Raise Your Uniform IQ: How to Order Team Uniforms for First-Time Buyers

You said yes. Whether you volunteered or not, you’re now the person in charge of ordering your team’s uniforms. If you’re doing it with RESTO, we want to make sure you have a seamless experience your first time around.

Good news: ordering team uniforms isn’t hard once you know the steps. Most first-time headaches, like late deliveries, wrong sizes, or misspelled names, trace back to a handful of avoidable mistakes, and this guide walks you through how to dodge them.

Quick Overview

1. Start with your deadline and work backward.

2. Decide what you need before you ask for quotes.

3. Collect sizes the right way, with a real roster and not guesses. Check our RESTO Athletic sizing chart to find the right fit for every player.

4. Check your design proof carefully before you approve it.

5. Choose a supplier that can answer these questions clearly.

Step 1: Start With Your Deadline

The biggest mistake first-time buyers make is starting too late. Custom uniforms are made to order, not something sitting on a shelf ready to ship.

Start with the date the team needs the uniforms in hand, then count backward:

Pro Tip: Start this process 6 to 8 weeks before your first game to ensure your order will arrive on time. 

Every order starts with a design mockup, and you'll have it within 24 hours of submitting your art. From there, you pick the delivery speed that fits your season:

Rush: 1 week delivery, 30% added to your subtotal. Needs a quick sign-off from your account manager.

Expedited: 2 week delivery, 15% added to your subtotal.

Standard: 3 week delivery, no added cost. This is the default for most teams planning ahead.

Economy: 5 week delivery, 10% off your subtotal. Only open certain times of year, so check with your rep on availability.

If your team plays baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, or softball, there's a faster path: RESTO Express. You design your own uniforms right in the RESTO Express Tool from a set of ready-to-go styles, and it ships in 2 weeks with no minimum order. There's also a Warm-Up & Fleece option in the tool for teams that just need hoodies, ready in that same 2 weeks. When your gear falls into one of these categories, it's the quickest way from idea to jersey.

Step 2: Decide What You Need Before You Ask for Quotes

Quotes are only useful when you're comparing the same thing. Before you contact anyone, answer these questions with your coach or team board:

• What items? Jerseys only, or jerseys plus shorts, pants, or socks?

• Home and away? Two sets of jerseys, or one reversible jersey that does both?

• How many players? Add 1 to 2 extra uniforms for late sign-ups.

• Coaches and staff? Decide now whether they need matching custom polos. Adding them later can mean a second order.

• Names and numbers? Numbers only, or names on the back too?

• Budget per player? Know whether the team, a sponsor, or each family is paying.

• Logos? Do you have a clean, high-quality logo file? The best practice is to upload your logo as a vector file. If a vector file isn’t available, a 300 DPI PNG or JPG will suffice.

Step 3: Collect Sizes the Right Way

Before you send anything to parents, pull up RESTO's sizing chart so everyone measures against the same numbers instead of guessing. Sizing is where most first-time orders go wrong: one wrong size means an unhappy player and a slow, costly fix.

Use a simple roster sheet. Make a shared spreadsheet with one row per player with columns:

Sizing tips that save headaches

• Send parents the size chart. Don't let them guess from the brand they buy at the store. Sizes vary a lot from brand to brand. RESTO's charts are on our sizing guide.

• Make "Youth or adult?" its own column. "Medium" means very different things in youth and adult sizing.

• Set a firm deadline for size replies. Chase the last few families early, because they're the ones who delay the order.

• Look for duplicate numbers before you submit. Two players wearing #7 is a common mix-up.

• Double-check spelling of every name on the back. Custom-printed names can't be fixed after production.

Step 4: Check Your Design and Proof Carefully

Know how your uniforms are printed

Most modern team uniforms are dye-sublimated. The ink goes into the fabric instead of sitting on top of it. That means colors, logos, names, and numbers won't crack, peel, or fade the way screen-printed or heat-pressed graphics can. This also means any is possible: full patterns, gradients, and colors on every part of the garment.

Getting a design made

You don't need to be a designer. At RESTO, you have three options:

• Use the AI Designer to turn your ideas into a print-ready design in under 2 minutes.

• Have a Designer make it for you.

• Design your own with RESTO Express, with no minimum orders. Some of our styles are eligible for express, marked with a red “Express” tag. You design it step-by-step, so there's no art approval to wait on, and most orders ship in under one week.

What to check on your proof

A mockup is a high-quality digital preview of your finished uniform. Once you approve it, production starts, so review it slowly. Use this checklist:

• Every name is spelled correctly

• No duplicate number

• Sizes match your roster sheet

• Logos are sharp, correctly placed, and the right colors

• The team name is spelled correctly (yes, this happens)

• Front and back both look right

• Colors are what you expected (screens vary, so ask if you're unsure)

• You have permission to use any school, league, or sponsor logos

Pro Tip: Have a second person review the proof too. A fresh set of eyes catches mistakes you'll miss after staring at them for a while

Step 5: Choose the Right Supplier

Price matters, but it shouldn't be the only thing you compare. The cheapest quote can end up costing more if the order arrives late or wrong. Here's what to look for and how RESTO stacks up on each:

Red flags to watch for

• Vague answers about timelines ("it depends")

• No digital proof before production

• Quotes that leave out shipping, setup, or name/number fees

• No clear answer on who makes the product

Why teams choose RESTO

We've delivered over 8 million custom products from factories we own and run. Our Alexandria, Egypt, facility is WRAP-certified for responsible manufacturing, and you can track your order from start to finish.

Quick Glossary

• Dye sublimation: A printing method where ink bonds into the fabric, so graphics don't crack or peel.

• Proof: A digital preview of your uniform that you approve before production.

• Minimum order (MOQ): The smallest number of pieces a supplier will make.

• Turnaround time: How long from approved proof to shipped order.

• Rush order: A faster production option, often with an added fee.

• Roster: Your list of players with names, numbers, and sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I order team uniforms?

Plan to start 6 to 8 weeks before you need them. That leaves time to collect sizes, approve a proof, produce, ship, and handle surprises. If you're short on time, ask about rush options.

What if a player's size is wrong?

Contact your supplier right away. Custom uniforms with names and numbers usually can't be returned, which is why it pays to check sizes against the supplier's chart before you order.

Can I order uniforms for a small team?

Yes. Some suppliers have minimums, but RESTO Express has no minimum order on select styles and as low as 8 orders at standard.

What should I do if a new player joins mid-season?

Ask your supplier about reorders. Ordering 1 to 2 extra uniforms at the start can save you a separate order later.

Do I need to be a designer to create custom uniforms?

No. At RESTO you can use an AI design tool, build a design in an online studio, or have a professional designer create it for you.

What's the difference between sublimated and screen-printed uniforms?

Sublimated graphics are part of the fabric, so they won't crack or peel. Screen-printed graphics sit on top of the fabric and can wear over time.

You've Got This

Ordering uniforms for the first time feels like a big job, but it comes down to five things: start early, know what you need, get sizes right, check your proof, and pick a supplier you can trust.

If you’re ready, you can browse our products here or start designing with our AI designer.