Lutradur

Lutradur is polyester, non woven fabric available in several weights. Although has a web like structure and appears lightweight, it is very strong. It can be fed directly through a printer, painted, burned and stitched. It is sturdy enough to be used in the construction of books, but can support the weight of embellishments and photos. Since it is a non-woven product, the edges don’t tear or unravel so they do not require any finishing.

Stitching
Lutradur can be hand stitched and beaded on with pearle cotton, embroidery floss and speciality threads. Decorative stitches can be applied by machine, without the need for a stabilizer.

Painting
You can achieve stunning effects with painted Lutradur. Make sure to cover your work surface with plastic as the paint will seep through it. Like fabric, Lutradur can be dyed, painted and colored, but to maintain its translucence, use transparent paints such as Procion Dye, Dye-Na-Flow or fluid acrylic paints. Painted Lutradur should be heat set with an iron at 300 F.
Lutrudur can be difficult to write on because of its web structure. Pens with larger nibs, calligraphy pens and large sharpy markers are successful. You can stamp on Lutradur as you would on paper, although the fibers of the Lutradur will create some fuzziness of the images.

Burning
One of Lutradur’s best features is its ability to be melted with a heat tool or soldering iron. Make sure this is done in a well ventilated area, with a piece of wood or cement underneath. If using a soldering iron, work conservatively, allowing the polyester to melt away, creating unusual edges or holes. If a build-up occurs on the soldering iron, drag the excess off on a scrap piece of wood. Use caution with the hot soldering iron as the tip reaches 750 F. Try using a heat gun for an overall distressed look. Again use caution, as the fibers will melt very quickly and the Lutradur will disintegrate.

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