Cut-Away Backing
A type of stabilizer that remains permanently behind the embroidery after stitching, used on knit and stretch fabrics for long-term stability.
Cut-away backing is a non-woven fabric stabilizer that stays attached to the back of the embroidery for the life of the garment. After stitching is complete, the operator trims away the excess around the design with scissors or a rotary trimmer, leaving a small border of backing covering the back of the stitched area.
Cut-away is the correct stabilizer for any stretch fabric: polos, knit t-shirts, performance moisture-wicking shirts, sweatshirts, and fleece. These fabrics would distort the embroidery over time without permanent support, especially after washing and wearing. The cut-away holds the design shape indefinitely.
Standard cut-away comes in 1.8 to 3.0 ounce weights. Heavier weights are used for dense designs and heavier knits. Some cut-aways are designed to be soft against the skin (important on shirts that touch the wearer directly) and are sold under names like soft cut-away or wash-away cut-away.
A visible square of cut-away on the inside of a garment is a normal sign of professional embroidery, not a defect. Some customers ask for the excess to be trimmed close to the stitching for a cleaner look on the inside, which is doable but slightly time-consuming on a multi-piece run. Cap embroidery never uses cut-away because the curved crown does not flex.
Related Terms
- Stabilizer →
- A backing or topping material placed against the fabric during embroidery to hold the stitches and prevent distortion, puckering, or stretching.
- Tear-Away Backing →
- A type of stabilizer that tears cleanly away from the embroidery after stitching, used on woven fabrics that do not stretch.
- Poly-Mesh Backing →
- A lightweight, soft, transparent cut-away stabilizer used on thin or light-colored garments where conventional backing would show through.
- Water-Soluble Stabilizer →
- A stabilizer that dissolves completely in water, used as a topping on plush fabrics or as a backing on freestanding lace and sheer fabrics.
- Adhesive Backing →
- A stabilizer with a sticky surface that holds the fabric in place without traditional hooping, used for hard-to-hoop items and precision placement.