How Much Do Custom Jerseys Cost? A Team Manager's Budget Guide

Jersey prices vary more than most team managers expect. Two quotes for "20 basketball jerseys" can be far apart because one is a screen-printed polyester tee and the other is a fully sublimated reversible with names and numbers. The price comes from a handful of choices you control: the decoration method, the fabric, names and numbers, quantity and timing.

By the RELYmedia editorial team · Updated November 2, 2026

What Custom Team Jerseys Cost

Across the market, custom jerseys commonly run from about $10 per piece for a basic screen-printed jersey in quantity to $75 or more for a premium sublimated or tackle twill uniform top. Adding a player name and number commonly adds a few dollars per jersey. These are general market ranges, not RELYmedia prices; your actual price depends on the style, method and quantity, so get a quote on your exact order.

For context on the wider family budget: the Aspen Institute's Project Play survey found that the average U.S. sports family spent $1,016 on their child's primary sport in 2024, a 46% increase since 2019. Uniforms are one part of that, which is why many leagues look hard at the jersey line.

Cost by Decoration Method

Tackle twill costs the most because every letter and number is a separate piece of fabric that is cut, placed and sewn down, and multi-layer numbers multiply that work. Sublimation has no per-color charge, so a complex design costs about the same as a simple one. Sublimation only works on polyester, which is most performance jerseys.

What Pushes the Price Up

• Names and numbers: each player's name and number is an individual setup, usually charged per jersey.
• More ink colors: in screen printing, every extra color is another screen and another pass.
• Rush production: expedited orders usually carry a surcharge.
• Performance fabric: moisture-wicking polyester and mesh panels cost more than a basic cotton blend.
• Reversible jerseys: a higher price per piece, but one jersey replaces separate home and away tops.
• Small quantities: setup costs are spread over fewer jerseys, so the price per piece rises.

What Keeps the Price Down

• Order the full roster in one batch so setup is paid once
• Keep screen-printed designs to one or two colors
• Use sublimation when the design has many colors or gradients
• Reuse last season’s approved design; some suppliers price repeat orders lower
• Order early enough to avoid rush charges

Many of the same cost rules apply to team shirts. Our guide to how much custom t-shirts cost covers screen printing setup and quantity breaks in more detail.

Minimum Orders and Reorders

Minimum order quantities depend on the supplier and the method. Screen printing and tackle twill have setup work that makes very small orders expensive per piece, while heat transfer and some sublimation programs are easier to run in small numbers. Ask two questions before you order:

• What is the minimum for this style and decoration method?
• What does a single replacement jersey cost later in the season, with the same name and number setup?

Ordering two or three extra jerseys in your most common sizes is usually cheaper than a one-piece reorder mid-season.

Collecting Sizes and Roster Names

Wrong sizes and misspelled names lead to paid reorders, and both usually come from how the roster was collected.

• Use one online form with player name, number, jersey size and a backup size
• Set a firm deadline ahead of your order date and send reminders
• Ask parents to type names exactly as they should print
• Check every name and number against the roster before you approve the proof
• Use the size chart for the exact jersey style; youth and adult sizing differ by brand
• When a growing player is between sizes, size up

To measure, take the chest at its widest point with arms relaxed and compare it with the maker's chart for that style. Youth XL and adult small often overlap, so use the measurement, not the age.

Planning the Timeline

Production time varies by supplier, method and season, so ask for the in-hand date when you request a quote and work backward from your first game. Build in a buffer: one late roster change or art revision can push the ship date.

• Art not print-ready: send vector files (AI, EPS or PDF) rather than low-resolution JPEGs.
• Roster changes after approval: lock names and numbers before you sign off on the art.
• Payment holds: confirm billing before you submit.
• Stock: check the jersey style and colors are in stock before designing around them.

Design Choices That Save Time and Money

• Bold, simple fonts for names and numbers read better from the stands
• Fewer colors mean fewer screens in screen printing
• Vector logos avoid redraw charges and approval delays
• Sublimated color is dyed into the fabric, so it will not crack or peel like a printed layer, though like any dyed fabric it can fade with heavy sun and washing

For lettering ideas, see our guide to fonts for team jerseys.

Have your roster, sizes and artwork ready? Request a quote below with the style, quantity and the date you need the jerseys.