This “branding” is applied with a particular kind of ink that can vary in color – usually red or black.  It is applied using a small bottle of ink or paint in a plastic container about 3-4 inches long and about an inch in diameter.

The tube has a felt-like material at the end of the tube.  When the bottle or tube is tilted downward toward the racquet string the ink will flow to the end of the tube that allows it to flow from the tube to the surface of the strings.

When the tilted tube with the felt-like material at the end is rubbed against the strings of the racquet, ink will be transferred to the strings (although I once had a customer who insisted that I “weave” the logo letter into the strings). The tube has a screw on cap that will protect the ink from running out or drying from the air.

The ink is applied by tracing a “stencil” or precut design so the ink will have a chosen shape on the strings.  Once allowed to dry it is semi-permanent until struck repeatedly with a ball or other object and begins to show signs of wear.

Here are 7 reasons to “stencil” or logo a racquet:

1. “Branded” - obviously, the racquet company wants people who are watching you play to be able to recognize that your racquet is their particular brand from 3 courts away.  The more you see their brand the more you will think of their brand when you go to buy your next racquet.
2. “Get paid to play” - the more famous you are the more likely the companies are to actually “pay” you to put their logo on your racquet strings. Now when you are playing on TV, the audience can recognize the brand of racquet you are using.
3. “Just like the pros” - Once you win the match and receive the trophy and millions of dollars, the audience will want to rush out and buy the same racquet for themselves and their family so they can play just like you.
4. “Have a target”- having the logo on the strings can allow you to have a target for the ball to contact while playing – as opposed to always hitting the frame.  The strings are 100 square inches of available hitting space as opposed the ½ inch wide frame.  It is pretty amazing how often we can hit the frame vs the strings.
5. “Wear pattern” - as you play the ink begins to come off the strings as the ball is constantly hit in the middle of your strings – or not.  But it creates a wear pattern that is proof positive exactly where you have been contacting the ball on your strings in practice and match play.
6. “When to string” – while not totally accurate the disappearing logo can be an indicator of when it is time to restring your racquet.  Or at least when to get you logo re-touched up by the local pro shop and have everyone think you have a new racquet or string job.
7. “Can’t touch this” - create your own special logo with your initial or design so no one can steal your racquet.  If they do, you will be able to recognize it is yours from 6 courts away.  Warning, this could lead to a confrontation and embarrassment so be sure there is a big audience around to watch the event.  Hopefully the culprit has not chosen to use the same design as you as this could be embarrassing for you as well – just kidding.

7 reasons to “stencil” or logo your racquet is just a simple thought about an everyday thing that happens in the tennis world.  Do you have other ideas why you would logo a racquet?

Photo Credits: 1

• Ken at International Hall of Fame No I did not get inducted.  I am here to speak at the New England USPTA Conference on the "50 Best Tips for Players, Coaches and Pros" which is my newest DVD for anyone who wants to improve their game. Got into Providence, RI at midnight and drove thru fog......
• Racquet Mail: How to Create a Better Forehand Question: I am finding that my swing and my backhand grip are much better than my forehand. When I go for a forehand shot, it usually ends up with a tremendous amount of topspin making it difficult to hit. Still, my opponent on the other side of the net seems......
• Racquet Review for Wilson K4 /caption] The Wilson K 4 has been my favorite racquet for 2009. Having played with the Wilson K Zen, the heavier version at 10.5 ounces, for 2 years it was time for a change. The 2009 version of the K Zen came only in a lighter version (9.5 ounces) and......
• Racquet Mail: Defeating the Inside out Forehand Racquet Mail: I have a question regarding how to counter the inside out forehand. I'm a 4.5-5.0 player with an all court game, with a two handed backhand. Lately, I have been having trouble with one high level opponent who grew up on clay courts. Typically, we rally a few......
• 7 Habits of Highly Successful Tennis Professionals 1. Be "Pro" Active Sure you have been teaching for years and may not need a lesson plan. But just as you would prepare to play a match, you still would need to review.  So, have a game plan for your student or opponent and think about your last......

• More Tips for Your Tennis Serve Here are some helpful tennis tips that will give you some perspective on improving your serve. Remember that different tennis tips are going to help different players in unique ways. The true key is going to lie in your ability to try out different tips and techniques until you......
• 100 Quick Tennis Tips pt 3 Here are 100 quick and easy tennis tips to get your game going. We're going to spread this list out over a couple of posts to keep it interesting. Tip #25 - You are going to want to imitate the incoming ball's trajectory using your backswing. For example, if the......
• I Shouldn't Be Giving Wii Tennis Tips (and some links) This weekend, I got to spend a little time with a good friend and we enjoyed a tasty beverage. I wanted to show him my Wii (that sounds dirtier than it should) and perhaps play a game of Wii Tennis and/or Wii Boxing. We both got a couple of surprises.......
• 5 Tips to Prevent Tennis Elbow Although tennis may not be a full contact sport, it is still possible to get injured. One of the most common injuries that tennis players face is called tennis elbow. This is a repetitive strain injury that can be incredibly painful. The good news is that you can prevent it,......
• Acoustic Bass Guitar as a Foundation for the Band It may seem a little backwards if you think about it, but the acoustic bass guitar did not come into existence until after the electric bass guitar had been invented. The reason for this is because the electric bass guitar came to be first, and then people began to wonder......