As fans throughout the country waited to hear the 2018 NFL Draft picks announced at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a team from STAHLS’ (SGIA Expo Booths 1614 and 1615) was behind the scenes providing added excitement and an immediate visual affirmation with a personalized jersey for each draftee. Two minutes or less from the time a player was drafted to when he crossed the stage to the NFL commissioner, STAHLS’ three-person on-site team had a jersey with his name on it in the team’s font and color ready for presentation.
This was the seventh straight year STAHLS’ Decorating Fulfillment Center, in Masontown, Pa., teamed with long-time client and NFL official uniform provider Nike to commemorate this special moment in real time. The game plan involved extensive preparation and backup from the DFC staff to enable fast, correct printing in the limited footprint of the “jersey room” directly behind the stage.
STAHLS’ 2018 front line, led by Brent Kisha, director of Decorating Technology Advancement-Apparel Division, and Draft event veteran, logged another big “win.” Using prespaced names of all prospects created in advance to match each team’s jersey and two Hotronix heat presses, the STAHLS’ crew was able to pull and press the correct transfer on the corresponding team jersey as soon as the name was made known.
STAHLS’ personalized two jerseys for each Draft pick, including the jersey handed to the player on stage by the commissioner, and one that will be for Panini NFL draft night trading cards. Symbolizing the realization of a lifelong dream for these young men, the Draft jersey is a tangible expression of their new role as part of the team whose logo that they will wear during their first professional game in the NFL.
A 15-year licensee of the NFL, STAHLS’ was brought in by Nike to assist with the on-demand Draft personalization when it became the league’s official uniform personalization provider in 2012. STAHLS’ has worked with Nike for more than 20 years to personalize apparel for almost every major sporting league, as well as the Olympics and the Human Race.
“My seventh NFL Draft is in the books, always an amazing, intense and awesome experience!” says Kisha. “It takes a large team to pull off such a high-profile event; thank you to everyone that helped make it a success. See you in 2019!”
About STAHLS’
STAHLS’ is the leading global manufacturer, distributor and direct supplier of garment decoration equipment, materials, transfer technology and decorated apparel. STAHLS’ innovations allow its customers – from small businesses and entrepreneurs to pro sports leagues and high-profile brands – to brand virtually any uniform, T-shirt, accessory and sporting good. Headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan, STAHLS’ operates strategically positioned manufacturing and distribution centers throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit groupestahl.com.