a) Sewing machine
b) White or light-colored t-shirt or similar cloth
c) Iron, pins, or temporary spray glue made for fabric.
d) Polyester thread, to match the color of the nameplate. We recommend Gutermann 100% polyester thread.
You can choose to apply your nameplate in any manner, but it will ultimately need to be sewn on unless you add a permanent adhesive. The nameplate has a light glue backing applied for a temporary hold while you sew. You can either use the glue that is applied for a temporary bond while you sew, or you can use a spray glue to perform the same function, or you can pin it in place.
Steps for using the glue:
1) Lay your jersey flat in a location where you can iron it.
2) Set your iron to a medium heat with only a tiny bit of steam. Press the nameplate, letting the heat do the work. Any steam should just help the heat permeate the jersey and help the glue hold. It should take about 10 to 15 seconds to tack the nameplate to your jersey.
3) Place the t-shirt or cloth over the nameplate, preferably covering it with 3 or 4 layers of fabric, and press the plate gently into the jersey using the heel of your hand. You’re working to “rub” the adhesive into the jersey while it’s still hot.
4) The nameplate will be tacked down. It might stay pretty well, or it might be just a temporary hold. The age of your jersey, how it’s been washed (or not?), and the style of jersey fabric have a lot to do with how well and how long it holds. You’ll need to sew it down for it to be permanent. The nameplate can still fall off!
Recommendations for using spray-glue:
1) Spray the back of the nameplate moderately liberally. Be sure to hit the corners and edges really well, and get a good amount right in the middle of the nameplate. Let it sit for about 15 to 20 seconds after spraying.
2) Pick up your nameplate by the edges and place it right where you want it on your jersey. Press it with the heel of your hand and “push” the glue into the jersey to help tack it down well.
3) Head to your sewing machine!
Recommendations for pinning:
1) Don’t stick yourself.
2) Place it where you want it, and gently pin it. I recommend putting a pin in the top at the middle of the plate first, then across from it at the bottom of the plate. Next, move to the left edge and pin the top, then the bottom, then the middle. Move to the right edge and repeat. Fill in the rest of the plate with pins about every 1.5 to 2 inches.
3) I said don’t stick yourself.
4) Head to your sewing machine!
Sewing directions:
On your sewing machine, if you can set a zig-zag stitch, set it to about 16 to 20 stitches per inch with about a 3/16 to 1/4 inch width. Stitch around the plate! If you pinned it, don’t stick yourself. If your machine cannot zig-zag, set it to a straight stitch, at about 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Stitch it down about 1/8 inch in from the edge of the plate all the way around.