Koozies

[Juli in Kona]

Can you embroider a neoprene can Koozie? It's pretty thick. Just wondering what the settings might be. I have an order for this and am wondering if I should get the neoprene or the other kind which may be (but I'm not sure) thinner.

Juli in Kona

[signman]

Neoprene can coolers (Koozie is a tradename for one companies product) are available in several different thicknesses.
There is also 'foam' coolers, and I sold some 'insulated' coolers that were nothing more than foam in a nylon 'shell' with velcro ends-so they opened flat for decorating, folded flat for carrying-then just wrapped around the can or bottle to use.
I screenprinted diving goggle 'strap backs' for a manufacturer up here and they use 4 mil neoprene that is cut to shape and then 'merrow edged' like a patch.
Problem with the different type of neoprene is whether it is bonded to a cloth layer or not. The goggle straps are bonded to several different colors-the florescent green is bright. But my own neoprene wetsuit (LL Bean) isn't, or else it is a real thin skin not sturdy like the straps. And I've had the neoprene 'tear apart' right down the sewn edges on the gloves for the suit. It's just like adding a perforated 'tear strip'-even worse if you embroidered it. One tug of a cooler over a fat can and you end up with a patch and a cooler with a hole!
If you can't get the job done through a company that has the capability...then experiment first and I'll bet you have to overide the thickness density and fill density.
Good luck!

[Juli in Kona]

That's it! I know that I cannot embroider the Koozies with the design my customer needs. So, now I am looking for a printer of some sort. I only need 20 of these things, so with that very small quantity, who does this sort of thing? Just white on a black Koozie.

They want the same design on hats too, but I think I can do that using a #9 needle and 60# thread. At least there are no outlines and really nothing to register just perfectly.

Juli in Kona

[Beckie]

Julie I found a couple of places that carry the "Pocket Koozies" which are collapsable. One place is beerkoozies.com - they are not stitched together you can embroider on them. The other place is koozielady.com. They will sell blank koozies that are unsewn or they will screen print anything you want on them. Hope this helps!
Beckie

[Juli in Kona]

My customer is going to have his girlfriend do them, if there are printed. Actually, this is fine by me. This girl has given me lots of jobs and 20 Koozies that I am going to have to farm out - well, she has my blessing!

But thanks for the info. I am going to ad it to my list of suppliers. Never know when I'll need it again.

Juli in Kona

[Juli in Kona]

Just wanted to update y'all on the Koozies for the motorcycle club.

From this list I got the name of a place in Florida that will sell both the can and beer Koozies that are not neoprene. And they have no minimums. Lots of colors and you can mix and match for the lower prices. And they will send to me via Priority mail which is the only way I'll have anything sent to me. Any other way is so out of sight that I have cardiac arrest. So, I got a sampling of colors of the two, sewed one up for the MC club and they love it and put in a nice order.

Juli in Kona

[Maggie21]

Hi Juli,

What is the company that you used for the Koozies?

Thank you,
Maggie

[Juli in Kona]

Blank Koozies
www.KoozieLady.com
800-226-7879 X55

[Mary]

Hi Juli,
Did you get the koozies already sewn or unsewn before you embroidered them? If sewn, did you use the clamp?
Thanks,
Mary

[Juli in Kona]

I got the Koozies unsewn. I have been using a Fast frame for the hoop. I glue on stabilizer on the bottom then spray glue on the top and lay down the Koozie. Then I carefully cut off the Koozie when finished (BTW I sew them at 1200 spm!) For my subsequent Koozies, I spray glue the old stablizer , stick down some hat stablizer over the holes, spray the top of it, slap down another Koozie and off I go again. Then to sew it together you put right side together and sew a 1/8" seam. Start at the top and sew toward the bottom. Make sure the sides are even.

I have to set the presser foot up about 5-8 notches and set the actifeed at about 8 or 9. I have to say that they look spectacular! I have done a few of both the can and beer (with zipper) koozies. Very very nice! I love 'em!

Juli in Kona

[Mary]

Thanks so much, Juli. We'll be ordering these soon, for a customer. I can't wait to see how they come out. I appreciate your help [img]smile.gif[/img]
Mary

[Mary]

Juli, I really need your help. I'm trying deperately to embroider on the koozies that you recommended and I'm getting a million thread breaks. I've done every adjustment that I know how. Can you tell me what you used for density and if you used any pull comp? Also, what kind and size of needle did you use? What kind of stabalizer?

[Juli in Kona]

I use my regular designs, so the density goes all over the place. BUT the looser the better. I think the trick it to set the presser foot up 3 or 4 clicks and the thread feed up to about 10 and then go up until it looks and acts good. And I run them about 900 spm, but I think I could go faster. I just don't.

I spray a square of stabilizer - I have used tear-a-way and cut away and both work just fine - and place the Koozie on it and then hoop it in the 15cm or 18cm depending on the size of Koozie and the design. I try to catch up upper edge in the hoop and of course the bottom, but the sides aren't held by the hoop. If the design is too dense it will pull very badly, but I try to pick simple designs that are not dense. I have sort of gotten over the need for dense designs. I am now in the "less is better" mode! I love doing them.

With one of my orders they sent a sheet showing how to make a cell phone case. I have made a bunch of them. I bought their clip and use that. Pretty cool. I use both the can and water bottle sizes for the cell phone cases. With the water bottle Koozie, a big iPod will fit in very nicely.

Hope this helps,

Juli in Kona

[Mary]

Hi Juli,

I was wondering if I could send you a private message, off forum? I tried to send you a private email on the forum, but your box is full.
I have a question about the koozies in regards to my logo.
Thanks,
Mary
[email protected]