How to Brief a Custom Soccer Jersey Order Online 2026

Step-by-step guide to briefing a custom soccer jersey order online in Australia: artwork specs, size lists, colour codes, and proof approval in 2026.

How to brief a custom soccer jersey order online

Briefing a custom soccer jersey order correctly the first time saves you at least one revision round, cuts 5–10 days off production, and means your squad takes the field in exactly what you ordered.

TL;DR: To brief a custom soccer jersey order online, you need six things ready before you hit submit: your artwork files (vector, not PNG), exact player names and numbers, a confirmed size list per player, your colour hex codes or Pantone references, your delivery deadline, and the correct quantity per size. Miss any one of these and your order stalls. First Ever at fecustom.com handles custom soccer jerseys for Australian clubs end-to-end — but the quality of your brief determines how fast and accurately that happens.

Why this matters

Most order delays and reprints come from incomplete briefs, not production errors. A supplier can only match what you describe. If you send a low-res JPEG, describe a colour as "kind of navy", or forget that your goalkeeper needs a different size run, expect delays, unexpected costs, or jerseys that miss the mark. Getting your brief right before you start is the single highest-leverage step in the whole process.

What you'll need

  • Artwork files: Vector format (AI, EPS, or SVG). PDF is acceptable if fonts are outlined. PNG or JPEG will not reproduce cleanly on sublimation.
  • Colour references: Hex codes for digital proofing; Pantone codes if colour accuracy is critical for club branding.
  • Player roster: Full name spellings and jersey numbers for every player, confirmed by the person responsible — not recalled from memory.
  • Size list: Individual sizes for every player, taken from a size chart, not estimated. Include goalkeeper and any substitute sizes.
  • Quantity per size: Tallied and double-checked. Know your total before you brief.
  • Delivery deadline: The date you need jerseys in hand, not the date of the match. Allow at least 3–5 business days buffer for delivery within Australia.
  • Design intent notes: Any specific placement instructions — badge position, sponsor logo zone, sleeve stripe direction.

The steps

Step 1 — Lock your design before you brief

Do not start the order process with a design that is still being changed. Every revision after briefing costs time. Agree on the colour scheme, layout, and any sponsor logos internally before you open a single order form. If you are building the design from scratch, use a reference image or hand sketch to communicate intent, then refine from the supplier's proof — not from ongoing committee decisions. First Ever accepts design briefs and produces proofs before production begins, which is the right time to adjust, not after.

Expected outcome: One finalised design brief that everyone in your club has signed off on.

Common mistake: Sending a "draft" design and expecting the supplier to guess the final intent. Draft briefs create draft jerseys.

Step 2 — Prepare vector artwork at the correct spec

Open your logo or badge in Adobe Illustrator (or equivalent) and confirm every element is a vector path, not a placed raster image. Export as AI or EPS. If you only have a PNG version of your crest, contact a designer to redraw it — this is a $50–$150 fix that prevents a far larger problem at production. Artwork for sublimation printing must be at full-size, 300 dpi minimum if raster elements are unavoidable.

Expected outcome: A file the production team can open, separate by colour layer, and send to print without manual cleanup.

Common mistake: Sending a logo ripped from the club website at 72 dpi. Web-resolution artwork prints blurry at jersey scale.

Step 3 — Build your size list from a physical measurement, not guesswork

Send every player a size chart — the one from the specific supplier, not a generic one — and collect responses individually. Record each player's size in a spreadsheet: column A is name, column B is number, column C is size. Tally the quantity per size at the bottom. This spreadsheet becomes the definitive roster you attach to your brief. Do not rely on a group chat poll or team manager's memory.

Expected outcome: A confirmed size-and-number matrix with no gaps.

Common mistake: Submitting approximate sizes and expecting the supplier to round up. Size errors that reach production are not remade at no cost.

Step 4 — Confirm your colour references in writing

Identify the primary, secondary, and accent colours in your design. For each, record the Pantone Matching System (PMS) number if your club has an official brand guide, or the six-digit hex code if not. Write these into the brief explicitly: "Primary: PMS 286 C (royal blue), Secondary: White (#FFFFFF), Accent: PMS 032 C (red)." Never describe a colour as "dark blue" or "light grey" — these descriptions produce different results from different production teams.

Expected outcome: Zero colour ambiguity. The proof you approve matches what gets made.

Common mistake: Trusting that the colour in your emailed PNG will match the finished jersey. Screens and fabric dye behave differently; only a colour reference code bridges that gap.

Step 5 — Write the player name and number list with exact spellings

Create a numbered list: player 1, jersey number, name as it should appear on the back. Check every spelling character by character — "Macgregor" and "MacGregor" are not the same on a jersey. Confirm whether names appear in ALL CAPS or title case. Specify font if you have a preference; otherwise accept the supplier's standard. Include the goalkeeper's name and any squad players who need a jersey but are not in the starting 11.

Expected outcome: Every jersey comes back with the correct name and number, zero exceptions.

Common mistake: Sending a name list that says "same as last season" with no attached reference. Last season's list is not your brief.

Step 6 — State your deadline and confirm the production window

Tell the supplier the date the jerseys must be in your hands — not the match date. Then count back: standard custom jersey production in Australia runs 10–15 business days from proof approval, plus 2–5 business days for shipping outside metro areas. If your match is in 3 weeks, say so explicitly in the brief and ask for confirmation that the timeline is achievable before you approve the proof. Rush production is sometimes available, but it costs more and must be agreed upfront.

Expected outcome: A production and delivery schedule you and the supplier have agreed to in writing.

Common mistake: Assuming a quoted lead time starts from when you pay, not from when your brief is complete and the proof is approved. Clock starts at proof approval.

Step 7 — Review the proof against every element of your brief

When the digital proof arrives, check it against a printed or on-screen version of your brief line by line: colours, placement, all names, all numbers, size breakdown, badge position, sponsor logo size and location. Mark any correction with a specific description — "Badge needs to move 2 cm left" — not "something looks off". Approve only when every element matches. One round of corrections is normal; two or more rounds usually means the original brief was incomplete.

Expected outcome: A proof you can approve with confidence, with no surprises at delivery.

Common mistake: Approving a proof quickly to save time, then discovering a name misspelling only when the jerseys arrive.

Step 8 — Submit the complete brief as a single package

Bundle everything into one email or upload: artwork files, colour references, size-and-number spreadsheet, deadline confirmation, and any design intent notes. Label the files clearly — "ClubName_Logo_Vector.ai", "ClubName_RosterSizes_2026.xlsx". A disorganised submission with files spread across multiple emails or chat messages slows every step downstream.

Expected outcome: The production team starts work from one complete source, no chasing.

Common mistake: Sending files piecemeal over days. Each gap pauses the production queue.

Troubleshooting

The proof colours look nothing like our brand colours. You did not supply a Pantone or hex reference. Send the correct code immediately. Do not approve the proof until colours are corrected — sublimation cannot be adjusted after printing.

A player's name is spelled wrong on the proof. Reply to the proof with the correction and a screenshot highlighting the error. Do not approve. Misspellings caught at proof stage are fixed at no cost; those caught after production are not.

We need to add one more player after the order is placed. Contact the supplier the same day. If production has not started, a single addition may be possible. If sublimation has begun, you are looking at a separate minimum-order run. Late additions cost significantly more than getting the full roster right before briefing.

The size chart doesn't match standard Australian sizing. First Ever uses its own size chart, which may differ from generic AU sizing. Always measure against the supplier's specific chart, not a generic reference from a sporting goods retailer.

We haven't received a proof after 3 business days. Chase it. Proof turnaround is typically 1–2 business days. If your brief was incomplete, the proof may be delayed while the team waits for missing information — which is why Step 8 matters.

Delivery is late and we have a match this weekend. Check whether the delay is in production or in transit. If in transit, contact the courier with your tracking number. If in production, ask for a revised completion date. This situation almost always traces back to a late brief, a delayed proof approval, or a last-minute roster change.

Tools and resources

  • Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape: For preparing and checking vector artwork before submission.
  • Google Sheets or Excel: Build your size-and-number roster here; export as XLSX and attach to the brief.
  • Pantone Color Finder (pantone.com): Match your club colours to a PMS code you can cite in the brief.
  • First Ever's custom soccer jersey collection: Browse styles and submit your brief at the custom soccer jerseys page — the order form guides you through the required fields.
  • Related reading on bulk and club orders: If you are ordering for an amateur club or school, the guide on custom soccer jerseys for amateur clubs in Australia covers minimum quantities and lead times specific to Australian competitions in 2026.

What to do next

Once your brief is submitted and your proof is approved, shift your focus to the delivery logistics: confirm who receives the parcel, have a distribution plan for getting jerseys to players before match day, and keep a copy of the approved proof for your records in case a dispute arises. For your next season's order, start the briefing process 6–8 weeks before your first match — that buffer covers the full production window plus any revision round without stress.

For a deeper look at the full design process before you get to the brief stage, the how to design a custom soccer jersey online guide walks through layout decisions, colour theory for sportswear, and file setup — useful if you are building your design from scratch in 2026.

FAQ

What format should artwork be in for a custom soccer jersey order? Vector format — AI, EPS, or SVG. PDF is acceptable only if fonts are outlined. Raster files (PNG, JPEG) will not reproduce clearly at jersey size on sublimation printing.

How long does a custom soccer jersey order take in Australia in 2026? Production runs 10–15 business days from the date you approve the proof, plus 2–5 business days for shipping to regional areas. Allow a minimum of 3 weeks from brief submission to jerseys in hand.

What information do I need to give for player names and numbers? Provide every player's name exactly as it should appear (check spelling character by character), their jersey number, and whether names should be ALL CAPS or title case. Submit this as a written list, not a verbal instruction.

Can I change my order after submitting the brief? Changes are possible before proof approval at no extra cost. After proof approval, changes depend on whether production has started. Size or name changes after production begins typically incur an additional charge.

How do I specify the right colours for my jersey? Use Pantone Matching System (PMS) codes if your club has a brand guide, or six-digit hex codes if not. Never describe a colour by name alone — "navy" means different things to different production setups.

What is the minimum order quantity for custom soccer jerseys? Minimum quantities vary by supplier. Check the specific minimums on First Ever's order page before building your roster list — ordering below minimum triggers different pricing.

How do I know my size list is correct? Collect individual size responses from every player using the supplier's own size chart, not a generic AU chart. Record sizes in a spreadsheet, tally by size, and total. Do not estimate or round.

What happens if there is a mistake on the delivered jerseys? If the error matches an error in your approved proof, it is not a production mistake — it is a brief or approval error. If the jerseys differ from the approved proof, contact the supplier immediately with photos and the approved proof as reference.

One last thing

The single most common brief error in 2026 is not a missing file — it is an unapproved roster. Clubs submit briefs, approve proofs, and then discover mid-production that two players joined after the brief was sent. The fix costs as much as a second mini-run. Lock the roster before you lock the brief, and treat any late addition as a separate order.

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