Custom sportswear is technical apparel, jerseys, running shirts, cycling kit, tracksuits and jackets, produced in your brand colours and design. Minimums start from around 10, fully custom pieces are made with sublimation so any design complexity is free of extra charge, and both standard and certified recycled technical fabrics are available at the same performance. Match the technical level to your activity rather than defaulting to the most expensive option, and plan for a two to four week production window.
Custom sportswear is the most expressive branded-apparel category, and also the one people have the most questions about. The answers below cover what companies ask most often before ordering a kit. For a fuller walk-through, the complete guide goes deeper on each topic.
An Alides-branded custom sports jersey, produced with all-over sublimation in the brand's colours.
What is custom sportswear?
Custom sportswear is technical athletic apparel made in your brand colours and design: team jerseys, running shirts, cycling jerseys, tracksuits, technical jackets, golf polos and complete kits. Fully custom pieces use sublimation so colour, gradients, patterns, names and numbers can run across the whole garment.
What is the minimum order for custom sportswear?
Minimums are low. Most items start from around 10 units, with some kits and more technical builds nearer 25. A single company team, cycling group or department can order a full custom run. Crucially, a low-quantity order still gets full all-over sublimation with no per-colour charge. For price bands and lead times, see bulk pricing and MOQ.
What is sublimation and why does it matter?
Sublimation is a full-colour printing method where the design becomes part of the fabric rather than a layer on top. It allows unlimited colour, gradients and all-over patterns, with no heavy decoration layer that can crack, peel or wash off, and it preserves the fabric's performance. The order is critical: sublimate the fabric first, then cut the panels, then sew. Printing a finished garment leaves white cracks at seams and stretch points.
Do more colours or a complex design cost more?
No. On a sublimated run there is no per-colour or per-logo charge, so a plain jersey and a full-surface, multi-colour design cost the same to produce. Design complexity does not add cost the way separate print placements do. Spend your budget on fabric, fit and personalisation instead of holding back on the artwork.
Can you embroider custom sportswear?
Avoid embroidery on lightweight sportswear. It adds weight, reduces flexibility, can irritate the skin and interferes with technical performance. Sublimation is the right method for fully custom pieces, and print suits ready-to-wear technical apparel. Silicone patches, lightweight badges, reflective prints and performance-compatible transfers are better alternatives.
An Alides-branded custom sports jersey, shown in the brand's team colours.
Are recycled fabric options available?
Yes. Both standard and certified recycled technical fabrics are available, and both deliver the same Dry Fit and Cooltech performance: the same breathability and moisture management. Recycled fabric must meet the same durability standard to qualify, so function is never compromised. Choose based on your sustainability priorities and budget.
How long does custom sportswear take to make?
Plan for a production window rather than same-week turnaround, because sublimated kit is made from scratch. A straightforward run lands in roughly two to three weeks, and larger or heavily personalised runs push toward three to four weeks. Lock the design early and add a buffer before your event date.
Can I add names and numbers?
Yes. Names, numbers, departments, team names, event names and office IDs all personalise a kit and create a real-team feeling. Personalisation adds a per-unit cost but significantly lifts perceived value. It is the cheapest way to turn a matching set of shirts into a genuine team.
How do I choose the right fit?
Match the fit to the participants, not to the most performance-oriented option. A race-cut jersey forced on a mixed, casual group leaves people uncomfortable. Decide the level up front: forgiving and comfortable for casual participants, technical and close-fitting only when the activity genuinely calls for it. Over-specifying is the single most common mistake companies make.
Should I buy off-the-shelf or fully custom?
Choose decorated stock for low quantity, tight timing, a simple logo-only design or when an existing sports brand is acceptable. Choose fully custom sublimated kit when brand identity matters, you need exact colours, patterns or gradients, you want names and numbers, or the garment is central to the campaign.
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