Last updated: June 22, 2026
Quick answerDesigning a basketball team uniform comes down to three decisions made in the right order: jersey type (reversible or single-side), decoration method (sublimation for game jerseys, screen print for practice tees), and placement of numbers, names, and logos following NCAA-standard sizing. At Eagle Ridge Apparel in Meridian, ID, most youth and AAU programs land a complete sublimated set for 12 players in the $35–$55 per-jersey range, depending on quantity and customization. Get those three decisions locked before you talk to any supplier and you'll cut your order time nearly in half.
Every spring, a few new AAU coaches come through the door here in Meridian — some just got handed the clipboard mid-season, some are building a program from scratch before Boise State's youth camps kick off. The uniform question is usually the first real decision they have to make, and it trips people up way more than it should. So here's what I walk them through before they spend a dollar.
Reversibles or single-side jerseys?
This one depends on how your practices actually run. If you scrimmage 5-on-5 inside practice and want to split teams without a jersey swap, get reversibles. They're standard for AAU, youth leagues, and smaller high school programs. If you're a varsity program with separate game and practice sets, you'll go single-side: one home (light) and one away (dark).
Reversibles cost about 30% more per piece because there's twice the fabric. But for a youth team buying one jersey instead of two, the total still comes out cheaper. Worth doing the math before you assume they're out of budget.
First order and not sure which direction to go? Reach out. We'll figure it out with you — takes about five minutes.
Sublimated or screen-printed?
For game jerseys, sublimation has basically won. Player names, numbers, and sponsor logos all printed directly into the fabric — nothing to peel, nothing to crack when the jersey stretches under sweat, nothing that fades after twenty washes. It's the right call for anything that's going to see real game minutes.
Screen print still makes sense for shooting shirts and practice tees where you don't need individual customization. At 24 pieces or more, the per-piece cost drops fast and the turnaround is quicker. (A lot of coaches don't realize they can mix methods — sublimated game jerseys plus screen-printed practice tees in the same order. We do that combination pretty regularly.)
Numbers, names, and logos — what goes where
Front number goes center-chest, usually 6 to 8 inches tall. Back number runs 10 to 12 inches, with the player's last name above it in 2 to 3 inch lettering. Skip the last name if you're running a youth team where the roster changes mid-season. Sponsor logo typically lands front-center or on the sleeve, placed by sponsor tier. Team logo goes front-left chest or front-center. Don't put both the sponsor and team logo in the same spot — it just turns into a mess.
Keep it legible from the bleachers. That's really the whole goal.
Shooting shirts and warm-ups
Shooting shirts are the screen-printed or DTF tees players wear during pre-game shootaround — bold team logo, player number, sometimes a motto on the back. Warm-up jackets are bench gear: embroidered or full-zip, team colors, logo on the chest, player name and number on the back.
Most high school programs bundle jersey, shooting shirt, and warm-up jacket as one kit. Typical per-player cost runs $95 to $160 depending on the blanks you choose. Some programs do just jersey plus shooting shirt and skip the jacket to keep costs down — totally reasonable.
Mistakes I see first-time coaches make
Check your league rules before you order anything. Some leagues have specific number-size requirements, logo placement restrictions, or sponsor limitations. I've seen coaches get halfway through a mockup approval before they found out their conference doesn't allow front sponsor logos. Takes two minutes to check; saves a lot of headache.
Review the digital mockup we send before production. We provide free mockups on every order — but if you sign off without actually looking at the details, that's on you at that point.
Measure every player individually. Don't guess by age group. A team of 12-year-olds will have a size range you won't believe until you see it.
Order one extra jersey. Rosters shift. A player joins late, another gets injured, somebody grows three inches between October and February. One buffer jersey per order has saved a lot of coaches from a last-minute single-piece emergency order.
Don't cheap out on game jersey blanks. Those jerseys are visible to every parent, ref, and scout in the gym. It's not the place to save $4 a piece.
Related
Ready to get your uniforms sorted? Get a free quote or call us direct at contact us. We've been doing this in Meridian for 7 years and we'll make sure you're not the coach explaining mismatched sizes at the first tournament.
Frequently asked
How much does a basketball uniform set cost for youth teams?
A sublimated reversible jersey for a youth or AAU program typically runs $35–$55 per piece at 12-player quantities in Meridian, ID. Buying one reversible instead of separate home and away jerseys usually keeps the total lower even though reversibles cost about 30% more per piece.
Should I use sublimation or screen printing for game jerseys?
Sublimation is the right call for game jerseys because the numbers and names are printed into the fabric and won't crack, peel, or fade after repeated washes. Screen printing is still a solid, cheaper option for practice tees and shooting shirts at 24 pieces or more.
How long does it take to get a custom basketball uniform order?
Most sublimated basketball uniform orders out of Eagle Ridge Apparel in Meridian run 7–10 business days once artwork is approved. Rush options are available — reach out to check availability if your first game is sooner than that.
How We Make This Stuff
Everything covered in this post is produced in our Meridian, Idaho shop at 2700 E Lanark St. Eagle Ridge Apparel is a family-run print shop serving the Treasure Valley since 2019 — we embroider, screen print, DTF, sublimate, laser-cut leather patches, laser-engrave drinkware, and UV-print promotional goods on equipment we operate ourselves. No outsourced decoration, no overseas fulfillment, no third-party middlemen.
Most custom apparel orders ship in 7–10 business days from approved mockup. Rush production in 3–5 business days is available on most decoration methods; embroidered hats are the tightest constraint. We hold no minimums on any decoration type — order one piece or one thousand — though pricing scales aggressively over 50, 100, and 250-piece tiers. Free digital mockups before production starts. We don't begin a run until you sign off on what it'll look like.
Two ways to order: design it yourself online in our designer tool (any quantity, any decoration method), or request a custom quote and we'll send back pricing within one business day. Talk to a real person — email info@eagleridgeapparel.com or send us a message, and most inquiries get a response within two hours during the business day.
