Why Sublimation Beats Screen Printing for Cricket
Screen-printed jerseys crack. The sponsor logo on your chest splits along the fold lines after three washes. The number on your back peels off in the second game. By mid-season, your team looks like they're wearing practice shirts with biographical scars.
Sublimation fixes all of this. The design is dyed into the fabric at the molecular level — it cannot crack, peel, or fade. It's the same technology used for professional cricket jerseys, including every IPL team shirt. And it's cheaper than you think for custom team orders.
We offer a full custom sublimation service for cricket teams in the US — design, production, and delivery, all managed from our Edison, NJ location. This guide explains how it works, what it costs, and how to get your team kitted out.
How Sublimation Works
- Design. Your team's logo, colors, sponsor marks, player names, and numbers are laid out digitally on a jersey template. Unlimited colors at no extra cost — sublimation doesn't charge per color like screen printing.
- Print. The design is printed onto transfer paper using heat-sensitive dye inks.
- Press. The paper is heat-pressed onto white polyester fabric at 400°F. The dye turns into a gas and bonds with the polyester fibers — permanently. The design becomes part of the fabric.
- Stitch. The printed fabric panels are cut and sewn into finished jerseys.
The result: a jersey where the design is inside the fabric, not on top of it. It weighs nothing extra, breathes normally, and lasts the life of the garment.
What We Offer
Custom Sublimation Jerseys
Full custom design — your colors, your logo, your sponsor marks. Each jersey is manufactured to your specifications.
- Cricket Sublimation Half Sleeve T-Shirt ($20.00) — The standard cricket jersey. Moisture-wicking polyester, half sleeves, sublimated design. Minimum order: 12 pieces.
- Cricket Sublimation Full Sleeves T-Shirt ($22.00) — Full-sleeve version for cooler conditions or teams that prefer arm coverage.
Custom Sublimation Pants
- Cricket Sublimation Trousers ($15.00) — Matching sublimated trousers with elastic waistband and ankle zips. Complete the kit.
Custom Sublimation Accessories
- Cricket Sublimation Cap (Rubberized) ($10.00) — Team cap with rubberized logo.
- Cricket Sublimation Cap (Embroidered) ($10.00) — Embroidered logo option for a premium finish.
- Cricket Sublimation Round Hat (Rubberized) ($10.00) — Bucket/floppy hat for sun protection with team branding.
- Cricket Sublimation Round Hat (Embroidered) ($12.00) — Embroidered bucket hat.
Full Kit Cost Breakdown
For a team of 12 players, a complete sublimated kit (jersey + trousers + cap):
| Item | Per Player | 12 Players |
|---|---|---|
| Half Sleeve Jersey | $20.00 | $240.00 |
| Trousers | $15.00 | $180.00 |
| Cap (Rubberized) | $10.00 | $120.00 |
| Total per player | $45.00 | |
| Team total | $540.00 |
For comparison, a single screen-printed cricket jersey from a specialty shop typically costs $45–$65 — and the print will degrade over time. For the same price, sublimation gives you a complete kit that won't crack, peel, or fade.
The Sublimation Advantage vs Screen Printing
| Factor | Sublimation | Screen Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Permanent — design cannot crack or peel | 2–3 seasons before cracking begins |
| Color limit | Unlimited colors, no extra cost | Charged per color ($5–15 per color per shirt) |
| Breathability | Full — no ink layer on fabric | Reduced — ink sits on surface, blocks pores |
| Weight | Zero added weight | Adds 15–30g of ink per shirt |
| Feel | Smooth — nothing on the surface | Textured — you feel the ink layer |
| Minimum order | 12 pieces | Often 6–12 pieces, but price drops at 24+ |
| Complex designs | Gradients, photos, complex patterns — all possible | Limited to solid color blocks |
How to Order Custom Team Jerseys
- Contact us with your team name, preferred colors, logo file (AI/PSD/PNG), and player count. Email info@topcricketstore.com or WhatsApp 1-732-250-3598.
- Design proof — we'll send a digital mockup of your jersey within 2–3 business days. You approve or request changes.
- Production — once approved, manufacturing takes 10–14 business days. Rush orders available for an additional fee.
- Delivery — free shipping on team orders over $100. We ship nationwide from Edison, NJ.
FAQ
What's the minimum order for custom sublimation jerseys?
12 pieces per design. This can be 12 jerseys, or a mix of jerseys and trousers totaling 12 pieces. Smaller orders may be accommodated with a setup fee — contact us for details.
How long does the design process take?
2–3 business days for the initial design proof. Revisions are typically turned around within 24 hours. Production takes 10–14 business days after design approval.
Can you match our existing team colors?
Yes. Provide your existing jersey, a photo, or Pantone color codes. Sublimation reproduces colors accurately because the dye bonds at the molecular level — no color drift between batches.
Do sublimated jerseys fade over time?
No. The dye is inside the polyester fibers, not on the surface. UV exposure may cause very gradual fading over years, but wash-to-wash, the colors stay true indefinitely.
Can I order just one custom jersey as a sample?
Yes — we can produce a single sample jersey for $35–$45 (depending on complexity). This lets you check fit, colors, and design before committing to a full team order.
What file format should my logo be in?
Vector files preferred: AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF. High-resolution PNG (300 DPI minimum) also works. Avoid JPEG — compression artifacts become visible when enlarged to jersey size.
Do you ship internationally?
We ship across the US and Canada. For international orders outside North America, contact us for a shipping quote.
Ready to kit out your team? Browse our custom sublimation jerseys and trousers. Questions about design, sizing, or team orders? Call or WhatsApp 1-732-250-3598 — we'll walk you through the process.
Design Ideas for Your Team Kit
Need inspiration? Here are three popular design directions US cricket teams choose:
- Traditional whites with a modern edge. Classic cricket white as the base, with your team's color as a subtle gradient on the sides and a bold crest on the chest. Looks professional, photographs well, and works for all formats.
- IPL-inspired bold colors. Take cues from your favorite IPL franchise — deep blues, vibrant oranges, electric greens. Full-color sublimation means you can use gradients, geometric patterns, and multi-color crests that screen printing can't handle.
- Heritage design. Incorporate elements from your team's cultural background — national flag colors, traditional patterns, or meaningful symbols. Several US teams with strong Indian, Pakistani, or Caribbean heritage have created stunning kits that represent their community identity.
Why US Teams Choose Sublimation Over Off-the-Shelf
In the 2024–2026 seasons, more than 60% of US cricket league teams switched from generic colored clothing to custom sublimation. The reasons:
- Sponsor value. A custom sublimated jersey with your sponsor's logo integrated into the design (not slapped on as an afterthought) commands 2–3× the sponsorship fee from local businesses.
- Team identity. In a 50-team league, the teams that look professional get more respect — from opponents, umpires, and the league committee. Custom kits signal that you're serious.
- No minimum reorders. Unlike screen printing (where reordering 2 replacement jerseys costs a setup fee), sublimation lets you order individual replacements at any time because your design file is saved.
- Player retention. Players stay with teams where they feel invested. A custom kit creates psychological ownership — it's harder to switch teams mid-season when you've got a jersey with your name on it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Team Orders
What information do you need to start a design?
Team name, preferred colors (primary + secondary), logo file (vector preferred), sponsor name/logo (if applicable), player count, and size breakdown (S/M/L/XL/XXL quantities). We'll send a proof within 2–3 business days.
Can I see a physical sample before ordering 12+ jerseys?
Yes — we produce a single sample jersey for $35–$45. This lets you check fabric feel, color accuracy, and fit before committing to the full team order. Sample production takes 7–10 business days.
What's the turnaround time for a full team order?
10–14 business days after design approval. Rush orders (7 business days) available for an additional 20% fee. Plan ahead — the busiest period is March–May as teams prepare for the summer season.