Impressions - April 2020 - 45

Use Info*Action #14 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

Pre-printed transfers can be
applied immediately to various
types of sports apparel quickly,
cleanly and efficiently.

Pre-Printed Transfers
A pre-printed number or letter transfer
is an ideal solution for saving time and
money. Unless you have the knowledge
and equipment to print your own transfers, custom or stock numbers and letters
can be purchased from a vendor. These
pre-made transfers are cost effective and
come in single or multiple colors and fonts.
The transfer can be applied immediately
to various types of sports apparel quickly,
cleanly and efficiently.
Fabrics
Some of the most popular synthetic fabrics,
such as polyester, spandex, Lycra, rayon,
nylon, acrylic and viscose, are designed to
outperform natural ones in certain cases and
have become adept at imitating their natural
counterparts. Natural-fabric clothing is
produced from fibers taken from cotton,
bamboo, leather, linen, hemp, wool and silk.
As the name implies, such fabrics are
produced from plants and animals.They
can be used as a component blend with

other materials to create fabric strength,
softness and durability.The fibers are extracted from a natural source and then,
through a woven or threaded process,
manufactured into a textile.
Heat Presses
A quality, durable heat press is needed to
apply any of the aforementioned transfers. Investing in such a machine can save
thousands of dollars over time. Ensure your
machine has the proper safety certifications offered by Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) and Electrical Testing Laboratories
(ETL), two nationally recognized testing
organizations that are recognized by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).These certifications mean
the products have been tested by a third
party for safety.Without such certifications,
basic safety issues may arise that can result
in injury or property damage.
Not all heat presses are created equal, so
look for brands with a reputation for even
temperature and pressure distribution across
the entire platen. Purchasing a mediocre
heat press can cause production problems,
such as transfers peeling off entirely or in
parts, especially after being laundered only
once or twice. It's not worth risking your
shop's reputation or having to pay restitution because the heat-transfer machine
didn't do its job.

Use Info*Action #15 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

CAD-cut vinyl is another solution used
by many decorators. However, it requires
investing in a CAD-cut machine and
rolls of vinyl to keep in stock.With this
transfer type, time spent weeding and
peeling also is a consideration.

APRIL 2020

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Impressions - April 2020

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