Reflective Branding

[sqslabs]

I have a customer who is looking to do a small branding logo on poly garments, similar to those found on Under Armour and other sports related garments.  It's usually a reflective looking material. 

Would this be best done via printing or heat application?

[mimosatexas]

depends on the art, but the vinyl is a whole lot nicer looking than any print I have seen.

[sqslabs]

depends on the art, but the vinyl is a whole lot nicer looking than any print I have seen.

I'd be fine with vinyl, is there one in particular that you'd recommend?

Thanks!

[mimosatexas]

The last few times I have run whatever River City stocks, which I think is a different brand than the 3M stuff but cheaper.  Can't say I have tested enough brands to have a recommendation beyond saying that what I used worked fine.

[sqslabs]

Thanks for the info.. I probably should have mentioned that I don't have a plotter.   

In any case, I'm sure I can track something down at Stahl's and have them cut it for me.  Just glad to hear that it is possible with transfers as I really wasn't too excited about the prospect of printing them.

[Ryan]

the 3M reflective is what you need unless its for some organization that doesn't require it, like a team or school that just wants it, but if you are going to be doing it for a corporation or something like that, 3M Reflective as it passes all the ANSI stuff (I think it does, so don't quote me on that) but its stupid expensive.

[sqslabs]

the 3M reflective is what you need unless its for some organization that doesn't require it, like a team or school that just wants it, but if you are going to be doing it for a corporation or something like that, 3M Reflective as it passes all the ANSI stuff (I think it does, so don't quote me on that) but its stupid expensive.

Thanks for the heads up.. The logos don't have to be certified in any way, its really just trying to get the look of other brands.  The Under Armour and other ones do look reflective pretty though, maybe because they're on running garments in which case they may be using the 3M material for that purpose.  The job in question is for an MMA school, and they're just going for the look and not necessarily the function so anything that looks like it should work.

[mimosatexas]

The cheaper brands are still super reflective. I've looked at a few next to eachother and wouldn't have been able to tell you which brand was which...

[Frog]

Brett, do you, by any chance, have a good relationship with any locals with a cutter? Since you obviously already have a press, if you were willing to do the weeding (the real labor) you could buy a yard of the stuff, and probably get it done way cheaper than from someone like Stahl's.
For years, I had such an arrangement until my heat film work grew to the point of needing a cutter myself for convenience.

[cbjamel]

I have learned first hand it how long it sticks to garment that really matters. 3m is more wash's than the others i have seen.
Ask how many wash's they are good for. Usually around 15 I think 3m is 30-50.

Shane

[Frog]

I have learned first hand it how long it sticks to garment that really matters. 3m is more wash's than the others i have seen.
Ask how many wash's they are good for. Usually around 15 I think 3m is 30-50.

Shane

The only failures I have had with heat films reared their ugly head almost immediately, first wear or wash, almost assuredly due to operator error.
Has this been different for you, and was it limited to the reflective films? Have to admit that I haven't used them yet.
 

[sqslabs]

Brett, do you, by any chance, have a good relationship with any locals with a cutter? Since you obviously already have a press, if you were willing to do the weeding (the real labor) you could buy a yard of the stuff, and probably get it done way cheaper than from someone like Stahl's.
For years, I had such an arrangement until my heat film work grew to the point of needing a cutter myself for convenience.

Unfortunately not, but now that you mention it, it's something I should likely be seeking out.  We don't do much by way of heat press besides names/numbers from time to time so I've always relied on Stahl's for that stuff, but now that we have some other cutomers asking for this side of things I really wouldn't mind having someone local do the cutting until the numbers make sense to get our own.

And with that, the local search is on.. Thanks much for the advice.

[cbjamel]

Yes. I do an airport that uses this . Longevity it not at as good with syltahls brand reflective , 3m stays on longer.
Shane

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[Frog]

Interestingly, they aren't that crazy different in price. Stahls is 19" while the 3M is 16". Stahls is $20.40 a yard and $90 for five while 3M is $20.80 and $94.
For that small difference, I probably wouldn't dick around with the regular Stahls.

[mimosatexas]

I used a non-3M option for a valet company that has been using the same shirts for almost 2 years and washed I don't even know how many times.  Look good as new.

I did have a few issues with the original application, but determined it was related to heat press settings and not the film.