How to Iron Jersey Numbers or Repair Peeling Numbers

Sports jerseys aren’t just jerseys to us –
we hold them close to our hearts. From making us the part of eminent sports teams to a fan merch that reminds us of our favorite legendary players, the ultimate significance of them can’t be neglected. No matter in which form and size they come, sports jerseys are special in their own way. They’re the embodiment of our passion, dedication, and undying love for a certain sport.
And of course, it’s not easy to take care of them. Whether it’s your custom softball jersey or a soccer t-shirt, they require meticulous attention, seasonal cleaning, and immediate fix.
After some time, you’ll start to notice that numbers on the back or front of your jersey are cracking, peeling off, or just don’t look as good as new. The worn-down numbers and letters will make your jersey look unprofessional and old.
Of course, there’s no way you want to look unkempt and unprofessional in any of the games, as it’s about the look of your team, and in no way you’re compromising that.
There’s no need to buy custom softball jerseys if the numbers on your old ones are peeling off.
It’s okay you don’t have the slightest idea or a single clue about how to take care of your sports jerseys. Worry not, we’ve got you! In this blog, we’re about to discuss how to apply new plastic numbers or repair the old ones on your jersey. Please note that, trying to fix it the wrong way can end up permanently damaging the numbers and of course, you don’t want to lose your custom softball jerseys.
Keep reading to know all about the important tricks and methods that will fix peeling jersey numbers, and make your jerseys look as good as new and they’ll last longer than you think.
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What causes numbers and letters to peel off your jersey?
Letters and numbers are decorative elements (also known as decals) that contain a thin adhesive layer on their backs. Because of repetitive washing, wear and tear, and consistent exposure to the sun, decals get loosened up and start to peel off the jersey.
The excessive washing along with the careless rubbing make decals to weather faster than anything as well. That’s why it’s recommended to meticulously care for decals on your sports jerseys when washing them.
Installing/Repairing Peeling Numbers On A Jersey
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All the things you’ll need
Whether you just to fix the old numbers or are about to apply the new ones on your sports jerseys, make sure you have the following stuff to complete the process.
- Iron
- White paper
- Hard and flat surface or your ironing board
- Jersey
- A couple of new numbers if you’re applying them on your blank jersey
Follow The Step By Step Process
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First of all – wash the jersey
Before starting off your process, you need to make sure your jersey is as clean as possible. And by that, we mean your usual, gentle washing you do.
It’s simple, all you have to do is turn the jersey inside out, put it in a washing machine containing water and ordinary soap, run it through some wash cycles, and then let your jersey air dry. Note that by washing your jersey inside out, you protect the numbers from further damage and other decal patches present on your jersey as well. For this exact number, the jerseys are recommended to be washed inside out.
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Arrange your space
The second step on our list is arranging the setup for your jersey repair. Take your cleaned and dried sports jerseys and make the right side out.
Now pick the cardboard or the ironing board – whatever works for you and you’re comfortable to use – and place it in the middle of the shirt in a way it parts the front and the back. Not to forget, this will also provide you with a strong surface to work with and make the entire process smoother and faster.
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Make sure the numbers are aligned perfectly
Okay, this is one of the most crucial parts and requires your utmost care and attention. Make sure the numbers are aligned perfectly on your jersey, check from multiple angles, and you can also ask someone to visually analyze them for you. Take your time to check the alignment multiple times.
Because remember, once the letters and numbers are ironed on the fabric, there’s no easy way to remove them without damaging your fabric. So it’s on you to align them properly and make them look perfect.
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Place a white paper over your numbers
To protect your numbers against the excessive heat of ironing, make sure to use white paper over them.
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Ironing
After your setup is complete, you’re ready for the final, major step. Just take your iron and put it on the no-steam setting. Wait a while for the iron to heat up. This will transfer enough heat to the number and make them stick back to your sports jersey.
Remember, there’s no need to replace or throw away your jersey if numbers are peeling off and simply need a repair. You can easily fix it at home as all the things are easily available to you. Sport your jersey with ultimate pride and play like the champion you are!