Impressions - January 2016 - 46

All Polyester is Not the Same
Performance fabrics are among the most difficult to
decorate with any print technology. When it comes
to screen printing or heat printing, selecting
cationic polyester over standard dyed polyester
is paramount. Here's why:
g Cationic polyester remains colorfast at increased
heat, virtually eliminating bleeding.
g Traditional polyester can experience dye migration
under heat, often ruining the applied print.
g

Cationic polyester eliminates the need
for built-up ink layers, rubbery
finishes or special dye blockers.

With the advancement of cationic polyester, decorators can select the
lightest-weight inks or transfers
and not worry about strikethrough.

D E C O R AT I O N O P T I O N S
I N V I R T UA L LY E V E RY market, people
want customization. Decorating performancewear without regard for the fabric
is the downfall of most shops, so having a
printing philosophy for this kind of fabric
is critical to success.
First, approach performancewear decoration with intent to maintain the garment's
performance. Choose a lightweight print style
and use tact when choosing logo size, style
and placement. One of the biggest fails with

Execute Your Plan
With a sound grasp on what's happening in performance textiles, it's important to execute a
well-thought-out plan. What is your target market?
What will you offer? How will you reach customers?
Answering these questions will give your shop a
high probability of success.
As you set your sights on 2016, plan for performancewear. It's the future of our industry and a
potential lynchpin in your shop's success.

P.46

I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M January 2016

Targeted
compression is
the future of base
layer performance wear.

performancewear is decorating it with a heavyweight print that compromises the goals of
the garment.
Next, with a solid understanding of the fabric blend, select print technologies that adhere
without requiring high heat that would scorch
the garment. Heat printing has come a long
way in this regard, and low-temperature adhesives with stretch capabilities headline the
most popular technologies for printing performance fabrics of all compositions and colors.
Whether it's screen-printed transfers, printand-cut digital transfers or heat-transfer film,
there are many options for a decorator. However,
using the same transfer applied at 330˚F-380˚F
will not yield positive results. Look for products that apply at 280˚F or less.
Sublimation for performancewear also is
a mainstay. At the factory level, cut-and-sew
sublimation allows for fully printed fabrics,
making virtually anything possible, but sublimation chemistry still requires a light-colored
garment comprised of high polyester content
with sublimation inks activating at approximately 375˚F.
As long as a decorator understands these
factors, he can seek sublimation-specific blanks
for post-production printing of assembled
garments. Wide-format or desktop-printed
graphics allow a customization option with
no feel. ª
Josh Ellsworth is general manager for Stahls' CADCUTdirect.com. For more information or to comment
on this article, email Josh at josh@cadcutdirect.com
or visit his website at joshellsworth.com.

IMAGE COURTESY OF MYOGRID.

intended result. This trend includes engineered apparel that features compression
zones mapped to specific muscle groups.
In general, compression is geared to reduce muscle movement, increase power
and enhance recovery. With a targeted
approach, core muscle groups get exactly
what they need when they need it.
Additionally, lighter-weight fabric always
is in demand. Apparel manufacturers are
developing advancements to reduce fabric
weight for speed and feel. Technologies such as
advanced circular knitting continue to advance the compression segment, providing
the possibility of seam-free construction to
prevent chaffing, improve longevity and deliver the feel of "second skin" without bulk.
Look for little things that can win a sale.
Vented areas to increase breathability and
reduce weight are important. Maintained
peripheral view through vented hoods;
mobile-friendly pockets that venture into
wearable technology; and thumb holes at
the cuffs can add to a piece's overall value.
Belief is confirmed with understanding.
Think about why you should offer certain
pieces to your clients and help them understand your recommendations.

http://www.CAD-CUTdirect.com http://www.CAD-CUTdirect.com http://www.joshellsworth.com http://www.IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM

Impressions - January 2016

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