Custom Guide for Heat Transfer Logos on Sports Shorts: Avoiding Yellowing Issues
In sports shorts customization, the logo is a vital element of brand identity. Heat transfer is widely used for its clarity, adaptability, and cost efficiency. However, applying logos on different base colors can cause issues such as yellowing, color bleeding, or fading, which affect both aesthetics and brand value. For premium activewear brands, choosing the right logo color and process for each base fabric color is essential to ensure both performance and style.
1. Common Issues with Heat Transfer Logos
- Yellowing: Light or white logos, especially on dark fabrics, turn yellow due to heat press or dye migration.
- Color Bleeding: Fabric dye seeps into the logo, causing shadowing or distortion.
- Poor Durability: Frequent washing and friction during sports make logos darken or peel off.
2. Risks and Logo Matching Suggestions by Base Fabric Color
1) Black Base Fabric
- Risk: Highest. White logos are most likely to yellow due to dye migration.
- Process Advice: Use blockout films or anti-sublimation heat transfer materials.
- Recommended Logo Colors: Gray, silver, metallic, glossy TPU logos. If white is required, add a blockout layer and lower pressing temperature.
2) Dark Base Fabrics (Navy, Dark Red, Dark Green)
- Risk: High. Certain dyes migrate easily, causing white logos to discolor.
- Process Advice: Conduct small sample heat press tests and use intermediate transfer layers.
- Recommended Logo Colors: Metallics, tone-on-tone contrasts, bright yellow or orange for strong visibility with less migration risk.
3) Light Base Fabrics (Gray, Light Blue, Khaki)
- Risk: Medium. Migration is lower, but white logos can still dull under high heat.
- Process Advice: Use low-temperature heat transfer films with protective layers.
- Recommended Logo Colors: Black, dark gray, navy for contrast and durability. White logos can work with blockout assistance.
4) White Base Fabric
- Risk: Lowest. No dark migration risk, but high heat may still cause local yellowing.
- Process Advice: Control time and temperature; use eco-friendly transfer films.
- Recommended Logo Colors: Black, navy, red, metallics for high contrast. Avoid light-colored logos that blend into the background.
3. Key Process Solutions to Prevent Yellowing
1) Process Control
- Recommended heat press: 140–150℃ for 10–15 seconds.
- Use uniform heating equipment to avoid hot spots.
2) Material Selection
- Choose sublimation-resistant heat transfer films.
- For dark fabrics, add blockout layers.
3) Pre-Production Testing
- Always conduct sample heat press and washing tests before bulk orders.
- Pay special attention to white logos on black and red fabrics.
4. HUCAI sportswear manufacturer's Custom Solutions
- Multi-Layer Blockout Process: Base blockout + top elastic film ensures white logos stay bright on dark fabrics.
- Comprehensive Testing: Heat migration, washing durability, and friction tests guarantee long-term clarity.
- Professional Color Guidance: We provide safe color-matching and process recommendations tailored to client designs.
Heat transfer logos are a key feature in sports shorts customization, but the base fabric color strongly affects clarity and durability. Black and dark fabrics pose the highest risks for white logos, while light and white fabrics are safer. Through smart color selection, blockout technology, and strict testing, brands can avoid yellowing and maintain professional quality.
👉 Looking for a reliable manufacturer to provide high-quality heat transfer logo solutions? HUCAI offers expert support for color matching, blockout technology, and full testing, ensuring your sports shorts stay stylish and durable.
💬 Contact us today to customize your sports shorts with logos that strengthen your brand identity.
