setup.
📞
Real Embroidery Help
Not sure which point or size? Call us — we sell to embroidery shops every day.
⭐
17+ Years in Business
Founded 2008 — serving screen printers & embroiderers nationwide.
Technical Specifications
Triumph SES Ball Point Chrome Needles — Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Triumph SES Ball Point Chrome Needles |
| Product Code | B300659 |
| Brand | Triumph |
| Needle System | DBxK5 (industry-standard commercial embroidery system) |
| Point Type | SES (Light Ball Point) |
| Tip Geometry | Light ball-point tip — slightly rounded ball that pushes between knit fibers instead of cutting them, preventing the unraveling that sharp points cause on jersey, knit, and loose-weave fabrics. |
| Plating | Chrome — smooth surface, reduced friction, extended life |
| Eye Size | Enlarged for embroidery thread (one size larger than standard sewing needles) |
| Shank Type | Round shank — standard DBxK5 commercial machine fit |
| Available Sizes | 65/9, 70/10, 75/11, 80/12, 90/14 |
| Sizing System | Dual notation: metric (Nm) / Singer (No.) |
| Pack Quantity | 100 needles per pack |
| Best For Fabric Type | Knit fabrics — jerseys, t-shirts, fine knits, performance fabrics, stretch materials |
| Avoid On | Not ideal for heavy woven — ball point can deflect on twill and canvas |
| Machine Compatibility | Tajima, Brother, Barudan, SWF, Melco, Ricoma, Happy, Baby Lock, Janome MB, Toyota, and other commercial DBxK5 systems |
| Recommended Thread | 40 wt polyester or rayon embroidery thread (60 wt for fine detail) |
| Recommended Replacement Cycle | Every 6–8 hours of run time, or immediately on damage/skipped stitches |
| Storage | Cool, dry location away from humidity |
Properties are typical for the Triumph DBxK5 needle system. Confirm critical specifications with our team before specifying for a demanding application.
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
Documents & Specifications
Need a spec sheet or compatibility chart for the Triumph SES Ball Point Chrome Needles? Request the current Triumph documentation and we’ll send the latest revision for your records.
📄
Product Code B300659 — Spec Sheet
Technical data, machine compatibility chart, and size guide
ℹ️ Build a Complete Embroidery Setup
Pair these needles with Exquisite thread, pre-wound bobbins, and the right embroidery backing for your job. Browse our complete embroidery supplies category.
Questions about needle specs or bulk pricing?
Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected].
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “DBxK5” mean?
DBxK5 is the needle system designation — an industry-standard specification for commercial embroidery needles. Designed for use in industrial embroidery machines such as Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Brother, Melco, and most other multi-head commercial systems. The defining feature: a larger eye than a standard sewing needle, which lets the fluffy embroidery thread pass through without fraying or breaking. The K5 also has special geometry that resists deflection at high embroidery speeds.
Can I use SES ball point on woven fabrics like denim or canvas?
You can, but it’s not ideal. SES light ball point needles are engineered to push between fibers (great for knits), which means they can deflect or struggle to penetrate tightly-woven, heavyweight fabrics like denim, canvas, or heavy twill. The result is often more thread breaks and less crisp detail than you’d get from a sharp point. For heavy woven goods, switch to Sharp Point. If you frequently switch between knits and wovens and want one needle for both, consider ESB Extra Light Ball Point as your everyday default.
What does the 75/11 size designation mean?
Embroidery needles use a dual size system. The first number (65, 70, 75, 80, 90) is the metric size — the needle blade diameter in hundredths of a millimeter. The second number (9, 10, 11, 12, 14) is the Singer/Imperial number, an older parallel system. A 75/11 is a 0.75mm needle. Higher number = larger needle = stronger but more visible holes. Size to your fabric, not your design.
Which size should I start with?
75/11 is the universal default — it handles the widest range of fabrics and stitch counts. If you’re new to commercial embroidery or unsure about your specific fabric, start there. Move down to 65/9 or 70/10 for very fine detail or delicate fabrics; move up to 80/12 or 90/14 (where available) for heavier fabrics or higher stitch densities.
Why does this needle have a bigger eye than a regular sewing needle?
Embroidery thread is fundamentally different from sewing thread — it’s “fluffier” with less tensile strength, optimized for sheen and stitch appearance rather than seam strength. A standard sewing needle eye is too small for embroidery thread to pass cleanly, which causes fraying, thread breaks, and skipped stitches. DBxK5 needles have a larger eye (without an increased blade diameter) that lets embroidery thread pass smoothly while keeping the hole in the fabric small.
How often should I change needles?
Every 6–8 hours of continuous run time is the industry rule of thumb, or sooner for dense designs and high-stitch-count jobs. Replace immediately if you experience thread breaks, skipped stitches that don’t resolve with re-threading, or any visible bend in the needle. Also swap fresh needles before starting major production runs or specialty thread jobs where a ruined garment would be costly.
Will these work in my embroidery machine?
If your machine uses the DBxK5 system (the industry standard for multi-head commercial machines), yes — these will fit. Confirmed compatible with Tajima, Brother (PR series and commercial), Barudan, SWF, Melco, Ricoma, Happy, Baby Lock, Janome MB, Toyota, and most other commercial multi-needle systems. If you have a less common machine, check your manual for the needle system spec, or call us at (512) 454-0505 to confirm.
What thread should I use with these needles?
Standard 40 wt polyester embroidery thread is the universal choice. Use a finer 60 wt thread with the smaller 65/9 needle if you’re running tiny lettering or fine detail work. For high-volume production runs, the same thread on 5000m cones means fewer changeovers per shift. Metallic threads work but typically require a larger needle (try 80/12) and slower speeds to prevent breaks.
Are these the same as titanium needles?
No — these are chrome-plated steel needles, the standard production embroidery needle. Titanium-coated needles are a step up in price and durability — they last 3–5× longer than chrome, especially on dense designs or sticky fabrics that build up adhesive residue. For most production shops, chrome needles delivered at $15 per 100-pack are the cost-effective everyday choice; titanium becomes worth it on high-volume runs or with materials that wear needles quickly.
How should I store unused needles?
Store the pack in a cool, dry location away from humidity. Chrome plating resists rust under normal shop conditions, but prolonged moisture exposure can pit the surface. Keep needles in their original packaging until needed — both for organization (so you don’t mix sizes) and protection from accidental damage.
Need help picking the right needle?
Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected].
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