7 Mistakes You Are Making with Custom Team Spiritwear (And How to Fix Them)

Let's be real – ordering custom team spiritwear shouldn't be harder than nailing a perfect routine or scoring the winning goal. But somehow, so many teams end up with disappointing results that leave everyone feeling less than spirited about their gear.

Whether you're a cheer mom coordinating for the squad, a coach outfitting your team, or a booster club president trying to rally the fans, these seven common mistakes could be sabotaging your spiritwear game. The good news? They're totally fixable, and we're about to show you exactly how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Overcomplicating Your Design

The Problem: You want to include the team mascot, the school logo, player names, jersey numbers, a motivational quote, and maybe some sparkly accents all on one shirt. The result? A cluttered mess that looks like a design explosion rather than professional team gear.

The Fix: Less is definitely more when it comes to custom spiritwear. Start with your team's core identity – usually your school colors and primary logo. Then add one or two complementary elements max.

Think about it this way: your spiritwear should be instantly recognizable from the bleachers. If someone can't immediately tell which team you're supporting from across the field, your design is too busy.

For bling and rhinestone designs, focus on making one element really pop instead of adding sparkle everywhere. A beautifully executed rhinestone team name or mascot will have way more impact than multiple small sparkly details scattered around.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Team's Input

The Problem: The design committee (aka you and maybe one other parent) decides what looks good without actually asking the people who'll be wearing the gear. Then order day arrives and half the team hates the style, color, or fit.

The Fix: Get your team involved early in the process! Send out a simple survey asking about preferred styles, colors, and design elements. Show them a few mockup options and let them vote.

This is especially crucial for youth teams where personal style preferences are developing. What looks "cool" to parents might feel embarrassing to a teenager. Plus, when team members have input in the design process, they're way more likely to actually wear their spiritwear with pride.

Consider practical preferences too – does your team prefer hoodies, crew necks, or zip-ups? Tank tops or t-shirts? Getting these basics right from the start prevents major disappointment later.

Mistake #3: Sizing Disasters

The Problem: You order based on "standard" sizes without considering actual measurements, body types, or preferred fit. Result: spiritwear that's either swimming on smaller players or uncomfortably tight on others.

The Fix: Create an actual sizing chart for your team and stick to it. Don't just ask "What size do you usually wear?" because sizing varies wildly between brands and styles.

Instead, provide specific measurements for each size option and ask team members to measure themselves. For the most accurate fit, measure around the fullest part of the chest and provide both the measurement and their preferred fit (fitted, relaxed, or oversized).

Remember that different age groups have different fit preferences. Young kids often like roomier fits they can grow into, while teens might prefer more fitted styles. Adults usually know exactly what they want, so ask specific questions about preferred fit.

Mistake #4: Skipping the Proof Review

The Problem: You approve the design quickly because you're excited to get the order in, but you don't carefully review the final proof. Then your shirts arrive with the mascot logo upside down, names spelled wrong, or colors that look nothing like what you expected.

The Fix: Treat the proof review like it's the most important homework assignment ever. Print it out at actual size if possible, and review every single detail with fresh eyes.

Check for:

• Correct spelling of all names and words

• Proper logo orientation and placement

• Accurate school colors

• Design placement that makes sense on the garment

• Font readability from a distance

Get at least one other person to review the proof independently. After staring at a design for weeks, it's easy to miss obvious mistakes that a fresh perspective will catch immediately.

Mistake #5: Choosing Cheap Materials

The Problem: You go with the lowest-cost option to save money, but end up with shirts that fade after one wash, feel scratchy against skin, or start pilling immediately. Your "bargain" spiritwear ends up in the donation pile before the season's even over.

The Fix: Think of custom spiritwear as an investment, not just an expense. Quality materials cost more upfront but deliver better value because they last longer and look better throughout their lifetime.

Look for fabrics that are soft, durable, and appropriate for your climate. For hoodies and sweatshirts, cotton blends offer comfort and warmth without being too heavy. For t-shirts and tanks, moisture-wicking fabrics keep players comfortable during games and fans comfortable in hot stadium seats.

When adding rhinestones or glitter designs, material quality becomes even more important. High-quality base fabrics hold bling better and maintain their shape after multiple washes, keeping your sparkly designs looking fresh all season long.

Mistake #6: Color Combination Fails

The Problem: Your design looks amazing on your computer screen but terrible in real life. Maybe the school colors you chose don't have enough contrast, or the rhinestone colors clash with the base fabric, or your white text disappears completely on light-colored shirts.

The Fix: Preview your design on multiple background colors and consider how it will look in different lighting conditions. What looks great under gym lights might be completely unreadable in outdoor stadium lighting.

Stick to high-contrast combinations when in doubt. Dark colors on light backgrounds and light colors on dark backgrounds are always safe choices. If you're using your school's official colors, make sure you're working with the exact color codes, not approximations.

For bling designs, consider how different rhinestone colors will appear on your chosen fabric. Clear rhinestones might disappear on white shirts, while dark stones might get lost on black backgrounds.

Mistake #7: Last-Minute Rush Orders

The Problem: It's two weeks before homecoming and you suddenly realize you never ordered the spiritwear. You place a rush order, pay extra fees, skip the proof review process, and cross your fingers that everything works out perfectly.

The Fix: Plan ahead and work backwards from your needed date. Most quality custom apparel takes 2-4 weeks for production, plus shipping time. Add extra buffer time for proof reviews, potential revisions, and any issues that might arise.

Start your spiritwear planning at the beginning of each season, not when you suddenly realize you need it. Create a timeline that includes:

• Design phase: 1-2 weeks

• Team input and revisions: 1 week

• Final proof review: 3-5 days

• Production time: 2-4 weeks

• Shipping: 1 week

• Buffer time for problems: 1 week

This timeline might seem long, but it ensures you get exactly what you want without paying rush fees or compromising on quality.

Bonus Tip: Work with Experienced Suppliers

The biggest mistake might be trying to navigate custom spiritwear alone. Working with suppliers who specialize in team gear means you get expert guidance throughout the process. They can help you avoid common pitfalls, suggest improvements to your design, and ensure your final product exceeds expectations.

Look for suppliers who offer design assistance, detailed size charts, quality guarantees, and clear communication throughout the ordering process. The right partner makes all the difference between spiritwear disasters and gear that makes your team proud to show their colors.

Don't let these common mistakes dim your team's sparkle this season. With proper planning, quality materials, and attention to detail, your custom spiritwear can be everything your team deserves – and more.