Many clubs wonder whether to choose a traditional teamwear supplier (Nike, Adidas, Puma, Umbro, Joma, Jako, Macron, Erreà, Hummel, Kappa…) or go for custom football kits. The differences are significant, especially when it comes to price, design, flexibility and reordering.
Most teamwear suppliers work with standard collections produced in large quantities and stored in warehouses. When you place an order, you simply choose a template and add your logo, numbers and sponsors.
With custom football kits, everything is designed from scratch. No templates, no stock limitations — just a fully customised kit tailored to your club.
Custom football kits or teamwear supplier: what should you choose?
If you are looking for a basic, standard solution, teamwear suppliers can work. But for most clubs, custom football kits offer more flexibility, better value for money and a simpler long-term solution.
Comparison: custom football kits vs teamwear suppliers
| Criteria | Teamwear Suppliers (Nike, Adidas…) | Custom Football Kits |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Limited templates | Fully custom design |
| Stock | Dependent on availability | No stock required |
| Price | Often higher with add-ons | More affordable overall |
| Flexibility | Limited | Full flexibility |
| Reordering | Uncertain (stock dependent) | Same kit anytime |
| Durability | Often heat transfer | Sublimation |
| Contracts | Often long-term agreements | No contracts |
1. Design: templates vs fully custom kits
Teamwear suppliers offer pre-designed templates. Even if you change colours and add your logo, many teams end up wearing very similar kits.
With custom football kits, everything is created specifically for your club — colours, patterns, details and layout.
👉 The result: a unique kit that truly represents your club.
2. Stock: a major limitation with teamwear suppliers
Teamwear suppliers rely on stock. If your chosen design or colour is unavailable, you may have to:
- wait for restocking
- choose a different design
- or end up with mismatched kits within the same team
👉 This is a common issue when new players join mid-season.
With sublimation, there is no stock. Every kit is produced on demand.
👉 You can reorder the exact same design at any time.
3. Price: why custom football kits are often cheaper
At first glance, big brands may seem affordable. However, costs quickly increase when you add:
- logos
- numbers
- sponsors
- custom elements
At Hercules Merchandise, we offer prices often lower than major brands and most online suppliers, while providing a higher level of customisation.
👉 Better value for money overall.
Why are custom football kits often more affordable?
Unlike teamwear suppliers, we do not produce large quantities to store. This reduces costs linked to:
- warehousing
- distribution
- intermediaries
👉 The result: fully custom kits at competitive prices.
4. Process: complex vs simple
With teamwear suppliers, customisation can become technical, especially when managing multiple logos, variations and requirements.
With our approach:
- you send us your idea
- we create a free design
- you approve the mock-up
- we produce your kits
👉 No complicated configurators, no technical work required.
5. Sublimation: a specialism, not just an option
Yes, major brands can offer sublimation. But it is usually not their core focus.
Their model is based on standard collections and stock. Sublimation is often just one option among many, not a dedicated process.
At Hercules Merchandise, sublimation is at the core of what we do. We have our own in-house design team specialised in creating custom kits.
👉 Faster design turnaround and better results for your club.
6. Durability: heat transfer vs sublimation
Traditional kits often use heat-applied elements for logos and numbers. Over time, these can:
- peel
- crack
- wear out
With sublimation, the design is embedded into the fabric.
👉 No peeling, no cracking, long-lasting quality.
7. Flexibility: fixed collections vs total freedom
Teamwear suppliers limit you to:
- predefined designs
- fixed colour options
- catalogue constraints
If you do not like the available options, you still have to choose from them.
With custom football kits, everything is adaptable:
- design
- materials
- finishes
👉 You are never restricted by a catalogue.
8. Contracts: long-term commitments vs total freedom
Many teamwear suppliers require clubs to sign contracts over several years.
- difficult to switch supplier
- locked into long-term agreements
- limited flexibility if service is not satisfactory
👉 You are often tied to the same supplier.
At Hercules Merchandise, there are no contracts. You order when you need, with no commitment.
👉 Full flexibility for your club.
Conclusion: are custom football kits the better choice?
For most clubs, custom football kits offer clear advantages:
- unique design
- full flexibility
- no stock dependency
- competitive pricing
- simple process
- no long-term contracts
👉 Explore our custom football kits and start your project today.
FAQ
Are custom football kits cheaper than teamwear brands?
In many cases, yes. Once you add logos, numbers and sponsors, custom kits are often more affordable overall.
Can I reorder the same kit later?
Yes. With sublimation, you can reorder the exact same design at any time without relying on stock availability.
Do big brands offer sublimation?
Yes, but it is usually not their main focus. At Hercules Merchandise, sublimation is our core expertise.
Do I need to sign a contract?
No. We do not require any long-term contracts. You are free to order whenever you need.
Author
Article written by Gilles
Founder of Hercules Merchandise, specialising in custom sports merchandise for clubs and organisations.
