You’ve decided to get custom jerseys made in Singapore — congratulations. Now comes the part that trips up most first-time buyers: the design and artwork process. What files do you actually need to provide? How do you give feedback on a mockup without frustrating your supplier or delaying production? And what’s the difference between a design brief and an artwork file anyway?
This guide walks you through every step of the jersey customisation process in Singapore — from the initial brief submission to the final production sign-off. Whether you’re a school administrator ordering CCA jerseys, a corporate event manager, or a sports team captain ordering your first kit, this process applies to you. A well-prepared artwork submission cuts your design approval time in half and significantly reduces the risk of costly reprints.
Why the Design Process Matters for Custom Jerseys
Customising a jersey is different from printing a flat T-shirt or a banner. A jersey is a three-dimensional garment with panels — front body, back body, left sleeve, right sleeve, and collar. A design that looks great on a flat template can look very different once the fabric is cut and sewn into the final 3D shape. Seams interrupt the design; side panels add width; sleeve width changes how logos appear in motion.
This is why the design review process is not just a formality — it is your primary safeguard against receiving 200 jerseys that don’t look the way you imagined. A good supplier will help you through this process, but you need to know your role in it.
Jersey Customisation at a Glance: The 5-Step Process
- Choose your jersey style and fabric before touching design
- Prepare your artwork files in the correct formats
- Submit a written design brief with all requirements documented
- Review the digital mockup and provide consolidated feedback
- Sign off on the final proof before production begins
Step 1: Choose Your Jersey Style & Fabric First
Many buyers jump straight into designing before choosing a jersey style — and then discover the design doesn’t work for the jersey shape they actually want. Avoid this by locking in your jersey style first:
- Jersey type: round-neck, V-neck, collar, sleeveless (tank), long-sleeve
- Sleeve type: raglan (diagonal shoulder seam), set-in sleeve (straight shoulder seam), or seamless cut
- Fabric: 100% polyester, polyester-spandex blend, mesh, moisture-wicking performance fabric
- Fit: standard/unisex, fitted/athletic, relaxed/casual
Ask your supplier for a catalogue of jersey styles with flat template images for each. These templates are what your design will be mapped onto, so you need to see them before designing. If you’re customising jerseys for a school or CCA, see our specific guide on choosing jersey styles for school and CCA orders in Singapore, which covers the specific style choices for competitive school sports.
Step 2: Prepare Your Artwork Files
This is where most first-time jersey buyers run into problems. Providing the wrong file formats causes delays, additional artwork fees, or — in the worst case — poor print quality. Here’s what you need:
Logos and Crests
Always provide logos in vector format: AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS, or SVG. Vector files can be scaled to any size without losing quality. If you only have a raster image (JPG, PNG, TIFF), check the resolution: it must be at least 150 DPI at the actual print size. For a chest logo printed at 15cm wide, your PNG must be at least 900 pixels wide. Smaller than that and the logo will appear soft or pixelated on the finished jersey.
Colours
Specify your brand or house colours using Pantone (PMS) codes or CMYK values. Avoid saying “red” or “royal blue” without a specific reference — screens display colours differently, and what looks right on your monitor will look different from a physical jersey. If you have a Pantone colour guide, note the PMS code. If not, provide the CMYK breakdown (C/M/Y/K values out of 100).
Typography & Text
If you want specific fonts for names, numbers, or slogans, either provide the font file (OTF or TTF) or specify the exact font name. If you’re using a word as an image (e.g. your team name in a stylised font saved as a PNG), ensure the file meets the resolution requirements above. Never paste text directly into a WhatsApp message and expect the supplier to recreate it exactly — always send the font file.
Step 3: Submit a Clear Design Brief
A design brief is a written document that tells your supplier exactly what you want before they start designing. It prevents the most common cause of delays: the supplier creating a mockup based on assumptions that don’t match your vision, requiring multiple revision rounds. A good brief should include:
Jersey Design Brief Template
| Field | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Organisation name & purpose | Who the jerseys are for; what event or use case |
| Jersey style | Round-neck, V-neck, sleeveless; short or long sleeve |
| Primary & secondary colours | Pantone or CMYK codes |
| Logo placements | Front chest, back upper, sleeves — with approximate sizes |
| Names & numbers | Location, font, size, colour |
| Design style reference | URLs or images of jerseys you like |
| Things to avoid | Colours, styles, or elements you don’t want |
| Deadline & quantity | Required delivery date; total pieces per size |
If you’re ordering jerseys for a large event, you’ll also want to include sponsor logo specifications and hierarchy. For event-specific ordering guidance, see our article on custom jerseys for events and marathons in Singapore — especially the sponsor logo hierarchy section.
Step 4: Review & Approve Your Digital Mockup
A reputable supplier will produce a digital mockup — a flat visual of the jersey showing how your design looks on the front, back, and sleeves. Review the mockup systematically:
What to Check in Your Mockup
- Logo accuracy: Is every logo correct and in the right position? Check spelling on all text elements.
- Colour accuracy: Do the colours on screen match your Pantone or CMYK specifications? (Note: screens are not print-accurate; a physical sample is the only way to confirm exact colours.)
- Proportions: Do logos look the right size relative to the garment? Are numbers and names legible?
- Alignment: Is the design centred on the front and back? Are sleeve designs symmetrical?
- Panel continuity: For all-over designs, check where the design meets at the side seams — does it flow naturally or look abruptly cut off?
How to Give Effective Feedback
Avoid vague feedback like “make it look better” or “a bit more vibrant.” Instead, be specific: “Move the chest logo 2cm higher,” “Increase the font size for the surname from 3cm to 4cm,” or “Change the sleeve colour from navy to this PMS 289C.” Number your feedback points and compile them all in a single message — this prevents back-and-forth and keeps revision rounds to a minimum. Most suppliers allow 2–3 rounds of revisions before charging additional design fees.
Step 5: Final Sign-Off & Production Timeline
Once you’re satisfied with the mockup, you’ll be asked to sign off on the design — either by email confirmation or a formal design approval form. This sign-off is legally significant: it confirms that you have checked and approved all elements, and that production will proceed exactly as shown. After sign-off, changes are not possible without additional cost and time.
After Sign-Off: What to Expect
- Production begins within 1–2 working days of sign-off and payment confirmation
- Standard production: 15–20 working days (may vary by quantity and complexity)
- You may request a pre-production physical sample at this stage (adds 3–5 days but is strongly recommended for large orders)
- Delivery is arranged to your specified address within Singapore
- Check all pieces upon delivery — report any quantity or quality issues within 48 hours
Common Artwork Mistakes That Delay Your Order
Based on common issues suppliers face, these are the most frequent first-time buyer mistakes to avoid:
- Sending a JPEG of your logo from a website — website images are typically 72 DPI, far too low for jersey printing. Always request the vector file from your design team.
- Approving a mockup on a phone screen — mobile screens are small and overly bright; always review mockups on a calibrated desktop monitor. Print the mockup on paper to check proportions.
- Giving feedback in voice messages or calls — verbal feedback creates confusion. Always put revision requests in writing, numbered and specific.
- Not specifying Pantone colours — “match our brand blue” is too vague. Provide PMS or CMYK values, or request a physical swatch match from the supplier.
- Forgetting to proofread names and numbers — a typo in a student name that goes unnoticed until delivery is painful. Read the name list in your approval email one more time before clicking send.
If you’re choosing a supplier for the first time, the quality of their mockup and how they handle your brief is your best signal of how smooth the overall process will be. See our guide on how to choose the right jersey printing supplier in Singapore for a comprehensive vetting checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order quantity to customize a jersey in Singapore?
At Aquaholic Gifts, our MOQ for custom sublimation jerseys is 100 pieces. This applies to any single design run. For personalised jerseys with different names and numbers per piece, the same MOQ applies across the batch.
How many design revisions am I allowed?
Most reputable suppliers in Singapore offer 2–3 rounds of design revisions as part of the standard process. Additional rounds may incur a design fee. This is why submitting a thorough brief upfront — and providing consolidated, written feedback — is so important.
Can I supply my own jersey design template?
Yes — if you have a design prepared in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, you can submit it directly. Ensure the file is set up at the correct print dimensions (full-bleed at the jersey size) and in CMYK colour mode. Many experienced buyers and sports club managers prepare their designs this way.
Do you offer a free design service?
Yes, Aquaholic Gifts provides a free design consultation and mockup service with every jersey order. Our design team will create a professional mockup based on your brief at no additional cost.
What if the colours on the finished jersey look different from my mockup?
Minor colour variations between screen mockups and physical jerseys are normal, as screens display light differently from how fabric absorbs dye. To minimise variation, specify Pantone colours in your brief and request a physical pre-production sample for colour-critical orders (such as house colour jerseys where exact colour matching is important).
Ready to Start Customising Your Jersey in Singapore?
Free mockup • Design consultation included • MOQ from 100 pcs • Sublimation specialists
