Designing your own custom soccer jersey comes down to five decisions: your starting design, your fabric, your printing method, your personalization, and your size. Get those five right, in the right order, and you end up with a jersey that looks like what you pictured. Get them out of order and you end up arguing with customer service about a print that peeled after two washes.
You don't need a design background to do this well. You need to know what to decide first, what to check before you commit, and where buyers usually get it wrong.
Start with a base design, not a blank page
Most buyers don't design a jersey from scratch. You start with an existing kit, whether that's a national team, a club, or a retro edition, and build your personalization on top of it. That's the faster path, and it's how most custom orders actually work.
If you're outfitting yourself or a small group, browse a team or league you already know you want. You could start from a United States national team jersey if you're kitting out for a watch party, or a Real Madrid jersey if a club kit is more your speed. Either way, you're customizing name and number onto a design that's already built. That's faster and cheaper than starting from zero.
If you're ordering for a team, a club, or a store, that's a different conversation. You'll want the fuller custom process below.
Pick your fabric before you pick your graphics
Fabric decides how your jersey performs before it decides how it looks. It's the step buyers skip most often. You can choose between lightweight mesh, football net fabric, plain weave fabric, and eyelet fabric, and each one suits a different use.
Pick lightweight mesh, football net fabric, or eyelet fabric if you're actually going to wear the jersey to play or train in. All three are perforated or open-weave fabrics built to breathe and move with you. Pick plain weave fabric instead if you want a sharper, more matte finish for a jersey that's more display piece than match kit. If you're not sure which one fits what you need it for, ask before you finalize a bulk order, not after the shipment arrives.
Choose your printing method
This is where a custom jersey either looks sharp for years or starts cracking after a few washes. FANKIT's custom process supports sublimation printing, digital printing, screen printing, heat transfer printing, and embroidery, along with specialty finishes like foam printing and reflective printing for detail work.
| Method | Best for | Durability |
|---|---|---|
| Sublimation printing | Full jerseys with all-over graphics, gradients, or busy patterns | The process works dye into the fabric fibers, so it doesn't crack or peel with normal washing |
| Screen printing | Simple, solid-color logos or numbers on a budget | Holds up reasonably well but can crack over years of heavy washing |
| Heat transfer printing | Small runs or last-minute name and number additions | Fastest to produce, but the least durable of the four over repeated wash cycles |
| Embroidery | Crests, sponsor patches, captain's armband details | The most durable option for small design elements, but not practical for full graphics |
Scope note: method names and availability are from FANKIT's own customization service page (fankitjersey.com/service/). Durability comparisons reflect general garment-printing industry standards rather than FANKIT-published test data, since the service page doesn't publish head-to-head durability specs.
For a full jersey with your team's colors and graphics, sublimation is usually the right call. For adding a name and number to an existing design, heat transfer or screen printing is often all you need, and it's the faster, cheaper route.
Add your name, number, and any custom details
Once the base design, fabric, and printing method are settled, personalization is the easy part. Add your preferred name and number, and if you're ordering for a team, submit your artwork or clear logo instructions for crests and sponsor placement. If you're working from your own design rather than an existing template, ask for a sample before you commit to a full order. A five-minute check on a mockup catches spelling errors and placement issues that are far more annoying to fix after a bulk run has already been printed.
Get your size right
Check FANKIT's size chart before you order. It covers S to XXL for men's jerseys, XS to XL for women's, and 4T to 12T for kids, with separate measurement tables for each range. If you don't fit comfortably into a standard size, you can send your own measurements instead of guessing between two sizes on a chart.
This matters more with imported jerseys than with jerseys you'd buy off a shelf at home. Cut and fit vary between manufacturers, so the size you wear in one brand's jersey isn't a reliable guide to another's. Measure yourself, check the chart for the specific jersey you're ordering, and size up if you're between two options and planning to wear it over a base layer.
Know your timeline before you order
Check FANKIT's shipping policy before you set a delivery expectation. FANKIT usually ships personalized items within 3 to 5 business days of order confirmation. Shipping to the US typically adds another 7 to 15 business days on top of that. If you're ordering for a specific date, a tournament watch party or a team's opening match, work backward from that date and add a buffer.
Rush production works for bulk and custom team orders too. Sampling can turn around in as little as 2 hours, and delivery follows in 3 days once you approve the design. If you're on a tight deadline, say so when you reach out. Don't assume standard timelines will stretch to fit.
Double-check spelling, number, and size before you submit a personalized order, since it's made specifically for you. If anything needs to change afterward, FANKIT's customer service can walk you through it, and reaching out before you finalize is faster than sorting it out once production has started.
Ordering as an individual vs. ordering for a team or store
If you're buying one jersey for yourself, the path is simple: pick a design from a national team, club, or retro collection, choose your size, and add your name and number at checkout.
If you're ordering for a team, a club, or a store, you're better off going through the full custom process rather than customizing one product at a time. That's where you pick sport type, size range, fabric, color, printing method, and neckline design as one package, then submit a roster or bulk quantity. Reach out through FANKIT's contact page with your team size, deadline, and design idea. You'll get a bulk quote back instead of paying one-off retail pricing per jersey.
Ready to order your custom soccer jersey
If you're ordering for yourself, pick a national team or club jersey you already know you want, then add your name and number at checkout. If you're outfitting a team, a club, or a store, walk through FANKIT's full custom jersey service and send over your roster size and design idea for a bulk quote instead of paying individual retail pricing for every jersey.
FAQ
Can I put my own name and number on any jersey on the site?
Personalization is available across FANKIT's national team, club, and retro jerseys. If you don't see a personalization option on a specific listing, ask before you order rather than assuming it's not available.
What's the difference between sublimation and heat transfer printing for a custom jersey?
Sublimation dyes the design into the fabric itself, so it holds up through repeated washing without cracking. Heat transfer presses a printed layer onto the fabric, which is faster and cheaper but wears down sooner. If you're ordering a full custom design rather than just a name and number, ask which method fits your budget and how long you need the jersey to last.
Do custom jerseys ship internationally, and how long does it take?
Yes. Shipping to the US, Canada, and several other countries runs 7 to 15 business days after your 3 to 5 day processing window. If you're working toward a specific date, build in that timeline and reach out about rush options if you're cutting it close.
Can I get a custom size if I don't fit the standard chart?
Yes, you can submit your own measurements instead of picking from the standard S to XXL chart. This is worth doing if you're between sizes or ordering for a body type the standard chart doesn't fit well.
Is there a minimum order for team or bulk custom jerseys?
Minimums vary by design and fabric choice, so the fastest way to get a real number is to contact FANKIT directly with your team size and design idea rather than guessing from a general chart.
Can a custom jersey with my name and number be returned or exchanged?
FANKIT makes personalized jerseys specifically for your order, so confirm sizing and spelling before you submit it. If you have questions about returns or exchanges on a custom or bulk order, get in touch with customer service before you finalize the order rather than after.
