Jersey Fabric Buyer’s Guide 2026: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Order

By Nishanth, founder of Jaypee Sportswear. Making custom team jerseys since 2012 at our own sublimation unit in Thanjavur. Updated 31 October 2026.

Key takeaways

• Start with fibre. Only polyester can take a full sublimation print.
• Ask for GSM in numbers and the knit name, not words like thick or premium.
• Ask which finishes are included. Only 5 of our 8 fabrics have them.
• Always see a swatch and a mockup before you pay.
• Get minimum order, size range and delivery days in writing.

If you are working out how to choose jersey fabric for a team, you only need 12 answers from your maker. Below are the questions we get asked most and the ones we wish more buyers asked, each answered for Jaypee. You can read them in order or jump to the one that is worrying you.

1. How to choose jersey fabric: which fibre should it be?

Choose 100% polyester. Sublimation ink only bonds with polyester fibres, so cotton and most cotton blends cannot take a full-colour print that lasts.

All 8 Jaypee fabrics are 100% polyester knit. The ink becomes part of the fibre, so it cannot crack or peel, and our homepage claims no fading even after 100 washes. If a maker quotes you a cotton jersey for sublimation, ask how.

2. What GSM should my jersey be?

For most sports, pick between 140 and 180 GSM. GSM is grams per square metre, and sublimated team jerseys usually sit at 120 to 190.

Lighter fabric, 120 to 150 GSM, is cooler and dries faster. Heavier fabric, 160 to 190 GSM, feels more structured and lasts longer. Our range runs from 140 GSM in RIBRA-G to 180 GSM in QUARTZ-A, LINEA-S and PINDOT-N. At 220 GSM you are buying hoodie weight, which is too hot for a match. See the GSM explainer for more.

Many buyers stop at GSM, but two fabrics with the same weight can behave very differently. A 160 GSM mesh passes far more air than a 160 GSM closed knit, so always pair the number with the knit name before you decide.

3. Which knit is right for my sport?

Open mesh knits suit fast, running-heavy sports, and tighter knits suit club wear and sports where structure matters. The knit changes airflow, feel and print behaviour more than the GSM does.

For each sport in detail, see jersey fabric for each sport.

4. Which finishes does the fabric have?

QUARTZ-A, HEXA-B, DOTTA-F, RHOMB-H and RIBRA-G carry UV protection, moisture-wicking and anti-microbial finishes. GRID-E, LINEA-S and PINDOT-N do not.

Wicking helps sweat reach the surface so it can evaporate. Anti-microbial finishing reduces odour in the kit bag. UV protection helps on outdoor grounds. If your team plays long matches in the sun, go for one of the five finished fabrics. For a school sports day or a one-off event, the budget fabrics do the job.

A good rule is to ask the maker how the fabric is washed and dried before printing. Sublimation itself uses heat, and a polyester knit that is properly heat-set holds its size afterwards. If your jersey is bought for a squad with a tight budget, a ₹399 fabric like LINEA-S or PINDOT-N is a sensible start, and you can move up a tier next season.

5. Will the jersey shrink?

A polyester knit shrinks very little. Polyester absorbs almost no water, so it does not swell and tighten the way cotton does.

Heat is the risk. A hot wash or a tumble dryer can distort any polyester fabric. Wash in cold or lukewarm water, inside out, and dry in shade. Size up only if your player is between sizes, and check our size chart for chest measurements.

Compare this with screen print or vinyl, which sit on top of the cloth and can crack or lift after repeated washing. Sublimation does not have that weakness, and that is why we recommend it for kits that will see a full season of matches and training.

6. Will the colours fade or bleed?

Sublimated colours stay in the fibre, so they do not flake or peel. Our homepage claims no fading even after 100 washes.

Colour fastness still depends on how you care for the shirt. Strong bleach and very hot water can dull any colour, and long hours in harsh sun will slowly lighten deep dark shades on any fabric. Wash dark and light kits separately in the first few washes as a habit.

7. Can I see or feel a swatch first?

Yes. Swatches are available on WhatsApp, and we send a free design mockup within 24 hours. A photo hides the weight and the hand feel, so a swatch is worth asking for.

When it arrives, stretch it both ways, hold it to the light to see the knit, and rub it against your forearm. Put a few drops of water on the surface to see how it behaves. You will learn more in two minutes than from any spec sheet.

8. Will a white jersey be see-through?

White and very light colours show more of what is underneath when the fabric is light or open. Light passes through gaps in the knit, which is simple physics.

Closed, heavier knits like QUARTZ-A, LINEA-S and RHOMB-H give more cover than open mesh. In HEXA-B or DOTTA-F, a white kit can show skin tone under bright light, so we suggest pairing white with a coloured panel or choosing a light grey. Ask for a swatch and hold it against your hand to check for yourself.

A free mockup shows you the colours and the layout of your design, but a swatch shows you the cloth. Ask for both. The two together take a day or two and remove most of the risk from a first order.

9. What sizes and fits are available?

Sizes run from XS to 4XL, which is 34 to 48 inch chest. Every size costs the same. Women’s fit is available, and jerseys and shorts can be ordered in different sizes.

That last point matters for teams where players are tall but slim, or the other way round. Use the size chart and get chest measurements across the team before you order. Our pages for women and kids have more on fit.

Teams with fewer than 5 players often ask if they can order a trial piece. The minimum is 5, so the practical route is to order a swatch for the fabric, see a free mockup, and then place the full order once the squad is confirmed.

10. What is the minimum order?

The minimum order is 5 pieces. Bigger orders get a lower rate per piece, so ask for a quote at your real quantity rather than at 5.

You can mix sizes within an order, and the price per jersey does not change by size. A full school house or club team usually lands well above 5, so the lower rate often applies.

Plan your order around the match date. Add the days you need to approve the mockup, then 7 to 10 working days for production and delivery, and a few days of buffer for sizes you might want to change. Ordering three weeks before a tournament is a comfortable gap.

11. How long will delivery take?

Delivery takes 7 to 10 working days after you approve the design. The clock starts at approval, not at your first message, so approve the mockup quickly if you have a match date.

We deliver to Chennai, all of Tamil Nadu, India and abroad. If you are in the city, our Chennai point in K.K. Nagar is also there. Read about custom jerseys in Chennai for local details.

A practical way to use the answers is to decide questions 1 to 4 first, because fibre, GSM, knit and finish narrow the field to two fabrics. Questions 5 to 8 then confirm that the fabric will behave on the ground and in the wash. The last four are logistics, and they matter most when you have a match date.

If you are buying for children, the same questions apply with one change. Kids run hot and grow fast, so favour a lighter knit and order a size that fits now. Our page on custom jerseys for kids covers sizing in more detail.

12. What does the price include?

The price per jersey includes names, numbers and logo. There are four tiers, ₹399, ₹499, ₹599 and ₹699, and every size costs the same.

Ask every maker whether names, numbers and logos are inside the quote, because some add them later as extras. For a wider view on pricing and weight, see the comparison chart, or the full jersey fabric guide.

How do you put the 12 answers together?

Write your answers on one page and compare two quotes line by line. A maker who can answer all 12 clearly, with numbers, is usually one who knows the fabric.

1. Fibre: 100% polyester.
2. GSM and knit name, in numbers and words.
3. Finishes included, by name.
4. Care rules to avoid shrinkage and fading.
5. Swatch and mockup before payment.
6. Cover test for white or light colours.
7. Size range, women’s fit and mixed jersey and shorts sizes.
8. Minimum order and rate drop.
9. Delivery days from design approval.
10. Price with names, numbers and logo inside it.

If you are still stuck between two fabrics, send us your sport, your city and your colours on WhatsApp. We will tell you which one we would wear. You can also read about who we are before you decide, or contact us directly.

For a general primer on how jersey knits are described by other textile sellers, this Makers Row guide is a reasonable read, though it is written for sewing, not team kits.