Hockey Jersey Design Guide: Game and Practice Jerseys That Read on the Ice

This guide from Offered Impex, a factory-direct maker of custom sublimated team uniforms, covers the design side of custom hockey jerseys: colours, numbers, crests, stripes and practice sets. If you are ready to place an order, see our step-by-step guide on how to order custom hockey jerseys.

Hockey jersey design at a glance

• Contrast first: numbers and crest must stand out against the jersey colour.
• Two sets: one light and one dark jersey so you never clash.
• Big numbers: on the back and on both sleeves.
• Bold, simple stripes: they read better on the ice than fine detail.
• Practice jerseys: design them with the game set so the colours match.

What makes a hockey jersey easy to read on the ice?

Hockey is fast, and players are often seen from across the rink under arena lights. Fine lines, thin fonts and low-contrast colours disappear at that distance. Keep the design bold: a clear crest on the chest, strong stripes on the sleeves and hem, and large numbers in a colour that stands out against the jersey. Check your design from the back as well as the front, because the back is what referees and fans see most.

How should you choose home and away colours?

Most teams need two sets: one light and one dark. Many leagues set the rule for you. For example, the NFHS ice hockey uniform rules for US high school hockey ask the home team to wear white or light-coloured jerseys and the visiting team to wear dark jerseys. Pick two sets that look clearly different under arena lights, not two shades of the same colour. If your club has exact brand colours, match them on our Pantone colour chart.

How big should numbers be on a hockey jersey?

Numbers should be large and high-contrast. The NFHS rules, for example, require numbers at least 10 inches high on the back and at least 4 inches high on both sleeves, in a colour that contrasts with the jersey. Your own league may have different rules, so check them before you finalize the design. Choose a thick, simple font; decorative fonts are hard to read at speed.

How do crests, stripes and sponsor logos work on sublimated jerseys?

With full sublimation, your crest, stripes, numbers and sponsor logos are printed into the fabric, so they do not crack, peel or fade. That also means stripes and patterns can run across seams and sleeves, and you are not limited in the number of colours. Leave space for any sleeve numbers, captain letters or league patches you need, and tell us when you send your design. Learn more on our sublimation printing page.

Should you order practice jerseys with your game jerseys?

Many teams order a full game jersey and a simpler practice jersey. Practice jerseys in solid colours help coaches split players into groups during drills, and they save your game jerseys for game day. Design both in the same session so the team colours match. Mixed sizes, names and numbers can go in the same order, and the minimum is 10 pieces.

Example: game and practice sets for a team of 18

A club with 18 skaters orders 18 game jerseys in its home design, plus 18 practice jerseys in two solid colours to split drills into groups. The coach sends one roster with sizes and numbers, and both designs are made together so the colours match.

Common hockey jersey design mistakes

• Home and away colours that look similar under arena lights.
• Small numbers, thin fonts or numbers that blend into the jersey.
• Too much fine detail that disappears from a distance.
• Forgetting space for sleeve numbers, captain letters or league patches.
• Designing the practice set later, so the colours do not match.

Next step

Ready to turn your design into jerseys? Read how to order custom hockey jerseys, or see our custom ice hockey jerseys and full ice hockey uniforms range. Coaching a youth team? See youth ice hockey uniforms.

Written by the Offered Impex team. Updated November 2026.