The Future of Dye Sublimation Sports Uniforms
It’s hard to say when the first sports uniform was used in a professional setting, although we do know the modern-day jersey that we cherish and love made an appearance in the 1860s-1880s in both football and baseball. Since then, these uniforms have become an essential part of sporting events, team pride, merchandise, and understanding among athletes, young players, and people simply having fun.
Today, we have the technology to pursue sublimation sportswear, otherwise known as the designing and imagining of a jersey with logos, designs, and so forth. We are able to perfectly envision what we want to see, and make it come to life. It’s the process of knowing where every seam, arm, and neck hole will sit, understanding how the contours and shapes of bodies will impact the overall presentation and image.
The main benefits from sublimation uniforms is that they are all-over prints, printed on the flat material and then sewed together after. The prints are full color, bright and vibrant, and really stand out when compared to your average, boring team shirt. With special effects such as neon inks, you can REALLY make a statement!
The Dye Sublimation Sports Uniform Process
For our team, dye sublimation sports uniforms start with an image, a pattern, or a logo. We upload it to the computer, use special hardware to print it on a film paper, and place it on the garment, where the dye is then transferred with impeccable ease and precision.
We apply heat to that helps the ink to become part of the fabric. It’s a versatile digital printing method that has proven to be durable and perfect for breathable fabrics, so athletes are able to experience ventilation, while ensuring their numbers and names won’t peel off from the jersey over-time.
Starting with just an idea or a theme, we are able to create a fantastic looking, one-of-a-kind design. Once it is printed and the jersey is sewn together, we are able to have a truly phenomenal uniform piece!
What Will the Future Look Like?
As a digital process that is completely supported by technological tools, there are many future enhancements that are just waiting to take over this process. We could see:
• Holographic process in which our team is able to virtually see the print before we do it.
• Artificial intelligence that makes the jerseys for us, from start to finish, on our behalf.
• The process could go from a 2D canvas to a 3D canvas with the right technology, so we are able to see how the jersey fits before we even make the jersey.
• Streamlined software could help us automate the process, leaving zero room for mistakes or error by the time it’s all said and done.
These are just a few practical ideas that will undoubtedly take over the industry. Since the 1920s and 1930s, sports uniforms have been equated with quality sports apparel for players and fans alike. Almost 100-years later, we are using 2D models and software to ensure our product is as close to perfect as possible. As we advance into the future, this form of sports uniform is going to become the most sought-after option, as we say goodbye to low-quality print-outs and peel-offs.
With readily available technology, the future of dye sublimation is only going to advance for a more streamlined and perfected result. Are you ready for your uniform upgrade?
