Page 19 - Blog Insights| Design Tips, Team Gear & Inspiration
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- May 16, 2019Today, it’s hard to imagine a complete baseball uniform without the helmet. If a batter walked up to home plate missing that protective wear, spectators would hold their breath. Why would a player risk serious injury as balls whizzed by their head? Actually, for most of baseball’s history, players didn't wear helmets at all—or at least not the helmets we think of today. According to Major League Baseball (MLB), it wasn’t until 1971 that players were required to wear helmets when going up to bat. Even since then, the baseball helmet has evolved into the iconic piece of safety gear it is today. So, how did the baseball helmet develop? Why are they so important to the sport and how can we expect them to change in the future?
Baseball Helmet Basics
A batting helmet is the plastic, protective device worn on the heads of all offensive players while they’re out on the field. Despite the name, helmets must be worn even while on deck and on base. Since 2007, base coaches have also been required -
- April 21, 2019With so many different knots, ties, holes and loops, even some veteran lacrosse players are too intimidated to restring their own lacrosse heads. But despite the seemingly complicated process, it’s actually not as hard as you might think to string it yourself. All it takes are a few easy steps, the right tools and little practice. Before you know it, you’ll be back on the field with a freshly strung lacrosse stick adjusted perfectly to your own preference. Keep in mind that there are several different stringing styles out there, all with their own pros and cons. We’re teaching you one of the more basic stringing techniques. Once you get it down, try experimenting with different methods until you find the right one for you.
A Little Lacrosse Lingo
If you’re just learning your way around a lacrosse stick, let’s go over a few basic parts that you’ll need to know before restringing. Head: Attached to the top of the lacrosse stick, this is a typically a plastic, molded piece that the strings -
- April 03, 2019When a hockey player hits the ice, they want to look their best. Sure, a great uniform is a good place to start, but no style is officially complete without a fantastic helmet to top everything off. When designing these next-level helmets, many teams and players use high-quality decals and stickers to stand out from the rest. Let’s take a look at our top ten favorite hockey helmet decals to give you some inspiration—and don’t worry, we’re not giving all the glory to the goalies. If these ten helmet designs didn’t quite give you the desired inspiration for your own unforgettable look, worry not. The NHL playoffs are almost here to help spark some creativity.
10 Of Our Favorite Hockey Helmet Designs & Decals
1. King of the Jungle
Let’s kick it off with a classic. No one will question who rules the rink with a fierce mask like the one worn by Gilles Gratton way back in the 1970s. Gratton was a pioneer of pushing the limits of goalie helmet aesthetics, and there’s no doubt that this design -
- March 09, 2019Have you ever noticed that the once-bright colors of your t-shirts will start to fade after a few weeks to a few months of usage? That’s not due to the quality of the shirt, but rather how you take care of them. A washer and dryer can be both your best friend and worst enemy at the same time. If you launder your clothes improperly, it can not only fade the shirt but severely crack the custom logo or lettering as well. No matter if you’re rocking an old school Maytag washing machine from the 1970s or a high-tech one that will make you a cappuccino while it launders your clothes, there are a few simple steps that you can take to help ensure that your colors and logos won’t crack or fade. We’ve created this guide to help you launder your custom t-shirts and ensure that they’ll last for a long time and look as new as the day you first tried them on.
Turn Your Shirt Inside Out When Washing
You should always turn your shirts inside out when washing them. This is due to the extreme forces that -
- February 04, 2019A brand-new season is almost here! But before you can run onto the field, chances are you need a great, new look to tie your uniform together. If you’re like many players, that means a snazzy, new decal applied to your helmet. There’s no need to hire a professional to stick a decal onto a helmet. In fact, all you need is a blank helmet, a new decal and a little patience. Then, just follow these easy steps—plus a few extra tips—and you’ll be ready to start another winning season in style.
Helmet Decal Pro Tips
Make it Stick
First off, make sure you’re using a high-quality, durable decal that’s designed to withstand rigorous, athletic impacts. Aside from choosing a reputable decal company, a well-made decal should be at least as thick as a dime. With a thinner or cheaper decal, expect the sticker to quickly rip, tear, wrinkle or fade well before the season is over. Once you have your decal and are ready to apply, make sure the helmet is completely clean and dry. There should be no dirt, -
- March 31, 2018"Have you made your New Year's resolution yet?" Let's just go ahead and assume you've been asked this question more than once in the past few weeks and you've just laughed, hesitated to respond and/or just immediately changed the subject. Or perhaps you are one of those "on-top of their game" individuals who has a full blown list, including a timeline, of how you're going to stick these said goals and exactly when they will be accomplished... And if so, CHEERS to you! Either way, when reality sets in and you realize it's a new year, naturally, the first thing that comes to mind is "What can I do better this year?" or "What can I change for the better this year?"... Though resolutions are often intended to last the entire year, they seldom do. As sad as that may be to say, the truth is hard to swallow and we all need a little motivation here and there! When you're about to eat that brownie, drink that can of Diet Coke, skip the gym or say a "curse" word when your dropped your iPhone on the
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- March 12, 2018Are you ready to give your helmet a whole new look, but it’s covered in stickers or decals? Don’t think that buying a new helmet is your only solution. Whether you’re changing teams, switching numbers or are just ready for something new, it’s easier than you think to remove any sticker or decal from your helmet. Before you know it, you’ll be back to playing your favorite sport with the helmet you love and a new, fresh style. All it takes are a few household items and a little patience. You won’t even need a product like Goo-Gone or WD40 to get you there. Here are some quick and easy solutions for you to remove those stickers in no time.
Getting Started
Before getting down to helmet decal removal, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure incredible results. First off, some stickers and decals will be trickier than others to entirely remove. This often depends on the sticker’s quality as well-made stickers are often easier to take off. Time can also be a factor. A sticker adhered -
- February 21, 2018When we start to ponder on the idea of "professional athletes" and what exactly they positively contribute to society, it's easy to starting rambling on about all the negative things that come to mind (which is fair enough)... But, putting aside all the suspensions, fights, scandals, etc., I would confidently say, in most all cases, the good outweighs the bad in the world of professional athletes. If we take a look at the professional athletes today, there are both men and women using their salary, privilege and prestige to better the world in one way or another. Whether they are working with children, donating their time and/or money or standing up for a cause they believe in, there are truly so many athletes who contribute in ridiculous magnitude. Setting aside what society tell us, let's focus on the positive (that's what 2018 is all about, right...?) and see some current athletes who go above and beyond the call with their charitable ways!
Serena Williams:
While slaying the game on -
- January 02, 2018HAMILTON, NJ – Babe Ruth League, Inc. is proud to announce that Sportdecals® of Spring Grove, Illinois, has stepped up to the plate to serve as an Official Sponsor of the Babe Ruth League World Series. As an official World Series Sponsor, Sportdecals® will be dressing up the World Series events by outfitting participants at the 2018 Babe Ruth Softball World Series with custom headbands and supplying players at the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series with special helmet decals. “The World Series is an exciting time for the kids and their families,” said Steven Tellefsen, Babe Ruth League President/CEO. “We are excited to join with Sportdecals® to focus on the core value of teamwork and provide a Big-League Experience for the young participants who reach the top of the tournament trail – the Babe Ruth League World Series.” “On behalf of everyone on the Sportdecals team, we are very thankful for the opportunity to be associated with the Babe Ruth League World Series. Their ongoing dedication
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- December 19, 2017
Since 1972, Sportdecals has been number one manufacturer and supplier of helmet decals for football, baseball, softball, lacrosse and hockey. From full-size helmet decals to award decals to wallcals and more, Sportdecals does it all! Combine the best artwork in the industry with superior quality, fastest turnaround, free shipping and a 100% satisfaction guarantee and you have a winning formula that can’t be beat.
Absolutely Custom is the apparel division of Sportdecals and the SD Family of brands with a committed focus on the school, team and corporate segments. Absolutely Custom promises exceptional free artwork, lowest prices guaranteed, fastest free delivery and a complete satisfaction guarantee. For all of your screen-printing, embroidery, dye-sublimation and direct-to-garment decoration needs, call Absolutely Custom.
Galapagos Studios is the music, band and choir apparel division of Sportdecals and the SD Family of brands with a committed focus on the fine arts school segment. Galapagos





