Impressions - October 2018 - 21

Standards for Performancewear Sublimation
Performance apparel is widely known for being friendly to sublimation, a decoration process
that results in vibrant designs that won't crack, peel or fade. It also won't block the performance characteristics of the apparel.
Here, Donnie Mullins, product development manager, Fruit of the Loom, provides tips for better
quality and production efficiency via sublimation.
1. Polyester fibers are the only material that will accept sublimation inks.
2. For a higher color saturation, 100% polyester content is best. Lower polyester content
results in less color saturation.
3. Your heat presses should be set at the specified temperatures for the sublimation inks
you will use. The proper temperature usually is 400˚F, but some inks may require a different temperature.
4. Use temperature strips to test your heat presses daily. Once in the morning and once
after lunch is ideal.
5. Time and pressure are key for great saturation and sharp details in your decorations.
Typically, this means 40-50 PSI for about 60 seconds. Check with your vendors for ink
specifications to achieve the best outcome.
6. Screen printing on sublimated materials will dye migration worse. Use the best
dye-blocking inks - such as low-cure or silicone inks - to reduce migration.

All-day comfort is a
major emphasis in
performancewear. This
ring-spun baseball tee from
Hanes features X-Temp
technology, which reacts to
body temperature as activity
levels change.

mer months when the cooling properties of a performance tee, for
instance, are really desirable."
Jeanene Edwards, vice president of activewear marketing and
merchandising, Fruit of the Loom/JERZEES, agrees, saying performancewear has become a staple, permitting wearers to be comfortable
during daily activities.
"Performancewear is an everyday garment for casual [usage], leisure and lounging, outdoors and more," Edwards says. "Consumers
are looking for versatile clothing for the workplace, team or fan
gear, and promotional wear. In comparison to a basic cotton tee, the
features of performancewear allow the wearer to control where and
how they want to wear it."
When considering where peformancewear falls on the athleticapparel spectrum, most industry professionals agree athleisure has
successfully bridged the gap between sports garments and casual
wear. Although athleisure is the trend and performancewear is the
apparel type, the industry has managed to capitalize on the former
by providing quality performance garments that achieve function
and comfort for consumers.
"We have redefined what we consider performancewear, as we now
look for performance features in lifestyle apparel," says Marcus Davis,
production development manager for HanesBrands. "For example,
you want to stay dry and cool at the gym but also at the office, running errands or [when you're] out with friends. When you are at the
office, you don't want a wet, wrinkled shirt; you don't want to have
to worry about odor. We want everyday apparel to have the same
features once valued only in performancewear."

OCT./NOV. 2018

P.21

Impressions - October 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - October 2018