TheGoalNet Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 The Future of Graphics My first pair of pads were league owned brown leather Coopers. The first pair of pads that I actually owned were white Foster Air-Tecs that my parents bought me. After day 2 of Jim Park’s Goalie School, with the brown leather Coopers, my legs were covered in bruises and my parents freaked out. They triple checked I was sticking with goalie and took the plunge. We walked into the Westwood Arenas pro shop, bought the lightest pads that fit me, and it went from there. I mention this because it gives me in an extremely interesting point of view. I have lived through brown leather, colored pads, custom graphics, deer hair, foam stuffed, solid core pads, and now OD1N technology. This article was inspired by the teaser pics of the Brian’s tiger blocker a few years and then the release of the 1S. The key link between them? Hi-res printed graphics. With full disclosure, I think the standard 1S graphic is boring and the colors look a little weird, but I get it. It’s a starting point and it’s going to revolutionize what we see on pads, how graphics are applied, and even where graphics are applied. I have been waiting for something like Hank’s custom 1S pads to validate my theories and it’s just a matter of time now. The reality is that the he-res printing is the future of pad graphics and, eventually, pad art. As started above, the current poster child for the digital printed graphics, the 1S, isn’t going to be remembered in the same light as Koho 580. No one will submit it as an entry for the greatest graphic of all time, but it's also the first commercial iteration. Bauer should commended for taking a risk and pushing the envelope. Did people jump on the original composite goalie sticks or square foam pads? NOPE. Aeroflex pads came out in the 1980s and it was only in 2000s that foam was widely adopted. Cam Ward or Theo were the only guys crazy enough to see the light of composite sticks 10 years ago and stick with them. Now every pad is foam and over 50% of the NHL goalies use composite sticks. It takes a while to get conservative pros to switch and yet many consumers need to see pros in the gear to validate a new technology. I am guilty of this myself and ordered my GNetik’s without Smart Straps because I thought they were a marketing fad. I absolutely love my current strapping set up, but I acknowledge that I skipped out on a game changing technology. If I had to do it over again, I would order Smart Straps. Since the Smart Strap was launched, it revolutionized strapping and everyone has gone that route. We will continue to get new designs like the pending 1X, SLR, and 2nd generation Smart Strap. The benefits of applying printing technology to goalie pads should be obvious and the design possibilities are endless. When I hear people ripping on the 1S, I think everyone is overlooking the future possibilities for a new level of customization, supply chain stream lining, and manufacturing efficiency. This will also completely democratize pad graphics and, eventually, pad artwork. In the future, any kid with a Photoshop like iPhone app can design his pads with the same level of detail as a Daveart mask, e-mail the CAD file to the OEM, and get his completely custom pads in a couple weeks. Heck, Daveart’s next area for expansion is probably pad graphics. The smooth surface of the 1S pads, without all the stitching for graphics and lacing of traditional pads, also opens up the possibility for better after sale customization and graphics change over. This is awesome for kids that keep gear for more than a single season and change teams. We’ve all seen Pad Skinz applied to gear with varying level success, but I don’t think anyone can deny Andersen’s St Pats set or Trav4s Potvin theme are nearly as desirable as factory graphics. They are also the most quality applications of Pad Skinz to date. Once more OEMs go this route, companies will manufacture stock gear in all white and then ship it to stores. Stores would then own a seat of Photoshop, a large printer, design bespoke customer specific graphics, and apply them in house. This will become standard practice like baking skates. Some stores, like Pro Skate Goal, are already doing this to stock graphics and Brian’s has the best execution so far on an OEM level with the Net Zero line. However, smooth pads and high quality printing will take it to the next level. It will look significantly higher quality compared to today’s aftermarket customization and provide designs beyond fixed colored zones. One other avenue I have not heard mentioned yet with printing, or potentially coatings, is adding textures to different sections of pads. There is the possibility that the printers could apply a grip like material to certain areas of the pads for better rebound control. It also feasible that a coating with less friction could be used in other areas for better sliding. I understand that some people do things like this today with weave on the inner edge only of the pads, but that is complicated. Applying a coating to flat surface is simpler to produce, easier to apply, could be done after the pad is manufactured, and will take less time. Theoretically, all this simplicity should also drive down pad costs and reduce lead times for custom orders. Unfortunately, this is not econ 101 and that is not likely to happen anytime soon, if at all. The consumer demand for this new technology will create economic demand. OEMs will also need to recover the R&D costs and new manufacturing equipment costs sunk into developing these new technologies. Those two factors will probably keep the cost where they are at, or higher, for the foreseeable future. In fairness, R&D is a key factor to disruptive ideas and should be supported. I will probably get scorned for saying this, but this new way of building pads will also improve the quality of pads produced overseas. The less physical human labor required for equipment assembly, the less variables there are to monitor in quality control. In turn the quality should improve with equipment from overseas. There is a major upside for North American manufacturing to reduced labor though! Reducing the amount of labor required to finish a pad should open the door for companies to re-shore equipment back to North America. Labor cost is normally the top factor that initially drives manufacturing to Asia. Removing this large cost should present a compelling business case for OEMs to bring things back. I am not naïve in thinking this is happening tomorrow, but it’s the path I want to see happen. The next generation is more socially conscience and reshoring will only help sell more equipment while supporting the community at the same time. (Note: Image is a combo of printed & sewn graphics) Looping back to the topic at hand of the graphics themselves, there is only one reason I can see for stock graphics to exist in the future. Companies still want instant brand recognition for live games, highlight clips, or photos. As we watch more content on smaller screens, it’s harder to instantly recognize company logos. With stock graphics, it’s much easier to identify who’s wearing what…”Oh, that is the EF3 graphic, Price is still in CCM pads”. Beyond the brand recognition marketing benefit, I see no reason that each goalie won’t have his own custom graphic with the level of detail that he has on his mask. Brian's has started to combine printed graphics with sewn graphics and it's already producing a better detailed product. For the next generation, just imagine what Brian’s currently does on steroids! (Note: Image is a combo of printed & sewn graphics) Hopefully this deep dive has enlightened everyone to the future of graphics, or at least my vision of it, and how this will improve pad art work, functionality of pads, manufacturability, and the supply chain. Next time you look at a 1S pad, you shouldn’t get disappointed the colors look a little unorthodox, you should get excited that your next pair of pads could a be your own personal Picasso. They could feature your team’s logo, a continuation of your mask theme, or an exact replica of the pads you had in high school. Idealistically, they should be available in half the time of today’s custom pads today or even printed at your local hockey store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Makes me wonder what someone good with a Cricut could do with Padwrap on a set of flat pads. I went with the no-graphic look for the simple fact that I am, in general NOT a fan of graphics, but I could be swayed. I could make HTV graphics to go on top of Padwrap, I could do Padwrap that was cut with my Cricut. I already am doing advert graphics on my pads. Customisation is more at our fingertips than in ANY point in modern times. I knew that ten years ago when Puma had offered the "Korean BBQ" shoe that every aesthetic could be tweaked on your home computer, this would trickle down everywhere INCLUDING hockey equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 19 minutes ago, bunnyman666 said: Makes me wonder what someone good with a Cricut could do with Padwrap on a set of flat pads. I went with the no-graphic look for the simple fact that I am, in general NOT a fan of graphics, but I could be swayed. I could make HTV graphics to go on top of Padwrap, I could do Padwrap that was cut with my Cricut. I already am doing advert graphics on my pads. Customisation is more at our fingertips than in ANY point in modern times. I knew that ten years ago when Puma had offered the "Korean BBQ" shoe that every aesthetic could be tweaked on your home computer, this would trickle down everywhere INCLUDING hockey equipment. It's pretty crazy. I think the gold industry deserves a lot of credit. The R7 came out in 2002 and that was first full adjustable sport equipment I can think of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 9 hours ago, TheGoalNet said: It's pretty crazy. I think the gold industry deserves a lot of credit. The R7 came out in 2002 and that was first full adjustable sport equipment I can think of? Golf? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 13 minutes ago, bunnyman666 said: Golf? Yes, but i think that was a turning point for all sporting goods. After that Reebok started doing adjustable strapping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 1 hour ago, TheGoalNet said: Yes, but i think that was a turning point for all sporting goods. After that Reebok started doing adjustable strapping You said "gold", but I figured out you meant golf. Adjustable gear really does make life easier and (in theory) should lower prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayluv54 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Unfortunately the more customizable or adjustable something is, the more it costs. All of those features have to be built into the product, ie...longer process, more parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 47 minutes ago, jayluv54 said: Unfortunately the more customizable or adjustable something is, the more it costs. All of those features have to be built into the product, ie...longer process, more parts. True to a point. Case in point: bicycle frames are more expensive when offered in 1cm increments than in 2cm or even T-shirt sizes, using such items as stems and seat posts to help adjust. In theory, if you offer fewer sizes, it results in less tooling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 1 hour ago, bunnyman666 said: True to a point. Case in point: bicycle frames are more expensive when offered in 1cm increments than in 2cm or even T-shirt sizes, using such items as stems and seat posts to help adjust. In theory, if you offer fewer sizes, it results in less tooling. Valid! I just noticed that the R7 is closer example. How long have bikes been adjustable for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 1 hour ago, TheGoalNet said: Valid! I just noticed that the R7 is closer example. How long have bikes been adjustable for? Giant did a premium road bike in 2000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 32 minutes ago, bunnyman666 said: Giant did a premium road bike in 2000. Interesting. I thought adjustable bikes were around since like the 70s. Good stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 All bikes have a degree of adjustability, but Giant introduced T shirt sized bikes (4 sizes) that relied on stems and seat pins to pinpoint the actual size of the bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 Brian's has always been a trailblazer with graphics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted April 1, 2017 Author Share Posted April 1, 2017 21 hours ago, jayluv54 said: Unfortunately the more customizable or adjustable something is, the more it costs. All of those features have to be built into the product, ie...longer process, more parts. Maybe you skipped over the second 1/2 of my article? Part of my point is that companies like Pad Skinz are doing amazing work after market with printers. That really democratizes the process. It allows people to create high end graphics and simplify the process Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayluv54 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 On 4/1/2017 at 8:13 AM, TheGoalNet said: Maybe you skipped over the second 1/2 of my article? Part of my point is that companies like Pad Skinz are doing amazing work after market with printers. That really democratizes the process. It allows people to create high end graphics and simplify the process I was more or less referring to customized functionality and not so much graphics. Personally I hope your right about driving costs down, it is 100% necessary for the popularity of the sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 28 minutes ago, jayluv54 said: I was more or less referring to customized functionality and not so much graphics. Personally I hope your right about driving costs down, it is 100% necessary for the popularity of the sport. The adjustability, when executed properly, can result in fewer sizes, which drives down costs. T shirt sizes (3-5 sizes) offered in one colour to be offered would be cheaper in the long run than seven or more sizes with varying plus thigh rises in different colours for a factory to produce. They could still produce a custom-sized pad for an upcharge. If Bauer was smart, they would pay off the R&D and freeze prices for a few years with small refinements. Already- it should be a lot cheaper offering one colour of pad with the only difference having the pad being printed. With four sizes, manufacturing is simplified. They do need to pay off the costs of R&D for the new materials, and there are a few bugs that need to be worked out. But in theory, it should result in a lower-cost product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 Golf is embracing Hi-Res Printed graphics: https://www.mygolfspy.com/first-look-ping-pld2-realtree-camo-ketsch/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 28 minutes ago, TheGoalNet said: Golf is embracing Hi-Res Printed graphics: https://www.mygolfspy.com/first-look-ping-pld2-realtree-camo-ketsch/ Just read that article. I did not comment, but the answer to the question of "Why?" is simple: to show the complexity that can be done with that anodisation method. Realtree camo would be a benchmark to show complexity of what can be done with that finishing method. It used to only be water transfer to get graphics like that onto an object like that. No permanency on something that takes as much abuse as a golf club. You can still scratch the anodisation, but it won't flake as it is bonded to the metal! This is a far cry from the old anodisation kits that I had as a kid. That is truly a revolutionary process! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayluv54 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 2 hours ago, bunnyman666 said: The adjustability, when executed properly, can result in fewer sizes, which drives down costs. T shirt sizes (3-5 sizes) offered in one colour to be offered would be cheaper in the long run than seven or more sizes with varying plus thigh rises in different colours for a factory to produce. They could still produce a custom-sized pad for an upcharge. If Bauer was smart, they would pay off the R&D and freeze prices for a few years with small refinements. Already- it should be a lot cheaper offering one colour of pad with the only difference having the pad being printed. With four sizes, manufacturing is simplified. They do need to pay off the costs of R&D for the new materials, and there are a few bugs that need to be worked out. But in theory, it should result in a lower-cost product. I think it will happen naturally at some point...it has to. It's just not profitable the way it's going. With Nike and Adidas out of the picture, things should level off a bit I think. I just don't see how you justify $1,000 skates and $300 sticks, I don't really care what its made of or how much R&D went into it, the old guy in the leather CCM Super Tacks and the Sher-WOOD stick is still lighting my ass up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 3 hours ago, jayluv54 said: I think it will happen naturally at some point...it has to. It's just not profitable the way it's going. With Nike and Adidas out of the picture, things should level off a bit I think. I just don't see how you justify $1,000 skates and $300 sticks, I don't really care what its made of or how much R&D went into it, the old guy in the leather CCM Super Tacks and the Sher-WOOD stick is still lighting my ass up! He lights me up, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 Uni-Watch, which has ties to EPSN, picked up this article. They gave me some direction and we worked together to modify it to reach a wider "non-goalie" audience http://www.uni-watch.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hills Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 1 hour ago, TheGoalNet said: Uni-Watch, which has ties to EPSN, picked up this article and modified it to reach a wider "non-goalie" audience http://www.uni-watch.com/ Congrats man! That is a fantastic website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djtendy Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 I'm sure most of us have seen this from @Goaliegearnerd on Insta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoalNet Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 19 hours ago, djtendy said: I'm sure most of us have seen this from @Goaliegearnerd on Insta. Well executed, but woof! We don't need Bettman seeing these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 9 hours ago, TheGoalNet said: Well executed, but woof! We don't need Bettman seeing these I am certain he already has... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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