Late kits are the most common problem with team orders, and most of the time it comes down to planning. Start from the date of your first match and work backwards.
Leave time at the end
Shipping takes time, and so do customs and delivery to your club. Add a few weeks as a buffer, and more if the kits will travel by sea.
Know the production time
After you approve the sample, a full order usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. Ask for the exact time in your quote.
Allow for the sample
A sample takes about a week to make, plus the time it takes to reach you and the time you take to check it. Do not rush this step. It is where mistakes are cheapest to fix.
Collect sizes early
Getting sizes from every player is usually the slowest part. A simple way to do it:
- Ask each player to measure a shirt they like, or try a sizing set
- Collect names, numbers and sizes in one sheet
- Add a few spare sizes in case of late joiners
Agree the design
Decide the colours, crest and sponsor logos before the sample, not after. Send crest and logos as clear files. If a sponsor is involved, confirm their logo version early.
Check names and numbers twice
Spelling mistakes and duplicate numbers are easy to miss and hard to fix once printed. Ask two people to check the list.
A simple timeline
- 10 to 12 weeks before the season: send your brief
- 8 to 10 weeks: approve the sample
- 4 to 6 weeks: production
- Last few weeks: shipping and buffer
Every order is different, so treat this as a starting point. Tell us your first match date and we will work out the timeline with you.
