esi embroidery solutions inc

Many airline travelers, both business and leisure, bring along a laptop, or similar device, on the plane when they travel. Getting these through TSA checkpoints does get cumbersome. In addition to removing shoes and all metal objects, one has to remove the laptop from the carry-on luggage for inspection. To that end Embroidery Solutions now offers 5 different carry-on bags that have a slide out / pull out drawer that can hold, at least, a 17 inch laptop, that allows for easy inspection without complete removal from the bag. Check out these great new products!

1. Port Authority® – RapidPass™ Briefcase. BG108 – $45.00

2. Port Authority® – RapidPass™ Backpack. BG109 – $45.00

3. OGIO® – Explorer Messenger – 110170 – $100.00

4. OGIO® – Roamer Pack – 110172 – $65.00

5. OGIO® – Vagabond Pack – 110171 – $95.00

All these different bag options will fit comfortably in the overhead compartment (except for really small commuter planes). The BG108 (http://www.companycasuals.com/esi/b.jsp?id=6828279), will also fit very easily under the front seat. With some creative packing, such as utilizing gallon Ziploc bags, packed with items such as undergarments and socks, and squeezing out the air, i.e. vacuum packing them, one could fit a day’s worth of clothing into this bag in addition to a laptop. Why is this important? As of April 2010, Spirit Airlines announced that a charge of $45.00 will be imposed for all carry-on luggage unless they fit under the front seat. Other airlines may follow suit to generate a new revenue stream. The dimensions of the space under the seat available in most domestic flights are 8” x 16” x 21”. Given these dimensions, the BG108 (http://www.companycasuals.com/esi/b.jsp?id=6828279) will fit very easily under the seat and can become a huge money saver especially for those who travel frequently.

None of these options offer wheels. This is done by design because, one; wheels take up more space and add weight, and secondly, when flying smaller commuter planes, wheeled carry-on bags usually must be gate checked, leaving travelers no access to the laptop and other contents of their bag during the flight.

Indeed there are various other comparable options for carry-on bags available in the marketplace, but most of these cost between $150.00 and $300.00. Ours, cost between $40.00 and $100.00, and has a laptop slide out ‘drawer’. In addition, Embroidery Solutions can have these items embroidered with one’s name, initials or company logo.

For more information please call us directly at 407-438-8188 (or toll free 866-538-4118). We can help you select a practical, embroidered bag for your travels plus many other types embroidered apparel and accessories.

There has been an explosion in the last two years in the number of brands and styles that produce what is commonly called “moisture wicking” apparel. But the quality of performance from one item to another varies greatly. Here at Embroidery Solutions, we are well versed in the mechanics of moisture wicking and therefore can greatly help clients make the right choice. Call us today at 407-438-8188 (or contact us online) to get our expert recommendation on the right products based on your budget and needs.

In a nut shell, the best moisture wicking garments are those whose fabric are typically synthetic, lightweight, thin, and tightly weaved. This should offer the best result in keeping one comfortable in the heat. To understand why this is so, one must determine the science behind the moisture wicking process.

First of all, sweating is the body’s mechanism of cooling itself. The extra heat that is generated from hardworking muscles, or when the body is subjected to heat, is transported to the skin’s surface via sweat. The fabric that is layered over the body must wick the sweat away from the skin and transport it to the outer layer where it can evaporate, hence keeping the skin dry and the body comfortable.

How well and fast that fabric is able to wick sweat from the skin to the surface where it is released, determines the level of its moisture wicking performance.

Wicking performance is a function of capillary pressure and permeability.

Capillary pressure:

force that moves moisture along or through a fabric as a result of the surface tension between the sweat/moisture and the walls of a narrow gap or pore that overcomes the forces between the molecules of the moisture, transporting it into empty gaps until the forces even out.

Permeability

fabric’s ability to transport moisture through itself, and is determined by a combination of sizes of spaces within it and the connections between the spaces.

Other properties that certainly do effect the wicking properties of a fabric include yarn twist (how threads in the fabric turn around each other), contact angle (between the fiber and the liquid), knit or weave (the larger scale construction of the fabric), yarn roughness and a whole lot more.

Yarns that repel moisture, hydrophobic, that are weaved in such a manner that form a multitude of small ducts, will force the sweat into these ducts and due to the repelling quality of the fabric and surface tension forces as described earlier, will then push the moisture up these ducts to the surface. The smaller the radius of these ducts, the greater the distance the moisture will travel, as shown in the diagram below.  Hence thinner, tighter, weaved fabrics will perform the best.

Aside from the duct radius, fibers of fabrics that retain moisture through swelling, can cause the squeezing of the capillaries (ducts), causing them to bottleneck or completely close of those capillaries. This behavior (swelling through absorption) is common in cellulosic fibers such a rayon. Hence choose polyester fabrics.

In addition to that, natural fibers such as cotton have very irregular capillaries due to the cross-sectional shape and length of the fibers, as shown in the graphical representation below,

Microscopic photo of the surface and cross-section of Dacron polyester fibers.

This is an important element in the science of moisture wicking technology. There are some garments labeled moisture wicking that are made of a polyester/cotton blend, which are typically lower in cost. These have been chemically treated, typically, by dipping or spraying the garment. This chemical pulls moisture from the body and forces it out to the garment’s surface. But this chemical treatment will eventually dissipate over time through washing rendering the garment weak in its moisture wicking performance.

TBe sure to choose apparel that is 100% polyester and is lightweight (i.e. thin fabric). Below are two great choices for moisture wicking polos.

Sportek Dry Zone Raglan Sport Shirt – T475
3.8oz, 100% polyester fabric, with anti microbial properties.

Ultra Club Cool n Dry, Performance Polo, 8445
4.8oz, 100% polyester fabric, with anti microbial properties.

Call us today at 407-438-8188 or contact us online for more information. We will be happy to find the perfect product for your specific needs.

Note: The main source of information in this article was obtained from Craig B. Simile’s thesis titled Critical Evaluation of Wicking in Performance fabrics – Nov 2004.

February 2010 will probably go down in history as one of the coldest and snowiest winters in a very long time. Even here in Florida we found ourselves wearing more sweaters rather than just our typical Florida wear, golf-shirts!  March has started out just as cold but that should not deter us from donning attractive decorated apparel that is appropriate and practical for the weather.

For the ladies we have this fine gauge sweater (see below) that goes with either slacks or a skirt. For about $32.00, this makes for an affordable item for either the office or home.

Ladies Fine Gauge Long Sleeve Crewneck Sweater (LSW283)

Below are some suggested ways on how this sweater can be coordinated with various accessories.

Ladies sweater outfit ideas

Here is a complimentary male version to this sweater, see below, at about the same price of $32.00.

Men's Fine Gauge Long Sleeve Crewneck Sweater

For the ladies, in addition to the crewneck sweater, we also offer a cardigan set, as shown below. This is comprised of two pieces; the Cardigan (LSW280) and the Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Sweater (LSW282). These can be worn as a set or by itself.

Ladies Crewneck Cardigan Sweater (LSW280)

Ladies Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Sweater (LSW282)

All of the items shown above are made from fine gauge 100% cotton. For those that prefer cashmere instead, we have the following items to offer.

First are our Pure Cashmere Pullover (for men) and the Ladies Pure Cashmere Cardigan. These are made from high-grade two-ply 100% cashmere yarn that holds its shape for a truly enduring look.

Ladies Cashmere Cardigan (RH17)

Pure Cashmere Pullover (RH18)

To complement these, the following accessories will add elegance to the look not to mention the added warmth. Both the Scarf and the Pashmina are weaved from high grade, feather soft two-ply cashmere yarn.

Ladies Pure Cashmere Pashmina (RH29)

Pure Cashmere Scarf (RH30)

All of these and many more can be viewed on our online catalog, accessed through our website embroiderysolutions.net, or call us at 407-438-8188 (or toll free 866-538-4118).

$29.00 (up to size XL)
Add $2.00 for each size above XL