How to Order Custom Team Jerseys and Spirit Wear in Winston-Salem

Whether you're coaching a youth soccer league in Winston-Salem, organizing the booster club for a high school football team in Kernersville, or managing a recreational basketball league in Greensboro, the right team apparel sets the tone for the entire season. Custom jerseys and spirit wear aren't just clothing — they build team identity, energize players, and give fans a way to show up and show out.

The challenge is that ordering team apparel for a full roster can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling sizes, names, numbers, and a budget that has to stretch across more than just shirts. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to get it done right, on time, and within budget.

Types of Team Apparel to Consider

Most teams need more than just one type of shirt. A well-rounded team apparel package might include:

• Game jerseys — the primary uniform players wear during competition. These typically include player name, number, team name, and logo.
• Practice shirts — lighter, less detailed, and more affordable. Players wear these daily in training so you want durable fabric and simple print.
• Warmup gear — hoodies, quarter-zips, or long-sleeve shirts worn pre-game or during cool weather.
• Spirit wear — custom t-shirts and hoodies sold or given to parents, students, and fans in team colors.
• Coach apparel — a polo or pullover that distinguishes the coaching staff on the sideline.
• Booster club shirts — sold to parents and community supporters to raise funds and build visible support.

You don't have to order all of these at once. Many teams start with game jerseys and practice shirts, then add spirit wear as the season builds momentum — especially if you're using apparel sales as a fundraiser.

Sublimation vs. DTF: Which Is Right for Your Jerseys?

Sublimation printing is the gold standard for athletic game jerseys. The dye becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it, which means colors don't crack, peel, or fade even after a full season of washing and intense wear. Sublimation also allows for all-over design — vibrant patterns across the entire jersey rather than just a printed patch. If you want your team to step on the field looking like a professional squad, sublimation delivers that level of visual impact.

Sublimation works best on white or light-colored 100% polyester garments, which is standard for athletic jerseys. It's ideal for soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and flag football uniforms.

DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing is the better choice for casual team shirts, spirit wear, and fan apparel. It handles full-color logos and designs on cotton and blended fabrics, which is what most t-shirts and hoodies are made of. For your booster club t-shirts, parent shirts, or practice shirts that need to work on a cotton tee, DTF is the right method.

How to Collect Sizes for a Full Roster

Collecting sizes from a team of 15–30 athletes (plus coaches, managers, and family members) is one of the biggest logistical challenges in team apparel. Here are proven tips to make it easier:

• Send a Google Form to all players, parents, and boosters with a clear deadline — at least 3 weeks before you need the shirts delivered.
• Always order a few extra shirts in the most requested sizes. For youth teams, that's typically YS, YM, and YL. For adult teams, it's M, L, and XL.
• Ask players to consider sizing up. Athletic jerseys are cut trim; most athletes prefer a size larger for comfort during play.
• Keep a spreadsheet with names, sizes, and jersey numbers so there's no confusion at distribution time.
• Designate a team parent or assistant coach to be responsible for collecting the form responses and following up with stragglers.

Adding Names and Numbers to Jerseys

Sublimation handles individual player names and numbers beautifully. Because the design is fully customized before printing, each jersey is essentially a unique piece — player name on the back, number front and back, all integrated into the overall design. There's no extra step of heat-pressing letters separately, which means the result looks completely uniform and professional.

When you submit your order, provide us with a roster list that includes each player's name (exactly as it should appear) and their number. We'll build each jersey individually in the design file before production begins.

Youth Leagues vs. Adult Leagues: Size Range Differences

Youth teams typically need a mix of youth sizes (YXS through YXL) and a few adult smalls for older athletes. If you're ordering for a team with wide age ranges — say, a youth soccer club that spans ages 7–14 — it's worth ordering a sample size chart so parents can check sizing at a team meeting before submitting final numbers.

Adult recreational leagues typically run S through 3XL. Don't forget to order at least one or two shirts in larger sizes even if you don't have a specific request — latecomers and unexpected participants often need them.

Planning Your Timeline

Team apparel orders take more coordination than a standard business order, so plan ahead. Our standard turnaround is 5–7 business days after design approval — but for team orders, the design approval process takes longer because you're finalizing a full roster of names and numbers.

As a rule of thumb: start the ordering process 3–4 weeks before your first game or the date you want to distribute apparel. That gives you buffer time for size collection, design revisions, production, and delivery. Booster clubs selling spirit wear should aim to have shirts ready by the first home game of the season. Contact us early and we'll help you map out a realistic production calendar for your order.