Most clubs buy kit in one of two ways: from a catalogue teamwear supplier, where you choose a template and add your crest, or directly from a factory that makes your own design. Both can work. This guide compares them honestly, so club committees, academies and schools in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand can choose what suits them.
The two models
| Catalogue supplier | Factory direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Choose from set templates and colours | Your own design, fully custom |
| Minimum order | Often very low, even single pieces | A minimum per design (30 pieces with Pexton Apparel) |
| Speed | Fast if the item is in stock | Sample plus production time |
| Price per piece | Includes the supplier’s margin | Factory price |
| Uniqueness | Other clubs may wear the same template | Nobody else has your kit |
| Top-ups | Easy while the range is current | Same design reproduced from your files |
When a catalogue supplier is the better choice
- You need a handful of pieces at very short notice.
- Your club is happy with a standard template and colours.
- You want a local shop to handle everything face to face.
When factory direct is the better choice
- You want a kit that is unique to your club, with your own design, sponsors and names.
- You order 30 or more pieces per design, so the minimum is not a problem.
- You want to control fabric, fit and decoration.
- You want to reduce the price per piece, or earn a margin by selling kit to members.
- You plan ahead, so a few weeks for sampling and production is fine.
Common worries about ordering from a factory
“What if the quality is not right?”
Approve a sample before bulk. Pexton Apparel makes samples in about 8–10 days and checks every order before packing. See our quality assurance.
“What about customs and hidden fees?”
We ship delivered duty paid (DDP) to the UK, Ireland, the USA and most of Europe, so there is nothing to pay on arrival. Australia and New Zealand get door-to-door delivery.
“Is it hard to communicate?”
You get one contact who replies to quotes within 24 hours, often sooner, and sends photos during sampling, production and packing.
“What if new players join later?”
We keep your design files, so later orders match the original kit. Ask about quantities for top-ups.
A hybrid approach
Some clubs order their match kit and training wear factory direct, where the design matters most, and buy small extras such as balls and cones locally. Teamwear resellers often do the same: they sell to clubs face to face and have a factory make the kit under their own brand. See teamwear for clubs and resellers.
Want to see what factory direct would cost for your club? Send your design for a free quote, or read what affects the cost of custom team uniforms.