How to Choose a Custom Football Kit Supplier

Creating a new custom football kit should be exciting. It’s a chance to create something that represents your club, brings players together and gives your squad a clear identity for the season ahead.

However, choosing between different suppliers isn’t always straightforward.

A club shirt can carry meaning long after a season has ended. Before UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, the Lionesses were presented with shirts from their first grassroots clubs, with each one paying “a symbolic tribute to the coaches, volunteers and communities that nurtured their early talent”. It was a reminder that a football kit can represent more than colours and a badge. This is why choosing a new kit shouldn’t simply come down to finding the lowest price.

Imagine finding a low-cost quote, approving the order and handing out the new shirts before the first fixture. Then, by October, the heat-transferred numbers are beginning to peel, a sponsor’s logo is cracking, and several players need replacements that are no longer available. The original price might look attractive, but the kit hasn’t delivered the value your club expected.

With so many football kit manufacturers to compare, it’s important to look beyond the cost. Quality, design support, minimum orders, delivery times and replacement options can all affect your experience in the long run. The right supplier should feel like a partner. They should understand what matters to your club, clearly answer questions and help you create a kit your squad will be proud to wear without adding unnecessary stress for committee members.

Start by Understanding What Your Club Actually Needs

Before comparing suppliers, take some time to think about what your club needs from its new kit. The best choice for a five-a-side team might not be right for a club ordering for several adult and junior squads. Being clear about your needs will make it much easier to compare quotes, services and product ranges properly.

Start by deciding which items you need. This might include:

• Home and away match kits
• Goalkeeper kits
• Training shirts and shorts
• Tracksuits and outerwear
• Coaches’ clothing
• Club merchandise
• Kits for several age groups

You should also estimate how many people need a new kit. Are you ordering for one squad or the whole club? Do you need a supplier to accommodate adult, junior, male and female fits? Don’t forget about players who might join after the initial order too. Grassroots squads can change throughout the season, so the ability to order another shirt in a particular size is just as important as the original order.

The level of customisation you need will also influence your choice. Think about your club colours, badge placement, sponsor requirements, player names, squad numbers and whether you want a completely unique design. Standard templates can work for clubs that need something simple. However, bespoke football kits give you more freedom to create a design that reflects your club’s history, personality and community.

Once you know what you need, you can ask each supplier the same questions and make a fairer comparison.

Look at the Quality of the Football Kits

A digital design might look impressive on a screen, but your kit also has to perform through training sessions, competitive matches and regular washing. Players need clothing that feels comfortable and allows them to move freely during a match. The fabric should be breathable, and the sizing should work for the different players across your squad.

You should also look closely at how the design is applied. Some suppliers use surface printing methods, such as heat transfers, to add club badges, numbers and sponsor logos. This can produce a good result, but the printed elements might not stand the test of time. A fully sublimated kit is made differently. Design details are printed into the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. This improves durability and means there will be no peeling, cracking or fading.

When comparing football kit manufacturers, ask to see examples of finished kits rather than relying only on digital mock-ups. Look closely at the fabric, stitching, and print quality. You could also ask how the kit should be washed and how the printing should perform over a full season.

Your football team’s kit should still look the part after weeks of training, muddy fixtures and repeated trips through the washing machine.

Compare Pricing Carefully

Price will understandably influence your decision, especially when club funds are limited or players are contributing towards their own kit. However, the cheapest quote isn’t always the most affordable option overall. A low price might only cover a plain shirt. Club badges, sponsor logos, player numbers, design and delivery could all be added later. By the time the order is ready for approval, the final cost might look very different. 

Compare each quote based on the complete kit your club needs.

Before committing, ask the supplier to confirm exactly what’s included in writing. Hidden costs can quickly add up and eat into your budget, and it’s much harder to provide players and parents with an accurate final price per kit.

My Club’s football kit pricing is completely transparent and fully inclusive. All prices are displayed excluding and including VAT, making it as straightforward as possible. This is the kind of detail clubs should look for when comparing suppliers: not simply the lowest price, but a clear explanation of what that number covers.

Check Minimum Order Quantities and Replacement Options

Minimum order quantities can vary significantly between suppliers. Some football kit manufacturers are set up for large production runs and require clubs to order a substantial number of each garment. This might be fine for a club replacing kit across several squads, but it can create problems for a smaller grassroots team.

Always ask whether the minimum quantity applies to the entire order, each garment style or each individual design. For example,

• Can you order ten outfield shirts and one goalkeeper shirt, or would the goalkeeper design have its own minimum quantity?
• Can you combine junior and adult sizes?
• Do shirts, shorts and socks count towards the same minimum?

You should also find out what happens after the initial order.

• A new player might join halfway through the season.
• Someone might need a larger size, or a shirt might get damaged.
• Your club needs to know whether it can order one replacement or whether it will have to meet the original minimum again.
• A supplier’s support after the first order matters just as much as the initial purchase, ensuring the whole season runs smoothly.

At My Club, we have a minimum order quantity of five items for a first order, followed by no minimum for later top-ups. This flexibility can be particularly useful for changing squads as clubs don’t have to buy several unnecessary items just to replace one shirt.

Consider the Design Support Available

Not every club starts the process of ordering a new kit with a finished design in mind. You might know which colours you want and where your badge should be, but have no idea how to turn this into a complete football shirt. Or, your committee might have several ideas and need help finding a design everyone agrees on. 

A good supplier should help you turn your thoughts and ideas into something that works in practice. Useful design support might include:

• Developing a design around your club colours
• Recommending layouts for badges and logos
• Making sponsor branding clear without overwhelming the shirt
• Checking that names and numbers are easy to read
• Adapting the design for goalkeeper or away kits
• Providing digital visuals before production
• Revising the design after club feedback

It’s useful to ask how many revisions are included and who will manage your project. It’s also worth finding out whether you’ll work with an in-house design team or be expected to create everything through an online tool. Online kit builders can be useful for experimenting. However, working with an experienced designer can make a big difference when you need to balance several logos, match brand colours or carry one identity across home, away, and training kits. 

The process should be collaborative. Your supplier brings design and manufacturing knowledge, while your club brings its identity, history and ideas. This combination is what turns a generic shirt into a kit that genuinely belongs to your squad.

Ask About Lead Times Before Placing Your Order

Timing is one of the biggest factors clubs overlook when comparing suppliers. A promise of “fast delivery” doesn’t tell you enough. You need a clear and realistic explanation of how the process works. It’s beneficial to ask:

• How long does the design stage usually take?
• When does the timeline begin? After the first enquiry, payment or final design approval?
• How long does manufacturing take?
• Is delivery included within the lead time?
• What happens if the club requests changes?
• How long do replacement orders take?

This is particularly important because the production timeline normally begins only after your club has approved the design, made payment and provided all the information. A six-week turnaround won’t help if the committee spends another four weeks collecting squad numbers.

At My Club, clubs can expect approximately five to six weeks from final design approval and payment to delivery. Whatever supplier you choose, look for this specific guidance rather than a broad claim about quick turnaround. Tell the supplier about your first competitive fixture and ask whether your deadline is realistic.

A Simple Checklist for Choosing a Football Kit Supplier

Before choosing your supplier, work through this checklist with your kit coordinator or club committee.

Kit Quality

☐ Is the fabric suitable for matches and regular training?

☐ Does the kit allow comfortable movement?

☐ How are the club badge, sponsor logos and player details printed?

☐ Will the design peel, crack or fade?

☐ Can the supplier provide samples or examples of finished work?

Pricing

☐ Is the total cost clear?

☐ Are design services included?

☐ Are badges and logos included?

☐ Are names and numbers included?

☐ Does the price include delivery and VAT?

☐ Are there setup charges or other potential add-ons?

Ordering Flexibility

☐ Is the initial minimum order suitable for your squad?

☐ Can junior and adult sizes be combined?

☐ Can you order single replacements later?

☐ Will future items match the original kit?

☐ Will the supplier keep your design available?

Design and Support

☐ Can the supplier help bring your ideas to life?

☐ Will you receive a visual before production?

☐ Can you request revisions?

☐ Is there a clear person to contact?

☐ Does the supplier understand your club’s requirements?

Delivery

☐ Is the stated lead time realistic?

☐ When does that lead time begin?

☐ Can the supplier work with your first fixture date?

☐ Do changes affect the delivery schedule?

☐ Will you receive updates after placing the order?

Why Clubs Choose My Club for Bespoke Football Kits

Take your time when comparing suppliers. Ask direct questions, look beyond the price and think about what your club will need after the first order has arrived.

At My Club, we create bespoke football kits for grassroots teams, schools and larger clubs across the UK. Every kit is designed around your club, giving your squad something that feels its own. Our football teamwear is also fully sublimated, so the design becomes part of the fabric, and you’ll have support from our design team to review the details and create a finished kit that reflects your club. With transparent pricing, no minimum order quantities for top-ups and a free online club shop, it's never been easier to keep your squad kitted out all season.

Most importantly, we understand that a new kit is about more than clothing. It represents the players, coaches, volunteers and supporters who make your club what it is. As one customer explained after placing a second order:

“First bought kit from them about a year ago. Just received my second order with a wider variety of items. The quality and fit of everything is outstanding and at a reasonable price. I will definitely keep using them.”

Looking for bespoke football kits from an experienced custom sportswear supplier in the UK? Explore My Club’s kits and start creating your next team look.