Team Custom Jersey Ordering Guide: The Complete Process from Design to Delivery

Owning a set of exclusive team jerseys is a milestone for any cycling club once it reaches a certain size. Uniform jerseys not only enhance team recognition and cohesion but also make riders more visible to other road users during group rides, improving safety. However, the process of ordering custom jerseys from scratch is full of details and potential pitfalls—from supplier selection, design approval, size collection to final delivery, every step can affect the quality of the finished product and team satisfaction. This article shares the complete ordering process and practical advice.

Step 1: Determine Needs and Budget

Item Checklist

Before contacting suppliers, confirm which items the team needs to order:

Core Items:

• Short Sleeve Jersey
• Bib Shorts

Additional Items (as needed):

• Long Sleeve Jersey
• Thermal Jersey
• Wind Vest / Gilet
• Arm Warmers
• Leg Warmers
• Socks
• Cycling Cap
• Gloves

Budget Planning

The price range for custom jerseys is extremely wide, depending on supplier tier, fabric quality, and order quantity:

Tier	Short Sleeve Jersey Unit Price	Bib Shorts Unit Price	Features
Entry-Level	NT$800-1,500	NT$1,200-2,000	Chinese OEM factories, basic fabrics, sublimation printing
Mid-Range	NT$1,500-3,000	NT$2,000-4,000	Quality fabrics, multi-panel designs, EIT mid-range pads
High-End	NT$3,000-5,000	NT$4,000-7,000	Italian fabrics, aero cut, EIT premium pads
Top-Tier	NT$5,000+	NT$7,000+	Made in Italy, race-grade fabrics and pads

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ):
Most suppliers have a MOQ of 10-20 pieces (per style). Some suppliers accept smaller quantities, but unit prices will increase accordingly.

Step 2: Choose a Supplier

Supplier Types

1. Globally Renowned Custom Brands:

Brand	Headquarters	MOQ	Features	Price Range
Bioracer	Belgium	10 pcs	Pro team supplier, wind tunnel-tested fabrics	High
Champion System	Hong Kong	5 pcs	Top choice for Asian teams, fast delivery	Mid
Jakroo	China	10 pcs	Online design tool, affordable pricing	Entry-Mid
Kalas	Czech Republic	15 pcs	European quality, UCI pro team supplier	High
Primal Wear	USA	6 pcs	User-friendly design tool, American style	Mid

2. Local Taiwanese Suppliers:

Taiwan has an excellent textile industry foundation, and many local suppliers offer competitive quality and pricing. The advantages of local suppliers include: seamless communication, fast sampling, the ability to discuss details face-to-face, low shipping costs, and convenient after-sales service.

3. Alibaba/Chinese OEM:

The lowest price option, but quality varies enormously. If the budget is very limited, this can be considered, but quality control measures are essential. It is recommended to order samples first to confirm quality before placing a large order.

Key Questions for Evaluating Suppliers

When contacting suppliers, ask the following questions:

1. What fabric options are available? Are fabric samples available to feel and compare?
2. Which brand of pad does the bib shorts use? (Elastic Interface? Cytech? In-house brand?)
3. What printing technology is used? (Sublimation? Heat transfer?)
4. Is the size chart Asian fit or European fit?
5. How many rounds of free design revisions are included?
6. What is the lead time from design confirmation to delivery?
7. Is sampling service available? What is the sampling fee?
8. What is the return/exchange policy for defective items?

Step 3: Design Process

Preparation Before Designing

Establish the Design Direction:

• Team logo (vector file, AI or SVG format)
• Primary colors (Pantone color codes are the most accurate)
• Sponsor logos (if any)
• Design style preferences (minimalist? geometric patterns? gradients? retro?)

Gather Inspiration:

• Browse Pinterest or Instagram for team jersey designs
• Reference pro team jersey design trends
• Pay attention to the visual effect of color combinations—visibility during outdoor rides is important

Design Tools

Supplier-Provided Online Design Tools:
Most suppliers (such as Champion System, Jakroo) offer online 3D design tools that let you drag and drop elements and adjust colors on a virtual jersey. These tools are easy to use but offer limited flexibility, making them suitable for simple design needs.

Self-Design:
If the team has a designer or wants a more refined design, you can request template files from the supplier (usually in Adobe Illustrator format), complete the design in professional design software, and submit it to the supplier. This approach offers the most freedom but requires design capability.

Commission the Supplier to Design:
Some suppliers offer design services (usually for an additional fee). You only need to provide the logo, color preferences, and design direction, and the supplier’s design team will complete the design.

Design Considerations

1. Color Management: The colors seen on screen may differ from the actual printed colors. Use Pantone color codes or request a color proof from the supplier.
2. Logo Resolution: All logos and graphics should be in vector format (AI, SVG, EPS). Raster images (JPG, PNG) will become blurry when enlarged. The minimum resolution requirement is typically 300 DPI.
3. Pattern Alignment at Seams: Confirm whether the supplier can guarantee continuous pattern alignment at the side seams. This is an important indicator of quality.
4. Safety Considerations: Add reflective elements to the back and sides of the jersey, especially if the team frequently rides in the early morning or evening.
5. Name/Number Personalization: Confirm whether the supplier supports printing different names or numbers on each jersey. Some suppliers charge an additional fee for personalized printing.

Step 4: Size Collection and Management

Sizing issues are the most error-prone part of team jersey ordering. Here are strategies to reduce sizing mistakes:

Size Chart Types

Asian Fit vs European Fit:
Asian fit is typically 1-2 sizes smaller than European fit. If you are 175cm tall and weigh 70kg, you might wear L in Asian fit and M in European fit. Be sure to confirm which fit the supplier’s size chart corresponds to.

Race Fit vs Club Fit:

• Race Fit: Form-fitting cut, smoothest in the riding position, feels very tight when standing.
• Club Fit: More relaxed, relatively comfortable both standing and riding, but less aerodynamic.

Size Collection Process

1. Request a Size Chart: Ask the supplier for a detailed size chart, including recommended ranges for chest, waist, hip, and height.
2. Measurement Guidelines: Provide team members with a standardized measurement method guide (preferably with illustrations). Key measurements include: chest (widest point above the armpits), waist (at the navel), hip (widest point of the hips), and height.
3. Create a Google Form: Use an online form to collect each member’s measurements and preferred size.
4. Try On Sample Garments: If possible, borrow a full set of sample garments in all sizes from the supplier for members to try on. This is the most accurate method.
5. Contingency Plan: Reserve 10-15% extra stock (order a few more of the common sizes) to handle cases where sizes don’t fit.

Common Size Pitfalls

• Don’t Just Look at Height: People of the same height but different body types may need different sizes.
• Consider Base Layers: In winter, you may wear a base layer under the jersey, so a slightly looser size is needed.
• Bib Shorts: Tighter Is Better Than Looser: Bib short elasticity will loosen slightly after wear, so choosing a slightly tighter size is usually better.
• One Jersey Can’t Fit All Positions: It’s normal for a Race Fit jersey to feel too tight when standing.

Step 5: Ordering, Sampling, and Production

Sampling

Sampling is highly recommended. Even if the supplier charges a sampling fee (usually NT$2,000-5,000 per piece), this cost is far lower than the loss of being dissatisfied with an entire batch of finished products. Confirm the following during sampling:

• Whether the colors match the on-screen design
• Whether the fabric feel and thickness meet expectations
• Print quality (color saturation, pattern clarity, alignment at seams)
• Actual fit when worn
• Comfort of the bib short chamois
• Quality of accessories such as zippers and grippers

Production Timeline

Stage	Estimated Time
Design Confirmation	1-3 weeks
Sample Production	2-3 weeks
Sample Approval and Revisions	1-2 weeks
Full Production	3-6 weeks
Shipping	1-2 weeks
Total	8-16 weeks

Planning ahead is crucial. If your team wants to wear new jerseys before a specific race, start preparing at least 4 months in advance.

Step 6: Inspection and Distribution

Arrival Inspection Checklist

After receiving the finished products, perform the following checks:

• [ ] Quantity verification (for each item, each size)
• [ ] Print quality (colors, alignment, clarity)
• [ ] Sewing quality (secure stitching, no skipped stitches, neat edges)
• [ ] Accessory quality (smooth zippers, gripper adhesion, complete reflective elements)
• [ ] Size accuracy (randomly sample a few pieces for try-on)
• [ ] Bib short chamois quality (uniform thickness, correct positioning)

Distribution Management

• Organize each member’s order list and size
• Arrange a unified distribution time and location (e.g., during a group ride)
• Spare stock management: record spare sizes and quantities for future size exchanges

Practical Tips

1. Establish a Design Committee: Don’t let all members participate in design decisions (too many opinions will cause chaos). Select 2-3 people to form a design committee responsible for communicating with the supplier and making final design decisions.
2. Keep Design Files: Request the final original design files from the supplier. If you switch suppliers in the future, you can use these files directly.
3. Consider Long-Term Partnerships: Building a long-term relationship with a supplier usually results in better pricing and service.
4. Seasonal Designs: If the budget allows, design two sets of jerseys in different colorways for summer and winter to add freshness.
5. Order Extra Spares in S and L: Statistics show these two sizes have the highest exchange demand.
6. Quality Over Quantity: Instead of ordering a batch of low-quality jerseys every year, order a batch of mid-to-high-quality jerseys every two years. Good jerseys are more comfortable to wear and last longer.

Custom team jerseys are a process that requires patience and attention to detail, but when you see the whole team setting off in matching jerseys, all the effort will feel worth it. Best of luck with your team’s custom order!

Related Reading

• The Complete Guide to Custom Frames: The Handcrafted Frame Building Process from Measurement to Finished Bike
• The Complete Guide to Custom Jersey Printing Technology: Quality and Cost Analysis from Sublimation to Embroidery
• The Complete Guide to Cycling Apparel: Material and Function Analysis of Jerseys, Bib Shorts, Gloves, and Cycling Shoes
• The Complete Guide to Buying Cycling Jerseys: Cut, Material, Sun Protection, and Pocket Design