Custom Rugby Uniforms: What to Look For in a Manufacturer

Below is a practical checklist for clubs, schools and leagues, plus how Offered Impex, a factory-direct maker of custom sublimated rugby uniforms, answers each point.

1. Is it a manufacturer or a reseller?

Many rugby kit websites do not make anything. They pass your order to a factory and add a margin. That is not always bad, but it adds time and makes problems harder to fix. Ask the supplier directly:

• Where are the jerseys printed and sewn?
• Who will I speak to while the order is in production?
• Can I order a sample of the actual fabric and print?

Offered Impex is factory-direct: the people you talk to are the people who make the order. Our family has worked in apparel since 1995, and Offered Impex was founded in October 2019.

2. Is the jersey built for rugby?

A rugby jersey is pulled, grabbed and stretched in every tackle, ruck and maul. A football or training shirt with a crest on it will not last. Check:

• Seams: strong stitching at the shoulders, underarms and side seams, where jerseys tear first.
• Collar: it should hold its shape after being pulled, not stretch out after a few games.
• Fabric: it should stretch with the player and recover, without tearing at small snags.
• Fit: forwards and backs often want different fits. Ask how the size chart runs and whether you can mix fits in one order.

The fastest way to check all four is to hold a real jersey. You can order a sample before the full order.

3. How are names, numbers and crests applied?

Heat-pressed numbers and screen prints sit on top of the fabric. When the jersey stretches in contact, that layer can crack or peel. With full sublimation, colours, logos, names and numbers go into the fabric, so they do not crack, peel or fade. Designs can also run across seams and sleeves without a stiff print layer. Read how sublimation printing works.

Ask every manufacturer which method they use for numbers specifically, since some sublimate the body but heat-press the numbers.

4. What is the minimum order, and can you mix sizes?

Minimums vary widely between manufacturers. Get the number in writing and ask whether names, numbers and sizes can be mixed inside it. Our minimum order is 10 pieces, and you can mix sizes, names and numbers in one order. That lets small clubs, sevens squads and second teams order without paying for jerseys they do not need.

5. How long does production take, and from when?

“Two to three weeks” tells you nothing unless you know when the clock starts. Ask:

• Does production time start at payment, or at design approval?
• Is shipping included in the time quoted?
• When is the delivery date confirmed?

Our production takes 5 to 7 working days after you approve the design, without shipping, and we confirm the delivery date when the order is approved.

6. Will you see the design before it is printed?

A digital proof shows the exact design, colours, crest placement, names and numbers before production starts. It is the easiest place to catch a spelling mistake. We send a free digital proof on every order: colours off, you approve first. If your club colours are specific, send the colour codes with your brief.

7. What happens if the order is late or wrong?

This is where suppliers differ most. Look for written terms, not a promise on the phone. Ours: a 100% refund if your order specs aren’t followed, or it’s late without notice, and a free replacement if it is damaged in delivery. Every order is checked on fabric, stitching, sizing and print quality before it ships. See our quality control process.

A checklist for comparing rugby uniform manufacturers

• Maker or reseller: can they tell you where the kit is made?
• Construction: strong seams and collars, shown on a sample.
• Print method: numbers that do not crack in contact.
• Minimum order: a clear number, with mixed sizes allowed.
• Lead time: counted from design approval, with a confirmed delivery date.
• Proof: free, before anything is printed.
• Terms: written refund and replacement terms.
• Design help: can they work from your crest or a sketch?

Mistakes clubs make when choosing a manufacturer

• Choosing on price alone. A lower quote with weak seams costs more when you reorder mid-season.
• Not asking where lead time starts. A short quote that starts after several design rounds is not short.
• Skipping the sample on a large club order. One sample is small next to the whole order.
• Ordering each team separately. Men’s, women’s and youth sides in one design keep the club look consistent.

Outfitting the whole club

If your club runs men’s, women’s and youth teams, ask the manufacturer to design all of them together. You get matching crests, fonts and colours, and you can collect every roster at once. Free design help means you only need to send your crest, a sketch or an idea.

Compare us against your checklist

Start your custom rugby uniform order and get a free digital proof before anything is printed, or request a call and ask us every question on this list. We call you back within 1 to 3 hours.