Your Embroidered Logo: Polyester Performance Shirts

Wondering about the differences between various performance T-shirts? While most are moisture-wicking to keep you cool on hot summer days, some styles have other features to help you look and feel good all day.  How can you pick the best style for your group? Consider these characteristics:

 The Fabric -

• Not all performance polyesters have the same fabric content.
• Not all performance T-shirts are 100% polyester. Some contain cotton to give the fabric a softer, more cotton-like feel, and some shirts contain spandex for added stretch and ease of movement.
• Shirts can be treated with PosiCharge technology to help prevent fading and ink migration when screen printed.
• Some styles are made from a fine, flat mesh fabric for added breathability.
• Recycled materials are used to make some polyester fabrics, making these shirts more environmentally friendly.
• The fabric weight can vary, but most shirts are close to 3.8 ounces.
• Some shirts have a UPF rating and provide extra protection from the sun.
• Odor control, snag-resistance, and stain-release are other features that can be found in performance tees.

Colors - 

• Some styles are available in basic colors, while others have hard-to-find shades like 'coyote brown' and 'vegas gold'. Some shirts have PMS matching color information.
• In addition to solid colors, a few styles come in heathered colors and color-blocked styles.
• While the men's style may come in many colors,  the companion styles often have a more limited color selection.

The Sleeves - 

• While most shirts have set-in sleeves, some styles have raglan sleeves for added flexibility and ease of movement

Sizing - 

• Adult sizes run from XS - 4X. Youth styles are also available.

The Tag - 

• Most styles have a removable tag for added comfort and easy relabeling.

Companion Styles - 

• Need matching hats or visors? Polos, a ladies' V-neck, or a hooded long-sleeved shirt? Many performance shirts have coordinating styles for a uniform look.

The Price - 

• Pricing for undecorated shirts may vary a bit between styles. Generally, 100% polyester shirts are slightly more than conventional cotton or 50/50 t-shirts.

What's next? We'll check out some of the most popular performance T styles!

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Your Embroidered Logo: Connector Threads - What Are They?

If you've ever zoomed into a screenshot of an embroidered logo, you may have noticed single threads that connect letters within a word. These threads allow the embroidery machine to keep embroidering rather than stopping between each letter, thus giving the text a cleaner look. Most of the time, these connector threads aren't noticed, but having them decreases the time necessary to run a design while reducing the chance that a letter may unravel.

When setting up a design, a digitizer might lessen the space between letters so connector threads can be used without being seen. But what happens when the lettering is purposely distanced with space between each letter? Then, the embroidery machine must trim after each letter so the spacing is maintained without having visible connecting threads. This generally works, although the additional stopping and starting of the machine can cause problems, and the embroidery may not look as clean when the machine starts again.