Impressions - March 2022 - 54

A T TENTION- GRABBING PLA CEMENT S
With big brands inspiring athleisure and performancewear, you really must think outside the box
to create unique apparel that grabs the attention of new and existing customers. Everyone wants
to wear the most popular and fashionable apparel, even if it's in the comfort of their own homes.
With HTV and transfers, you can mimic these retail looks by heat-applying bold brand names
or designs on the legs of yoga pants, across the hem of a sweater, on a sleeve cuff and so much
more. HTV is so versatile and allows you to decorate beyond traditional placements and where
other decorating methods can't go. Using the right accessories and materials designed specifically
for heat-sensitive and delicate fabrics, you'll be able to heat-apply these looks at the speed
of fashion.
cover sheets, depending on the materials
you're applying and the finish you're trying
to achieve. Cover sheets are a must-have
accessory when working with HTV and
transfers because not only do they protect
your design, they also protect your equipment
from ink potentially transferring to
the upper platen.
Reusable heat-press pillows and pads
It's important to understand the sizes and placements
of the designs your customers may want. Avoid placing
designs over mesh panels or side vents.
are ideal if you're decorating hoodies with
pockets; half- or quarter-zip performance
jackets; or other hard-to-decorate areas on
apparel. They elevate the print area to ensure
even pressure and prevent scorching around
buttons, seams, zippers and other raised
areas. When decorating these unique areas,
accurate placement can be a make-or-break
scenario for customers. You don't want to
heat print a premium item and then have
a crooked or off-centered design because
your vinyl moved during application. Use
heat-resistant tape to keep designs secured
when heat applying.
Materials That Perform
Comfort is a motivating factor
for people who are working from
home and overhauling their
wardrobes with athleisure.
Tri-blends are super popular due to their
durability, moisture-wicking and breathable
properties. They're usually soft and
stretchy - perfect for binge-watching
your favorite TV shows, but also versatile
enough to go from the office to the gym.
When decorating these items, it's important
to know the fabric composition. If you're
heat printing a T-shirt that has a fiber content
of 50% polyester/25% cotton/25%
rayon, choose a material that's compatible
with polyester.
Innovations in heat-applied transfers and
materials have come a long way, allowing
apparel decorators to easily customize these
trendy and premium pieces without compromising
their finish or function. There's
a wide array of materials for performancewear
personalization that include soft and
stretchable vinyl in neon and metallic colors;
reflective options that meet safety standards;
and even heat transfers that offer full-color
looks in a single application.
Athleisure and performancewear trends
risk of scorching and find ways to provide an
overall successful heat-printing experience.
Some heat presses are specifically designed
to be compatible with platens of
different shapes and sizes. Interchangeable
platens allow you to apply heat to
a specific area of the garment. These are
helpful when decorating unique areas
like a pant leg, sleeve, back of a collar or
even tagless label.
If you plan on decorating a wide variety
P.54
of heat-sensitive apparel and items, then
investing in multiple heated lower platens
is an even better option. These specialty
platens allow heat to be applied from below,
which requires less heat on the garment's
face. They come in different sizes to fit any
item you're decorating.
Other than interchangeable platens, other
helpful accessories include cover sheets;
pillows and pads; and even heat-resistant
tapes. You can even use different types of
IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM MARCH 2021
aren't slowing down anytime soon. By using
the right materials, investing in helpful
accessories and staying informed on innovative
solutions, you'll be prepared to
successfully decorate any heat-sensitive
garment that comes your way. 
Stephanie Briske works in marketing, with a focus
on providing educational and creative content for
the apparel-decorating community. She currently
is the senior content writer for Stahls'. For more
information or to comment on this article, email
Stephanie at stephanie.briske@stahlsid.com.

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Impressions - March 2022

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