A rugby jersey takes more punishment than almost any other team shirt: it is grabbed, pulled and dragged through mud every weekend. Choosing the right cut, fabric and decoration means your club’s kit still looks good at the end of the season. This guide is for rugby clubs, schools, academies and teamwear resellers in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
1. Choose the cut
| Cut | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Pro fit (close fit) | Senior and competitive teams. A close fit is harder for opponents to grab. |
| Classic fit | Junior sections, touch and social teams, and supporters’ shirts |
| Women’s fit | Women’s and girls’ teams, cut for a better fit rather than a smaller men’s shirt |
Many clubs use the same design across all cuts, so every team looks the same.
2. Fabric
Modern match jerseys are usually made from stretch polyester, which dries quickly and keeps its shape. Training jerseys and supporters’ shirts can use a lighter fabric. Ask for the fabric type and weight (GSM) on every quote, so you compare like with like. See our fabric GSM guide.
3. Strong seams
Ask for reinforced seams at the shoulders and sides, where jerseys are pulled hardest. Check them in the sample before you approve bulk.
4. Decoration
- Sublimation: the full design, sponsors, names and numbers are dyed into the fabric, so nothing peels off in a tackle. It is the most common choice for match kits.
- Embroidered crest: a classic touch on top of a sublimated jersey.
Read embroidery vs screen printing vs sublimation.
5. Sponsors
Sponsors pay for much of a club’s kit. Get logo files as vectors early, agree positions (chest, back, sleeves, shorts) and check each sponsor’s colours in the sample. With sublimation, extra sponsor logos do not add a print cost per colour.
6. The full kit
Most clubs order more than jerseys: rugby shorts, socks, training tops, hoodies, jackets and bags. Ordering them together keeps colours consistent. See teamwear for clubs and academies.
7. Sizes, names and numbers
Collect sizes per player, try a size set at training and send one clean list with names and numbers. With Pexton Apparel the minimum is 30 pieces per design, and junior and senior sizes can be mixed within it. Read our team uniform size guide.
8. Order on time
A sample takes about 8–10 days and bulk production about 10–12 days after sample approval, plus shipping. Order well before the first game of the season. See how to time your club kit order. We ship delivered duty paid (DDP) to the UK, Ireland, the USA and most of Europe, and door to door to Australia and New Zealand (import duties paid by the buyer).
Checklist
- Choose pro, classic or women’s fit.
- Ask for fabric and GSM in writing.
- Check reinforced seams in the sample.
- Sublimate the design, sponsors and numbers.
- Collect sponsor logos as vector files.
- Send one size list with names and numbers.
Want a price for your club’s rugby kit? See our custom rugby jersey manufacturing, send your design for a free quote or read what affects the cost of custom team uniforms.