Woven or non-woven material used underneath the item or fabric being embroidered to provide support and stability for the needle penetration during digitizing. Best used when hooped with the garment, but also can be placed between the item to be embroidered and the needle plate on flat bed machines.
Applique is a common digitizing way. Applique means trimming cut from one piece of fabric and stitched to another to add dimension and texture. If appliqué occupies a significant amount of the design, the stitch count is lower.