Top 5 Things B2B Buyers Should Know About Custom Sportswear

If you’re a club manager, school administrator, coach, or distributor looking to source custom sportswear in bulk, there’s more to consider than just price and design. From choosing the right fabric to understanding lead times and sizing, making smart choices upfront can save you time, money, and frustration. In this guide, we’ll break down the top 5 things every B2B buyer should know about custom sportswear — so you can order with confidence and get gear your team or clients will love.

Customization Goes Beyond Logos

When it comes to custom sportswear, many B2B buyers think adding a logo is enough — but real impact comes from a full branding approach. Customization is about creating a unified, professional look across all gear, whether it’s for players, staff, or supporters.

Team Colors, Names & Numbers Matter

Your team colours are the foundation of your brand identity. Using consistent shades across jerseys, shorts, warm-up gear, and accessories helps reinforce your visual presence — especially during matches, tournaments, or school events.

Adding names and player numbers isn’t just for professional teams — it’s a smart move for clubs and schools too. It:

• Builds a sense of ownership and pride
• Makes it easier for coaches and fans to identify players
• Looks far more professional in photos, videos, and media coverage

Consistency Across All Items Builds Brand Identity

Uniformity is key — especially when you’re ordering full team kits, staff apparel, or supporter gear. Using different fonts, mismatched colour tones, or varying logo placements across items can weaken your overall image.

That’s why we recommend:

• Using preset design templates for each product category
• Applying the same fonts, colours, and placement rules to all items
• Working with a supplier who can ensure batch-to-batch colour matching

Whether you’re outfitting a youth academy, university team, or national league squad — consistent, high-quality branding across all gear makes your organisation look sharp and reliable.

Fabric Quality Impacts Performance & Perception

In B2B sportswear, the fabric you choose affects both performance and how your brand is perceived. Whether you’re supplying gear for athletes, schools, or clients, quality materials ensure comfort, durability, and a professional look — all of which reflect directly on your organisation.

Know the Difference Between Cotton, Polyester & Blends

Each fabric has its own pros and cons. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right fit for your team or customer base:

• Cotton
  • Soft and breathable
  • Ideal for casual wear and off-field apparel
  • Less suitable for intense training due to moisture retention
• Polyester
  • Lightweight, durable, and fast-drying
  • Great for high-performance use (jerseys, training gear)
  • Holds shape well and resists shrinking or wrinkles
• Cotton-Polyester Blends
  • Combines comfort with functionality
  • Popular for tracksuits, hoodies, and polos
  • Offers a balance between breathability and structure

Choosing the right material depends on how the apparel will be used — training, matches, events, or casual wear.

Ask About Breathability, Durability, and Moisture-Wicking

B2B buyers should always check if the fabric meets the following performance standards:

• Breathability – Keeps athletes cool and reduces sweat buildup
• Durability – Handles frequent washing, rough use, and outdoor wear
• Moisture-wicking – Pulls sweat away from the body for comfort and hygiene

Premium fabrics not only improve athletic performance but also reduce the chances of returns, complaints, or negative feedback from clients or players.

When placing large or repeat orders, request fabric samples or performance specs from your supplier — it’s a small step that leads to better long-term satisfaction.

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) & Lead Times Vary

One of the most important things B2B buyers should understand when ordering custom sportswear is that every supplier has different rules for MOQs and turnaround times. Knowing these details upfront helps you plan better and avoid delays — especially if you’re ordering for an upcoming season or event.

Understand Your Supplier’s Production Timeline

Production timelines depend on multiple factors:

• Type of product (jersey, tracksuit, hoodie, etc.)
• Level of customization (logos, names, numbers, special fabrics)
• Current production volume and factory capacity

For most custom sportswear, you can expect:

• Design approval + mockups: 1–2 working days
• Production time: 7–15 working days (depending on complexity & volume)
• Delivery: 3–5 working days in Ireland/UK, longer for international

Always ask for an estimated delivery date before placing your order — and buffer in extra time during busy periods (e.g., pre-season, tournament months).

Look for Low MOQ Options for Testing or Small Clubs

Not every B2B customer is ordering for 100+ players — and your supplier should understand that.

Look for brands or manufacturers offering:

• Low MOQ options (as few as 5–10 pieces per item)
• Flexible pricing for smaller teams, pilot runs, or testing new designs
• Ability to reorder in small batches without starting from scratch

This is especially helpful for:

• New clubs or academies testing uniforms
• Schools needing limited sizes or one-off event kits
• Retailers or resellers trialling new collections

Working with a supplier who supports low MOQs gives you more freedom and less risk — especially when scaling up later.

Sizing Accuracy Is Crucial for Team Orders

In B2B custom sportswear, getting the right fit across all players or staff is just as important as the design itself. One wrong size can affect performance, comfort — and create unnecessary back-and-forth or returns. That’s why ensuring accurate sizing is a key step before finalizing large orders.

Request Size Charts & Samples for Fit Checking

Before you confirm your order, always ask your supplier for:

• A detailed size chart (with chest, waist, length, etc.)
• Information on fit types — standard, slim, or pro fit
• Sample items (if available) to try out in advance

Trying samples or measuring against a trusted chart helps you avoid guesswork — especially when ordering for mixed age groups, genders, or teams with varied body types.

This step is especially useful for:

• Schools and youth clubs
• Corporate wellness teams
• International clients unsure of regional sizing differences

Group Sizing Support Saves Time and Mistakes

If you’re ordering for 10, 30, or 100+ people, manually collecting individual sizes can get messy. A good supplier should offer group sizing support, such as:

• Excel/order forms to easily input player names and sizes
• Online size selection portals for each team member
• Recommendations based on age or body type (e.g., U15 teams)

This service saves time, ensures consistency, and helps you avoid ordering extras or wrong sizes, especially in bulk.

Pro Tip: Ask if your supplier keeps past sizing records for easy reorders — this is a game-changer for returning teams or yearly orders.

Choosing the Right Supplier Saves You Time & Stress

When you’re managing a team, club, school, or retail operation, the last thing you need is production delays, poor communication, or low-quality gear. Working with the right custom sportswear supplier makes everything smoother — from design to delivery and beyond.

Look for Experience, Responsiveness, and Custom Support

Not all suppliers are created equal. When evaluating partners, make sure they offer:

• Experience in working with B2B clients (especially teams, schools, and clubs)
• Fast and clear communication — delays in replies can delay your entire order
• Design assistance — including mockups, logo help, and fabric suggestions
• Customer support that helps with sizing, shipping, and any post-order needs

A reliable supplier will act more like a partner than just a vendor — helping you get exactly what your team needs, on time.

Check Reviews, Past Work, and Flexibility on Reorders

Before committing to a bulk or seasonal order, do a bit of research:

• Browse customer reviews (especially on delivery, quality, and after-sales service)
• Ask for past work samples or portfolio photos of finished team kits
• Confirm their reorder process — can you easily order 5 more jerseys later without starting from scratch?

Reorders are common in teamwear — whether you get new players mid-season or want to repeat a design next year. The right supplier will make this easy, without extra fees or design delays.

Final Thoughts – A Reliable Partner Makes All the Difference

When it comes to ordering custom sportswear for your team or organization, the details matter — from fabric and fit to timelines and support. As a B2B buyer, your goal is to find a supplier that not only delivers high-quality gear but also makes the entire process easier, faster, and stress-free.

At Jusportz, we specialize in working with schools, clubs, academies, and resellers — offering low MOQs, full design support, and fast, reliable delivery.

• Custom kits built to match your team identity
• Expert guidance from first design to final order
• Bulk discounts and flexible reordering options