Soccer jersey guide: fabrics, printing methods and ordering
A soccer jersey has two jobs. It has to keep a player cool and dry for ninety minutes, and it has to carry the club's colours, names and numbers through a season of washing. Both come down to the same two choices: the fabric and the way the design goes on. This guide covers the fabrics we use, the four printing methods you'll be offered, and what to settle before you order custom soccer jerseys.
What a good soccer jersey has to do
Soccer is a running game. A midfielder can cover a lot of ground in a match, often in warm weather, so the shirt needs to move sweat away from the skin and dry quickly. It also needs a little stretch at the shoulders and a cut that doesn't flap.
The same jersey gets washed every week. Numbers that crack or a crest that peels after a month is the complaint we hear most from clubs that bought cheaply elsewhere.
Soccer jersey fabrics compared
Almost every performance soccer jersey is polyester. The difference is in how the yarn is knitted. Our kits use 150-160 GSM polyester interlock, which has a smooth face for printing, medium stretch and a matte finish.
- Polyester interlock. Smooth and slightly heavier than mesh. It takes sublimation well and is our standard body fabric.
- Mesh polyester. Open knit for airflow. We use it on side panels and back zones, or for whole training tops in hot climates.
- Polyester with spandex. Adds stretch for a closer, performance fit.
- Cotton blends. Soft, but poor at handling sweat. Keep them for casual fan wear.
Four ways to print a soccer jersey
The printing method decides how the jersey looks, how much it weighs and how long the design lasts.
What each method is good at
- Sublimation. The dye goes into the polyester fibres, so there's no layer to crack or peel. Gradients, stripes and all-over patterns cost the same as a plain shirt.
- Screen printing. Good for simple logos and numbers in one or two colours. It's durable but adds a little weight.
- Heat transfer. Vinyl or printed film pressed on with heat. Handy for names and numbers, with a slight thickness you can feel.
- Embroidery. A raised, stitched finish for crests and small badges. It lasts well but is heavier, so keep it small.
Sublimate the body, and keep embroidery for the crest. How we set up most club kits
Questions about this? Ask New You Sports directly.
Send your quantity and requirements. The supplier replies to you on PakGoo.
Match kits, training kits and goalkeepers
Match jerseys are where clubs spend on design. Training jerseys take more washing and rougher use, so a plain body with a simple print often makes sense. A busy pattern on a training top is wasted if it lives under a bib.
Don't forget the keeper. A goalkeeper kit needs a colour that clashes with both teams, and it usually has its own number range. We cut it on an athletic goalkeeper fit with room through the shoulders.
Sublimated and stitched soccer jerseys side by side
| Feature | Sublimated | Stitched or applied |
|---|---|---|
| Design freedom | Any colour, gradient or pattern | Limited by fabric pieces and patches |
| Weight | Very light, nothing on the surface | Slightly heavier |
| Durability | No cracking or peeling | Strong, but edges can lift over time |
| Cost | Lower, especially for complex designs | Higher, because of extra labour |
| Look | Modern and clean | Traditional, with raised texture |
For a fuller comparison, read our guide to sublimated vs stitched jerseys.
How a soccer jersey order works
- Send your design brief
Pick a base design or send your own. Add your club colours, crest, and a roster with names, numbers and sizes.
- Approve the mock-up
We send a digital mock-up of the jersey and shorts. Check colours and number placement here, because changes are free at this stage.
- Production and shipping
Production takes 12-18 days after mock-up approval. Prices are FOB Sialkot, and we quote delivered prices on request.
Checklist before you order soccer jerseys
- Fabric chosen: interlock body, with mesh panels if you play in heat.
- Printing method agreed for the body, the numbers and the crest.
- Club colours named, with a reference for each one.
- Roster ready with name, number and size for every player.
- Goalkeeper kit colour checked against both home and away kits.
- Price tiers checked on the product page for your quantity.
Questions buyers ask
What is the best fabric for a soccer jersey?
Polyester. It's light, dries quickly and takes sublimation. We use 150-160 GSM polyester interlock, with mesh panels where you need more airflow.
Which printing method lasts the longest?
Sublimation. The design is dyed into the fibres, so there's no surface layer to crack, peel or fade off in the wash.
What is the minimum order?
10 pieces on the hexagon texture kit, with sizes mixed. The price per kit steps down at 50, 100 and 500 pieces. Each product page shows its own tiers.
What sizes do you make?
Youth to adult. Youth and adult sizes are cut from separate patterns, so send the size split with your roster.
How long does production take?
12-18 days after you approve the mock-up, plus shipping. Prices are FOB Sialkot, and delivered quotes are available.
Planning next season's kit? Send New You Sports your colours, crest and roster, and we'll come back with a soccer jersey mock-up for your club.
Ask for a fabric swatch first
Weight, stretch, breathability and colour: check them by hand, then approve.
Request a sampleSourcing from Pakistan? Start with a tech pack
Patterns, sizes and colours in one document, so nobody guesses.
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Send your inquiry and get a reply from the supplier.