We’ve come a long way since the heavy blue wool pants, loose white flannel shirts, and jaunty straw hats of 19th-century baseball. Today’s uniforms are designed for performance and comfort, with blended materials that keep players cool and durable construction that can survive sliding into third base.
Whether you’re outfitting a rec softball league or a high school baseball team, choosing the right blank and decoration style matters.
Choosing Your Customization Method
| Screen Printing | Tackle Twill | Sublimation | |
| Soft feel | Good | No | Excellent |
| Durability | 50+ washes | Forever | Forever |
| Cotton or cotton blends | Excellent | Excellent | Impossible |
| Graphic size | Up to 12×16 inches | Up to 16.5 inches in width | Unlimited |
| Number of colors | Up to 16 | Typically 1–2 | Unlimited |
| Large production runs | Unlimited | Unlimited | No |
Screen Printing
Screen printing applies your design onto your garment one color at a time, using a series of custom-made stencils. Ink is pushed through fine polyester mesh stencils using a squeegee, with open-mesh areas that allow the ink to pass through to the garment before it’s heat-cured onto the fabric.
Best for:
- Limited-color designs
- Larger production orders
Tackle Twill
Pro team jerseys and letterman jackets with stitched-on names and numbers are made using a process called tackle twill. This is where pre-cut polyester twill shapes are fastened to the garment using zig-zag or satin stitching, creating a high-end look that lasts season after season. These raised appliques are extremely durable but may leave those sections of the garment feeling slightly stiff or heavy.
Best for:
- Consistency across multiple batches
- Garments made from heavier fabrics
Sublimation
Sublimation printing uses intense heat and pressure to convert a dye into a gas, allowing it to directly penetrate the fibers of a garment. This means permanent, vibrant color, with zero fading, cracking, or peeling — even after dozens of washes.
Since sublimation doesn’t require a stencil, this technique can be used to decorate larger areas of your jersey (or even the entire thing). Just note that these gaseous inks require a polyester or polymer surface to create that permanent bond, which limits the blanks available for this process.
Best for:
- White, 100% polyester garments
- Full-garment coverage
- More complex or colorful designs
- Smaller orders of 10–20 units
What Makes a Great Custom Baseball Jersey
Fabric
Baseball jerseys typically come in either light or midweight fabrics. While heavier fabrics can feel more premium at first touch, light fabrics have a definite edge during the peak summer months.
Lightweight fabrics offer more breathability at the expense of structure and are excellent for keeping players cool and dry. While they’re less durable than heavier fabrics, they’re still a fantastic choice for more casual athletes, fan gear, and teams that play in warmer climates. They’re also perfect for screen printing.
Midweight fabrics give jerseys more structure and durability without compromising flexibility and mobility. This makes them a great choice for competitive leagues that tend to play a more high-impact style of baseball, and for games scheduled during the spring or autumn. Heavier fabrics work well for either screen printing or tackle twill.
Construction & Fit
- Stitching: Stitches should be tight, even, and free of loose ends. Strong stitching will help your jersey keep its shape through rugged use and frequent washes. Look for jerseys that feature reinforced stitching, and watch out for fraying or frizzy stitches (which are a sign of poor thread quality).
- Aerodynamics: Avoid baseball jerseys that are too baggy. Your jersey should sit close to your body without hugging it, preventing loose fabric from slowing you down during crucial runs.
- Raglan sleeves: Raglan-style sleeves are fastened to the jersey using a diagonal seam, which provides a wider range of arm motion for batters, pitchers, and catchers.
Generally, baseball jerseys come in either a classic fit or semi-fitted. And while professional team uniforms historically featured a button-up style, modern jerseys also come in a more relaxed pullover style, with sleeves that are either short or three-quarter-length.
- Classic fit: The classic fit is a bit roomier across the chest and waist, giving a slightly boxier look. This is a good choice for teams that want to rock a traditional baseball look.
- Semi-fitted: Many modern jerseys have a more tapered fit throughout the shoulders and torso, giving them a more tailored feel that’s great for everyday wear.
- Short sleeves: Since they improve air flow and allow sweat to evaporate more quickly, short-sleeved shirts can make a big difference to player comfort in hotter climates.
What Makes a Great Custom Softball Jersey
Fabric
Softball jerseys are typically more lightweight and less structured than baseball jerseys, giving them a more tailored fit and improved breathability.
- Poly-cotton blends are a good choice for lower-intensity games, casual leagues, fan gear, and everyday wear, as they deliver both comfort and breathability (though less sweat control than 100% polyester). Both screen printing and tackle twill work well with these blends.
- Polyester and poly-spandex blends offer a higher level of stretch and moisture-wicking, which makes these jerseys great for summer games. 100% polyester also gives you the option of dye-sublimation printing, allowing you to play with eye-catching, full-coverage designs.
- Tri-blends strike a good balance between softness, durability, and breathability, making them an excellent all-around option for any use.
- Mesh fabrics are best for high-intensity play and peak summer games, since they offer the highest level of air flow and temperature regulation.
Construction & Fit
While tubular shirts maintain an even cylindrical shape from top to bottom, side-seamed shirts are better tailored to women’s bodies, including the shoulders and hips. This improves the overall fit and helps them maintain their shape better over the long term.
Competitive jerseys are often sleeveless, but you can also find them in short-sleeve and three-quarter styles.
- Short-sleeve styles are designed to provide maximum mobility for softball’s signature windmill pitching and keep players cool on hot days.
- Three-quarter-length sleeves provide more protection from the sun and cooler weather, and the raglan-style diagonal stitching still offers a fantastic range of motion.
The right fit for your team depends on their play style. Fastpitch teams are better off choosing a more tailored, aerodynamic jersey, while slowpitch players can opt for a more relaxed style.
Our Trusted Brands for Custom Jerseys
| Brand | Fabric Performance | Feel & Structure | Fit | Best Decoration Methods |
| Augusta Sportswear | High-performance sportswear | Durable & lightweight | Classic fit | Screen printing, tackle twill |
| Bella+Canvas | Light performance sportswear | Lightweight & breathable | Semi-fitted | Screen printing |
| District | Casual activewear | Soft & breathable | Semi-fitted | Screen printing, tackle twill |
| LAT | Light performance sportswear | Soft & durable | Semi-fitted | Screen printing |
| Next Level | High-performance sportswear | Durable & breathable | Classic fit | Screen printing, tackle twill |
Augusta Sportswear
Recommended for: competitive baseball leagues, recreational baseball leagues, school baseball teams, Greek life activities, and long-term wear.
Augusta Sportswear creates top-quality athletic apparel for clubs, coaches, and individual athletes. Their strong focus on engineering makes them a great choice for teams that need their gear to go the distance.
Our picks:
The 360 Augusta Double Sleeve Stripe Jersey offers a 50/50 cotton-poly blend, strong stitching, a stylish V-neck, and a double-stripe design in 27 different color combos. Its short sleeves make it a comfortable choice for warm weather wear, and its high durability makes it a good match for more competitive players.
For a more classic look, the long-sleeved Augusta Baseball Jersey has an extended cut that drapes over the hips. Made with a 50/50 poly-cotton jersey knit blend, this midweight jersey is ideal for cooler spring or autumn weather, night games, or just celebrating a win at the bar.
Pros:
- High-quality fabrics
- Great range of colors and styles
- Durable construction
Cons:
- Less modern fit than more premium brands
Bella+Canvas
Recommended for: recreational baseball or softball leagues, mixed intramural teams, school teams, casual wear, and fan merch.
Bella+Canvas is known for their American production, huge selection, and soft fabrics. Their side-seamed shirts offer a better fit for a wider range of body types, making them a great choice for women’s teams in particular.
Our pick:
With its comfortable, semi-fitted silhouette and classic, contrasted three-quarter-length sleeves, the Bella+Canvas Unisex Three-Quarter Sleeve Baseball T-Shirt can pull double duty as either a fastpitch or slowpitch uniform. Available in sizes ranging from XS to XXL, this jersey comes in 20 color combinations, including a stylish Black Marble/Black.
Pros:
- Soft, breathable fabric
- Lightweight material
- Many color options
Cons:
- Fabric may be too thin for high-impact use
District
Recommended for: recreational softball leagues, school teams, and fan merch.
District focuses on fashion-conscious, value-driven basics that balance performance and style. Their fans love their ethical sourcing and labor practices, ultra-soft fabrics, and modern fits.
Our pick:
The semi-fitted DM136L District Ladies Tri-Blend Baseball Raglan is made with a lightweight 50/25/25 blend of poly/rayon/ringspun combed cotton. Designed with comfort and affordability in mind, this raglan-style jersey is a solid choice for both adult and high school teams.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly option
- Soft and comfortable
- Fashionable fit
- Great for lifestyle wear
Cons:
- Slight color variations in the tri-blend fabric may make uniforms feel inconsistent
LAT
Recommended for: high school teams and casual wear.
LAT has built a reputation for well-constructed blanks that deliver great value for a lower price point. Their high-quality stitching keeps their jerseys looking great season after season.
Our pick:
The 3530 LAT Women’s Baseball Fine Jersey Tee is made with a 60/40 blend of combed ringspun cotton and polyester, giving it a soft, lightweight feel. Its easy-moving raglan sleeves are designed to help players pitch, catch, and swing with ease, and we especially love the flatlock stitched collar and raw serge shirttail hem that give this jersey its fashionable, modern look.
Pros:
- Comfortable feel
- Stylish, retail-oriented fit
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Fabric may be too thin for high-impact use
- Very few color combinations are available
Next Level
Recommended for: competitive baseball leagues, rec baseball leagues, school baseball teams, long-term wear, and high-end fan merch.
While some brands have them beat in terms of cost, Next Level’s high fabric quality and modern styles make the slightly higher price point worth it. The focus on quality and style makes Next Level jerseys a great choice for both team uniforms and trendy premium merch that fans will actually wear.
Our pick:
A classic raglan style with contrasting three-quarter-length sleeves, the pre-shrunk 6051 Next Level Unisex Tri-Blend Three-Quarter Sleeve Baseball Raglan Tee is available in 15 stylish color combos, including bright and muted shades. It’s made with a soft yet durable tri-blend of polyester, cotton, and rayon, giving it a premium feel and impressive longevity. Its semi-fitted cut, slightly scooped hem, and rib-knit set-in collar look great on both the diamond and the street. Unlike many other jersey options, the 6051 comes in sizes up to XXXL.
Pros:
- Soft and breathable
- Durable, high-performing construction
- Wide range of sizes
- Great for lifestyle wear
Cons:
- More prone to pilling
Picking the Best Custom Jerseys
The best jersey for your team is the one that nails the right fabric weight, fabric type, cut, construction, and decoration method — factors that will depend on your needs and preferences. Casual leagues will likely opt for cost-friendliness over higher-tier engineering, while more competitive clubs need uniforms that can survive a lot more wear and tear.
No matter which jersey you choose, our design studio makes it easy to personalize each jersey with assigned numerals and names. If you want to pair your uniform shirts with custom hats, we offer a range of both fitted and adjustable styles.
Want to chat with one of our team members about your options? No problem! Just hop into our live chat or shoot us an email.