Making something POP on a project

Ok - I'm stitching the name of DD's travel team on a piece of 14 count plastic canvas. I'm definitely doing the letters in cross stitch and will back stitch them in white. The back ground will be the main color of the jerseys. I might do something "fancy" to the corners yet.

I'm doing the letters in #5 pearl cotton - if I use something finer (smaller diameter) for the background stitching, will the letters "pop" more? Or just do a tent stitch? Or both? I've also thought about outlining using a couching stitch?

Thanks

C (you can get a look at the jersey's at