When you order custom team jerseys, the printing method decides how your design looks, how long it lasts and what it costs. The short answer: dye-sublimation is best for full-colour, all-over designs on performance polyester; screen printing suits simple 1–4 colour logos on large runs; and heat transfer (vinyl or digital film) is ideal for a few pieces, names and numbers, or last-minute changes. Here is how all three compare so you can pick the right one for your kit.
How dye-sublimation works
Sublimation dyes the design directly into polyester fibres with heat, so the ink becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top. The result is a lightweight, breathable jersey with unlimited colours, gradients and photo-quality graphics that never crack or peel. It is the standard for custom soccer, basketball, baseball and cycling kits. The trade-off: it only works on white or light polyester, not cotton.
- Full-colour, edge-to-edge designs
- Team kits with names, numbers and sponsor logos
- Performance polyester and moisture-wicking fabric
- Any order size — no screens to set up
How screen printing works
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil, one screen per colour. It gives a thick, vivid, durable print and a low per-unit cost on large runs, which makes it popular for cotton t-shirts, hoodies and simple team logos. Because each colour needs its own screen, setup cost rises with the number of colours, so it is less suited to complex, multi-colour artwork or small quantities.
- Simple 1–4 colour logos or text
- Large quantities of the same design
- Cotton and cotton-blend garments
- Bold, opaque prints on dark fabric
How heat transfer works
Heat transfer applies a pre-cut vinyl or a printed film to the garment with heat and pressure. It is fast and economical for small batches, individual player names and numbers, or adding a logo to finished garments. Modern digital heat transfer can also reproduce full-colour designs. The main limitation is longevity — lower-quality transfers can crack or peel over time if not applied well.
- Small quantities and one-off pieces
- Player names and squad numbers
- Adding logos to ready-made blanks
- Quick reorders and last-minute changes
Quick comparison
| Method | Colours | Durability | Best order size | Best fabric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sublimation | Unlimited, photo-quality | Excellent (won’t crack) | Any | Polyester |
| Screen print | 1–4 (cost per colour) | Very good | Large | Cotton / blend |
| Heat transfer | Few to full-colour | Good (varies) | Small | Most fabrics |
Which should you choose?
For most custom sports uniforms — soccer, basketball, baseball, cycling — dye-sublimation is the best all-round choice: unlimited colours, no minimum-colour surcharge and prints that survive a full season. Choose screen printing if you need hundreds of cotton tees with a simple logo, and heat transfer when you only need a handful of pieces or want to personalise names and numbers. Many teams combine methods: sublimated jerseys with heat-pressed names and numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Does sublimation printing fade or peel?
No. Because the dye becomes part of the polyester fibre, sublimation prints do not crack, peel or fade under normal washing, unlike surface prints.
What is the minimum order for custom jerseys?
At Eliian, sublimated jerseys start from an MOQ of 10 pieces per design, with free artwork setup and a digital sample before production.
Can I sublimation-print on cotton?
Not effectively — sublimation needs polyester. For cotton garments, screen printing or heat transfer is the right choice.
Not sure which method suits your design? Eliian is a custom sportswear manufacturer in Xiamen, China, with in-house sublimation, screen printing, embroidery and heat transfer. Send your artwork for a free recommendation and a quote within 24 hours.