Impressions - Team & Spirit Apparel - Spring 2015 - 13

number, you choose a type based on the
uniform's material. Some types are made
for cotton/polyester and other types
for stretchy and nylon fabrics.
Some suppliers have a preprinted
grid on the back to make positioning more accurate. One or two colors are available and both can be
applied in one step.
In addition to stock styles, some
suppliers offer custom numbers. These
can be ordered with patterns such as zebra
stripes, polka dots, paisley, animal prints
and more. Patterns can be in single or multicolor. All you need is a heat press.

PRECUT NUMBERS
Precut numbers are the least expensive
way to number a uniform. Often sold in
packs and shipped the same day you order,
standard precut number sizes for uniforms
are 4, 6, 8 and 10 inch. These are available in various colors and styles. Material
options vary and include heat transfer
fi lms, vinyls and appliqué fabrics, including the popular polyester twill. Within the
fi lm/vinyl category, there are products that
are designed for specific fabrics such as
cotton/polyester, dye sublimated apparel,
technical fabrics and nylon.
Unique numbers are the trend so precut choices have increased dramatically
in the past year. Some suppliers now offer
more than 50 styles of precuts. There
even is an option that has the look of
embroidery but does not require sewing.
It's easier than ever to complement team
jerseys with fanwear.
A precut number kit can be a convenient way to ensure you have all the pieces
needed to number a whole team. As you
run low on specific digits, you can reorder
only those numbers. I recommend stocking a kit in white and black, as well as local
school colors. Have your kit within reach
and set up a layout station near the heat
press. To increase efficiency, pair up precut
numbers with prespaced text.
A Supplement to Impressions

PRESPACED NUMBERS
Prespaced numbers come on a carrier,
allowing for more detailed number styles
than a precut number. Like screen-printed
transfer numbers, prespaced numbers
greatly speed up production because you
don't have to take time to position each digit,
as is necessary with precut. They often come
in the same heat-applied materials as precut
numbers, and in the same colors and sizes.
Also, like a screen-printed transfer,
some companies offer a combination of
prespaced names and numbers. In one
step, you have a complete player set perfectly aligned and ready for application.

* Digital numbers, created
with an inkjet printer and
cutter, offer a lot
of versatility.
Photo courtesy of Stahls',
St. Clair Shores, Mich.

APPLIQUÉ NUMBERS
Because of the widespread popularity of
collegiate and professional jerseys, appliqué
numbers are in great demand. You will need
a heat press and access to embroidery equipment to decorate with this method. One of
the material options for appliqué numbers is
precut polyester twill, and you can get a sew
disk with an entire number sequence.
Spring 2015 * 13

Impressions - Team & Spirit Apparel - Spring 2015

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