What do decorators need to start serving the athleisure market?

Before you can really start to profit from the new athleisure performance garments you just bought, you’ll need the right equipment. A few pieces that may be needed to create quality athleisure garments are:

Wide-format sublimation printers: Though other printers can be used to produce athleisure clothing, dye sublimation has benefits that other printing methods don’t. With sublimation, you can create the all-over designs often seen in athleisure. This type of printing also allows for maximum detail and a wider range of colors. Since dye sublimation uses heat in the printing process, it is capable of printing on polyester, a common fabric used in athleisure garments. Because of these advantages, sublimation is a technique to seriously consider.

Direct-to-garment (D2) printers: These printers are also excellent options for printing on athleisure. Like dye sublimation, D2 is a form of digital printing. However, it lacks the heating element that sublimation has. The ability to print lower quantities at an affordable price gives D2 printers an advantage over other printers. This is especially beneficial when breaking into a new market. It allows you to start with small jobs without shrinking your profit margin.

Embellishers: The whole point of athleisure is to elevate gym wear to a new, more stylish level. For some, that means embellishment. The ability to add sequins, gems, and glitter to items may be a major selling point when offering athleisure options to customers.

—Beacon Funding