Embroidery Blog

Quick Guide To Embroidery Backing & Toppings (stablisers)

Embroidery blog

Here is a quick and easy guide to selecting a backing (stabilizer) for the embroidery you are about to make. This is merely a guideline to help the embroiderer when faced with numerous backing options. Please read the ‘general rules’ prior to your selection.

GENERAL RULES WHEN CHOOSING A BACKING
1. Determine the type of fabric: Woven or Knitted
2. The size of Embroidery – the larger the embroidery the more support is required (higher gsm required) and vice versa
3. The weaker the fabric being embroidered, the more support is required and vice versa

QUESTION: What type of backing do I use when embroidering on:

The following suggestions are guidelines only:

WOVEN FABRICS:

  • Cotton shirts: 70 gsm Stitch & Tear
  • Denim & Overalls: 50 gsm Stitch & Tear
  • Table cloths & Sheeting: 50 or 70 gsm Stitch & Tear
  • Blazers: 50 gsm Stitch & Tear

KNITTED FABRICS:

  • Golf shirts or t-shirts: 75gsm Cut Away
  • Fleece: Stitch & Tear or Cut Away with Avalon on top
  • Jerseys: Avalon on top and 75gsm Cut away on the bottom
  • Baby Wear: Use a softer backing like 50gsm Cut away with TM 50 fusible for non-scratch
  • Sporting wear (lycra): 75 gsm Cut Away, sealed with TM 50 fusible for non-scratch

GENERAL:

  • Lace & Silk: Use Avalon Plus for extremely delicate fabrics
  • Badges: Heat film
  • Leather : Tear Away
  • Towels: Avalon Plus on the bottom and Avalon on top. 50gsm Stitch & Tear is also suitable for towelling.
  • Free standing lace products: Avalon plus
  • Caps : Use 80/95gsm Tear Away backing for better support on your cap embroidery or Eva Foam for 3D embroideries. Hard Tear Away is often used for Caps in the larger factories.

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