When thinking about getting sportswear embroidery on your team kit or sports garments, workwear or other clothing, what are the 5 core things you should consider when choosing an embroidery company?
As any Golf Society organiser or sports team manager knows, what you wear and the quality of the sports attire you choose, can make a real difference to how you perform.
In addition, with so many companies (local or national) providing an embroidery service, how do you know which one to choose?
In 2020, The Social Golfer appointed Sportwear embroidery specialist Portlantis as our preferred supplier.
Why? A combination of reasons.
Firstly, we were impressed with how helpful they were.
From the moment we spoke, we knew they really wanted to provide us with a top-quality service.
However, once we moved beyond the niceties, these were our core consideration
For us here at The Social Golfer, the price was important but more important to any golfer is the styling and fitting.
Rather than pretend to know everything there is to know about branded sportswear, we asked Trudy Reynolds (Managing Director at Portlantis) for her top 5 tips for choosing a new embroidery supplier.
When The Social Golfer first asked me to write a ‘blog’ for their members, I really didn’t know where to begin as there are so many variables when it comes to my industry.
However, I thought it best to start by saying how thrilled we are to be working with the team at The Social Golfer.
We really do get excited when it comes to new embroidery and printing on clothing, caps and bags – and we love a new project!
Portlantis has 15 years’ experience in the garment decoration industry.
All manufacturing takes place in-house at our premises in Devon (which is also home to some great golf courses like Royal North Devon GC and Saunton GC), and we supply sportswear to Golf societies and sports clubs all over the UK.
In fact, if it’s fabric we can logo it – we recently embroidered some great hole flags for two courses at Hulencourt in Belgium.
In addition, we will be showcasing our sportswear embroidery on TSG gear at Celtic Manor in Sept 2020.
In 2020, technology has advanced so that we now have a fantastic range of fabric to choose from.
Whilst plenty of golfers stay with traditional cotton when it comes to polos, there are also fabrics like the Coolplus Performance TM, Permanent Wicking Fabric which draws moisture away from the skin to keep you cool on and off the course.
This easy-care fabric doesn’t need ironing and comes with a flat knit collar, taped neck, self-coloured buttons and side vents for easy movement.
And it doesn’t stop with polos – if you need jackets, sweaters or a new gilet, then we can advise about the latest styles and fabrics for those items too.
Sizing between brands can vary hugely.
For example we supply a French brand called Sols which comes up significantly smaller than some of the American brands.
Nothing is more frustrating than ordering and paying for your polo, only to realise it’s a little tight or way too big when it arrives.
At Portlantis, we are always very happy to send out samples, so you can test sizes before you buy.
Most garments have left breast embroidery with the golf club or golf society logo, but we often embroider the right breast or sleeve with individual names or initials too.
Having the destination and date of your society trips on your shirts is also very popular. Complex logos and multiple positions equal higher stitch counts – so do be aware, that the price will rise a bit if you increase the decoration.
But our polos are usually worn again when off the course, so are often seen as good value – and it’s easy for the organiser to spot his group in the airport bar, if they are all wearing the same thing!
It’s always good to test colours before approving an order.
Which is why we provide all our customers with photographic samples to be sure you are happy, before completing your order.
In fact, we don’t mind sending you a stitched logo on a ‘swatch of fabric’ via Royal Mail.
So you can see your logo at first hand before it goes onto all your garments.
This can vary hugely but you don’t always have to spend big to get the best.
Many factors affect the price, inlcuding fabric choice, colour, size, quantity and timing.
We’ll work with you to get the most from your budget and find the best solution for you and your team.
Polo Shirts
As mentioned above, probably the most common order we get from golfers is a society shirt. This can be provided in any colour and fabric. To stand out more, why not add a special message to your club logo.
Baseball Caps
Every golfer’s wardrobe includes caps and we have selected a 100% cotton twill cap from headwear specialist Beechfield, available in a variety of colours. This six-panel cap has ventilation eyelets and is easily adjustable with a tri-glide buckle on the fabric strap at the rear. Caps are worn for their practicality of course, but the branding to the front and back allow you to fly the flag for your club or society.
Shoe Bags
Need somewhere to store your shoes? Made of hard wearing 210D polyester, this water-resistant fabric has reinforced corners and drawstring handle, an inexpensive and essential addition to your golfing wardrobe.
Golf Towels
No golf bag is complete without the ever-practical golf towel. We offer a luxury version in navy, in 100% ringspun cotton, with excellent absorbency qualities.
Gym Bags
Perfect for putting wet or dirty clothing in after your round, and for keeping separate from your clean clothes. It can also be used as a good alternative to a shoe bag.
Portlantis is proud of our relationship with golf societies and Golf Clubs around the UK and we love talking to new customers.
Please get in touch if you need any sort of bespoke items for your events and trips.
HEADER IMAGE - Mistwood GC
Courtesy of Raymond Hearn, Course Architect www.rhgd.com
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