making Sublimation sew on badges HELP ?

[logobear]

A great customer of ours has 50 fleeces he wants decorating with his artwork front and back, and we think a sew on sublimated badge will be best.
ETC supplies have a product called Polycotex (65% polyester 35% cotton) and we propose applying an iron on backing to stiffen ( any suggestions what weight?) Finally we will interlock roll hem the edges to finish off the badges.
We have not done this sort of thing before, but want to get it right!
Any tips on best products to use ?
Will 65% polyester take Sublimation and not wash out too much?
The badges are very big, almost A4 back and playing card size front so getting stiffness correct is important, will the doublesided adhesive backing enable me to heat press the badge direct to the fleece?
I can borrow a roll hem interlocker for the job, and buy if it is useful.
Any suggestions? - We also have access to full magic touch range maybe OBM will be better?
Thanks
Phil

[draig]

You will end up with a vintage look with that amount of polyester content. Have a look at GS-Direct.co.uk they do a badge material which is 100% Polyester, they also do the badge stiffening backing and heat applied adhesive by the roll. By Roll hem interlocker if a true overlock you should be able to set it up to do a satin type stitch and use bulk thread for the edging.

Sharon

[logobear]

Hi SHaron,
great, just the sort of expert advice I was hoping for, do you make badges the sub way?.
Thanks

[draig]

Hi Phil, No not at present I experimented at one time with the glass cloths to do applique onto t-shirts but it didn't hold up to the satin edging. Now use bits of reject t-shirt that does a better job, knew it was worthwhile holding onto the scrap .

Forgot to mention by the way Fleece doesn't press very well, flattens out and looses a lot body, a way round this is to cover with some fleece over the badge then press. Are you supplying the garment complete or just the badges? i.e. would it be easier to satin stitch badge on on the embroidery machine, or even flat bed machine.

Sharon

[logobear]

Hi Draig,
this is all proving more complicated than i first thought, and 2 main industry suppliers havn't been able to give me expert advice, just provide samples......
Polycotex from ETC is 65% poly and gave a 'retro' look.
Am awaiting samples for Stitch fabric (100% poly) from GS-UK but no one there knew much about the product, or what weight it was, or how to make badges, ....
And Golden Finishes would sell a poly fabric, but didn't offer much help about the making process, or backings, perhaps because they wanted to do the full job ?
The most help has come from the local sewing machine shop who have let me play with interlockers, and roll edge interlockers, and will let me do the job on their machine for a modest fee, with an option to buy later!
Maybe badges are soooooo out of fash? I know the traditional ROCK badges were woven, but there must be a good way to do them with sublimation, it produces stunning colour and washability, I just want to know what product to use.
I am also looking for guidance on the best 'iron on' backing. Is it nessesary? what weight ? some fabric comes with a thermal adhisive, but I worry that it will 'activate' when I sub print at 200c for 60seconds (?) The 'iron on' stiffening backing seems to press on at about 150c for 10 seconds.
Any tips appreciated.
thanks
Phil

[draig]

I would think if you use a silicone based backing (the backing paper of sign vinyl would work) you can try subbing first, allowing to cool and then try and see if the adhesive backed fabric will still adhere. If not then add the double sided heat activated adhesive film, this does give a strong bond onto things like sweatshirts and t-shirts (it's the Applique backing sold by GS, Heat adhesive with protective release paper, not tried the product from ETC so I'm afraid I can't do a comparison).
I have a sample of the GS adhesive badge twill here (Sports twill) wanted to try cutting this on the Silhouette but paid work got in the way so haven't had a chance yet.

I have been asked to produce 40 or so badges for a Motorclub for their Speed Championship, now the problem is they have to be Flame Resistant to comply with MSA rules. Threads I can get no problem it's difficult to find a flame resistant fabric to use as a base, but think I've come across something after a big search on Google which is Proban based. We love these challenges don't we !

All this and still embroidering 20 polos for next weeks Classic Car Show at the NEC, and we have the RAC Rally back on our doorstep again this year, plus I'm trying to settle in an adopted cat, house is upside down, and it's raining outside. Wonder what else there will be

Sharon