Custom Silicone Bracelets

Custom silicone bracelets are popular--one sees them everywhere, on the wrists of children, teens, and adults alike, often without knowing what they are called. They are the brightly colored slip-on rubber bracelets that people wear to promote breast cancer awareness, advertise for businesses, or match funky tennis shoes. First appearing in bright yellow to help raise funds for cancer research, personalized silicone bracelets took off, garnering millions both for non-profit organizations and regular for-profit companies. Cheap, trendy, and easily mass-produced, they have been used by endless organizations and businesses for advertisement and have provided a space for the expression of social and religious messages. Now there are hundreds of online companies offering bracelet making services to interested individuals and entities, whether for product promotion, fundraising, or fashion.

No longer do the bracelets come in single colors with plain old debossing; now they may be debossed, embossed, printed with silkscreen, ink filled, and color coated, and shoppers can find glow-in-the dark, tie-dye, swirled colors, segmented colors, and glitter items. Available in any font and color, custom silicone bracelets are so easy to create and personalize once one understands all of the terms and types. Embossed means that the letters on the bracelet are engraved into the silicone; debossed means that the letters are raised above the material. Printing one's message is the cheapest option; letters are printed onto the bracelet just as letters are printed onto a baseball jersey. Embossed letters may also be ink filled with a different color to make the message stand out more clearly.

Because so many personalized silicone bracelets are being worn today, people often don't pay as much attention to them as when the trend first started. For this reason, companies are beginning to get much more creative, in order to make their bands stand out from the crowd. Usually, a bracelet may be segmented into up to six colors or may have its colors swirled or tie-dyed. Shoppers can make purchases glow-in-the-dark or glittery for about ten cents extra per bracelet; also, some companies are beginning to offer figure bracelets, which have a little more design and shape to them than ordinary standard bands. These extra touches are helping to save custom silicone bracelets from fashion extinction.

Most websites offering this product have a page that allows shoppers to visually assemble the bracelet, first by choosing the size, colors, fonts, and techniques to be used. Often, a shopper is are able to see a preview of what the bracelet would look like and can try out different options until she finds the perfect combination of color, font, and graphics to express her own unique message. Websites also have a pricing chart, showing how much each additional characteristic will cost, per item; shoppers will save the most money by buying in bulk. Many of these websites have a minimum purchase amount of 5, 50 or 100, but some sites will allow shoppers to create a single bracelet of any type. This is convenient for people who want to buy personalized silicone bracelets bearing their name or a personal message.

Most companies have a toll-free number available so that shoppers can receive a price quote directly over the phone, which is ideal for shoppers wanting to buy simply-made items in bulk. Often, free shipping is available and some companies will package bracelets individually for an added cost. Shoppers choosing this method for ordering should be prepared to say how many items are needed, and of what sizes, colors, and designs; and should also be very specific about the wording and spelling of the message or advertisement. Typically, there are three available sizes: youth, universal, and large; shoppers may choose one size or buy a combination of sizes, depending on the customer's needs. It is important to be sure that one's purchase is made of authentic silicone and not a cheap rubber substitute; otherwise, the bracelet will probably not last very long and may break or fade easily.

So why should anyone choose custom silicone bracelets when there are so many other means of expression such as T-shirts, bumper stickers, fridge magnets, lanyards, and key chains? One answer is that this item can be worn every day and is less likely to be thrown in the garbage or stuck in a drawer and forgotten; plus, it is much cheaper to mass produce than a T-shirt. Schools can hand these bracelets out to students to inspire school spirit or as part of a character-building program; silicone bands make excellent souvenirs for church camps, family reunions, sports events, and graduations. Wristbands may advertise for an upstart band, promote a concert, and help solidify a fan base. Also, people with serious medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, or severe allergies may wear them to let people know of their condition in case of an emergency.

Of course, individuals wear personalized silicone bracelets just for fun, to express their personalities, fashion taste, and personal values. Examples include wearing items with one's name, favorite quote, or primary personal characteristic, like "sassy" or "joyful." Children and teens will especially enjoy this, as they can inscribe the name of a favorite actor or singer or baseball player, make friendship bracelets with both friends' names included, and create matching looks for their teams, clubs, and cliques. Some people might like to wear a band bearing the name of a loved one or pet that has passed away, telling of religious beliefs, or inspiring others with unique and hopeful messages. Christians, for example, might want to use personalized wristbands to pass on these comforting words: "God is love" (1 John 4:16).