October 17, 2026 · 8 min read
Choosing the right uniform supplier is the difference between a season players love and a season of complaints about thin fabric, peeling numbers, and late deliveries. Here's the exact checklist we give club managers who ask us how to pick a factory.
Many suppliers advertise "MOQ 5" but then charge a 30% small-order surcharge. Ask for the landed price at your exact quantity, not a "starting from" price. A transparent supplier gives you one number with no hidden fees.
The answer should be a number: 140GSM for match, 160GSM for training, 180GSM+ for goalkeeper. If they say "high quality fabric" without a GSM number, walk away. Thin fabric pills, goes transparent, and looks cheap after two washes.
Sublimation is the gold standard — unlimited colors, never cracks, fully breathable. Screen printing adds $2-4 per color and peels after a season. Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) cracks on numbers within months. Ask specifically: is it full sublimation?
Good suppliers create a digital design proof within 24 hours and allow unlimited revisions. If they charge $50 per design revision or refuse to show a proof before production, you're not dealing with a factory.
Any trustworthy supplier sends a sample jersey for $20-35, often refundable on your bulk order. Never place a $500+ order without touching the fabric first. If they refuse samples, it's a trading company reselling someone else's stock.
Real factories produce in 5-10 days. Trading companies take 15-30 days because they're forwarding your order to another factory. Ask for written confirmation and a deadline guarantee.
Get the landed cost: jersey price + shipping + any customs. DHL/FedEx to the US takes 3-5 days and costs $15-30 for a 15-jersey order. Sea freight is cheaper but takes 25-35 days. Know your timeline before ordering.
Standard is 30% deposit, 70% before shipment. Avoid suppliers demanding 100% upfront. PayPal, T/T, and Alibaba Trade Assurance are all safe options. Western Union to a personal account is a red flag.
$5 per jersey means 100GSM thin fabric, screen printing, and no design support. You get what you pay for — and you'll reorder in 3 months.
Legitimate factories have their own website with real product photos, factory photos, and contact information. Alibaba-only sellers are often trading companies.
"What GSM?" → "High quality." "What printing?" → "Good printing." If they can't answer technical questions, they don't control production.
Real factories welcome a video tour of the production floor. If they dodge it, they're reselling stock from someone else's factory.
| Factor | Supplier A | Supplier B | Supplier C (ProKits) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOQ | 50 pcs | 10 pcs | 5 sets |
| Fabric | Unknown | 140GSM | 140-200GSM |
| Printing | Screen | Sublimation | Full sublimation |
| Sample | $50 non-refundable | $25 refundable | $25 refundable |
| Production | 20 days | 10 days | 7 days |
| Free design | Paid revisions | 2 free revisions | Unlimited revisions |
MOQ 5 sets, 140GSM sublimation, free mockups, 7-day production. Ask us anything.
Compare NowShould I buy from a local store or import?
Local stores are convenient but cost 2-3x more because they mark up wholesale prices. Importing direct from a Chinese factory saves 40-60% and gives you full design control. For 15+ players, importing is almost always cheaper.
How long should I budget for the whole process?
Design proof: 1-2 days. Revisions: 1-2 days. Production: 7-10 days. Shipping: 3-5 days express. Total: 2-3 weeks. Start ordering at least 4 weeks before your first game.
What if the supplier sends wrong sizes or defective jerseys?
A reputable supplier remakes and ships replacements at their cost. Get this in writing before ordering. Avoid suppliers who say "we'll see" when you ask about defect policy.