Start with the sport and the players
Choose a jersey by how it will be worn, then decide how it should look. Tell your supplier the sport, indoor or outdoor setting, season, age group and whether players wear equipment underneath. A basketball uniform and a ball hockey jersey solve different fit problems. Make a short brief with these details, your approximate quantity and your event date before choosing a pattern. Treat the date as a requirement to discuss, not a promised delivery deadline.
Compare actual fabric options, not just marketing names
Ask for the fibre composition, fabric weight, knit structure and available samples. Two fabrics described as polyester can feel quite different because their construction and finish differ. Compare opacity, stretch and surface feel in the colours you plan to order. Hold a sample against a contrasting background and check it under normal lighting. Avoid assuming that a lightweight fabric is automatically more durable or that a heavier one is always too warm. Use the Jersey Materials Guide as a starting reference, then confirm the actual specification.
Check fit with measurements and movement
Use the size chart for the exact garment, not a familiar retail brand. First establish whether the chart lists body measurements or finished garment measurements; they are not interchangeable. For garment measurements, compare a well-fitting jersey laid flat using the supplier’s measuring method. Ask players to reach forward, lift their arms and bend in a sample where available. Check hem coverage, shoulder movement and room for required equipment. Collect sizes individually rather than assigning them by appearance.
Design for recognition at playing distance
Choose a main colour, a supporting colour and one accent. Put the team name, crest and player number in a clear hierarchy instead of giving every element equal weight. Test the artwork small on screen: if the number disappears into the pattern, simplify the surrounding design or increase contrast. Confirm league requirements before approving number placement, sponsor positions or colour combinations. Screens and photographs are useful references, but final production colours need a separately agreed reference.
Approve the details as one complete order
Review the front, back and side artwork together with names, numbers, sizes and quantities. Check the longest surname and the smallest garment size rather than approving only a medium-size example. Ask which decoration methods suit the chosen fabric, what replacement orders require, and how care instructions will be supplied. TeamTone confirms available options, pricing, minimum quantities and timing after reviewing the request; these can vary by product and specification. Keep one dated approval file so later changes are easy to identify.