talking SHOP Digital Decorating Up In Arms Add this customizable, sublimated accessory item to your arsenal of digitally printed products. By Chris Bernat, Contributing Writer James Island Youth Club Soccer team offered players and parents a host of customized products. The armbands and ski caps were popular. i f you paid attention to 2014 trends, then you saw the dramatic increase in sublimation activity. It was everywhere. Cut-and-sew uniforms, allover prints on pre-made garments and SPF solarprotection shirts all made substantial gains in the marketplace. Some of these applications require significant equipment investments, but others can be done with lower entry-level cost. Sublimation as a decorating discipline has seen a dramatic increase in use by screen printers. What once was considered a promotional technology quickly is becoming a competitive advantage. The armband, an accessory item, is just one example of how sublimation is changing 70 Impressions | March 2015 customer expectations in the marketplace. Armbands have become part of a larger customization trend that is impacting consumers on and off the field. The never-ending world of sports/promotional products is going "all in" on customization. Armbands started as a means to prevent skin abrasions and to protect preexisting injuries while on the field or court. Many wearers also say they enhance circulation and provide another layer against the elements. The first armbands were by no means pretty, but they were functional. Over time - and with the benefit of full-color sublimation - they have become part of a uniform for many teams and outdoor enthusiasts. The hunting and outdoorsman market is another vertical market you can target for armbands. Camo is king in many markets, so show your customers in this area something new. impressionsmag.comhttp://www.impressionsmag.com