How to Order Custom Soccer Jerseys for Your Team: A Complete Guide

Published by JC Jerseys | Custom Sportswear Factory

Whether you’re outfitting a youth league, a college club, or a semi-professional team, ordering custom soccer jerseys can feel overwhelming — especially if it’s your first time. This guide walks you through every step of the process, from choosing your fabric to receiving your finished jerseys.

Why Custom Jerseys Matter for Your Team

A well-designed uniform does more than look great. It builds team identity, boosts morale on matchday, and tells your opponents you mean business. Custom jerseys also allow you to add your sponsor logos, player names and numbers, and team colors — something you simply can’t get with off-the-shelf options.

The good news? Custom jerseys are more affordable and accessible than ever. With modern sublimation printing, even small teams of 10–15 players can get fully custom uniforms at a reasonable cost.

Step 1: Define Your Requirements Before Contacting Anyone

Before reaching out to a manufacturer, get clear on the basics. This saves time and gets you accurate quotes faster.

Checklist:

• How many jerseys do you need? (Include a few extras for new players)
• What sizes? (Collect measurements from every player)
• Do you need shorts and socks too, or just the jersey?
• What’s your budget per jersey?
• When do you need them? (Work backwards from your first match)
• Do you have a design already, or do you need help creating one?

Having these answers ready means a good manufacturer can give you a precise quote within 24 hours instead of going back and forth for days.

Step 2: Choose the Right Fabric

Not all jersey fabrics are created equal. Here are the three most common options:

Polyester Interlock (Standard)
The most popular choice for soccer jerseys. Lightweight, moisture-wicking, and durable. This is what most professional and semi-pro teams use. Expect to pay the standard base price with this fabric.

Micro-Mesh (Premium)
Ultralight with laser-cut ventilation zones. Best for teams playing in hot climates or players who run high distances per match. Slightly higher cost but noticeably cooler on the pitch.

Recycled Polyester / rPET
Made from post-consumer plastic bottles. Same performance as standard polyester but with roughly 30% lower carbon footprint. A great choice if your team or club values sustainability. Adds a small premium per jersey.

Pro tip: Ask your manufacturer for a fabric swatch pack before placing your full order. Feeling the material in person eliminates surprises.

Step 3: Understand Your Printing Options

This is where most first-time buyers get confused. There are three main printing methods:

Sublimation Printing (Recommended)
Ink is heat-pressed into the polyester fibers at a molecular level. The result: colors that cannot crack, peel, or fade — ever. This is the gold standard for custom jerseys. It allows unlimited colors and photographic-quality designs. Best for orders where the full jersey is custom designed.

Screen Printing
Ink is applied on top of the fabric. Lower cost for simple designs with 1–3 colors, but not suitable for complex gradients or all-over patterns. Can crack with heavy use over time.

Heat-Pressed Vinyl (for Names & Numbers)
Most teams use sublimation for the main jersey design and heat-pressed vinyl specifically for player names and numbers. Vinyl gives a slightly raised, tactile feel and lasts 50+ washes with proper care.

Our recommendation: Full sublimation for the jersey body + heat-pressed vinyl for names and numbers. This combination gives the best look at the best value.

Step 4: Prepare Your Design Files

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to get a great-looking jersey. Here’s what different scenarios look like:

If you have a designer:
Ask them to provide the finished artwork as an AI, EPS, or high-resolution PDF file. These vector formats give the sharpest print results.

If you have a logo but no jersey design:
Send your logo file (highest resolution you have) and describe your color preferences. Most reputable manufacturers offer free design service for team orders — they’ll create a mockup for your approval.

If you’re starting from scratch:
Browse the manufacturer’s design gallery for inspiration. Share reference images and your team colors. A good design team will translate your vision into a print-ready mockup, usually within 1–3 business days.

Important: Always approve a digital mockup before production starts. This is your chance to catch any color, font, or layout issues before they’re printed on 20 jerseys.

Step 5: Get Your Sizing Right

Sizing is where most jersey orders run into trouble — especially when ordering from overseas manufacturers where size charts differ from US or EU retail sizing.

The safest approach:
Request a free sizing kit from your manufacturer. This is a set of sample jerseys in every size (XS through 3XL or larger). Have each player try one on and confirm their size. Teams that use a sizing kit almost never have returns or complaints about fit.

If a sizing kit isn’t available:
Use the manufacturer’s detailed size chart. Measure each player’s chest circumference and jersey length (shoulder to hem). Don’t rely on players self-reporting their size — people underestimate more often than not.

Fit styles to know:

• Slim fit: Athletic, tapered cut. Popular with younger players and those who prefer a performance look.
• Regular fit: Classic straight cut. The most common choice — works for most body types.
• Relaxed fit: Looser, more comfortable. Good for recreational leagues or older players.

Step 6: Understand Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ)

MOQ is the minimum number of pieces a manufacturer requires per order. It varies widely:

• Full sublimation: Typically 10 pieces per design
• Screen print: Often 5 pieces minimum
• Individual custom (1 piece): Available from some manufacturers, at a higher per-unit price

For most team orders, 10–15 jerseys is the sweet spot where per-unit pricing becomes very competitive. If you need just 1–2 jerseys (say, for a new player mid-season), look for manufacturers that offer reorders with no MOQ and keep your design on file.

Step 7: Know Your Timeline

Here’s a realistic timeline for a standard custom jersey order:

Planning for a tournament or season start?
Order at least 6 weeks in advance. Need it faster? Ask about express production (typically 7–10 days), which most manufacturers offer for a surcharge of 25–35%.

The number one cause of delays is slow mockup approval. Once you receive the design proof, review it carefully and respond quickly — production can’t start until you sign off.

Step 8: Payment and What to Expect

Standard payment terms with custom jersey manufacturers:

• Orders over $300: 50% deposit upfront, 50% before shipping
• Orders under $300: Full payment upfront
• Accepted methods: Credit card, PayPal, bank transfer

Watch out for manufacturers who ask for 100% payment upfront on large orders with no sample option — that’s a red flag.

On pricing:
For full sublimation custom jerseys, here’s a realistic price range based on quantity:

Prices include names, numbers, and standard packaging. Free shipping is often available on orders over $500 to the US.

Step 9: Caring for Your Jerseys

Custom jerseys last much longer with the right care:

• Sublimated designs: Machine wash and dry normally — very durable
• Names & numbers (vinyl): Turn inside out, wash cold, air dry — never use a dryer
• All jerseys: Skip fabric softener, which clogs moisture-wicking pores

A good manufacturer will include a printed care card with every order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix sizes in one order?
Yes. MOQ applies to the design, not the size. You can order 2 smalls, 5 mediums, 4 larges, and 4 XLs under one design — all at the same per-unit price.

Can I reorder mid-season for new players?
Absolutely. Any manufacturer worth working with keeps your design files permanently. Mid-season reorders should have no MOQ and start production within 24 hours.

What if the jerseys arrive with defects?
Send photos within 14 days of delivery. A reputable manufacturer will review same-day and remake any defective pieces at no charge. You shouldn’t need to return the originals.

Do I own my design?
Yes. Your design files belong to you. Ask for the source files after your order is complete.

Ready to Order?

At JC Jerseys, we’ve helped hundreds of teams across the US, UK, Australia, and Europe get custom jerseys they’re proud to wear. Our process is simple:

1. Share your idea (design, logo, reference images, or just your team colors)
2. Receive a free digital mockup within 1–3 business days
3. Approve and we start production
4. Receive your jerseys in 4–5 weeks

MOQ starts at 1 piece. Free design service on orders of 20+.

👉 Get a Free Quote Today — we respond within 24 hours.

JC Jerseys is a custom sportswear manufacturer based in Quanzhou, China. WRAP, ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS certified. Gold Supplier on Alibaba and Made-in-China.