One of the more interesting changes in basketball uniform design in recent years involves the use of lighter-weight, more comfortable fabrics and subsequently, lighter-weight uniform decoration as well.

Not so long ago basketball coaches subscribed to the “heavier is better” theory when ordering basketball uniforms and lettering/numbering. The typical basketball uniform might have been constructed of heavyweight “Dazzle” or a similar fabric with heavy screen-printed plastisol inks or even sewn-on tackletwill letters and numbers. It was thought that the only way to ensure longevity was to use the heaviest, most durable fabrics and graphics available.

With the 21st century comes the advent of lighter-weight materials as well as a new, state of the art decoration method called sublimation. There are now a variety of breathable, yet durable, fabrics available that are designed to “wick” moisture away from the athlete’s body, which is particularly important in a sport as strenuous as basketball. Benefits of sublimation, a decoration method keeping in line with lighter-weight, durable fabric include:

• A minimal increase in garment weight as all lettering and numbering can be dyed directly into the fabric

• A lifespan as long as the material itself

• An almost unlimited array of graphic options that makes producing an elegant uniform as inexpensive as producing a “plain” one

Lighter-weight materials and sublimation have dramatically changed the basketball uniform business. Athletes can now have their cake and eat it too by wearing visually stunning uniforms that are lightweight, comfortable and will last as long as the heavyweight “old-time” uniforms.

Today’s basketball player can now wear a uniform that actually enhances performance rather then detracts from it. Any reputable American uniform manufacturer should be able to offer an array of new basketball fabrics as well as screen-printing, tackletwill and particularly the new sublimation system of imprinting. If you buy from a domestic manufacturer you can now wear a custom-made, attractive yet comfortable uniform that can be produced in a reasonable period of time that will last for years and years.