A Guide to Embroidery Backings
Choosing the right backing can make or break your next design, that’s why it's crucial to know about the different types of backings, how they’re used, and why they’re essential to making the embroidery process go as smooth as possible.
Backings are used to hold the garment in place and prevent the base material from moving, bunching up, or getting tangled during embroidery. Without backing, the fidelity needed to produce a clean finished product would not be present, and would result in a mushy blocky mess.
There are two main types of backing to choose from when starting production: Cutaway and Tearaway. To decide which backing is best, it is necessary to look at the type of fabric that is being embroidered and the design itself.
Cutaway Backing
Tough, stiff, and sturdy. Cutaway backing provides major stability for designs being embroidered. This backing gets its name from the shear fact that it is “cut away” at the end of the embroidery process. Cutaway backing is an excellent choice for stretchier materials such as t-shirts and hoodies since these materials often shift while being stitched. A sturdier backing is required to give the stability needed for a sharp finished product.
Tearaway Backing
Tearaway backing gets its name from being torn away from the back of the design after the embroidery process has been completed. While it is less bulky and less expensive, it provides less stability for the material and can alter the final product. Tearaway backings are frequently used because they produce a clean finish on the back of the design and the fact that they're so easy to use.
Other Backings
Solvy backings are an uncommon backing but are typically used for most fleece products such as blankets and jackets. Solvy backing provides a different approach on the process because they’re placed on top of the fabric opposed to being behind it. This prevents the embroidery from sinking into the material, giving a dimensional look that pops. Once embroidered, the backing is completely hidden and the only visible result is the design that was stitched.
No Show backings are used for light garments and are extremely thin. They should never be used for a design that requires heavy stitching because of their lack of rigidity and should only be used on the thinnest of materials. No show backings are perfect for thinner t-shirts because they leave no visible remains when the shirt is worn.
Which Backing To Choose
Choosing the right backing contributes to producing a flawless final product that will last and hold up over time. When placing your next order, ask which backing is best for your design and our team will help you choose the right type, thickness, and size to make sure every stitch is made to perfection.
