Custom Team Jerseys 101: Sublimation vs. Screen Print for Sports Apparel

Planning jerseys for your futsal squad, basketball team, running club, or tournament uniforms? One of the biggest decisions before you order is: sublimation or screen printing? Both can produce great-looking jerseys, but each shines in different situations. Here's the breakdown.

What Is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation uses heat and specialized ink to print a design directly into the fabric's fibers, so the color actually becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. That's exactly why it's the go-to method for sports jerseys.

Pros:

• Supports full-color designs, gradients, and complex patterns with no extra cost per color

• Print won't crack, peel, or fade even after repeated washing

• Fabric stays lightweight and breathable — crucial for jerseys worn during intense physical activity

• Ideal for all-over prints (full-body patterns across the entire jersey)
  

Cons:

• Only works well on polyester or high-polyester-blend fabric

• Not suitable for dark-colored fabric (the base fabric needs to be white or light)

• Usually requires a higher minimum order quantity (MOQ) since it's a cut-and-sew process per design
  

What Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing pushes ink through a screen/stencil onto the fabric's surface. It's the most common and longest-established method for t-shirts, uniforms, and merch.

Pros:

• More flexible across fabric types, including cotton and dark-colored garments

• Cost-effective for simple designs with few colors printed in bulk

• Produces bold, solid prints — great for logos or jersey numbers
  

Cons:

• Each color requires a separate screen, so more colors means higher cost

• Not ideal for gradients or complex, full-color artwork

• The print sits on top of the fabric, so it carries more risk of cracking or fading over time compared to sublimation
  

So, Which One Should You Choose?

Your Need	Recommended Method
Sports jerseys with full-color/gradient designs (football clubs, running, esports)	Sublimation
Team/community t-shirts with a simple 1–3 color logo	Screen Print
Tight budget, small order quantity	Screen Print
Fabric needs to stay cool and breathable for high-intensity activity	Sublimation
Cotton-blend or dark-colored fabric	Screen Print

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sublimation and screen printing be combined on one jersey? Yes. It's common to sublimate the full jersey body, then add sponsor logos or team names on top using screen print or embroidery.

What's the minimum order quantity for each method? It varies by supplier, but sublimation generally needs a higher MOQ because of its cut-and-sew process per design, while screen printing tends to be more flexible for smaller quantities.

Which one lasts longer? Sublimation has the edge on color durability since the ink bonds directly into the fabric fibers, so it holds up better through frequent washing and intense training wear.

The Bottom Line

There's no universally "better" method, it all depends on your design, fabric choice, order size, and budget. If you're not sure, the Ultifresh team can help recommend the best fit for your team's jerseys or event apparel.