Custom Soccer Jersey Manufacturer: Kits, Fabrics and MOQ

Custom soccer jersey manufacturer programs usually run on 100% polyester interlock or mesh of about 120–160 GSM, decorated by full sublimation. Many factories accept 50–300 pcs per design for brand kits, sample in 7–12 days and deliver bulk in 20–35 days once artwork and size breakdowns are approved.

Note: Weavnora does not manufacture soccer jerseys. Our factory specializes in heavyweight and garment-washed T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and matching sets; see our heavyweight T-shirts page or request a quote for those products.

Soccer is the most played team sport in many markets, so kits are a reliable category for sportswear start-ups, club suppliers and lifestyle brands that sell retro or fan-inspired shirts. The product looks simple, yet the details that matter to players and fans, such as fabric breathability, colour accuracy, collar finish and name-and-number accuracy, are decided at the factory. This guide walks through a full kit the way a production team builds it, so you can brief a jersey factory with the right questions.

What is a custom soccer jersey manufacturer?

A custom soccer jersey manufacturer is a sportswear factory that produces football shirts, shorts and socks to a brand's or club's own design, colours, fabric and branding, and packs them under that brand's label. The scope covers fabric sourcing, sublimation or panel printing, cutting, sewing, collars, crests and individual names and numbers. Typical programs use 120–160 GSM polyester knits, start at about 50–300 pcs per design for brands and need 20–35 days of bulk production after approval.

Step 1: Choose the kit components

Decide early what the factory is quoting, because a "kit" can mean very different bills of material:

• Jersey only: the most common retail product for fan and lifestyle brands.
• Jersey plus shorts: the standard team kit; shorts usually use a lighter twill or interlock.
• Full kit: jersey, shorts and socks; socks often come from a separate knitting line.
• Training range: training tops, quarter-zips and warm-up jackets that match the match kit.
• Goalkeeper kit: long sleeves, padded options and a contrasting colour for each team.

Socks are knitted on sock machines rather than sewn, so ask whether the jersey factory makes them or sources them. Our custom socks manufacturer guide explains sock minimums separately.

Step 2: Pick the fabric family

Polyester dominates because it is light, wicks moisture and is the only common fibre that takes dye sublimation at full brightness. The main families are:

• Interlock: smooth face, good for sharp graphics and retail fan shirts.
• Birdseye or eyelet knit: small holes for airflow; a classic match-shirt texture.
• Mesh panels: used under the arms or along the back for ventilation.
• Recycled polyester: made from post-consumer bottles or textile waste; increasingly requested by clubs. See our recycled polyester clothing manufacturer guide for certificate questions.
• Cotton or cotton-blend jersey: used for retro-style lifestyle shirts, decorated by screen print or embroidery rather than sublimation.

Sublimated vs cut-and-sew soccer jerseys: which option fits?

The biggest decision is how colour gets into the shirt. The trade-offs affect artwork freedom, minimums and feel.

Many brands sublimate the main body and add a woven or silicone crest for a premium touch.

Step 3: Specify collar, cuff and fit

Collars change the look of a kit more than any other detail. List the type (crew, V-neck, polo collar, wrap-over or mandarin), the material (self-fabric, knitted rib or woven) and any placket or button. For fit, decide between a slim "player" fit and a regular "fan" fit and give a full measurement chart with tolerances, often ±1–1.5 cm on chest and length. Kids sizes need their own grading; do not scale adult patterns down.

Step 4: Plan the artwork and roster files

For sublimation the factory needs layered vector artwork for each panel and size, Pantone references and a roster spreadsheet for personalised shirts. A clean roster lists player name, number, size and any sleeve badge per row. Errors in roster files are the most common cause of reprints, so assign one person to check the final list before printing. If you also sell printed fan tees, our DTF vs screen printing guide helps choose a method for cotton products.

Step 5: Branding and trims

• Crest: sublimated, heat-pressed silicone, woven badge or embroidery.
• Sponsor logos: usually sublimated or heat transfer for lightness.
• Neck label: printed labels avoid scratching during play.
• Hang tags and polybags: confirm whether each shirt is packed singly or by team bundle.

What should you check on the sample?

Wash the sample before you approve it. Check colour against your reference under daylight, look at seams for white show-through where the fabric was folded during printing, stretch the collar and check that names and numbers are straight and readable. Measure the shirt against your size chart and confirm that sweat-heavy areas, such as the underarms, have the ventilation you expected.

How do you plan the season?

Club and fan-shirt demand peaks around season launches and tournaments, so plan backwards from the release date. Allow two sample rounds, roster collection, 20–35 days of bulk and freight time. Merch-style programs such as event or university kits follow the same rules as our custom event t-shirts guide: lock quantities by size early and keep a small top-up reserve.

How should soccer jerseys be packed and labelled?

Packing depends on who receives the goods. Retail fan shirts are usually folded singly in a polybag with a size sticker and hang tag, while team orders are often bundled by team and size with a printed roster list in each carton. Ask the factory to mark cartons with team name, size range and quantity so a club or reseller can distribute quickly. Care labels should state fibre content and washing instructions, typically a cool wash and no tumble dry to protect transfers and crests.

Common mistakes with soccer jersey orders

• Approving colours on a screen instead of a printed strike-off.
• Sending roster files with typos or mixed size systems.
• Forgetting goalkeeper colours until bulk is booked.
• Using heavy heat transfers that crack after a season of washing.
• Ignoring the shorts and socks colour match until delivery.

Custom soccer jersey manufacturer: typical specs and key numbers

These are typical industry estimate ranges, not quotes; confirm actual figures with your supplier for your fabric, quantity and destination.

Key takeaways

• Decide what the kit includes before you ask for quotes.
• Sublimation gives low minimums and unlimited graphics; cut-and-sew suits retro styles.
• Specify collar, fit and size chart with tolerances.
• Check roster files twice; they cause most reprints.
• Approve a washed sample, not just a screen proof.

Where Weavnora fits

We do not produce soccer jerseys, but many brands pair them with knit basics we do make: heavyweight and washed tees, hoodies, sweatshirts and sets. Browse the heavyweight T-shirts page or send an RFQ for those pieces. More sourcing guidance is in our custom merch apparel programs hub.