SFI Spec 3.4/5 for Racing Suits

The SFI (Safety Equipment Institute) recently introduced a SFI Spec 3.4 certification for racing suits.

WHY IT MATTERS

SFI 3.4/5 certifies the suit’s fabric has been approved for screen and sublimated printing

Racing organizations are now looking for the SFI 3.5/5 when they see a printed suit.

WHAT IS SUBLIMATED PRINTING?

Sublimated printing uses heat transfer to infuse the design and inks permanently into the fabric.

Sublimated designs allows unlimited creativity, with bright, durable, light and UV resistant designs

Logos, patches, and promotion decals no longer have to be sewn onto the suit.

The process makes it easier to match all promo designs - car wrap, suit, gloves, helmets, shoes, team apparel, tents etc.

Sublimated suits can be heavier, but marginally. Heavier because the inks seeps into the suits fabric, and does not wash out.

Everything becomes permanently part of the fabric - no sewing, no degradation, no peeling and with intense results. However, it is permanent!

ARE THE SUITS THE SAME?

SFI 3.2/5 & SFI 3.4/5 have passed identical testing criteria and are equally fire-resistant.

SFI 3.4/5 suits are tested with fabrics that will be used for the printing process. The inks allowed are also regulated and will be listed.

The certification demands are identical to SFI 3.2 with regards to safety and fire retardancy testing. But, for SFI 3.4 certification, manufacturers must submit material and accessory samples with their printing and design techniques applied, infused or attached.

Note, FR suits have to survive 500 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of not less than five minutes.

So now it is possible to easily create a printable graphic design on your SFI apparel in addition to printing all the required logos, promo logos, and patches. Or you can mix the approach using the various techniques - as many manufacturers do.

IS THE FIA DIFFERENT?

The FIA has stringent criteria for custom suits with printed patches, logos and graphics

The FIA suit’s manufacturer must use designated fabrics and printing inks to implement the design. Once created, the complete suit (gloves, shoes, and/or underwear) must then be return to a FIA testing facility for compliance approval and received the rights to the tags.