Service & Support: Getting Down with Underlay

Column Fill Underlay Types

Underlay is a group of running stitches that are used to hold the garment to the backing during the embroidery process. These stitches add stability to the embroidered garment and prevent the fabric from moving.

Generally, the higher the column width, the better the underlay should be.
There are 3 underlay options available: Center Walk, Edge Walk, & Narrow Column.

Center walk places a running stitch down the center of the column.

Edge walk is primarily used for columns with wide widths and with the Split Satin option. This underlay provides more stability than Center Walk because it places a set of running stitches down the edge of the column. The percentage is gauged from the center working out.
A good starting point for lettering is approximately 60% for script and 65% for non-script.

Narrow column may be used for letters that will embroider in a complex fill. Generally, the underlay density is between 1/4 and 1/5 of the letter's density.

Narrow column may also be used in small lettering with the top density decreased more than the guidelines or it may be used to raise the lettering with a higher underlay density.

Stitch length is the measurement between needle penetrations in the underlay. The stitch length depends on the height of the letter. The larger the letter the higher the stitch length.