How to Customize Hockey Bags

Ice hockey teams are more known for unique names and logos. Customizing the exterior of gear bags for a team should be completed professionally. There are several processes that can be used to bring the team together graphically. Each player also can personalize the interior of the bag with items he feels will be needed for practices and games.

Instructions

  1. Bag Exterior

    • 1

      Choose the heat-pressing method. It is common for applying player names and numbers on jerseys and equipment bags. The heated press irons cut vinyl names and numbers onto the bag. Sometimes the vinyl can peal away from the bag.

    • 2

      Select the silk-screening method. It is the most economical and most common process. Special inks are applied to the bag using screens that are separated by color. Eventually, the image can fade, much the way a silk-screen image on a T-shirt will fade with repeated wear, washing and exposure.

    • 3

      Dying logos, names and numbers into the fabric is called sublimation. It is a new way to adhere graphics onto fabrics, which must be 100 percent polyester. Benefits include long-lasting, nonfading and noncracking features.

    • 4

      Embroidery is used to stitch a logo, name or number directly onto the bag. Embroidery prices vary by stitch count and quantity, and large machines stitch the pattern from a template.

    • 5

      Machine-sew cut tackle twill. Most commonly seen on collegiate or professional level team uniforms, this might be difficult to apply to some of the coarser bag fabrics. Prices vary depending on the quantity of numbers or letters and sizing.

    • 6

      Use a combination of methods. All of these can be applied directly on a bag or placed onto a patch to be a sewn onto the bag. Another option is to use a luggage tag customized with team name, logo and player information. Various sizes are available.

    Bag Interior

    • 7

      Add one or more mesh pouches of various sizes with zippers. One pouch can include socks and another can include hockey tape. This will keep the contents organized and help the player find items easily.

    • 8

      Include safety scissors. A small pair sometimes is needed to cut tape, laces and other equipment items. This can be included with the hockey tape.

    • 9

      Add a plastic storage bag with wet facecloths for the player to wipe down and become refreshed after practice or a game. Include another with dry towels to wipe down the player and equipment.

    • 10

      Include spare parts. A small plastic bag that can be placed into the mesh pouches can include extra skate laces, mouth guard or other items that can break at any time. Include a set of hockey suspenders. While most players don't need them because hockey pants include a belt, sometimes the belt can fray unexpectedly and the suspenders will hold up the pants for the rest of the ice time.

    • 11

      Store the electronics. Some bags come with pockets for a cell phone. If a bag doesn't have this pouch, include a bag that is waterproof and padded to house the phone, iPod or other electronics.