POLYESTER VS. RAYON THREAD
Embroidery threads are generally made from Rayon, polyester, cotton, or silk, although most commercial embroiderers use either Rayon or polyester. While there are some clear advantages and disadvantages to each material, the differences have diminished over time as material and thread production technology has improved. Below is a summary of some of the key performance characteristics of each:
| Polyester | Rayon | |
| Colorfastness | Colorfast, will notfade, can be bleached. | Some colors may bleed,but rare. Possible fading over time. |
| Strength &Durability | Stronger and more durablethan Rayon thread. Can be run at higher embroidery machine speeds. | Less durable than polyester, but maycreate less wear and tear on machines. |
| Cost | Less expensive than Rayon thread. | Slightly more expensive than polyester,although cost per garment difference is minimal. |
| Elasticity/Stretch | More elastic than Rayon. Not as good for embroidering intricate details. | Less elastic, ideal for sewing small details on embroidery designs. |
| Sheen | Less lustrous than Rayon, although improvements have been made. | More lustrous than polyester. |
From a customer perspective, the most important considerations are colorfastness and durability. Other factors are important but more for the embroiderer than for the user of embroidered apparel. For example, school uniforms and chef coats represent an ideal application for polyester thread. A highly intricate design on a fine dress shirt or leather jacket might be best for Rayon thread. However, for most embroiderers it becomes a matter of individual preference and most customers that purchase custom embroidered products will not note a significant difference. While many embroiders carry one thread type or the other, Say it in Stitches carries a wide array of both polyester and Rayon threads and will make the best selection based on your design and the anticipated use of the embroidered garment.
