SUPPLIES
- Access to a print shop
- Time
- Money
Overview
Designing your own baseball jersey doesn't have to be a hard process, but for some reason many teams seem to have problems with it. Actually, some would say professional teams suffer that fate as well. However, here are some basic steps to follow in order to get a good-looking jersey that will make your players and their fans happy.
Getting Started
Step 1
Know your budget. The design of your jersey will rely heavily on how much you have to spend as well as how many ballplayers you need to suit up. Some jersey cost as much as $45 and some cost as little as $3 depending on what you want to wear.
Step 2
Shop around. Depending on where you live, there are usually a good variety of sporting goods stores as well as screen-printers in the your area. Contact several of them to compare prices and styles.
Step 3
Talk to other coaches. Most leagues have set rules on what colors teams can wear, but styles are different. A youth league may have restrictions on sleeve lengths, striping and materials. A rec league may let a team wear whatever they feel like it. So know what the rules are and what colors are available.
Step 4
Think about how the uniforms will affect play, and design your uniforms to help rather than hinder your game. If you are playing a lot of day games, think of cooler materials. If you play a lot on the weekends, don't be afraid to go with materials that are heavier. Materials that stretch may be better for a long season than a couple of cotton shirts needed for twelve games.
Making it work
Step 1
Get on a computer. Once you know your limitations on styles and have a budget, you need to actually design something. Most sporting goods stores will have templates that you can choose from to help design a uniform. Use these templates wisely.
Step 2
Get some options. A good manager will come up with about three different designs and show them to the team and or the team's parents (if dealing with youth leagues) Get their input on a final design.
Step 3
Ask questions of your supplier. Once you have an order in place, see if there are any deals on getting more jerseys if needed and how hard it is to get more. Get information on refunds as well
Step 4
Verify everything. Make sure the printer/supplier has your exact plans in place before sending the jerseys to be made.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Don't stand out in a crowd with uniforms. If every team in your league wears button jerseys, then you may want to do the same.
Sleeveless jerseys have become popular. Consider trends when making a choice.
- WARNING : Don't get carried away. Sure, three-pinstripes on the sleeves, a massive logo on the chest, numerals on the shoulders and five colors on the back may seem like a good idea, but think about a design that you can live with rather than going with the first choice that occurs to you.
Resources
