Embroidery Backing - What is It and How is it Used During Production?
Embroidery backing is an extra layer, or layers, of fabric or paper placed inside of a product to help stabilize the garment during the custom embroidery process to ensure your designs have a clean result and last a long time.
The Apliiq team will use different types of embroidery for different garments and artwork combinations:
Tear-away— like the name implies, this backing sheet is relatively thin, fairly rigid in feel and tears away like paper. After the embroidery finishes production, we will tear off the excess backing left from the sheet used. Doing so will leave only the paper on the inside of the stitching of your design.
Cut-away—this backing sheet is thicker and sturdy and is used for delicate and stretchy fabrics. After the embroidery finishes production, we will cut off the extra sheet around the design, leaving about a 1/4″ (3–6 mm) wide edge that roughly reflects the shape of the design.
No backing—there are certain products and materials, think about products along the lines of structured hats with buckram behind the front panel or backpacks. These type of garments do not require any additional stiffening or backing to help ensure a clean embroidery result.
Different types of fabric have their own specific needs and this is why Apliiq doesn't use the same embroidery backing for all product offerings available on our website. Our production teams will choose the backing that works best for your embroidery and garment.
Apliiq only uses white colored tear-away and cut-away backing.