Melange, optical knit or ink drip: 4 compression base layer finishes
Our last compression piece was about prints. This one is about finish: how the surface of a base layer looks and which colours sit on it. Six new base layers joined our range this month, and they share a few clear ideas for next winter. Melange texture, optical knit effects, earthy greens on a black core, and a couple of bolder prints for teams that want to be seen at training.
Why base layer colours are changing for next winter
Retail buyers' guides for the autumn/winter 2026-27 season point the same way. Navy and grey melange colourways, olive and grid prints, earthy tones over black or navy, and a few louder ideas such as drip patterns and fresh mint. Trend forecasts for activewear also name deep green and russet as colours to watch.
We print all six of these with sublimation. The dye goes into the polyester, so a melange or knit effect is printed, not knitted, and it stretches with the fabric without cracking or peeling. That keeps the price at the same level as a plain printed base layer.
Look 1: Heather melange fade
Melange is the classic thermal look, and it suits teams that want something quieter than a print. The heather melange fade compression mock neck shirt starts light heather grey at the shoulders and darkens to deep heather navy on the body.
Grey flatlock seams trace the shape, and the back is cut raglan. It works under almost any jersey. Navy and grey also suit most club colours, so it's an easy one to add to a kit order without a long design discussion.
Look 2: Optical knit with mapped zones
This is the newest idea in the group. The green and rust optical knit base layer is deep forest green with a tonal 3D ripple printed over the whole shirt. Russet side zones follow the shape of the body, and the mock neck and thumbhole cuffs pick up the same russet.
The mapped zones break up the side seam and make the shirt look shaped, even on players who aren't. Green and russet is our own colourway, but the ripple works in any two tones.
Look 3: Earth tones on a black core
Olive, sand and black is a combination we keep getting asked for. The black and olive tonal grid fade shirt has a fine olive grid at the shoulders that fades to clean black at the waist, with olive raglan seams, an olive rib crew neck and thumbhole cuffs.
The crew neck makes this one easier to wear under a jersey with a high collar. For something with more pattern, the desert digital camo fade shirt puts a sand and tan pixel camo across the chest and shoulders, then fades to solid black on the lower body and forearms.
What to send us for a textured base layer
- Base colour and texture colour. Two shades are enough. Pantone references help.
- Where the texture stops. Full shirt, or a fade from the shoulders to plain at the waist.
- Neck and cuffs. Mock neck or crew, thumbholes or plain cuffs.
- Logo position. Chest, sleeve or back of the neck, so the texture leaves room for it.
A base layer that looks like a knit still washes like polyester. From the print room
Questions about this? Ask New You Sports directly.
Send your quantity and requirements. The supplier replies to you on PakGoo.
Look 4: Bold prints and fresh colour
Some teams want the opposite of quiet. The aurora iridescent compression long sleeve runs a diagonal flow from midnight blue through teal to aurora green, over a low-contrast tonal hexagon emboss. The mock neck trim is aurora green, and the raglan seams are in contrast flatlock.
The mint and black ink drip shirt is the loudest of the six. Black drips run down from the shoulders and fade out to plain mint at the waist. It's a good one for a club shop or a gym range, where people buy it to wear on its own.
The four finishes side by side
| Finish | Colours shown | Under a jersey | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heather melange fade | Heather grey, heather navy | Works under almost anything | Match days, coaches who want plain kit |
| Optical knit, mapped zones | Deep green, russet | Good, if the jersey is simple | Training kit with a shaped look |
| Earth tones on black | Olive grid or sand camo, black | Good, the black lower body hides well | Winter training, outdoor sessions |
| Bold print, fresh colour | Aurora blue-green, mint and black | Better worn on its own | Club shops, gym and warm-up wear |
How a base layer order runs
- Pick a finish and send your colours
Choose one of the four looks or describe your own. Send club colours, the logo file and a rough size split for youth and adult players.
- Approve the mock-up
We send a mock-up showing the texture, neck, cuffs and logo positions. Changes happen here, before anything is printed.
- Production and shipping
Production takes 12 to 18 days after you approve the mock-up. Prices are FOB Sialkot, and we can quote delivered on request.
Checklist before you order compression base layers
- I have chosen a finish: melange, optical knit, earth tones on black or a bold print.
- I know whether the base layer goes under a jersey or is worn on its own.
- I have picked mock neck or crew neck, and thumbholes or plain cuffs.
- Logo positions are marked and sent with the colours.
- Players have been measured against the compression size chart, with youth and adult sizes from separate patterns.
- I know my quantity and its price tier (10, 50, 100 or 500 pieces).
Questions buyers ask
Is the melange or knit texture real?
No. It is printed with sublimation onto smooth compression fabric. It looks textured, but it feels and washes like any polyester base layer.
What is the minimum order?
10 pieces, and you can mix sizes within that. The price drops at 50, 100 and 500 pieces.
Can we have these finishes in our club colours?
Yes. Each finish can be printed in your colours. Send Pantone references or a photo of your current kit.
Will the print crack when the fabric stretches?
No. The dye goes into the polyester, so there is no surface layer to crack or peel.
Do you make youth sizes?
Yes. Youth and adult sizes are cut from separate patterns, so the fit stays close on smaller players too.
If you are planning next winter's training kit, send New You Sports your colours and logo, and we'll come back with a base layer mock-up in the finish you pick.
Ready to work with New You Sports?
Send your inquiry and get a reply from the supplier.
