Rubber Wristbands Are A Fundraising And Awareness Phenomenon

In less than a decade, custom rubber wristbands have become an amazing success story when it comes to raising awareness of social causes and raising funds for causes, schools and programs. Since their introduction in 2004, rubber wristbands have gone from a fad to a long-term fashion.



The introduction of the iconic yellow wristband debossed with the word Livestrong started the trend of rubber wristbands to represent social causes. That classic design introduced by professional cyclist Lance Armstrong and Nike quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. Selling for just $1 each, the classic rubber wristbands have since raised millions of dollars for cancer research, and raised the profile of cancer patients and the people who love them.



Other organizations noted the success of the Livestrong bands and soon introduced their own rubber wristbands in different colors to support other causes. The public responded, turning rubber wristbands into a true cultural phenomenon.



The term "rubber wristbands" is actually a misnomer. Virtually all custom wristbands made today are crafted from 100-percent medical grade silicone, not ordinary rubber. But people are accustomed to the term "rubber wristbands," so it’s a convenient shorthand to refer to them.



Several different styles of rubber wristbands are available. The most popular style is the classic debossed rubber wristbands, such as the Livestrong bands. These wristbands imprint the desired text into the silicone of the bands. The result is a clean, understated look that doesn’t draw undue attention to itself.



For a more distinctive look, other styles are more dramatic. Embossed rubber wristbands are a reverse of the debossed style. These raise the lettering above the surface of the wristbands, creating a bolder message that stands out more clearly.



Debossed painted rubber wristbands offer a hard to miss, bold appearance. This style imprints the desired text into the silicone, then fills in the lettering with color. The result is a bright, vivid, eye-catching message.



If you need to reproduce exactly a corporate logo or trademark on rubber wristbands, silkscreen printed wristbands are the way to go. These wristbands, unlike embossed and debossed rubber wristbands, don’t imprint the lettering into the silicone. Instead, the desired image or message is silkscreen printed directly onto the flat surface of the wristbands. This allows the accurate reproduction of virtually any text or logo desired. Because the message isn’t imprinted into the silicone, however, the images on silkscreen printed bands won’t be as durable as other styles.



You can also make your custom rubber wristbands stand out by adding extra colors to the wristbands themselves. Swirled wristbands mix colors in a pattern similar to tie-dyed cloth, adding a memorable funky look to your message.



For a more traditional look that still stands out, segmented wristbands are ideal for school or team colors. These rubber wristbands feature two or more colors adjacent to each other in block style, with no mixing. They’re a great way to show school or team spirit.



With a broad range of styles and colors available, rubber wristbands can be customized to represent just about any cause imaginable. Their fundraising prowess and ability to get their message out in public ensures rubber wristbands are likely to remain popular for many years to come.