Applique is a terrific embroidery technique for reducing the number of stitches in a design, adding creative flare and creating additional value to the garment. Using applique in a design is often avoided because choosing the fabric to use can be a confusing. Embroiderers also steer clear of applique because;

• The time it takes to cut the fabric pieces
• The ability to cut the fabric pieces accurately
• The inability to locate fabric that is professionally backed

The first question everyone has is, "What will this cost me?", so we will address that question first. Fees are based on the Square Inches (SI) of fabric required to fill your order. The pricing of the fabric varies based on the fabric type and the backing you select, but the computation for the project will be the same no matter what you choose.

We'll use this graphic as our sample project. A red polyester-twill (Poly Twill) with Heat Sensitive Backing (HS) will be used for the red background. HS Poly Twill is currently priced at $0.05 cents per Square Inch, however we must first determine how many Square Inches are required.

Calculating the Square Inches is as simple as multiplying the objects Width by its Height. The object in our sample project measures 5.5 inches wide by 3.0 inches high totalling 16.5 Square Inches. Taking the HS Poly Twill price of $0.05 per SI and multiplying by 16.5 give us a per piece total of $0.82 cents.

Use this next graphic as a further explanation of how to determine the cost of your project.

Need A Quote?

Return to Menu

Placing a commercial grade backing on fabrics to be used for applique is essential because it serves two important purposes.

• Prevents the fabric from fraying during the cutting process and through hundreds of washings
• Tacks the fabric to the garment during the sewing process until the stitching is able to permanently secure the fabric to the garment

There are two types of commercial grade backing.

• Heat sensitive (HS)
  Activated by heat usually through the use of a tack iron
• Pressure Sensitive (PS)
  Comes with a tear-off paper sheet which when removed reveals a self-stick coating. The fabric piece is then pressed onto the garment applying pressure from the hand.

Need A Quote?

Return to Menu

There is a large variety of fabrics that may be used for applique. Poly-Twill, Cotton-Twill, Metallics, Simulated Sports Ball and Prisms are just a few of the material often used. We stock a large range of the most common fabrics, however we can't stock every fabric you may need for your custom project. Below there is a display of the fabrics we stock, but rest assured we can either order the fabric you require or we can work with the fabric you provide us.

Safety Orange	Navy	White	Old Gold
Hunter	Grey	Black	Kelly
Light Gold	Purple	Red	Royal

Poly Twill HS:	$0.05 per Square Inch
Poly Twill PS:	$0.08 per Square Inch

Blue	Gold	Silver	Red

Metallic HS:

$0.08 per Square Inch

Basketball	Soccer-Baseball-Vollyball	Football

Sport Fabrics:

$0.08 per Square Inch

Stars-n-Stripes	Charcoal

Prism:

$0.08 per Square Inch

Grey	Kelly	Pink	Purple
Royal

Embroid On:	$0.18 per Square Inch
Embroid On:	24.00 per 18" x 20" Sheet

Athletic Gold	Navy	White	Red
Black	Yellow	Royal	Kelly

Wool Felt:

$0.08 per Square Inch

Need A Quote?

Return to Menu

The artwork requirements are very simple to meet. All that is really required is the walk-stitch placement from the embroidery file or the cooresponding vector object that represents the shape of the fabric. From that we will cut your fabric to an exact match.

• Vector files:
  .CDR, .AI, .EPS, .DXF
• Embroidery files
  .DST, .EXP, .EMB

If you have an applique design digitized by someone else and aren't sure what object within the design constitutes the placement stitch, simply send us the whole design and we'll handle it from there.

Need A Quote?

Return to Menu

Placing an order is simple, and if there is any step you need assistance with, we would be more than happy to assist you. Below you will find a step by step outline of the ordering process and a link to our order form when you are ready to request a quote or place an order.

• Provide the projects Width and Height
• Select the type of backing you would like
• Select the fabric type and color
• Specify the number of pieces you would like cut
• Attach the embroidery file or artwork to be cut

Place your order here