Custom martial arts uniforms are karate gis, taekwondo doboks and judo gis made to a school’s, club’s or brand’s own colours, logos, fabric weight, sizes and labels. This guide explains how each uniform is built, which fabric weights suit training or competition, what the major federations require, and how to order from a manufacturer. It is written by Pexton Apparel, an OEM and private label clothing manufacturer in Sialkot, Pakistan, making martial arts uniforms since 2010.
Key facts at a glance
- Karate gi: cotton or poly-cotton canvas; lighter weights for kumite and training, heavier weights for kata.
- Taekwondo dobok: usually a lighter polyester or poly-cotton fabric; World Taekwondo style uses a V-neck jacket.
- Judo gi: the heaviest of the three; thick cotton weaves built to survive gripping and throwing. See our wholesale judo gis.
- Competition use: top-level events under WKF, IJF and World Taekwondo require uniforms approved or recognised by that federation.
- Weight units: 1 oz per square yard = 33.9 grams per square metre (GSM).
- Ordering with Pexton: MOQ 30 pieces per design with mixed sizes, samples in about 8–10 days, bulk production in 10–12 days after sample approval.
Karate, taekwondo and judo uniforms compared
The three uniforms look similar, but each martial art puts different stress on the fabric, so cut, weave and weight differ.
| Feature | Karate gi | Taekwondo dobok | Judo gi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacket style | Wrap jacket tied with a belt | V-neck pullover (World Taekwondo style) or wrap jacket (ITF style) | Wrap jacket with a thick, reinforced collar |
| Typical fabric | Cotton or poly-cotton canvas | Polyester or poly-cotton, often ribbed or textured | Heavy cotton single or double weave |
| What the fabric must handle | Fast strikes and repeated washing | High kicks and sweat | Gripping, pulling and throwing |
| Colours | White is standard; black and coloured gis for training | White, with coloured collars by grade | White and blue |
| World governing body | World Karate Federation (WKF) | World Taekwondo (WT) | International Judo Federation (IJF) |
Fabric and weight: what the numbers mean
Martial arts uniforms are sold by fabric weight. Many brands quote ounces (oz) per square yard; most factories, including ours, work in grams per square metre (GSM). To convert, multiply ounces by 33.9.
| Weight in oz | About in GSM | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | 271 GSM | Light karate gis for beginners, children and kumite |
| 10–12 oz | 339–407 GSM | Middleweight karate gis for regular dojo training |
| 14–16 oz | 475–543 GSM | Heavyweight karate gis for kata, where a crisp “snap” is wanted |
The weight bands above are common market ranges, not federation rules. For taekwondo, doboks are usually lighter than karate gis so they do not restrict high kicks. Judo gis are the heaviest: a single weave is lighter and cooler for training, while a double weave is thicker and harder to grip, which is why it is preferred for competition.
For a full table of fabric weights by garment, see our fabric GSM guide.
Cotton, blends and shrinkage
100% cotton feels traditional and absorbs sweat well, but it can shrink noticeably in its first hot wash. Poly-cotton blends shrink less, dry faster and hold their shape. Ask your manufacturer whether the fabric is pre-shrunk, and keep this in mind when you set your size chart.
Competition rules every buyer should know
If your athletes compete at federation events, the uniform is checked before they step on the mat. These are the main points from the current federation documents.
Karate (WKF)
- Competitors wear a WKF-approved white karategi without piping or personal embroidery, with a red or blue belt assigned by the draw.
- The jacket must cover the hips but be no longer than three-quarters of the thigh.
- Sleeves must end no further than the bend of the wrist and no shorter than halfway down the forearm.
- Trousers must cover at least two-thirds of the shin and must not go below the ankle bone.
- A national emblem may be worn on the left chest, up to 12 cm by 8 cm.
Source: WKF Kumite Competition Rules 2026, Article 2.2.
Judo (IJF)
- Competitors wear one white and one blue judogi.
- The jacket skirt must cover the buttocks completely, and the lapels must cross by at least 20 cm at belt level.
- Sleeves must cover the full arm, including the wrist.
- Trousers must end no more than 5 cm above the ankle bone.
- Approved judogi carry an official IJF label that is checked at competition.
Source: IJF Judogi Rules (2018 edition). The IJF updates its rules, so check the current edition before a competition.
Taekwondo (World Taekwondo)
World Taekwondo requires athletes at events on its calendar to use WT-recognised competition uniforms and equipment. Source: WT Guideline on Mandatory Use of WT Recognized Products.
What this means for your order: federation approval belongs to specific approved brands and models. For dojo training, club and school uniforms, gradings, local tournaments and your own brand, a custom-made uniform built to these measurements is the usual choice. For athletes entering top-level sanctioned events, confirm the federation’s approval rules first.
Customisation options
- Embroidery: school or brand name on the back, logo on the chest, names on the belt. Embroidery suits heavy cotton better than printing.
- Labels and packaging: woven neck and size labels, care labels, hang tags and branded bags for private label brands.
- Colours and trims: white, black, blue or brand colours; black trim on ITF-style jackets; coloured collars on doboks.
- Belts: grade colours, stripes and embroidered names.
- Patches: woven or embroidered patches for club crests.
Sublimation printing only works on polyester, so it is not used on cotton gis. It is common on polyester rash guards and fight shorts; see our MMA clothing manufacturer guide.
Sizing for schools and brands
Martial arts uniforms are usually sold in numbered sizes linked to height and weight, and each brand’s chart is slightly different. Decide on one chart for your school or brand and use it for every reorder. If you have a uniform that already fits your students, we can match it, or grade your own measurements across the full range. Our size charts are a good starting point.
How ordering works with Pexton Apparel
- Brief: send your style, fabric weight, colours, logo files and quantities by size.
- Mock-up and quote: we reply with a free digital mock-up and a quote within 24 hours.
- Sample: a physical sample is ready in about 8–10 days for you to check fit, weight and embroidery.
- Bulk production: 10–12 days after sample approval, depending on quantity and decoration.
- Quality check and shipping: every order is checked for measurements, stitching and embroidery before packing. We ship DDP (duties paid) to the USA, UK and most of Europe. See shipping and returns for other countries.
Our minimum order is 30 pieces per design, and you can mix sizes within that quantity.
What affects the price
- Fabric weight and weave (heavier canvas and double weave cost more)
- Cotton versus poly-cotton
- Embroidery size and stitch count, and the number of logo positions
- Trims, belts, labels and packaging
- Order quantity per design
Our custom clothing price guide explains each cost factor in more detail.
Checklist before you order
- Which martial art and which use: training, grading or competition?
- Fabric and weight chosen (in oz or GSM)
- Colours, trims and belt requirements
- Logo files in vector format (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) and embroidery positions
- Size chart agreed and quantities per size
- Labels, hang tags and packaging
- Delivery country and target date
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom martial arts uniforms?
Pexton Apparel’s minimum order is 30 pieces per design, and sizes can be mixed within that quantity.
What is the difference between a karate gi and a judo gi?
A judo gi is cut and woven to be gripped and thrown, so it is much heavier, with a thick reinforced collar. A karate gi is lighter and made for striking, with a canvas or poly-cotton fabric.
How do I convert oz to GSM for gi fabric?
Multiply the ounce weight by 33.9. For example, a 12 oz karate gi fabric is about 407 GSM.
Can you make uniforms that follow WKF or IJF measurements?
Yes. We can cut jacket, sleeve and trouser lengths to the federation measurements. Federation approval labels belong to approved brands, so check the rules if your athletes compete at top-level sanctioned events.
Can you add our school name and logo?
Yes. Embroidery on the back, chest, sleeves or belt is standard, along with woven labels and patches.
How long does an order take?
Samples take about 8–10 days and bulk production 10–12 days after sample approval, plus shipping time to your country.
Browse our custom martial arts uniforms, karate and taekwondo uniforms and judo uniforms for clubs and schools, then send us your brief.
Need uniforms for your dojo, club or brand?
MOQ from 30 pieces · samples in 8–10 days · DDP shipping to the USA, UK & Europe.
Related: explore BJJ gis, belts, rash guards and fight shorts on our custom martial arts uniforms and fightwear hub, or see our BJJ gi manufacturer guide.
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