A Sticky Situation: Pros and Cons of Buying Water Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer from Amazon or Sulky.com

Embroidery enthusiasts are no strangers to the importance of using water soluble stabilizers to enhance the quality of their stitches. Sulky is a reputable brand known for its top-notch stabilizers, and many crafters often find themselves debating whether to purchase Sulky Self-Adhesive Stabilizer from Amazon or directly from Sulky’s official website.

An embroidery artist of six years, I have tried out many stabilizers over the years. I’ve seen the good, bad, and the ugly, when trying out different brands. I know that there is nothing worse than stitching a beautiful embroidery project only to encounter problems when you go to wash the stabilizer off. It can feel utterly defeating.

Well, I want to save you the heartache and tell you the information and helpful tips I wish I knew years ago! In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both Amazon and Sulky.com to help you make an informed decision when purchasing stabilizer.

Pros of Buying Amazon Sulky Self-Adhesive Stabilizer:

• Convenience at Your Fingertips:
  • Amazon’s allure lies in its seamless, one-click shopping experience. You probably already have an Amazon account, and might already have other embroidery items in your cart, so this adds convenience to your shopping experience. You also might prioritize somewhere that you don’t have to input your information again.
• Potential Cost Savings:
  • Amazon often features competitive pricing and sporadic promotions, providing potential savings for savvy shoppers. The random discounts make Amazon an enticing choice for those on a budget.
• Extensive Product Reviews:
  • The beauty of Amazon lies in its vast collection of customer reviews. Reading these reviews can offer valuable insights into the performance of Sulky’s Self-Adhesive Stabilizer, aiding in the decision-making process.

Cons of Buying Amazon Sulky Self-Adhesive Stabilizer:

• Risk of Counterfeit Products:
  • While you might see the brand name “Sulky” on Amazon, the Sulky brand does not sell on Amazon. I had no clue about this until about 2 months ago when I spoke to Sulky’s President, Jason Prater, directly. While Sulky does have resellers on Amazon, the open marketplace of Amazon introduces the potential risk of encountering Sulky resellers who may offer inferior or counterfeit products. Prater explained that while Sulky’s legitimate resellers send the authentic product to Amazon Warehouses, counterfeiters also send their products to the same warehouses. The two products are being mingled together in the storage locations which makes the product quality hit or miss when ordering from Amazon.
• Limited Expertise and Support:
  • Amazon’s customer support may lack the specialized knowledge about Sulky products. If you have specific queries or concerns about the application of the stabilizer or rinsing off the stabilizer, the expertise provided by Sulky’s direct support team can be valuable.

Sulky.com Official Packaging

Sample Packaging on Amazon
(A darker blue color)

• It’s a Gamble on Quality:
  • As an embroider, this is definitely the biggest negative for me. I’ve bought hundreds of Amazon’s 12 packs over the years and sometimes you just get really bad batches. The obvious issue I encountered was difficulty washing the product off. Most of the time it worked just fine, but occasionally, I would get a dark blue pack (pictured above) and it would just not wash off correctly. I’ve gotten pretty good at washing sulky remnants off with mild soap and other tricks, but some of the amazon sheets I got would just not rinse properly. The other issue I have encountered is pages being off-centered. The stabilizer would be placed haphazardly on the backing, and while it may look like it’s “good enough”, my printer would have jam after jam. I had to throw out about 3 packs one time because I got a really bad shipment. (That’s 36 pages!!)

Pros of Buying from Sulky’s Direct Website:

• Assured Authenticity:
  • Directly purchasing from Sulky’s official website eliminates the uncertainties associated with counterfeit products. While, most of the time Amazon products work for me, it’s nice to know that when I purchase from Sulky I’m getting the genuine Sulky Self-Adhesive Stabilizer from a sewing brand that has been around for 30+ years. I still have trouble washing out the stabilizer at times because that’s the nature of the product, but it’s been a lot easier to use than Amazon versions.
• Expert Guidance and Support:
  • Sulky’s customer support team has an unmatched expertise in their products. Whether you seek advice on application techniques or have specific queries, their support is pretty great at offering assistance. They also have a helpful Q&A section underneath the Stabilizer on it’s product page.
• Access to Exclusive Offers:
  • While everything is not always on sale, Sulky’s official website does feature exclusive promotions, discounts, and bundled packages that are not available on third-party platforms. This can result in cost savings or additional perks for those who choose to buy directly.
• Supporting the Brand:
  • Purchasing directly from Sulky’s website is a way to support the brand directly. This ensures that your investment goes back into the development of high-quality embroidery products and innovations within the embroidery community.

Cons of Buying from Sulky’s Direct Website:

• Potentially Longer Shipping Times:
  • One potential drawback of ordering directly from Sulky is that shipping times may be longer compared to the expedited options available on Amazon. This might be a consideration for those who prioritize quick delivery.
• Slightly Higher Price:
  • Sulky’s base price is $15.99 and Amazon often has an ongoing sale making thier product $13-14. However, the benefit of buying from Sulky is that if you buy from a small embroidery artist their commission rate is higher than Amazon. So if you buy from an Artist’s affiliate link, they will receive $3 per sale instead of the $.14 cents that Amazon offers. So while you are paying $1-2 more, that money can potentially go back to the artist that brought you there.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, the decision between purchasing Amazon Sulky Self-Adhesive Stabilizer and buying from Sulky’s direct website depends on your priorities as a buyer. If convenience and cost savings are crucial to you, Amazon might be the preferred option. However, if you prioritize authenticity, expert support, and a quality product, buying directly from Sulky’s official website is likely the better choice. Consider your individual needs and preferences to make an informed decision that aligns with your embroidery goals!!

If you want to shop my affiliate link with Sulky, Click Here or on the banner below.