Impressions - August/September 2021 - 45

By thinking
outside of
the box and
decorating
more areas than
just the front of
a hoodie, you
can increase
profits even
more.
panded beyond traditional markets and
it's now commonly seen in retail looks
for fashion-forward comfort items like
crop tops. This ultra-plush material has
become a go-to option for corporate and
small-business branded apparel, such as
vests and jackets. Since fleece is growing
in popularity with younger consumers,
the material's versatility makes it ideal for
school spiritwear like hoodies and joggers.
How can fleece be decorated? There
are quick, easy ways to avoid scorching
fleecewear if you use the right equipment
and heat-transfer materials. If you own a
professional heat press with even heating
across the surface, and adjustable temperature
and pressure settings, personalizing
fleece is no problem. Using the right tools
and accessories, there's no need for embroidery
equipment if you can lower your
heat-press settings and avoid scorching.
The following is a list of the different
types of fleece, along with heat-press tips
for each.
Fleece Styles
Fleece substrates are knit fabrics that have
one side brushed to loosen the fibers.
This creates a raised surface with a plush,
warm feel that's soft against the skin. The
two most popular styles seen from many
apparel manufacturers are cotton and
polyester fleece.
1. Cotton: Most commonly used for
sweat pants and sweat shirts, this fleece is
made from cotton or even some cotton
blends that have a smooth outer surface
and a plush inner lining. Cotton fleece is
ideal when you want to offer fleece styles
to customers that want budget-friendly
options.
Fleece has expanded beyond traditional
markets and it's now commonly seen in
retail looks for fashion-forward comfort
items like crop tops.
Heat-Press Tip: There are many
heat-transfer products that work well with
cotton fleece. Because of the plush inner
lining, avoid heat-press marks or " bruising "
by using a transfer that doesn't require a
lot of pressure.
2. Polyester: Like cotton or cotton-blend
fleece, polyester fleece is smooth on the
outside and plush on the inside. However,
it differs from cotton fleece in that its outer
layer has an athletic appeal with a soft finish,
and some also have moisture-repelling
properties.
This fleece style speaks well to customers
who want an athletic look and feel, such
as sports teams and leagues; spiritwear for
schools; and branded merchandise for businesses
or corporations.
Heat-Press Tip: Polyester, like most
synthetic fabrics, are heat-sensitive.
When sourcing heat transfers, find a lowtemperature
solution for the application.
Products that range from as low as 260˚F
to 300˚F for application are ideal.
3. Sponge: As fleece continues to grow
in popularity in the custom-apparel industry,
we see it incorporated with a variety
of different materials to meet the needs of
innovative and trendy wearers.
Sponge fleece, a term that was coined
by manufacturer BELLA + CANVAS, is a
unique take on blended fleece that is trending
in custom-apparel circles and at retail.
People request it by the name " Street Fleece. "
If you're currently not offering this fleece
style in your apparel lineup, you should
consider it. With the rise of athleisure, wearers
want luxe hoodies, sweat shirts, joggers
and tracksuits. BELLA + CANVAS' Street
Fleece Collection melds high-end fashion,
AUG./SEPT. 2021
P.45
Impressions - August/September 2021

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