Printing Apparel for First Responders
First responders are another niche that needs printed apparel and uniforms.
First responders would include occupations like police, fire, EMS, etc.
Printing apparel for first responders can be a way to provide them with high-quality, comfortable, and practical garments that help them do their jobs.
In this blog post, we will explore all the things to consider when printing apparel for first responders.
Planning for First Responder Apparel
When it comes to printing apparel for first responders, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the garments should be made of materials that are durable and breathable.
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Additionally, the design should be clear and easily visible, as first responders need to be easily identifiable in their uniforms.
It’s also essential to use high-quality transfers that can withstand the rigors of daily use and washing, along with a quality heat press to make sure you are going to get a good and reliable application, which will help in the durability and longevity of wear.
First Responder Artwork
Start by creating your design using any one of our thousands of design layouts that you can customize in Easy View® online designer for free.
We even have 80+ layouts made exactly for police, fire, or EMS workers.
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It’s quick and easy to customize these layouts. All you need to do is click and change the text, colors, and make to the size you need. You can also customize it even more, if you would like, by changing the clip art and fonts, as well.
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If you already created your own artwork in a design software, such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, you can use that, too. Just upload it to Easy View and you can set up your transfer order just as easily.
When creating the designs, know what the apparel will be used for. Is it for the actual outer uniform when out on emergency calls?
Like we mentioned above, make sure the text and artwork is bold and large enough to be seen, but with enough show-through areas in the artwork to allow the shirt to “breathe”.
Heat Transfer Types for First Responders
When choosing a heat transfer type for first responder apparel, you’ll need to know the apparel that it’s being applied to.
For cotton or cotton/poly blend t-shirts, Goof Proof screen printed transfers will be great. It’s durable and the inks are opaque for good visibility in daylight.
All of our transfers have been tested through 50 wash/dry cycles.
Goof Proof will also apply to bags, caps, or jackets of the same materials, too.
Check with the department you are printing for to see if they need reflective ink.
Is it important for a certain piece of apparel to be seen or stand out in the dark?
We have a reflective transfer type that will be perfect for that.
It applies to cotton, polyester, and cotton/poly blends.
In normal daylight, it is a metallic silver ink, and reflects direct light in the dark for bright visibility.
Think about uniform shirts, jackets, or equipment bags that will need to be seen quickly in the dark for easy recognition.
There are also apparel items that have reflective strips built into the garment that you use as well.
Make sure to measure your print area so the design fits between the reflective stripes.
Besides police, fire, and EMS, these would work great for towing companies, too, who also arrive in similar scenarios.
Whichever transfer type you end up choosing, make sure to follow the instructions for time, temperature, and pressure when applying the transfers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, printing apparel for first responders using heat press and heat transfers can be an excellent way to provide them with high-quality, durable, and practical garments that help them do their jobs.
By using heat transfers, you can create custom designs that meet the unique needs of first responders. You’ll also know that the apparel will be able to withstand the rigors of daily use.
With the right equipment and materials, you can create garments that not only look great but also provide the necessary protection and comfort for first responders to perform their duties effectively.