Ordering Sublimated Sports Kit: Your Club Checklist from Design to Matchday

You already know you want kit that looks sharp and lasts all season. The tricky part is the order itself: which files to send, which colours work, how names and numbers are handled and how long it all takes. Get those decisions right and your sublimated sports kit arrives looking exactly as you pictured it.

This checklist is for club secretaries, coaches and kit volunteers. It takes you through every decision in the order you’ll make it, so nothing holds up your kit at the last minute. Want the science behind the print first? Our official kit partner My Club Group explains how sublimation printing works in detail.

Sublimation print for sports kit: the 20-second recap

With sublimated kit, your design is dyed into the polyester rather than printed on top. There’s nothing to crack, peel or add weight, and your crest, sponsors, colours and squad numbers all go into one design. That’s why every core Decathlon Club match and training range is fully sublimated.

Now for the bit that matters when you’re ordering.

Step 1: Choose your sport and range

Start with what your squad actually needs this season. Match kit, training kit or both? Shirts only, or shirts, shorts and socks? Each sport range is built around the garments that sport uses most:

• Sublimated football kits: shirts, shorts, socks and goalkeeper tops
• Sublimated netball kits: dresses, tops and skorts
• Sublimated rugby kits: match shirts built for contact
• Sublimated basketball kits: vests and shorts

Quick tip: agree early who’s paying. Club-funded, player-funded and sponsor-funded kit all lead to different order sizes and timelines.

Step 2: Gather your artwork files

Sharp files make sharp kit. Before you open the Kit Designer, collect:

• Your club crest as a vector file (SVG, AI or EPS). Vector files scale to any size without blurring.
• Sponsor logos, also in vector format. Ask each sponsor for their brand files; most businesses have them ready.
• Written permission from each sponsor to use their logo on your kit.

Only have a JPEG or a photo of an old shirt? Tell your account manager early. It’s easier to sort artwork at the start than the week before sign-off.

Step 3: Pick colours that print well

Sublimation starts with white polyester, then dyes your design in. That means any colour, gradient or pattern costs the same as a plain design, so go bold if your club wants to. A few things are worth knowing:

• White details stay crisp. White areas, like a white crest or pinstripe on a navy shirt, are left undyed, so they’re the cleanest part of the print.
• Very dark kits can show a hint of white at seams. When fabric stretches at seams and cuffs, a little of the white base can show through. It isn’t a fault, but it’s worth knowing if you’re going all-black.
• Bring your colour references. If your club has official colour codes (Pantone or HEX), share them. Colours on screen never match fabric exactly, so ask your account manager how they’ll match your shade.

Step 4: Plan your sponsors and placement

Sponsors are often what funds the kit, so give them a placement worth paying for. Common spots are the shirt front, upper back, sleeves and shorts.

• Check your league or governing body rules on sponsor logo size and position before you sign off.
• Put your main sponsor on the shirt front and smaller partners on sleeves or shorts.
• Your artwork stays on file, so swapping a sponsor next season doesn’t mean starting the design again.

Step 5: Sort names, numbers and sizes

Every sublimated shirt is produced individually, so names and numbers are part of each shirt’s design. You’ll need a squad list with:

• Player name (spelled exactly as it should appear)
• Squad number
• Size for every garment

Use the size guide for each garment, and size junior players with room to grow. Keep a couple of spare numbers in mind for players who join mid-season. Because your design is saved, small top-up orders are straightforward.

Step 6: Work back from your deadline

Your confirmed delivery date is agreed when you get your quote, usually 6 weeks from final sign-off outside peak periods. The countdown starts at sign-off, not first contact, so allow time for collecting sizes and approving artwork too.

You need kit for	Aim to sign off by	Start gathering files and sizes
A tournament on 1 March	Mid January	Early January
Season start in early September	Mid July	Late June
A new sponsor launch	6 weeks before the reveal	As soon as the deal is agreed

Pre-season is the busiest time for team kit, so the earlier you order, the more breathing room you’ll have.

Step 7: Design it and get your quote

Open the Kit Designer to try patterns, colours and logo positions, and see your kit before you commit. When you’re happy, request a no-obligation quote. Your account manager will then work through artwork, sizing and delivery with you, from design file to matchday.

Step 8: Look after it

Sublimated kit is easy to care for. Wash at 30°C, turn shirts inside out and let them air dry. Because the colour is in the fabric, there’s no print to protect, but gentle washing keeps the fabric performing for longer.

Your pre-sign-off checklist

Tick these off before you approve your design:

1. Club crest in vector format (SVG, AI or EPS)
2. Sponsor logos in vector format, with permission confirmed
3. Club colours agreed, with colour codes if you have them
4. League rules on sponsor logos checked
5. Squad list complete: names, numbers and sizes
6. Budget and who’s paying agreed
7. Delivery date confirmed against your deadline

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we order a black or navy sublimated kit?

Yes. Dark colours are dyed into the fabric just like light ones. On very dark designs, a little of the white base may show where fabric stretches at seams, which is normal for sublimated kit.

Can we have a white crest on a dark shirt?

Yes. White areas are left undyed, so a white crest, number or stripe on a dark shirt comes out clean and crisp.

What happens if we change sponsor mid-season?

Your design stays on file, so we can update the sponsor logo and produce new shirts without redesigning from scratch.

A new player has joined. Can we order just one shirt?

Small top-up orders are straightforward because your artwork is already saved. Speak to your account manager about adding players to your squad.

How long does a sublimated kit order take?

Your delivery date is confirmed at the quote stage, usually 6 weeks from final sign-off outside peak periods.

What file format do we need for our crest?

Vector files (SVG, AI or EPS) give the sharpest result. If you’re not sure what you have, your account manager can check before artwork starts.

Ready to Order?

Gather your files, agree your colours and pick your deadline. Then open the Kit Designer to start building your kit, or contact us for a no-obligation quote.

Your kit should look like your club and play like proper sportswear. This checklist gets you there without the last-minute scramble.