TGIF: Label Crazy & Hats Off To Us

Our Tempo Cycling Cap made this Treasury... Hats Off To You, Thanks!


Now that we have solved our cycling cap labels we are happy to say that our hang tag design is also resolved.

We are ready to send the design to the printer and once we receive them we will post it. It's a busy time for labels and we are awaiting shipment of a new set of labels in the mail.

Introducing Our New Cycling Cap Label

photo: Red Dots Cycling

As our little company is expanding we are always looking for ways to improve on how we are making our products.

Introducing our new cycling cap label!

We researched endlessly from different hang tags, woven labels and direct heat press inside the garment. Our first choice was a woven label. The problem is the quantity to order. Our products are different and we only make small runs so we don't want to be stuck with thousands of labels. Embroidered labels would be nice but for us it's important to have 20-100 labels we can change and custom to each product.

What is important for us to include on our label is the name of the product, fabric content and how to care for it.

A big order for a small label!

After many trials, we figured the best for us is ...direct inkjet printing on fabric. This is a popular technique used among quilters. A positive is this allows us to have 100% control of what we want on the label and make as many as we require. We tested the new labels and they are totally color safe, they will not fade or shrink. This looks like a winner for us.

With sadness, we will let go of our recycled rubber labels on our caps. Sometimes, in order to go forward one has to let go of the old ways of doing things...

Onward and upwards!

TGIF: Labels and Red Bean Buns

We are in the final stages of designing a new label for our cycling caps.

Carolle is busy fine tuning and testing the design in the computer and it's looking damn good. Our little rubber label does not cut it anymore and we decided to pursue a better option to label our cycling caps. Brand identity is important.

We have tried different options and recently discovered a new method. So far, the inkjet direct printing on fabric is the best by far. The major problem is we have many differently named cycling caps and it's costly to have all the labels made. There's too many variables for each cap; content and name. So, we will present the winner... on a upcoming post!


Now for something extremely delicious...

Carolle has been making red bean buns and this time she nailed it down. I grew up eating them and Carolle attempted making the delicacies. She loves to make it from scratch, red beans into paste and dough.

I'm proud of her, nowhere near any Quebecois dish!

Seven Cycles: Our Newest Winter Cycling Cap!

Our latest custom winter cap for Seven Cycles.

photos courtesy sevencycles

Our latest custom winter cycling cap is greeted with fanfare from Seven Cycles in the US!

Lily, from Seven Cycles, said...


We are really pleased with them!


It's always a pleasure to work alongside Seven Cycles on their custom cycling caps and we are so proud to have made many custom cycling caps for them. Currently there are three custom cycling caps, made by us, and available on their site.

The Slate Sheep winter cap is made to fit comfortably under your helmet and to keep you warm on your cold rides. Made from 100% wool, the earflaps are double-layered made from bamboo cotton. Of course, all of our fabric is pre-wash to prevent shrinkage.

This handsome winter cap is exclusive to Seven Cycles and when it's gone it's gone.

TGIF: Iron Will, New Labels & How About a 3 Season Wool Cap?

The mighty 3...

(l to r): Reliable, Proctor Silex & Sunbeam

photo: Red Dots Cycling

My first iron (far right) was given to me by my Mother before I left for fashion school.

I can remember her using this old Sunbeam, she always had it. She knew how much I loved it. It was nice and heavy with full steam. When I moved to Vancouver, during shipping, a small piece of plastic housing broke that exposed the inner wiring. I do not use it for fear of a short circuit. The cloth extension cord is not safe either especially when you are working with power and steam so this stays on the shelf. 

As I moved to Vancouver, my friend Beverly was moving to take care of her Mother and so she gave me her Proctor Silex (middle one). This works ok but the steam is not constant and often leaves water marks. It's good enough if you are just ironing occasionally. I have it for many years and it was time for a new iron.

Well, finally, I bought a brand new iron ... my first iron ever!

Considering I iron almost everyday ...I definitely deserve this one. It's called, Reliable. As heavy as my old Sunbeam. The difference is it's solid = heavy and STEAMS VERY WELL! This one works as well as a professional iron with a separate water tank. The stainless steel plate glides beautifully. And another nice feature is the cord rotates 360 degrees never gets in your way. The control buttons are designed to be very easy to use.

And, on top of all it's orange... my favorite color!

Now, I'm ready for serious ironing!

We placed an order for satin labels to be sewn inside every cycling cap. It should take around two weeks and I can't wait to show it. One thing I can say, is that the caps will look better than our current printed labels. I will have a show and tell post when I receive it. This is the first step in improving our brand to give it a professional finish.

During Christmas, we had enquires about a 3 season cycling cap made of 100% light wool (no ear flap). Wool is an amazing fabric that can be worn all year round. It breathes and absorbs moisture. We believe a light wool cycling cap can be worn comfortably in Spring and Autumn. So, we would like to ask you all a question...

Would you like us to make a 3 season light wool cycling cap?

We welcome all of your comments!

Carolle

Sharing the LOVE

A heartfelt Thank you to our customers that enjoyed the LOVE coupon code this past Valentine's weekend!

We invite you all to follow us on facebook and LIKE US and also to find out when our next fun event will be. The new season starts with new cycling caps... and we have a few on the drawing board ready to take off.

During the weekend we were busy discovering some brand new fun fabrics for future pouches and wallets... coming very soon.


It touches us to be appreciated... our friends at Seven Cycles recently received their custom cycling caps   they requested for an upcoming event.

"... we are very pleased with them... and we appreciate the rush very much."


Thank you!

Sharing the LOVE!

photo: Red Dots Cycling

Carolle an I have worked together for a couple of years. 

Only our close friends know that we have been together for seventeen years, sharing our love and creativity. Today, we want to thank our clients for supporting us in living our dream of having our own business working together.

It's Valentines Day and we want to share our LOVE by offering everything in our website at ...25% OFF!

At the checkout use coupon code: LOVEU

And make sure to share the love... now until Sunday February 17th!

Carolle & Richard