Three laces can look almost identical on a swatch card and behave completely differently in production. The difference is where the pattern comes from.
Jacquard lace — pattern knitted in
On a Raschel machine with a jacquard attachment, individual guide bars are controlled so that the motif and the mesh ground are formed together in one pass. There is no separate pattern thread lying on top of a base.
- Reverse side: clean — the same structure front and back. Good for garments where the inside is seen (unlined blouses, sheer sleeves).
- Weight: light to medium. No added thread mass.
- Motif detail: excellent for geometric, linear and stylised floral patterns; less suited to very fine shading.
- Dyeing: since the whole fabric is one fibre system, it dyes evenly — ideal for lab-dip programmes.
- Cost: the most economical of the three at volume; pattern changes require machine setup, so mills prefer longer runs.
Browse our jacquard lace group. Many of our nylon-spandex stretch laces are jacquard-knitted.
Embroidered lace — pattern stitched on
A sheer mesh (or occasionally a cotton or organza) ground is run through a multi-head computer embroidery machine and the motif is stitched onto it in thread.
- Reverse side: shows bobbin thread and jump stitches; usually needs lining or careful placement.
- Weight: medium to heavy, depending on stitch density.
- Motif detail: the widest range — raised, dense, multicoloured, sequinned, corded. Placement designs (a border, a yoke) are easiest here.
- Dyeing: thread and ground may take dye differently; piece-dyed embroidery needs a matching test.
- Cost: highest per metre; price is driven by stitch count.
See computer embroidery, embroidery lace and sequin lace.
Printed lace — pattern printed on
A plain knitted lace, usually polyester-spandex, is printed — typically by heat transfer — with a floral, paisley, leopard or ditsy design.
- Reverse side: the print is lighter on the back.
- Weight: light; the ground is unchanged.
- Motif detail: unlimited colour, photographic if wanted; but the print sits on a textured surface, so fine lines soften.
- Dyeing: not applicable — colour comes from the print. Polyester grounds are the most colourfast.
- Cost: low; short runs are practical because the plain ground is stocked and only the print changes.
Our printed lace range covers floral, ditsy floral, paisley, leopard and placement prints.
Side by side
| Jacquard | Embroidered | Printed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where the pattern comes from | Knitted structure | Stitched thread | Print on plain ground |
| Reverse side | Clean | Shows stitching | Lighter print |
| Weight | Light–medium | Medium–heavy | Light |
| Custom colour | Lab dip, even | Test needed | Change the print |
| Cost per metre | Low–medium | High | Low |
| Typical use | Lingerie, blouses, dresses | Bridal, evening, placement | Fast fashion, seasonal, sleepwear |
How to choose
If the inside will be seen or the garment must be dyed to a colour standard, jacquard. If the design needs dimension, sparkle or a placed border, embroidered. If you need a seasonal print quickly and cheaply, printed. From stock we cut all three from 30 metres per colour; details on sampling and minimums.
Sourcing lace for a collection? Send us the end use, the base you have in mind and the metres per colour, and we will post up to five free swatches within 48 hours anywhere in Vietnam. Request swatches or message us on Zalo / WhatsApp +84 362 887 928.