The technology for making soccer ball (football) played a crucial role in determining the quality, performance, time to be made, and price. Many people are wondering if they should opt for thermal bonded balls, hand stitched balls, or machine stitched balls. To help you find the perfect match when you purchase them here is our most detailed resource about the different technologies.
Thermal Bonded Soccer Ball – Tournament / Daily Match / Professional Training
The thermal bonding technology means that the panels are placed inside a mould that is heated by a machine to press and glue the panels together.
Thermal bonded ball boasts greater shape retention and durability due to an integrated structure that use special glue to attach the bladder to the lining and leather firmly. Excellent roundness to reduce resistance when flying and rolling, making the ball shoots faster, while the seamless surface allows for less water uptake, helping the ball last in any weather.
Constructed with 3.5mm PU leather combined with a foaming layer as the shell, the latest thermal bonded ball (e.g. Nike, Adidas) becomes a preferred ball for the Champions League, World Cup, and other professional soccer leagues worldwide.
However, thermo bonded balls can’t be deflated when shipment because of the production craft and material structure, so the shipping cost is higher than other balls.
Hand Stitched Soccer Ball – Daily Match / Professional Training
Hand stitching is the most traditional method for making soccer balls. Those early high quality balls were mainly stitched by hand using thick polyester thread to hold the panels together, and that process still has its advantages. The seams can be made at a deeper and stronger level so they’re more wear-resistant than machine-stitched balls, but still can’t prevent the water into the inside of the ball even though using the thicker stitches, the ball will become waterlogged in the rainy day.
In addition, the production of the hand-stitched ball is much slower than other balls as the ball needs to be sewn by humans, not machines, it would be better for you to arrange the orders in advance. Hand-stitched balls are normally produced in Pakistan or India because the labor cost is extremely high.
Machine Stitched Ball – Training / Recreation / Promotion
Machine stitched is a fast and inexpensive technology that is more commonly used for cheaper and lower quality balls. During production, panels are sewed together with a particular sewing machine and tiny micro-stitches.
The seams aren’t as deep and strong as the hand-stitched, which means the stitching isn’t as durable. There’re exposed seams that will be easily stretch and will potentially tear. As with the hand-stitched ball, the machine-stitched ball will be heavier and waterlogged in the wet due to the exposed seams.
Machine stitched soccer balls are great for younger players because they are lighter in weight, easier to head and are softer when they hit you. They are also much cheaper, making this a great choice for school training and promotion.
Conclusion
All said, if you need the best quality and excellent waterproof, thermal bonding balls are perfect for you, built with high-end material and seamless construction to create consistency in any conditions, if you don’t need to care about the rainy day, hand-stitched balls are also a good choice, but you’ll need to wait for a longer time for the production since the balls are sewn by human, not machines. Machine-stitched balls are usually cheaper, lower quality and rapid of production, which is ideal for entry training, entertainment and advertising, you’ll get cost-effective balls without breaking the bank.
