Inking About Jersey Making
There are only a few ways that jerseys are decorated. Here’s a short explanation about each of them.
lightspeed magic
Images are printed using a special high resolution, full-color technology. While the prints are pretty soft, we’re able to use a special technique to remove very tiny lines or dots of ink to make the jersey feel even softer and make sure the design more durable. With this technique, the image may lose a little vibrancy, but we think it’s totally worthwhile to make the jersey feel as soft as a unicorn’s mane while adding breathability for the best athletic performance.
Benefits
Speed
Turnaround time is less than a week. Usually, we get your jersey shipped in 1-2 business days.
Quantity
No minimums. Order 1 or 1,000; it's all the same.
Color
Full color printing. No need to count colors or limit your creativity
Price
Simple, low-cost pricing. Single-sided jersey is $35 and double-sided is $40
Screen Printing
Ink is pushed through a silk screen with a design on it. Only the clear parts of the screen let the ink through. The ink sits on top of the fabric where it’s heated and set in place permanently.
Pros
Price
You can get cheap prints since they don't require expensive equipment to make
Color
Vibrant colors since the ink is printed on top of the fabric
Quantity
The process can be repeated quickly making large quantities easy to produce.
Cons
Price Scaling
Each color is printed separately so more colors costs more $$$ and the prices add up quickly
Feeling
Large prints feel heavy and don't breathe well
Minimums
Each color requires labor-intensive setup so so companies usually have minimum orders of 12+
Sublimation
Ink is turned directly from a solid into a gas using high heat and is absorbed by the fibers of the apparel.
Pros
Color
Vibrant and unlimited colors since the ink is printed in CMYK and infused directly into the fabric
Feel
Ink is infused into the fabric so you won't even feel it
Durability
The image lasts as long as the jersey
Cons
Price
Full color jerseys require expensive technology and specialized labor to print, cut, and sew the jersey so they're more expensive
Minimums
Given the labor-intensive setup, companies usually have minimum orders of 12+
Long Turnaround
To save money, most companies outsource to China or other countries, but that means it takes longer to get your jersey
