Port Authority K540 - Unisex Silk Touch Performance Polo - ParcelBlue

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Retail Price: $16.54
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$13.50
Retail Price: $16.54
FIT unisex, classic fit
Selected Color: ParcelBlue18 colors
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Description

The Port Authority K540 is the Silk Touch Performance Polo, a 4 oz 100% polyester double-knit with PosiCharge technology that runs as the moisture-wicking version of the cotton-blend K500 on the same colour card. The 100% polyester PosiCharge body is the point: it wicks moisture off the skin and dries fast, resists snags through repeat wear, and the PosiCharge finish holds its colour through industrial wash so a uniform polo stays sharp shift after shift, while the silky double-knit face keeps a soft hand against the skin. That makes it the polo a shop reaches for when a program wants a low-maintenance embroidered performance body, the default for golf and athletic teams, active uniform and hospitality programs, outdoor staff and event wear, and any run where moisture-wicking and colour retention decide the order over a heavier cotton-blend pique that holds sweat.

The K540 is built for embroidery first, but the 100% polyester body changes the print rules versus the cotton-blend K500. For embroidery, the double-knit takes a left-chest corporate logo cleanly with a cut-away backing, the primary and most consistent method on this polo, keep the stitch count moderate so the light performance knit does not pucker. For sublimation, the white and light colours are a true polyester substrate, the dye-sub ink bonds into the fibre for a no-hand print, though it will not show on the mid and dark colours since the dye only adds to the base shade, and a name or number sublimates clean on the flat back panel. For screen printing on the flat back panel, lay a grey poly-block underbase and cure at the lowest effective temperature with low-bleed polyester inks, since 100% of the body is polyester and migrates badly without it, and keep the print off the collar, placket and seamed chest. For DTF and heat transfer, a low-bleed transfer bonds to the knit face at a controlled low press temperature, the right method for player names and numbers on a team polo across every colour. For vinyl and HTV, choose a poly-friendly low-temperature heat-transfer vinyl for uniform numbering on the flat back. DTG does not suit this body, since DTG is a cotton process and the textured 100% polyester double-knit will not pre-treat or hold the ink, route flat artwork to sublimation, embroidery or DTF instead. Discharge does not apply, since there is no cotton to strip.

  • Brand: Port Authority
  • Style: K540 (Port Authority Silk Touch Performance Polo)
  • Fabric: 100% polyester double knit with PosiCharge technology (White is 4.3 oz for coverage)
  • Weight: 4.0 oz/yd2
  • Construction: Double-knit performance body. Moisture-wicking and snag-resistant. PosiCharge colour retention. Self-fabric collar. 3-button placket with dyed-to-match buttons. Set-in sleeves with open cuffs. Double-needle cuffs and hem. Tag-free label.
  • Fit: Unisex classic fit
  • Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL
  • Colors available: 18+ colours across solids (check current availability on the product page)
  • Ordering: available by the piece or by the case; confirm current packing per case for your colour and size before a large order
  • Care: Machine wash cold with like colours. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low. Do not use fabric softener, which coats the wicking finish.

The reorder note specific to this style: the PosiCharge 100% polyester body holds colour consistently across lots, which makes it a safe repeat-order body for a uniform program, but confirm your colour reads true between dye batches and note the White runs a heavier 4.3 oz for opacity, and match your embroidery thread or transfer base to the panel, a light or metallic thread and a white DTF base on the dark colours. Pair the K540 with the Port Authority K500 Silk Touch Polo when a program wants a soft 65/35 poly/cotton hand on the same colour card, and cross-shop the Team 365 TT51 Zone Performance Polo when a job wants a comparable performance body at a lower unit cost. TheClothingSpace stocks the K540 at wholesale pricing with bulk discounts that increase as case and unit quantities rise, among the lowest prices online for this style, with fast US shipping on stocked colours.

Building a moisture-wicking uniform polo program? Browse all wholesale blank polos.

Features

  • 100% preshrunk cotton
  • Made with sustainably and fairly grown USA cotton
  • Seamless rib at neck
  • Taped shoulder-to-shoulder
  • Double-needle stitching throughout
  • Tear-away label
  • Quarter-turned to eliminate center crease
  • 7/8" collar
  • Classic fit

Shipping & Returns

All Blank orders of $59 or more are shipped FREE same day via UPS Ground. Blank orders under $59 will qualify for the following shipping options:

  • USPS Blank Apparel Shipping (2-4 Business Days): $4.99
  • UPS Ground (1-2 Business Days): $8.99

Read our Shipping Policy for more information.

Fill out the Blank Apparel Return Form within 30 days of the order date to be eligible for a refund or return.

Note: All blank orders shipped outside of the continental US are not eligible for return, exchange, or refund.

Decoration Method Compatibility

How this blank performs across popular decoration methods.

Method Compatible Notes
Embroidery the double-knit takes a left-chest corporate logo cleanly with a cut-away backing, the primary and most consistent method on this polo; keep the stitch count moderate so the light performance knit does not pucker
Sublimation the white and light colours are a true polyester substrate; the dye-sub ink bonds into the fibre for a no-hand print on the flat back, though it will not show on the mid and dark colours since dye only adds to the base shade
Screen Print (Plastisol) on the flat back panel, lay a grey poly-block underbase and cure at the lowest effective temperature with low-bleed polyester inks, since 100% of the body is polyester and migrates badly; keep the print off the collar, placket and seamed chest
DTF / Heat Transfer a low-bleed transfer bonds to the knit face at a controlled low press temperature, the right method for player names and numbers on a team polo across every colour
Vinyl / HTV choose a poly-friendly low-temperature heat-transfer vinyl for uniform numbering on the flat back
DTG DTG is a cotton process and the textured 100% polyester double-knit will not pre-treat or hold the ink; route flat artwork to sublimation, embroidery or DTF
Screen Print (Water-based / Discharge) discharge needs to strip dye from cotton and there is no cotton in the body; route to plastisol over a poly-block

How Does the Port Authority K540 Compare?

SpecPort Authority K540 (Silk Touch Performance)Port Authority K500 (Silk Touch Polo)Team 365 TT51 (Zone Performance Polo)
Starting At$13.50$16.11$8.80
Weight4.0 oz5.0 oz4.0 oz
Yarn / Fabric100% polyester double knit, PosiCharge65/35 poly/cotton pique100% polyester
FitUnisex, classicUnisex, classicMen's, classic
ConstructionMoisture-wicking performance, snag-resistantSoft pique, wrinkle-resistantMoisture-wicking performance polo
Best ForMoisture-wicking embroidered uniform poloSoft cotton-blend version on the same colour cardLower-cost performance polo cross-shop

Fabric Blend by Color Group

Not all colorways share the same fabric composition. Check the blend before ordering for decoration jobs where substrate matters.

Color Group Blend Print Consideration
White and light colours 100% polyester double knit (White 4.3 oz) true sublimation substrate; the cleanest sublimation and DTF result with the least dye migration, embroidery thread reads with any contrast, the heavier White adds opacity
Mid and bright colours 100% polyester double knit the polyester migrates under heat, so lay a poly-block underbase for screen print and a low-bleed DTF film, cure low; pick a contrasting embroidery thread; sublimation does not show on these shades
Dark colours 100% polyester double knit heaviest dye migration; choose a light or metallic embroidery thread, lay a white DTF base and use low-bleed poly inks over a grey poly-block at the lowest effective cure

Frequently Asked Questions

The Port Authority K540 Silk Touch Performance Polo is a 4 oz/yd2 100% polyester double knit with PosiCharge technology, with the White running a heavier 4.3 oz for coverage. The polyester body wicks moisture, resists snags and the PosiCharge finish holds its colour through wash. It has a self-fabric collar, a 3-button placket with dyed-to-match buttons, set-in sleeves with open cuffs and a tag-free label in a classic unisex fit.
Yes to both. The Port Authority K540 double knit takes a left-chest embroidered logo cleanly with a cut-away backing, the primary method for this performance polo, kept to a moderate stitch count so the light knit does not pucker. Because the body is 100% polyester, the white and light colours sublimate clean for a no-hand print, though sublimation will not show on the mid and dark shades.
Screen print yes, DTG no. For screen printing on the flat back panel of the Port Authority K540, lay a grey poly-block underbase and cure at the lowest effective temperature with low-bleed polyester inks, since the 100% polyester body migrates badly without it. DTG does not suit the K540, since DTG is a cotton process and the polyester will not pre-treat or hold the ink, so route flat artwork to sublimation or DTF.
The Port Authority K540 Silk Touch Performance Polo is a 100% polyester PosiCharge moisture-wicking double knit, while the K500 Silk Touch Polo is a 65/35 poly/cotton pique with a softer cotton-blend hand. Choose the K540 when a program needs moisture-wicking and colour retention for an active uniform, and the K500 for a soft corporate hand on the same colour card and embroidery.
Yes. TheClothingSpace stocks the Port Authority K540 Silk Touch Performance Polo at wholesale pricing with bulk discounts that increase as case and unit quantities rise, among the lowest prices online for this style. It is available by the piece or the case, and pricing improves on multi-case and full-program orders. Stocked colours ship fast within the US, which keeps lead times short on performance polo runs.