What fabric type should I choose for my order?
When placing an order for digitizing embroidery, one of the most common questions is, “What fabric type should I choose?” This decision is crucial as it impacts the quality and precision of the embroidery. Understanding the fabric type you will be working with helps us tailor the digitizing process to ensure the best possible results.
Factors like sink, stretch, and thickness of the fabric significantly influence how we approach the design. For instance, the density and underlay we use for Polar Fleece are vastly different from what we use for Nylon fabric.
Twill, Denim or Nylon
If your fabric has a fine weave, a flat surface, and is possibly stiff, it likely falls under Twill, Denim, or Nylon. These materials are common in jackets, vests, aprons, and bags. Most hats, from trucker caps to dad caps, also fall into this category.
Common Items:
- Satin jackets
- Canvas work jackets
- Dress shirts
- Aprons
- Jean jackets
- Most caps
- Quilted jackets
- Tote bags
Performance Wear or T-Shirts
Performance wear includes most polos, T-shirts, and athletic apparel, which can be made from 100% cotton or polyester blends. The key feature of these fabrics is their elasticity, which can vary from one-way to four-way stretch. This stretchiness requires a different digitizing approach compared to twill. Some hats, like golf caps, are also made from stretchy, moisture-wicking fabrics. However, we generally don’t recommend embroidering on hats made from performance wear due to potential issues like puckering and registration problems.
Common Items:
- Tees
- Polos
- Moisture-wicking garments
- Athletic wear
Pique
Pique, specifically knit pique, is a durable fabric characterized by a cross-tuck knit construction. It is thicker and stiffer than woven cotton, resists creasing, and maintains its shape well. The honeycomb-like texture of pique fabrics requires specific adjustments in our digitizing process. Pique is most commonly used in 100% cotton polos. If your garment mentions “Micro Pique,” please select “Performance Wear” instead.
Common Items:
- Polos
- Golf wear
Knit Beanies or Sweaters
Knit beanies and sweaters are made from thick, yarn-like threads, creating a ribbed or textured fabric. These fabrics require more density and different underlay techniques. For designs with small lettering, we may recommend using a knockdown stitch.
Common Items:
- Sweaters
- Ski caps
- Beanies
Polar Fleece
Polar fleece is a thick, fuzzy fabric with a significant sink, meaning the embroidery stitches can sink into the material. The fuzziness can vary in thickness on both the exterior and interior of the fabric.
Common Items:
- Jackets
- Vests
- Liners
Sweats or Hoodies
Also known as Jersey Knit Fleece, this fabric is commonly used for sweats and hoodies. It resembles T-shirt fabric but is heavier and has a soft, fleecy interior. The most common color is ash.
Common Items:
- Sweatshirts
- Sweatpants
- Hoodies
- Athletic wear
Still have questions?
If you’re unsure about which fabric type to choose, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. They’d be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right fabric type to ensure the best quality of digitizing for your embroidery project.
IGNITION DRAWING
DIGITIZING CUSTOMER SERVICE
Phone: 253 284 0733 Ext. 2
Email: digitizing@ignitiondrawing.com
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