Fabric, style, quantity and the branding added after printing are what move the sublimated jersey price per piece. The number of colours in the design does not, because sublimation prints the whole garment in one pass whether the design uses two colours or twenty.
We quote every order per style, by fabric, quantity and branding. This post explains what sits behind each of those, so you can shape a kit that fits a team’s budget before you ask for a quote.
What goes into a sublimated jersey
A jersey passes through several stages, and each one uses fabric, time or materials:
- The design is set out on a print layout for each size.
- The layout is printed onto transfer paper.
- Heat and pressure move the print into white polyester fabric.
- Panels are cut to size.
- Panels are sewn, with collar, cuffs and hem finished.
- Labels, extra names or badges are added.
- Each piece is checked, folded and packed.
Changes at any of these stages change the price. Some changes are small, others are larger.
The factors that change the price
| Factor | What changes it |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester knit and mesh differ in weight and structure. Heavier or more specialised fabric costs more to buy and print. |
| Style | A sleeveless basketball jersey uses less fabric than a long-sleeve cricket shirt. A cycling jersey has more parts, such as a zip and back pockets. |
| Collar and trims | A simple round neck is quicker to make than a polo collar, a V-neck insert or a zipped collar. |
| Quantity | Set-up work is spread over more pieces as quantity rises. The minimum is 100 pieces per style. |
| Names and numbers | Printing them by sublimation is part of the layout. Adding them by heat transfer after printing is an extra step on each piece. |
| Extra branding | A woven neck label, a separate badge or a heat transfer sponsor logo each add work. |
| Packing | Bulk packing by size is simplest. Individual bags, hang tags or packing by player add time. |
Fabric and style
Fabric is usually the largest single part of the cost. Mesh and polyester knit are both polyester, but they differ in weight and in how much fabric each panel uses. Style follows close behind. Long sleeves, raglan panels, side inserts and back pockets all add fabric and sewing time.
Quantity
Each style has fixed set-up work: preparing layouts for every size, testing colours and setting up the line. That work is the same for 100 pieces as it is for a much larger run, so the share in each piece falls as the order grows. Sizes can be mixed within a style without changing this.
Names and numbers
When names and numbers are built into the sublimation layout, each player’s details are part of the print file. That takes careful preparation, but no extra stage on the line. Heat transfer names and numbers are applied piece by piece after sewing. They suit late additions and spares, but they add a step to each jersey.
What does not change the price much
Some things teams worry about make little difference with sublimation:
- Number of colours. The whole design prints in one pass.
- Complex patterns. Gradients, textures and stripes cost the same to print as a plain block.
- Different names on every piece. These sit in the layout, not on separate screens.
- Mixed sizes. Kids and adult sizes in one style do not count as separate styles.
That is a real difference from screen printing, where each colour needs its own screen.
Ways to keep a kit within budget
If a team has a fixed budget, these steps help without cutting quality:
- Choose a simple round neck rather than a polo or zipped collar.
- Use mesh for training kit and bibs, and keep polyester knit for the match jersey.
- Build names and numbers into the sublimation layout instead of adding them by heat transfer.
- Order the full squad in one run, with a few blank spares, instead of topping up later.
- Use a printed neck label rather than a separate woven label on training wear.
- Pack in bulk by size if the kit goes straight to a club, not to a shop shelf.
Combining orders also helps. Two teams from the same academy, in the same style, can share one design run if the styles match. Our post on team jersey size charts and size ratios shows how to put kids and adult sizes into one style.
Getting an accurate quote
The more exact your enquiry, the closer the quote is to the final order. Send:
- the sport and each style in the kit, from our white label team jerseys range
- the fabric for each piece, or the use, so we can suggest one
- your design or a sketch, with collar and sleeve details
- rough quantities by size
- how names and numbers should be added
- labels, tags and packing you need
We send a quotation per style, by fabric, quantity and branding, with the lead time and shipping terms confirmed in it.