Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1425980
graphics-pro.com 23 S T A R T H E R E 2 0 2 1 able to remove it in only that area and get a successful heat seal. All emblems come backed with some type of adhesive, and no matter which one you choose, the pricing is the same. There are situations in which a client may wish to remove an emblem and replace it with a new one. This can happen when an employee leaves a company, but the owner wants to change out the embroi- dered name patch versus buying a new uniform. In car racing and sports, there are many sponsors that will have their logos on a uniform. These can change from year to year and again, rather than scrap a perfectly good uniform, it is less expensive to remove the old emblem and replace it. Tips for Replacing and Applying an Emblem The good news is that a heat-seal emblem is not difficult to remove. In many cases, it's a matter of reheating the emblem to the same temperature at which it was applied and, once the glue has melted, pull it off. Then the replacement can be easily applied over the same area. There are several aids designed for just this purpose. A product called Glue Blockers is designed to cover the glue residue left on a garment. It resembles a blank patch with no border. These come in stock colors and sizes, and for a minimum quantity, custom colors and sizes can be ordered. Simply apply the blocker over the location, and it is ready for a new emblem to be applied. You also can remove an emblem and apply it to another garment in a similar fashion. This is done with the use of heat strips. These are carrier sheets with polyurethane adhesive that are offered in a variety of stock sizes. Choose the size you need and heat press at 300-320 degrees F for 20 seconds to reattach any patch. The bond of the reapplied emblem will be as strong and durable as the original application. A pillow or pad is not always needed, but they help ensure a better bond if the emblem is being sealed to a surface that is not perfectly flat or you want to protect the emblem itself. Two emblems where a pad is recommended are those made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or three-dimensional embroidered emblems. A thin specialty pad is recommended that helps these types retain their texture and height better, and you avoid any chance of damaging the emblem. A tip to ensure you obtain a strong bond is to preheat the gar- ment. This is not true in all cases, so testing may be necessary to determine if it is helpful or not. By preheating the garment, you A patch made of polyvinyl chloride, such as the one shown, is backed with a low-melt adhesive that can go on heat-sensitive materials. To get a good bond and protect the emblem, it's best to use specially designed rubber pads. These come in different sizes and thicknesses so be sure to find out which one is best for your application. When heat sealing a patch to apparel, not all types are applied the same way. When applying a three-dimensional emblem, you do not want to mash down the height or texture, so it is recommended to use a thin heat-seal pad for best results. Help customers get longer life from their work uniforms with the use of a glue blocker. This resembles a patch without a border that is heat sealed over the area where an old emblem was removed hiding any glue residue.