Screen printing, sublimation, embroidered twill...does industry jargon make your head spin?
In this article we demystify these terms and help you answer: which type of jersey it best for your team (hint: it depends on what you need).
Examples of products we've created for hockey teams across Canada and the United States
What makes heads turn and competitors' jaws drop, when you skate by in a blur? Great looking hockey jerseys from JerseysMadeEasy.com of course! Whether it's tomorrow's pros, beer league bros, the ladies, or minor hockey we all want to look good and play better. Nothing makes the blades churn that little bit faster than some sweet looking custom hockey sweaters, and that's what we are going to talk about in this article.
Although the team at JerseysMadeEasy.com produces some great looking custom gear like socks, pant shells, skate mats etc. this article is devoted to helping you make the best custom hockey jersey choice possible based on your budget and timeline.
If you are reading this article there's a pretty good chance that you have been elected as the one in charge, the big cheese or the only one that stepped forward to look after ordering your new jerseys. However you got here our job is to make things EASY, and take the mystery and confusion out of ordering new hockey jerseys.
What are the different types of custom hockey jerseys?
There are three styles of decorated jerseys...so, what does Jersey Dude mean by DECORATED? Basically, that's the way we apply your team logo, numbers and names onto the hockey jersey.
Here's a quick overview of what each term means before we dig into the details of the pros, cons, etc.
- #1 - Screen Printed Hockey Jerseys: an inexpensive ink applied on top of an in-stock jersey
- #2 - Sublimated Hockey Jerseys: a different style of ink (much more premium than screening ink) that is dyed directly into a blank white piece of fabric and sewn from scratch each time.
- #3 - Embroidered Twill Hockey Jerseys: embroidery thread is used to create the logo design on a piece of twill then sewn to the jersey. Names and numbers are cut and sewn to the jersey. The base jersey can be a stock jersey or custom-made.
- #4 - Hybrid options: we won't get into it in detail, but sometimes we create jerseys that use more than one style of decoration (e.g. a sublimated jersey with an embroidered logo).
#1 - Screen Printed Hockey Jerseys
Quick overview
- Description: an inexpensive ink applied on top of an in-stock jersey
- Price*: $22-75 (varies with design complexity)
- Timeline (includes shipping): 3-4 weeks
- Design capabilities: limited to in-stock patterns
- When the JerseysMadeEasy.com Recommends This Style: if you're looking for something simple or on a time constraint
*Based on 2021 Canadian dollar pricing for a set of 12-24 jerseys. Our online quoting shows volume discounts for 25 or more jerseys
Example of a screen printed hockey jersey
"I'm in a hurry and need my jerseys, like yesterday."
Sound familiar?
Ok, we may not be able to get your jerseys that fast, but if time is not on your side and you don't want to break the bank then screen printed jerseys is probably your best option.
The first step is to pick a blank jersey to decorate, again the folks at Kobe Sportswear have given us a whack of choices to find that perfect fit.
Once we have the blank jersey selected we then create a series of “screens” for each colour in your logo. A screen looks a bit like a picture frame: we place the corresponding colour of ink onto each screen, then push the colour through to create the design on each jersey.
Your logo can be everything from one colour all the way to six colours if you want. With this application you pay by the number of colours that you have in your logo.
Footage credit to Eddie Moon (full video here)
Heat pressed vinyl name and numbers on a jersey
Next come numbers: we usually use vinyl film numbers on screen printed jerseys. These numbers are typically put on the back of the jersey and can be applied as a single colour or a two colour application. If you want to get all fancy we can even apply sleeve numbers to your jerseys.
If you want to have your name in lights we can do that as well...well, maybe not in lights, but on the back of your jersey. Pretty much the same application as the numbers the names are applied with a film and heated onto the jersey.
Screen printed jerseys are typically the most economical option starting at $30 (Canadian dollars)/ jersey. That includes a blank jersey, a one colour logo and a back number, this pricing is for quantities of 12-24 jerseys. If you need a bunch more than the price goes down as we do pass along volume discounts for larger quantities. We can usually get this style of jerseys produced and shipped to your door between 3 and 4 weeks depending where in North America you live.
#2 - Sublimated Hockey Jerseys
Quick overview
- Description: a dyed jersey built completely from scratch starting with a white roll of fabric
- Price*: $55 (partially sublimated), $75 (fully sublimated), $110 (reversible sublimated)
- Timeline (includes shipping): 4-6 weeks
- Design capabilities: no limitations including unlimted striping, logos, and colours
- When the JerseysMadeEasy.com Recommends This Style: if you have a unique design, multiple logos (e.g. sponsor logos), or want something bold to stand out from the crowd
- Other noteworth comments: sublimated jerseys are the easiest style of jersey to produce in small batch re-orders (e.g. when you need 2 or 3 fill-in shirts)
*Based on 2021 Canadian dollar pricing for a set of 12-24 jerseys. Our online quoting shows volume discounts for 25 or more jerseys
How Sublimated Hockey Jerseys Are Made: Step 1
(actual footage from one of our manufacturing facilities)
Have you ever been to the rink and seen a jersey that really caught your eye? Did they have a really cool striping pattern or graphics that had to be seen to be believed? Well I'll bet they were a sublimated jersey!
These jerseys are your absolute best bang-for-your-buck jersey option. With sublimated jerseys there are no limits to graphics, colours, logos, numbers, or names. Whatever you want, you get and the set price never changes, so go ahead get creative and make heads turn!
How Sublimated Hockey Jerseys Are Made: Step 2
(actual footage from one of our manufacturing facilities)
The sublimated jerseys basically start with a white piece of fabric and then a computer program injects the appropriate colour into the correct location.
All of your jersey features are dyed right into the jersey, ensuring that these hockey sweaters won't fade or peel as time goes on. Sublimated jerseys are made from a very durable, breathable polyester fabric and are built to last for the long haul.
How Sublimated Hockey Jerseys Are Made: Step 3
(actual footage from one of our manufacturing facilities)
Once you have given us the OK on your artwork these jerseys will take between 4 to 6 weeks to produce and ship to your door.
Keep in mind, however, that the artwork process can be lengthier than other styles: sometimes the squad can debate for weeks over different jersey details. To keep things moving quickly, it's always best to come to us with what is as close to a finished idea as possible. Even if we have to draw it for you it's best to know exactly what you want and be able to describe it clearly.
There are three types of sublimated jerseys that we offer at JerseysMadeEasy.com and anyone of them will make you look good. Your teammates will celebrate you, you will become a legend and of course that means you are now the Jersey Dude(s), putting you in charge of all jersey re-orders.
From most-to-least popular, here are the 3 different "styles" of sublimated jerseys:
- Fully sublimated jerseys: as the name suggests, everything is sublimated
- Reversible sublimated jerseys: everything is sublimated inside-and-out
- Partially sublimated jerseys (aka "hybrid sublimated jerseys"): only the front and back of the jersey are sublimated (to keep costs down) while the sleeves and shoulders are a solid colour
Fully Sublimated Hockey Jerseys
Example of a fully sublimated jersey
This is our "go-to" style of sublimated jersey where every inch of the jersey is sublimated (dyed).
Unlike screen printing, one flat price allows for:
- Unlimited logo colours
- Unlimited logo locations (shoulders, sponsor bars, etc.)*
- Completely custom striping
- Numbers on the back, sleeve, and even front!
- Names
- Option to add a lace collar
*We cover vectoring on up to 3 images
Reversible Sublimated Hockey Jerseys
Question: How can I get 2 sets of really cool, high quality jerseys that won't break the bank?
Answer: reversible sublimated jerseys
The exact same process that goes into the fully sublimated jersey creates the reversible jersey, so you have no restrictions to colour, graphics or features.
These jerseys run about 20%-ish less than buying a home/away set of single-sided jerseys.
The only downsides vs. a single-sided jersey are:
- It's heavier (it's 2 layers of fabric)
- You can't get a lace collar
- If you're prone to losing sweaters, losing 1 is more costly
- They can wear out slightly faster, especially since the "inside" gets "picked" at by your equipment's Velcro
Reversible Hockey Jerseys We Made For a Warrior-Sponsored Hockey School
Partially Sublimated Hockey Jerseys (aka "Hybrid Sublimated Jerseys")
Examples of a partially sublimated jersey.
Notice how there are no numbers, logos, or striping on the sleeves or shoulders. The body typically is a contrasting colour to the sleeves/shoulders as well.
This is the third option in our sublimated line of jerseys, and is a real bargain at about 25% less than a fully sublimated jersey.
The only difference with the hybrid jersey is that the arms and neckline need to be the same solid colour, so that means that numbers, stripping, and other features need to be restricted to the body of the jersey.
Also, since the body of the jersey is sublimated and the sleeves are a stock fabric, we typically recommend making the body of the jersey a contrasting colour to the sleeves. This is because the blue on the body will never be a perfect match to the blue on the sleeves.
Sound confusing? Take a look at the example pictures and it should become much more obvious.
#3 - Embroidered Hockey Jerseys
Quick overview
- Description: cut and/or embroidered pieces of twill sewn to a jersey
- Price*: $75-150 (varies with design complexity)
- Timeline (includes shipping): 4-8 weeks (varies with design complexity)
- Design capabilities: usually limited to in-stock patterns, although custom patterns are sometimes produced at an extra charge.
- When the JerseysMadeEasy.com Recommends This Style: if you're looking for that traditional "pro" look with sewn-on features
*Based on 2021 Canadian dollar pricing for a set of 12-24 jerseys. Our online quoting shows volume discounts for 25 or more jerseys
An embroidered patch being made. Once it is completed, it will be cut out, then sewn to a jersey.
Footage credit to Embrosoft Canada (full video here).
Remember the days when Gordie and Bobby played the game? Man, those jerseys had such a great look and feel to them.
If you want to create a jersey with a vintage, retro look to them then you've come to the right place!
First, we start with a blank jersey from our partners at Kobe Sportswear, with countless stripping patterns and colours to choose from, you're bound to find that perfect match.
Once your twill logo has been produced it is hand sewn onto your jerseys. Another slightly less expensive option option is to take your logo and create a sublimated twill patch which is basically a piece of twill that is dyed and then sewn onto your jersey.
Embroidered Hockey Jersey Example
2-Colour Sewn Twill Names and Numbers
After we have the front of your jersey pretty much finished we can flip it over and finish the back. We can either apply one colour hand sewn numbers to the back or sleeve or you can really make things pop and go for the two colour option.
Names can be either hand sewn with individual letters or we can sew on a sublimated name bar for a few dollars less. This form of customization has a very classic look and feel to it but it is also the most expensive jersey option with all of the hand sewn elements that go into them.
#4 - Hybrid Options
A super unique sublimated hockey jersey with an embroidered logo
We're not going to spend much time here, but sometimes jerseys fall in multiple buckets due to what a customer is after.
This particular customer was trying to replicate a one-off promotional jersey pattern used in the KHL for a single special event game.
He wanted an embroidered logo, a camo pattern (which is only possible with sublimation), and he had a particular budget to stay within. We ended up doing a sublimated pattern with sublimated shoulder logos, numbers, names, etc., BUT, we created an embroidered twill crest to sew on and give him that "pro" feel.
Summary
Ya, so when you ask: "How much for a set of hockey jerseys?"
We're tempted to give you a response that mirrors a popular 2008 Facebook relationship status: "It's complicated."
But really...it isn't.
Let's summarize a number of situations where one style of jersey might be a distinctly better fit for you than all the others (click the recommended style to get an instant quote):
| Your Team's Jersey Situation | Recommended Style of Jersey |
|
You want to keep price as low as possible |
|
|
You want your jerseys ASAP (and even 1 week faster makes a huge difference) |
|
|
You have a extremely unique design (e.g. camo) not found within our stock patterns |
|
|
You have a large number of sponsor logos |
|
|
You want sleeve numbers, names, shoulder logos, and more, but you want to keep the price within reason |
|
|
You want to re-order jerseys in small batches for fill-ins (e.g. 2 or 3 extra jerseys at a time after the initial run) |
|
|
You want a traditional "pro" look |
1 comment
I’ve read your blog. It was really fantastic and the way you described it is also professional. Will love to read your incoming blogs too, really appreciate your work and dedication. We have usa digitizer to fulfill your embroidery needs.