All-Star Dye Sub Vs. Traditional Uniforms....pros And Cons?

[Vil]

As a supplier of dye sub uniforms, Full Swag is always looking for ways to improve our product.

Why would/wouldn't you chose dye sub vs traditional uniforms?

If you're on the fence, what would change your mind to chose dye sub?

What could be done better in a dye sub uniform?

List it all...good bad and the ugly!

Discuss...

:)


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[cheer25mom]

Love our sublimated. CP says the fabric is more comfortable.


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[ilikebigbows]

Sometimes sublimation really hurts my eyes. Stars on one sleeve, swirls in the middle and stripes on the other sleeve with a crazy font and awkward gradients. It does not look good when it's too busy, up close or on the floor. The best sublimated uniforms I have seen do not have a design on every square inch of the fabric. They utilize solid colors here and there and clean lines to create something that looks athletic and cute. That might be why many gyms go the traditional route, because often times the patterns and designs they have seen on other uniforms have made the routine look sloppy or even was a distraction from the routine itself (ie: neon pink and green zebra sublimation...yes that actually happened!).

The pros of sublimation are usually functionality and comfort, since, from what I've seen, they tend to have less straps and cutouts and funky elements. So to summarize, the elements that I've seen that make a beautiful sublimated uniform:
-legible font
-use of "blank" space
-simple yet creative design
-subtle use of gradients (not funky like pink to blue)
-lines that will enhance, not distract from the routine


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[cheernerd5678]

Louisiana Cheer Force and Jersey Allstars are great examples of sublimation done right. CA is too (not those worlds ones though...)
I think one thing that holds people back is fear of looking like the sublimation gone wrong that they've seen... but also not knowing where to start. You need a good designer who has experience with sublimation to guide you.
I love that with most sublimated unis there are less cutouts, they're usually v neck which is my favorite, and you can wear a sports bra with them! And they look sooooo comfy

 

[CheerBank]

Louisiana Cheer Force and Jersey Allstars are great examples of sublimation done right. CA is too (not those worlds ones though...)
I think one thing that holds people back is fear of looking like the sublimation gone wrong that they've seen... but also not knowing where to start. You need a good designer who has experience with sublimation to guide you.
I love that with most sublimated unis there are less cutouts, they're usually v neck which is my favorite, and you can wear a sports bra with them! And they look sooooo comfy

I hope that when cp's gym gets new uniforms, they get sublimated ones for the very reasons you've mentioned above. Fingers crossed since they already have sublimated warm-ups and practice wear this season.

 

[AngelsMum24]

The downside I saw that the material looked stretched out after warm ups and bumched unflatteringly. It steered us away from using sublimation.

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[BuegeSmalls]

Do the colors fade after many washings? I've never had a sublimated uniform but I'm curious. Sublimated uniforms always look so comfortable!

 

[Miialovescheer]

I'm not a cheerleader but most swedish cheerleaders are going sublimated now. mostly because they were the uniforms for quite a few years before they switch. but they look pretty comfortable.

 

[Lazydaisytoo]

Do the colors fade after many washings? I've never had a sublimated uniform but I'm curious. Sublimated uniforms always look so comfortable!

All cycling jerseys/uniforms are sublimated. They are washed much more frequently than cheer uniforms, and they do not fade. It's not the process that causes problems, it's the substrate. If you print onto cheap fabric, there is the potential for pilling, stretching out, etc. definitely shop with a proven vendor.

I will also give a shout out to Jersey Allstars. Their uniforms are absolutely beautiful. Very well done design, and just enough crystal to make them pop.

 

[Mama Of 3 CP's]

From the cheerleaders I've seen at competitions, it seems like the sublimated uniforms don't fit and are saggy. I've looked at many pictures in here of people's favorite sublimated uniforms and they are of Senior Teams with tight/correct fitting uniforms. Those are the only ones that look "sharp" to me. It seems like the traditional uniforms (without straps and cut outs) seem to fit better overall even when they are ordered a bit large to fit for more than one season. IMO, if the sublimated uniforms aren't fitted they look cheap.

 

[Mama Of 3 CP's]

(Phone wasn't cooperating so I have to finish here.)

I completely agree with ilikebigbows about the design making a huge difference. Clean design, legible font, blank areas. Those are the uniforms people are posting as their favorite sublimated unis. IMO, when every inch is covered with swirlies, faux lace and gradient it looks like the design came from a low end retail store.

 

[glitterdiva]

From the cheerleaders I've seen at competitions, it seems like the sublimated uniforms don't fit and are saggy. I've looked at many pictures in here of people's favorite sublimated uniforms and they are of Senior Teams with tight/correct fitting uniforms. Those are the only ones that look "sharp" to me. It seems like the traditional uniforms (without straps and cut outs) seem to fit better overall even when they are ordered a bit large to fit for more than one season. IMO, if the sublimated uniforms aren't fitted they look cheap.

That's why I've always had a strict policy of I fit the athletes for now. Then every year after try outs we have a big uniform swap and it always works out.

 

[auscheerflyer]

We switched to sublimated this year and most found the fabric a lot more comfortable and flattering - the fabric felt pretty similar to Nike Pros, but a little thicker for extra coverage.

We've only worn them a few times so far but I saw no issues with fading when washing (in a normal machine wash) and it dried overnight which was fantastic for a 2 day comp.

We went with a cheaper company, but it'd be interesting to know if other companies provide more breathable fabrics, because some people did complain that they felt more hot compared to our old uniforms.

I'd say sublimated is still in the minority in Australia, but gaining popularity. We loved ours, but I think the jury is still out over which people prefer here.

 

[Allstarmom2002]

We have a sublimated uniform and I LOVE it. This is my CP's second season wearing the same uniform and it hasn't faded at all. Looks as good as it did when she first got it. Our uni's look clean and athletic and we get a lot of compliments on them. The girls, of course prefer the bling and the cutouts but us moms love how easy they are to wash.