Socks have become an integral part of clothing across the world. They have evolved in their functionality from simply protecting the feet to making a clear fashion statement. More manufacturers are now coming up with radical design concepts in socks that include the use of striking colors, patterns, and pop culture references.
The process of designing socks is as elaborate as making any other outfits. In fact, the recent trend in designer socks has led to the creation of new methods of their manufacture for accommodating the advanced designs and functionality. Described below are some of the processes that go behind designing socks.
Digital Designing
The latest digital technology is currently utilized in the production of almost all kinds of clothing. For textiles, the process of designing is rather different from those used in conventional print or web media.
Usually, bitmaps are utilized for building the sock designs and each pattern and color is carefully created pixel by pixel. Each of the pixels corresponds to a stitch that is programmed into the knitting machines for making the socks.
Knitting
Colored yarns are commonly used for making fully knitted socks. Knitting machines knit together the yarns for making the socks. Printing is another method used mainly for sublimation socks. They allow the creation of intricate details and shading in the design of the socks.
Knitted socks are much softer than sublimation socks and present good levels of comfort to the wearer. Moreover, the use of high-quality materials also enables higher material quality in the socks that make it truly stand out from the rest.
Stretch Designing
When wearing socks, the patterns on its surface can stretch and distort. This can affect the pattern and manufacturers take note of this when designing the socks. Various methods are used to design the patterns for stretches that are common when wearing socks, and this remains one of the most important design considerations used by most sock manufacturers.
Adding the Heel
Adding the heel to the sock is yet another notable aspect in their designing. Manufacturers normally add the heel without interfering with the patterns. This is made possible by adjusting the pattern around the heel break, which results in a seamless integration of the heel without interrupting the pattern.
Balance
Sock designers aim at achieving a balance in the design and patterns of their products. To do this, they strike a balance in complex and simple patterns that results in a product fit for the tastes of any individual.