The Ultimate Guide to Ordering Team Uniforms (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Club's Money)

Meta description: Let's be honest—ordering team kits is a nightmare. Fabric choices. Printing methods. Sizing. Deadlines. One wrong move and you're wearing last season's rags on game day. This guide fixes that.

Read This Before You Waste Another Dollar

Here's the truth nobody tells you: ordering team uniforms is harder than it looks.

You think it's simple. Pick some colours. Add a logo. Click order. Done.

Three months later, you're standing in the club rooms surrounded by 25 jerseys that:

• Don't fit anyone
• Faded after one wash
• Arrived the day after your first game
• Cost twice what you budgeted
• Have the sponsor's name spelled wrong

And the worst part? Somewhere, a club president is reading this and nodding. Because it happened to them. Or it will happen to you—unless you read this guide first.

I've spent years watching clubs make the same mistakes. I've seen the fights. The angry emails. The players threatening to wear last year's gear because the new stuff "feels like cardboard."

This guide is everything I wish every club knew before placing an order. No corporate bullshit. No fluff. Just the stuff that actually matters.

Let's fix this.

Step 1: The Honest Conversation You Need to Have With Yourself

Before you talk to any supplier, before you open a design tool, before you ask players what colours they want—stop.

Ask yourself one question:

Do we actually need new uniforms?

Sounds stupid, right? But you'd be amazed how many clubs order new kits when the old ones are perfectly fine.

You actually need new uniforms if:

✓ Your current jerseys look like they've been through a war (faded, torn, numbers peeling)
✓ You can't field a full team because you don't have enough matching sets
✓ Your club just rebranded (new logo, new colours)
✓ Your supplier screwed up the last order and you're stuck with garbage
✓ It's been 3-4 years since your last refresh

You DON'T need new uniforms if:

✗ You're just bored with the current design
✗ One person on the committee "feels like a change"
✗ You haven't checked what's actually in storage (there might be 20 unworn jerseys from 2019)
✗ Your budget is already stretched and players are complaining about other things

The hard truth: New uniforms are exciting. They make everyone feel good. But they're also expensive, time-consuming, and a massive volunteer headache. If your current kit works, spend your money on something that actually matters—better equipment, facility upgrades, cheaper registration fees.

But if you've decided you genuinely need new gear? Let's keep going.

Step 2: Stop Designing in a Vacuum (Involve the Right People)

This is where clubs screw up constantly.

The wrong way:

The president's wife "has an eye for design." She spends two weeks creating something in Canva. Everyone pretends to love it. The jerseys arrive. Players hate them. Nobody says anything because they don't want to be rude. The jerseys sit in bags for three seasons.

The right way:

Get input from the people who will actually wear the gear.

• Players care about: Fit, comfort, breathability, whether they look good
• Coaches care about: Durability, visibility on field, easy identification
• Sponsors care about: Logo visibility, colour accuracy, professional appearance
• The committee cares about: Cost, timeline, storage, reordering

The smart move: Form a small kit committee. Three to five people max. Include:

• One player (someone respected, not the loudest complainer)
• One coach or team manager
• One committee member who handles budget

Give them one job: bring back a recommendation, not a debate.

Too many cooks design a horse when what you needed was a camel. Small group decides. Everyone else shuts up and trusts the process.

Step 3: The Brutal Truth About Budgets

Let's talk money. Because this is where dreams die.

The 60/40 Rule That Actually Works

After watching hundreds of club orders, here's the split that makes sense:

Category	Budget Share	Why
Match Jerseys	60%	These are what people see. Photos. Sponsors. Grand finals. They need to last.
Training Gear	40%	Gets trashed anyway. Good quality, but don't go overboard.

What Stuff Actually Costs (Real Numbers, Not Guesswork)

This is what you should expect to pay in Australian dollars:

Item	Cheap (Avoid)	Good (Sweet Spot)	Premium (Overkill?)
Match jersey (sublimated)	Under $45	$55-70	$80+
Training shirt	Under $25	$35-45	$50+
Coach polo	Under $30	$40-55	$60+
Shorts	Under $25	$35-45	$50+

Here's the thing about cheap: It's not cheaper. A $40 jersey that dies after one season costs more than a $60 jersey that lasts three. Do the maths.

Hidden Costs That Will Bite You

Ask every supplier these questions before you sign anything:

• "Is there a setup or artwork fee?" (Often $50-150 one-time)
• "Is shipping included?" (Spoiler: it's not)
• "Is GST in that price?" (If they say "plus GST," add 10% now)
• "What's the cost for names and numbers?" (Sometimes extra per jersey)

Sample budget for a 25-player squad (realistic):

Item	Qty	Unit	Total
Match jerseys (sublimated, numbers)	28	$60	$1,680
Training shirts (screen-printed)	30	$35	$1,050
Coach polos	4	$45	$180
Shorts	28	$35	$980
Setup/artwork	1	$150	$150
TOTAL			$4,040

Per player: about $160 for a full kit. That's real. That's what it costs to look professional.

Step 4: Fabric Isn't Boring—It's the Difference Between Loving and Hating Your Kit

Players complain about fit. They complain about feel. They complain about being too hot or too cold.

They're complaining about fabric.

Here's what you actually need to know—no science degree required.

100% Polyester (The Workhorse)

What it is: Standard sports fabric. Used by every pro team for a reason.

Good for: Match jerseys, any sport where players sweat, warm climates.

The good:

• Wicks sweat away (doesn't get heavy and wet)
• Dries fast (wash Wednesday, wear Saturday)
• Holds sublimated designs perfectly
• Doesn't shrink (if washed properly)

The bad:

• Can smell if not washed right (antimicrobial treatments help)
• Some players say it feels "plasticky" (they're wrong, but whatever)

Verdict: This is your match jersey fabric. End of story.

Polyester-Cotton Blends (The Compromise)

What it is: Polyester mixed with cotton. Usually 65/35 or 80/20.

Good for: Training shirts, cold weather, clubs on tight budgets.

The good:

• Softer feel (some people prefer it)
• Warmer in winter
• Cheaper upfront

The bad:

• Absorbs sweat (gets heavy and gross)
• Takes forever to dry
• Can shrink
• Sublimation doesn't work (designs sit on top)

Verdict: Fine for training. Never for match day.

Eco Fabrics (The Premium Option)

What it is: Recycled polyester from plastic bottles. Same performance, greener story.

Good for: Clubs with sustainability goals, schools, anyone who wants to look like they care.

The good:

• Same performance as virgin polyester
• Great story for sponsors and social media
• Players actually care about this stuff now

The bad:

• Costs more (10-20% premium)
• Limited colour options sometimes

Verdict: If you've got the budget and the values, do it.

Fabric Weight—Yes, This Matters

Fabric weight is measured in grams per square metre (gsm). Here's the cheat sheet:

Weight	Feels Like	Best For
140-150gsm	Super light, almost sheer	Summer, tropical climates, basketball
160-180gsm	Standard match jersey	Most Australian conditions, most sports
180-200gsm	Heavy, substantial	Rugby, winter sports, cold climates

Pro tip: If you play in one climate all season, pick the weight that matches. If your season spans summer and winter (looking at you, pre-season), go mid-weight and layer.

Step 5: Sublimation vs Screen Printing—The Fight You Need to Win

This is the single biggest technical decision you'll make. Get it wrong and your jerseys will crack, peel, and look like trash within months.

Sublimation (The Pro Choice)

How it works: Design printed onto paper, heat-pressed so ink becomes part of the fabric. The design is IN the fabric, not ON it.

What it's good for: Match jerseys, complex designs, anything you want to last.

The good:

• Never cracks, peels, or fades. Ever. The jersey will wear out before the design dies.
• Breathable. No layer of plastic blocking airflow.
• Unlimited colours. Gradients, patterns, photo-quality images—all possible.
• No stiff spots. The fabric feels the same everywhere.

The bad:

• Costs more upfront
• Requires accurate artwork from day one
• White or light colours on dark fabric? Not possible.

The truth: Every serious club sublimates their match jerseys. It's not a luxury—it's standard.

Screen Printing (The Budget Option)

How it works: Ink pressed through a mesh screen onto the finished jersey. Sits on top of the fabric.

What it's good for: Training shirts, simple designs, clubs counting every dollar.

The good:

• Cheaper for simple designs
• Works on any colour fabric
• Fast turnaround

The bad:

• Cracks and peels. Eventually. Always.
• Each colour costs extra (complex designs get expensive fast)
• Less breathable (ink layer blocks air)
• Feels different—stiff, plasticky

The truth: Fine for training gear. For match jerseys? Only if you absolutely can't afford sublimation.

The Comparison You Actually Need

Factor	Sublimation	Screen Printing
Will it crack?	Never	Eventually
Will it fade?	No	Yes
Breathable?	Yes	Less
Design complexity	Unlimited	Limited by budget
Cost per jersey	$$	$ (simple designs only)
Lifespan	3-5 seasons	1-2 seasons
Match day?	YES	Only if desperate

The decision: Match jerseys = sublimation. Training shirts = either. Don't overthink it.

Step 6: Sizing—The Part Everyone Gets Wrong

You will screw this up. Everyone does. Let's minimise the damage.

Why Sizing Is a Nightmare

• Every brand fits differently
• Players lie about their size
• "Large" means different things to different people
• Junior sizes are a lawless wasteland

The Only Method That Works

Step 1: Order a sample set.

Not one sample. A set. Get 5-7 jerseys in different sizes (XS through 3XL or whatever your range is).

Step 2: Host a fitting session.

After training one night, lay out the samples. Make every player try one on. Not just hold it up—actually put it on.

Step 3: Record everything.

Have a spreadsheet. Player name. Their preferred size. Notes (likes it loose, wants it fitted). Do it properly.

Step 4: Order with confidence.

Now you know exactly how many of each size you need. No guessing. No regrets.

The "Order Extras" Rule

Always order 2-3 extra jerseys in the most common sizes (usually M and L). New players join mid-season. Someone will lose their jersey. Someone will discover theirs doesn't fit on game day.

Extras aren't wasted—they're insurance.

Step 7: The Timeline—Why You're Probably Already Late

Here's the thing about custom manufacturing: it takes time. Not because suppliers are slow—because making things properly takes actual human hours.

The Realistic Timeline (Print This)

Time Before Game 1	What to Do
12 weeks	Start talking. Form your committee. Set a budget.
10 weeks	Research suppliers. Request quotes. Ask for samples.
8 weeks	Choose supplier. Start design work.
6 weeks	Approve final artwork. Order sample sizes.
5 weeks	Collect player sizes. Place the order.
4 weeks	Production starts. Relax (a little).
2 weeks	Check in. Arrange final payment.
1 week	Jerseys arrive. Check everything.
Game day	Look amazing.

The "We're Late" Timeline

If you're reading this and your first game is in 4 weeks:

Call suppliers immediately. Ask who can do rush orders. Expect to pay 10-30% more. Accept that you might not get everything you wanted (maybe names added locally later). Prepare to compromise.

But know this: Some things cannot be rushed. If a supplier says 6 weeks, they mean 6 weeks. Begging won't change physics.

Step 8: Dealing With Suppliers—How Not to Get Screwed

Most suppliers are good people trying to do good work. But you need to protect yourself.

Questions to Ask Before You Pay Anything

About the product:

• "Can I see samples of your work?"
• "What fabric weight do you recommend for our climate?"
• "How should we wash these?"

About the process:

• "Who does the artwork? What format do you need?"
• "How many revisions are included?"
• "What happens if something is wrong with the order?"

About the money:

• "What's the payment schedule?" (Never pay 100% upfront)
• "Are there any fees not in this quote?"
• "What's your refund/return policy?"

Red Flags (Run Away)

🚩 "We don't do samples"
🚩 "Just trust us, it'll be fine"
🚩 "That's not our problem" (when you ask about fixes)
🚩 Prices dramatically lower than everyone else
🚩 Vague about timelines

Green Flags (Good Signs)

✅ Happy to send samples
✅ Clear, written quotes with all costs listed
✅ Realistic timelines (not "we can do it in a week")
✅ Ask questions about your club
✅ Have examples of similar work

Step 9: The Final Check—Before You Say "Go"

You've approved the artwork. The order is placed. Production is starting.

One last check:

• Colours are correct (Pantone codes if possible)
• Sponsor logos are right size, right place
• Numbers are correct font, right size
• Player names spelled correctly (double-check, then check again)
• Size quantities match what players ordered
• Contact details are correct for delivery

Then let it go. Changes now are expensive or impossible.

Step 10: Delivery Day—Don't Just Open the Box

The box arrives. Everyone's excited. Stop.

The Delivery Checklist

1. Count everything. Does the quantity match the order?
2. Check every jersey. Pull them out. Look at each one.
3. Verify names and numbers. Lay them out. Read each one.
4. Check sizes. Is that medium actually a medium?
5. Look for defects. Loose threads, misaligned prints, weird seams.

If something's wrong, contact the supplier immediately. Most have a short window for complaints. A week later? Too late.

Distribute Smart

• Give players their jerseys at training (not before a game)
• Hand out care instructions at the same time
• Collect payment if players are paying
• Keep spares in a safe place, logged in a spreadsheet

The Bottom Line

Ordering team uniforms is a pain. But it's a predictable pain. Every club before you has dealt with the same issues, made the same mistakes, and learned the same lessons.

You don't have to make those mistakes.

Follow this guide, and you'll:

• Spend less money
• Get better quality
• Avoid the stress
• Actually enjoy game day when your team runs out looking professional

And when someone asks, "Where'd you get those jerseys?" you can say, "We knew what we were doing."

Your Action Checklist (Printable)

• Form a small kit committee (3-5 people)
• Set a realistic budget using the 60/40 rule
• Research 2-3 suppliers, ask for samples
• Choose sublimation for match jerseys
• Order sample sizes, fit players properly
• Build a timeline working backward from game 1
• Get everything in writing
• Double-check artwork before approval
• Inspect everything on delivery
• Celebrate a job well done

Next up: How to Choose the Right Kit for Your Club (AFL, soccer, basketball, rugby—they're all different)