I’m trying to figure out how to attach the numbers, should I use fabric for the numbers? What’s the best way to put them on (sewing, glue, etc.)?
I recommend reading the many many bumper construction posts, but assuming you’re using cordura or a similar fabric, iron on vinyl numbers the easiest.
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There are plenty of options for your team numbers on your bumpers, but a few stand out as the cleanest looking or the least skill/tool orientated. Also check out this thread, lots of people talking about various ways to display the numbers on bumpers
Embroidery
Some teams (my team included) embroider their numbers onto the fabric. Downside to embroidery is you need the machine to do it.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Plenty, if not a majority of teams use heat transfer vinyl to put their numbers on. Few options here, if someone on your team has a vinyl cutter (ie. Cricut) you can cut them out yourself but if that is not available to your team you can always get the numbers cheap on Amazon. This option does require an iron to install the numbers.
Paint
Last option that is easy but tends to yield some sub-par looking bumpers is the stencil and paint approach.
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We cut numbers out of white fabric on our hobby laser cutter and stitch them on with a sewing machine (though it could be done by hand). Easy, cheap, and pretty sturdy.
Note that you should iron on vinyl numbers prior to attaching the fabric to the pool noodles.
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One other method not mentioned above: use insignia cloth to make your numbers. This is the stuff that sailmakers use to put numbers and logos on boat sails. It’s sailcloth backed by a strong adhesive that bonds by pressing it firmly into place. You can cut it with most vinyl cutters or laser cutters (or by hand using paper templates) and once you stick it to the bumper fabric, it never comes off. We cut ours as whole sets with a vinyl cutter and then use clear shelf liner to temporarily stick to the face of the numbers while we peel the backing off, then stick them down to the bumpers, peeling the shelf liner off after it’s stuck down. That way they stay lined up just as the vinyl cutter produces them and you get a nice clean look easily.
By the way, we also buy the red and blue versions of insignia cloth for bumper patches. Unlike red and blue gaffers or duct tape, it patches holes and stays put, no matter what happens to the bumpers. Our team absolutely loves insignia cloth.
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If you go for iron on vinyl, test it on scrap bumper fabric first attached to something, then rub that fabric against all the furniture and sharp objects and game pieces and everything you can think of to make sure it stays on. Don’t do what we did last year and make vinyl numbers only to have them peel off on the first practice day, so you then have to paint them in the hotel room the night before qualifications.
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