Get Stabilizer Savvy for Superior Embroidery Digitizing Results

One of the most basic things in embroidery that every digitizer should be aware of is that you just can’t escape the push and pull effect. Whether you’re embroidering a firmly woven fabric or unstable knit, it will stretch and shift during the sewing process. And, this has to be dealt with the proper use of backing, otherwise known as a stabilizer.

A good stabilizer should achieve two goals. One, it should keep the fabric from moving. This, of course, after proper underlay has been digitized to attach the stabilizer to the backing, so that the combination of stabilization and stitches keeps the material from moving in any direction. Two, the stabilizer should provide a rock-solid base for the stitches to go on.

So Many Choices, So Little Time

The biggest hurdle that an embroidery digitizer has to overcome here is the choice of stabilizer. Each fabric has distinctive qualities and needs, and thus would require different kinds of stabilizers for support. One should always keep in mind that their choice of backing should not only support the fabric, but also the embroidery that will be placed on the fabric for professional results.
While nothing can beat experience gained through trial and error, we’ve put together a basic guide to give every embroidery digitizer a head start:

The Cutaway

Weighing anywhere between 1.5 and 3 ounces per yard, cutaway backings have proven to be most resistant to the push and pull caused by needle penetration. Ideal for stable woven to stretchy knits, you’ll have to “cutaway” any excess stabilizer after successful registration. While a medium-weight backing is the usual choice, experience will expand your horizons to include more options.

The Tearaway

Weighing between 1 and 3 ounces per yard, these are best used with stable fabrics, such as wovens. Known to save time, tearaways can easily be pulled off the design after successful registration, making them a perfect pick for towels and other fabrics, where both the front and back of the design are visible. Their flawless finish and time-saving quality also makes them a great pick for caps.

The Sticky Back

A tearaway variant, these come with a “sticky back”, so that they can be easily attached to the fabric for hard-to-hoop items. A digitizer’s best friend when it comes to embroidering pockets, collars and cuffs.

Another variant here would be the water-activated adhesive stabilizer that is a lifesaver for hard-to-hoop items. Only the area that is wet gets sticky, while the rest of the sheet acts as a regular tearaway.

The Washaway

When digitizing for lace or any free-standing embroidery simply reach out for the water-soluble or washaway backing. As the name suggests, a simple wash is all it takes to get rid of this stabilizer post registration. Great for a professional finish on towels, napkins, blankets, etc.

The Mesh

When an embroidery digitizer desires the stability of a cutaway, but doesn’t want any unsightly backing peeking through the fabric, the mesh is the best bet. Lightweight and translucent, the mesh allows for better draping of the garment, while being almost invisible.

At Expressdigitising.com, every  embroidery digitizer in our team is trained to produce high-end designs that sew on perfectly onto specialty and tricky fabrics. With a highly skilled team ready to produce exceptional works of art within a 5-24 hour turnaround period, we strive to deliver the most delightful experience at affordable prices.