VC Labels: Decoded

If you’ve ever worn a VC jersey, chances are experienced that subtle, yet unmistakable, sensation of running your fingers over the small rubber label nestled on your left hip. Over time, we've heard many stories about this seemingly innocuous detail – from anecdotes of it being a talisman of luck, prompting a ritualistic rub before every disc pull, to moments of nostalgic delight as it's sought out amidst a cluttered drawer of jerseys.

We love these stories, and while the label was originally conceived as a branding emblem for our jerseys, it has organically transformed into something more profound – a symbol of a core VC value: transparent manufacturing.

Transparent Manufacturing

What do we mean by transparent manufacturing? For us, it's about being open and honest about the origins of our products. We take pride in our commitment to producing goods as close to their final destination as feasible. This isn't just about efficiency; it's about fostering local economies, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring quality through proximity.

Transparent manufacturing isn't just a buzzphrase for us – it's a fundamental aspect of our ethos and a testament to our dedication to responsible, sustainable practices.

We spot three different colours of rubber labels here... can you?

VC Labels

First, if your apparel piece as a rubber label on it, it means that it was thoughtfully designed and created by the team at VC HQ and manufactured in one of our production facilities under the strictest requirements. 

Here's a timeline of the evolution of the VC rubber label: 

• 2005-ish: the original rubber label, a grey square, replaces the original signature VC symbol embroidered on the hip. 

• 2014: the grey label is updated to reflect VC's updated logo and branding. Check out the story behind our logo here.
• 2015: When VC acquired UK-based Lookfly, we were introduced to a great factory in Europe. At the same time, VC was expanding its international event presence and we needed to increase production. We introduced the Blue Label Line to clearly distinguish products made in Europe from the ones we made in our home factory in Canada.
• 2020: When we upgraded all of our sublimated jerseys to being made from 100% recycled fabrics, we proudly added a little green flair to the rubber label. 

Did you know that 1 jersey = 5 plastic bottles?

• 2023: We introduce the VC Regional Development Program, and with it our new pink label to signify VC apparel made by VC Latam in Medellín, Colombia. Stay tuned for more news on VC Latam in the coming months... 

Why Does it Matter?

We believe that transparent manufacturing matters for several reasons, but first and foremost we hope that it helps to build trust and credibility with you, our community, as we talk about being a company that puts integrity above all, and values above profit. 

Secondly, transparent manufacturing allows consumers to make informed choices. We are surprised to learn that the majority of our community doesn't seem to prioritize locally-made options*, but as we know it matters to some of you - it matters to us.

Finally (although we could go on!), transparent manufacturing promotes sustainability.

• We're acutely aware of the environmental impact of plastic, a material often used in performance apparel. Recognizing this, we're committed to mitigating our ecological footprint through various green initiatives. We prioritize the use of 100% recycled fabrics in our manufacturing process. While we understand that our products still involve plastic, we're dedicated to taking steps towards a more sustainable future and believe that every effort counts towards making a positive difference.
• Shipping VC gear worldwide to teams and events inevitably contributes to emissions. We're actively addressing this issue by striving to produce our merchandise as close to its final destination as feasible, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. 

To the VC team, being transparent about our processes drives us to be more innovative and sustainable, and that is core to who we are. 

*Based on several surveys we've conducted with both individual customers and league/association leaders.

Learn More / Related Posts

• VC Labels: Decoded (original post with additional context)
• Quest for Cotton
• Re-labeling 101
• Blue Label Line
• Story Behind the Logo  

Funny story... in 2020, we updated our blue label to be grey with blue accents (instead of all blue) which better aligned with our branding. But then, at the end of 2023 our CEO was trying to be "helpful" and ordered 2-3 years worth of labels in the old (wrong) blue... so we hope you like the original blue-on-blue version!