ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan-based company, STAHLS’, is gearing up for the upcoming NFL draft in Detroit where they will be responsible for rapidly personalizing jerseys for each first-round pick as they are announced. The company's headquarters in St. Clair Shores is conveniently located just 17 miles from the draft stage where NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will reveal the selections.
The team at STAHLS’ has a tight window of under two minutes to personalize the jerseys backstage in the Nike jersey room at the NFL Draft Theater, immediately after each pick is made. This year marks the 13th year that STAHLS’ has been involved in the NFL draft, providing apparel decoration technology, software, and equipment.
STAHLS’ took on the task of heat-pressing player names on jerseys back in 2012, starting with top pick Andrew Luck's Indianapolis Colts jersey. The company has since been part of drafts in various cities across the country, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Kansas City, and now back to its hometown of Detroit.
The key to their quick customization process lies in the Hotronix Fusion IQ heat press, a high-tech machine with a touch screen controller that enables rapid personalization. STAHLS’ prepares two jerseys for each draft pick, one for the player to wear onstage and another for their rookie playing card pack.
With meticulous planning, STAHLS’ creates nameplates for all potential first-round draftees in the fonts and colors of all 32 NFL teams. Additionally, they have eight jerseys per team ready on draft day in case of last-minute trades.
Founded in 1932 as Commercial Art Products in a garage, STAHLS’ has grown to become a licensed supplier to major sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. The company, with about 1,000 employees in North America, is proud to be a part of the NFL draft tradition and will have a dedicated team on hand for this year's event.
Despite their experience and expertise, the team at STAHLS’ still feels the excitement and pressure of each draft day, with the anticipation building until the first personalized jersey goes on stage. The company's commitment to quality and efficiency has made them an integral part of the NFL draft process, delighting fans with their quick and accurate jersey personalization.
