Lace Fabric Types: A Complete Guide to Stretch, Non-Stretch, Corded, and Printed Lace

Lace fabric comes in several distinct types, and the right one depends mainly on two things: how much stretch the finished garment needs, and how much texture or dimension the design calls for. Stretch Lace moves with the body and suits close-fitting pieces like lingerie and dancewear. Non-stretch lace holds a fixed shape, making it better for structured designs. Corded and printed lace add raised texture or custom patterns on top of either base. This guide breaks down the main types so you can match the right lace to your design before ordering yardage.

Lace Fabric Types at a Glance

Stretch Lace Fabric

Stretch lace is woven with elastic fibers — commonly nylon, polyester, or cotton blended with spandex — giving the fabric give and recovery. This makes it the standard choice for underwear, dancewear, and wedding dresses where the fabric needs to move and fit closely to the body without losing its decorative pattern.

Non-Stretch Lace Fabric

Non-stretch lace is woven from fine yarn without elastic fibers, so it holds its shape and won't stretch or deform during use. This makes it better suited to designs that need a fixed structure — delicate trim work, structured overlays, or decorative applications where the pattern needs to stay exactly as woven rather than flex with movement.

Corded Lace

Corded lace adds extra yarns or cords along the pattern outlines, giving the fabric a raised, three-dimensional texture that flat lace doesn't have. This structural detail is what makes corded lace a popular choice for bridal gowns, evening dresses, and lingerie where a more luxurious, textured look is the goal. For a closer look at how corded lace is constructed and where it's typically used, see our guide on corded lace fabric.

Printed Lace Fabric

Printed lace combines a lace base with printing technology, adding custom patterns, colors, and designs onto the woven texture. Common processes include digital printing (suited to small-batch customization with rich color detail) and heat transfer printing (which presses the pattern onto the fabric via a hot glue film). This makes printed lace a flexible option when a standard woven pattern isn't enough and a fully custom design is needed — worth exploring with a printed lace manufacturer if your project calls for a design that doesn't exist as a standard pattern.

Cotton and Fiber Considerations

The fiber a lace is made from affects comfort as much as the weave structure does. Cotton lace is soft and breathable, making it a common choice for close-fitting clothing and summer garments. Polyester and Nylon lace tend to be more durable and wrinkle-resistant, while silk lace offers a more luxurious sheen suited to formal and bridal wear. Color also plays into sourcing decisions — black and white lace fabric are the most commonly stocked options across nearly every lace type, from stretch to corded to printed.

Not sure which lace type fits your design? Send us your garment type and fabric requirements, and we'll recommend options and send swatches within 24 hours.

How to Choose the Right Lace Type

• Close-fitting garments (underwear, dancewear): stretch lace

• Structured or decorative pieces: non-stretch lace

• Bridal, evening wear, textured luxury look: corded lace

• Custom pattern or brand-specific design: printed lace

• Breathable, close-fitting summer wear: cotton lace

Ready to order swatches or discuss a custom lace fabric project? Tell us your application and target quantity, and we'll get back to you with pricing and lead time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What's the difference between stretch and non-stretch lace?

Stretch lace contains elastic fibers and moves with the body, making it suited to close-fitting garments. Non-stretch lace holds a fixed shape and won't deform during use, making it better for structured or decorative applications.

2. What is corded lace used for?

Corded lace's raised, textured pattern makes it a common choice for bridal gowns, evening dresses, and lingerie where a more dimensional, luxurious look is desired compared to flat lace.

3. Can lace fabric be custom printed?

Yes. Printed lace applies a custom pattern onto a woven lace base using digital printing, heat transfer, or screen printing, allowing for designs beyond what's available in standard woven patterns.

4. What fiber is best for lace fabric?

It depends on the application. Cotton is soft and breathable for close-fitting wear, polyester and nylon offer durability and wrinkle resistance, and silk offers a more luxurious finish suited to formal and bridal designs.