Team Insight

watermarked logos and large applications that cross the entire front of the shirt. Our designers do a great job of creating anything our customers can dream up," says Shook. Hot Looks, Low Heat Decorating for teams requires compatibility with the characteristics of lightweight performance fabrics. Low heat and performance fabrics are like peanut butter and chocolate. They work well together, but things get messy if it gets too hot. "Things have come a long way, but you can still run into occasional issues," says Crane. "A new fabric may react differently to dyes with heat, but overall graphics products are upgraded with blockers to forestall any decorating issues such as dye migration." Dye migration (or ink seepage) is a prominent factor when decorating on sublimated and synthetic garments. "Look for products, such as our AquaTru Dye-Block Numbers, that allow you to decorate the most dye saturated, stretchy and heat-sensitive garments," says Paul Sabatini, marketing support manager at Stahls'. "The result is a matte finish and a lightweight, soft hand." Selecting the right vendor partners can help dealers get a professional result that looks good and lasts. "We recognize that one of the more difficult aspects of this business is knowing which heat transfer type to use, especially when performance fabrics are involved. Our new Transfer Selector Tool gives a definitive answer on the right heat transfer type to use," says Clark. "We're also introducing a heated lower platen for heat presses that allows you to press heat-sensitive material without scorching." Heat pressed transfers are a wonderful answer for team decorating. The technique is fast, simple and easy, as long as you have the right transfers and use the right equipment. "Everything today is about choice, so you can incorporate what you want as long as it works on performance fabrics and that means it can be applied at low temperatures," says Levine. "Be careful on the equipment side if you want a profes- sional result," he advises. "Lower heats are required by performance fabrics so they won't scorch." "The new Hotronix Heated Lower Platen melts vinyl adhesive on the inside of the garment, allowing for a lower application temperature on the top platen," says Sabatini. "Now you can tackle delicate polyester and tri- blends without fear of scorching these delicate fabrics or risking dye migration on sublimated fabrics. With the girls' business at or approaching 50 percent for dealers, it pays to understand what they want. Q 42 Team Insight / March 2018 teaminsightmag.com GIRLS' & WOMEN'S SPORTS / DECORATING Pizzazz Performance Wear ProComfort sports bra and shorts feature new fabric with four-way stretch. PERFORMANCE WARMUP HOODIES short sleeve #183 active shape side sleeveless #182 optic 1/4 zip placket pennant pennantsportswear.com NE NE ty t st sty st st st st sty ty eevel ee eeve vel el short sleeve sh sho hor ort sle rt sl sle lee eeve ve i active sh active sh ac act cti tive sh ive ve sh sh (shown with 1002 power tee) less #18 less 82 #1 #182 82 placket pl pla lack pl placke k t lac ack cket ket et less #18 le les ess ss 1 #1 #18 18 EW EW yles yle les PENNANT SPORTSWEAR (shown with 1201 stratos tee)

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