“How much will our kit cost?” is the first question every club treasurer, academy director and teamwear buyer asks. The honest answer is that it depends on a handful of choices you control. This guide explains what drives the price of custom team uniforms, so you can compare quotes properly and spend your budget where players will notice. It applies to clubs and brands in the USA, the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
The seven things that set the price
| Factor | Lower cost | Higher cost |
|---|---|---|
| Decoration | Full sublimation or one-colour screen print | Tackle twill, multiple embroidery positions |
| Fabric | Standard polyester interlock or mesh | Premium stretch, brushed or heavier fabrics |
| Construction | Simple cut, few panels | Extra panels, reinforced seams, padding |
| Quantity | Larger runs per design | Many designs with small quantities each |
| Personalisation | Numbers only | Names, numbers and individual packing per player |
| Extras | Plain neck label | Woven labels, hang tags, branded bags |
| Shipping terms | Buyer handles customs | Delivered duty paid (DDP), all costs included |
1. Decoration method
Sublimation prints the whole design into the fabric in one step, so a complex design with sponsors and names often costs about the same as a plain one. Tackle twill and embroidery add stitching time for every logo and number. If you want a classic look on a budget, a sublimated jersey with one embroidered crest is a good middle ground. Read embroidery vs screen printing vs sublimation.
2. Fabric
Most team kits use lightweight polyester interlock or mesh. Heavier, brushed or premium stretch fabrics cost more and are worth it for items worn every week, such as training tops and leggings. Ask for the fabric weight (GSM) on every quote so you compare like with like. See our fabric GSM guide.
3. Construction
Each extra panel, pocket, zip or padded area adds sewing time. Rugby, GAA and AFL jerseys need reinforced seams; paintball jerseys need padding; cycling bibs need a chamois pad. These features are part of what makes the garment fit for the sport, so they are not where to cut.
4. Quantity and number of designs
The price per piece usually falls as the quantity per design rises, because setup work is shared across more garments. Ten designs of 30 pieces cost more per piece than one design of 300. If you can, keep one design across age groups and change only the sizes. With Pexton Apparel the minimum is 30 pieces per design, and sizes can be mixed within it.
5. Names, numbers and packing
Names and numbers printed by sublimation add little to the cost. Packing each player’s kit separately takes extra time but saves you hours on handout day. Decide which matters more to your club.
6. Labels and packaging
Clubs rarely need more than a printed neck label. Brands and teamwear resellers usually want woven labels, hang tags and branded polybags, which add a small cost per piece. See woven vs printed labels.
7. Shipping and duties
A cheap factory price can become expensive once freight, customs duty, import VAT and broker fees are added. Always compare the landed cost: the total you pay to get the kit to your door. Pexton Apparel ships delivered duty paid (DDP) to the USA, the UK, Ireland and most of Europe, so the quoted price already includes duties. Australia and New Zealand get door-to-door delivery. Read more about DDP shipping.
How to compare quotes fairly
- Send every supplier the same design, fabric, decoration, size list and quantity.
- Ask for the price per piece and the landed cost to your door.
- Check the sample cost and timeline. Sample prices depend on the item and your requirements.
- Check what happens if you need a few more pieces later.
- Look at the sample, not just the price. A kit that lasts two seasons is cheaper than one that fades after one.
Where to save, and where not to
- Save: use one design across teams, choose sublimation over many embroidered logos, and skip retail packaging if you are a club.
- Do not save: on fabric for items worn every week, on reinforced seams for contact sports, or on getting a sample before bulk.
Want a real number for your kit? Send your design and quantities and we reply with a price and mockup within 24 hours, often sooner. Or see our teamwear for clubs and academies and custom team uniforms.