Impressions - March 2020 - 19

Custom printed patches
and embossed emblems are
becoming more conventional
in custom womenswear.
Photo provided by Stahls'.

leisure because the fabric's finish should take
priority when it comes to design elements for
customization. Some athleisure fabrics can be
difficult to decorate with other methods because of their heat-sensitive nature, lightweight
feel and stretch. Innovations in heat-applied
transfers and materials - such as reflective
heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) - have allowed
heat printers to successfully customize athleisure without compromising the finish of
these sensitive fabrics.
Athleisure also is trending in corporate apparel. Consumer requests for formal clothing,
such as pencil skirts and blouses, are declining. "Office" and "comfort wear" traditionally
haven't been compatible terms, but comfort
and versatility have come to define typical
wardrobes in the past several years.

Texture and Dimension

Knit, wool, suede, leather - you name it
- these textured fabrics are everything and
more that women are looking to add to their
wardrobes from fall to early spring. However, one textured apparel option is trending
that custom-apparel decorators can offer to
maximize their profit opportunity.
Sherpa has gained massive popularity due
to its lightweight structure, cozy feel and insulation. Previously, this fabric mostly was used

in coat lining and other common outerwear
to keep the wearer warm during cold seasons.
Though it's currently used for those same
purposes, it also can be worn as a standalone
apparel piece. Sherpa can be incorporated in
a variety of styles, such as crew-neck sweat
shirts, quarter-zips and vests.
Dimensional finishes are key when printing Sherpa because the garment tends to be
thick and fuzzy. To be decorated via heat
printing, a transfer must be thick enough
to stand out above the fabric's pile. Printed
twill or embroidered patches look great on
these garments and offer a premium look and
feel. Flocked heat-transfer material is another great option that offers a velvet-like finish
that, because of its low cost, will be attractive
to price-conscious customers.
Fleece jackets have long served as the
comfortable, cozy outerwear of choice. This
cold-weather staple has been around for several years, but "sweater fleece" is growing in
popularity. This fabric combines the refined
texture of a sweater with the properties and
easy care of fleece - the best of both cozy
worlds.
Similar to Sherpa, premium, high-end custom transfer options must be used for this
textured garment type. Sweater fleece is used
by popular brands that achieve customization
with embroidery, as well as leather and printed

patches. Heat printers can offer these popular
finishes on this fabric to keep a competitive
edge and increase your bottom line.

Embroidered Patches
& Embellishments
For years, embroidered patches were used
for practical purposes such as labeling uniforms. However, from offbeat vintage finds
to mainstream apparel trends, patches are
being revived and adapted. While standard
embroidery still is a popular application, we're
starting to see three-dimensional, embossed,
leather and printed patches become more
conventional in custom apparel.
These products are trending in such a
major way because they allow decorators to
effortlessly turn customers' designs or logos
into vivid, fashion-quality looks and finishes. What type of patches should be added to
custom apparel?
1. The traditional custom embroidered
patch typically is created on a fabric backing with high-quality thread
stitching.
2. The photo-realistic, custom printed
patch simulates the look of thread by
sublimating or screen printing twill.
Choosing this patch type for a logo
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Impressions - March 2020

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