DIY Custom Jersey?
 

*This might not be the best place for this thread, but i thought 300+ viewers here vs. 30 in general cycling was better

I was wondering if there is anyway to DIY a custom Jersey (ie, with the iron on items or what not). If so, please include what you did and pictures.


Before people start bashing, a couple friends and I made a "team" to do a couple charity rides. We want a cheap/simple solution to make "team" jerseys were we can include major contributors...the best idea we have come up with are the $20 jerseys from PerformanceBikes with a iron on logo on the front and back...have yet to try it under the impression that the iron will ruin the jersey...anyways i'm open to suggestions...seems like most real custom jerseys are $100 and up (and thats with 20 purchases at least)

I think I would get prices from clothing companies like Champion and Voler first - $100 sounds high. Our club pays about $40 per jersey.

Wanna do something original and badass? Make stencils and use spraypaint. I used to do that with t-shirts and they come out looking sick.

How many members does your club have...i just checked out voler and the pricing for 4 jerseys was 70 a piece...

^doesnt last
champ-sys.com does it for 45- anything you want
my team has used them before, nice stuff

Sorry, that's more than I thought it would be.

Champ SYS has a lower minimum and their jerseys are good; at least equal to Performance jerseys.

if you're going to do a few rides/yr. with your team, I assume that then you'll be riding fairly regularly, then you'll need jerseys and shorts/bibs anyway. You would be better served in my opinion to go with a custom, you're buying stuff you gotta have anyway and it'll look significantly better than a DIY iron on or spraypaint job.

Some options, google search for more:

http://www.louisgarneau-custom.com/c...l&language=ENG

http://www.pactimo.com/

http://www.champ-sys.com/pages/index.html

http://www.peak-1.com/cycling.aspx

http://www.voler.com/

http://www.vergesport.com/minimums.php

http://www.customsublimation.com/

AK Apparel would be another possibility. They have a "design jr." option in which they will sublimate a logo onto the front/back of a generic jersey. For 1-5 jerseys the price is only $50 each.

I've done some DIY screen printing. As follows.

1: take glass out of cheap picture frame
2: staple on sheer curtain material from walmart.
3: Make design on computer and print in mirror image
4: a: use a paint brush to brush glue on all the space you don't want ink
or b: cut the stencil out of MacTac and stick it to the cloth
5: Use textile paint to transfer the image.
(Practice on some cloth before trying a jersey!)

Or you can get those things that iron-on and can be printed on an inkjet printer - might work.

Google gave all these ideas in a few clicks.... Seems pretty easy to do and heaps of alternative and ideas....

http://www.curbly.com/Chrisjob/posts...emade-Stencils

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/trans...nTransfers.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4530394_prin...hp-cp1700.html

You can buy iron-on material and even inks for most color printers. They come with instructions.

You can also go to most sign-writers and they can print or cut iron-on designs for you.

You might have to pay attention to those materials compatible with what ever jersey material you pick. I also think your design ability may play.

I really like the idea of the stencil with fabric paints....

As the owner of a textile screen printing company, I can say that this will produce hideous results. I'd do the spray paint stencil thing before attempting this. I would check with Champ-Sys, before you go ruining a bunch of jerseys.

Jersey's are sythetic material made to move air and wick moisture.

As such, they're not prone to doing well with high-heat... I.E. irons and dryers.

While I've never tried it, you might not have good luck ironing anything on. I could be totally wrong, but logic tells me you'll probably ruin your jersey. Especially a cheap nashbar jersey.

Actually, most jersey graphics are sublimated or heat pressed on with industrial heat presses much stronger and hotter than a household iron. You'd have more of an issue getting an iron-on transfer to adhere correctly, or peeling off after several washes. It's a legitimate concern, but the heat shouldn't ruin the fabric.

After you buy all the materials and put in the time to do the DIY stuff you're going to end up with a tacky looking jersey. So ugly that some of your team members might just refuse to wear it. But then again most cycling jerseys are ugly so you might be ok doing it yourself.

Silk screening.

You can buy a kit at Wally World and do it in your kitchen.

It will adhere and last through countless washings.

Voler.com has a semi-custom service that let's you design jersey(s) on line.

yes.

www.canari.com

Canari has added some nice -premium quality- gear to their lineup recently. There minimums, specifically reorders, are workable too.

They are professionals and pleasant to work with. Canari. Give them a shot.

Cheers.