Buying Team Uniforms? Don't Settle for Less
By: Sol Canlas
When team moms, league and club owners, team captains, athletic directors, and coaches are assigned the important task of “dressing their team up,” they sometimes encounter challenges that arise from not having enough time, the lack of funds, no advance planning, very little design options, or no vendor database to start off with, among many other issues.
Even with these difficulties, a well-educated buyer may be able to still come out with the best product at the best package deal.
Here are some quick and easy tips based on what a typical team uniform buyer needs.
1. An Easy Search
Use the Internet. Most sports apparel companies are available online. Use popular search engines and enter the type of uniforms that you are looking for (basketball uniforms, football uniforms, etc.). You’ll be surprised at how many qualified vendors you can find. Although you usually don’t get to meet them face-to-face, the fact they have invested in time and money to make their products available online, you can be confident that these vendors mean business.
You can also use this magazine’s Buyer’s Guide in this issue.
Also, don’t forget about recommended vendor listings of your sports associations. These vendors are either affiliated or recommended by your associations, so you can be assured of their credibility.
2. Product Options
Pre-made (better known as “stock”) uniforms are mass-produced, pre-made, basic uniforms that are made of lighter and more inexpensive materials to be more affordable. You can buy these plain or as “blanks” to apply the letters and numbers yourself, or you can have the same company provide the printing service for you. If you need uniforms for only one season, if you don’t mind having basic looking uniforms, and if you are rushing to order at the last minute, then this is a good option for you. These products usually are available in stock.
Fully customized uniforms are made-to-order items. The materials used are equivalent to what your favorite professional players use, so the uniforms will be more expensive. However, high product quality and excellent workmanship can be expected. These uniforms are made to last two to three years at the very least, which gives your school more long-term savings. Companies that sell these allow you to “design-it-yourself,” applying the look and feel that your team prefers.
3. Design Flexibility
With pre-made uniforms, because these products are pre-cut and pre-sewn based on standard measurements, there is limited design flexibility. One can only choose from pre-existing designs, and minor options such as color, fonts, and trims.
With fully customized uniforms, you can bring out the fashion designer in you as you build your uniform from scratch. Choose from a wide array of recommended design templates, your preferred fabric, size range, team colors, fonts, trims, top and/or bottom length, shoulder width, etc. Some companies already have a user-friendly online tool to guide you step by step.
4. Package Price
Find a company that has the products that meet your needs and can offer an all-inclusive package price. It is difficult enough to try to get your committee or board members, team parents, or officials to approve a uniform budget. The last thing you would want is to find out that there are miscellaneous expenses still not included in the quotes that you were given, such as set-up fees, printing fees, logo fees, shipping and handling fees, and sales tax.
Inquire on promos for the month and volume discounts, and be open to partial sponsorship deals, full package incentives, etc. so that you can get the best possible product at the level that your school can afford.
5. Quick Order Turnaround Time
Because there is less production and print application work involved, standard turnaround time for stock uniforms would be from one to two weeks.
To assure you that all of your uniform design specifications are applied to the last detail, more production time for fully customized uniforms is required. This can be from four to eight weeks. If you, however, designed the uniforms yourself, the finished product will definitely be worth the wait.
Make sure that you discuss shipping time with your chosen vendor. Find out if their estimated turnaround time already includes shipping time. If your vendor owns their own factory, you can be more confident that they have a better knowledge and control of the turnaround time that they commit to you.
6. Quick Response
This is a vital part of ordering uniforms. The way your vendor responds to your inquiry most likely would be the same way that they will respond to you in times of crisis (delays, errors, etc.). You would want to choose a vendor that has a representative readily available to walk you through the order process, give good recommendations, and can be your partner in ensuring that you get your job done, to ultimately make you and your players look good.
7. Credibility
The best measure of one vendor’s success, consistency, and credibility is through their testimonials. If they are not available online, ask your vendor for them. This will give you greater confidence in the company/team that you will be working with. Don’t just check out the pictures – read the testimonials and find what benefits they got out of their uniform order.
8. Image Builders
The companies that have great testimonials are the same companies that can help your school go through the same experience.
We have to admit that the overall “look and feel” of a team’s uniforms has an effect on how a team plays.
Buying school athletic uniforms is not a simple task. You can caught in the details of the entire ordering process, but always remember your ultimate goal as a buyer is to buy to win! The choice is up to you; whatever happens, never settle for less.
Sol Canlas is the business development manager for Allen Sportswear, www.allensportswear.com.
Product Roundup
JJ School
Check out these shoes, offered by JJ School. Features include: dyed-through leather upper, fully leather lined, cushioned footbeds, contoured removable insoles, lightweight and non-marking outsoles, padded collars, proven fit quality, and in-stock availability. They offer many sizes and widths to accommodate any child's foot. JJ School products are manufactured by Jumping Jacks, a division of Munro & Company, Inc. based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Jumping Jacks was originally founded in 1946 and has been manufacturing quality footwear since that time.
www.jumping-jacks.com
Home Team Sportswear
Home Team Sportswear manufactures cheerleading uniforms and football jerseys used by schools and organizations across the country. Prices are kept low in order to allow more youth to participate in programs sponsored by schools. Uniforms can be customized to meet the needs of individual groups. The cheerleading uniforms are a bit more modest and tailored than most available today, yet still give a sharp look. Home Team also offers poms, briefs, bodysuits, warm-ups, cheer shoes and more.
www.hometeamsportswear.com
EOAthletics
EOAthletics, a division of Educational Outfitters, offers top-quality team uniforms, spirit wear and athletic gear. In-house graphics, embroidery and screen printing capabilities allow the company to customize uniforms to a school’s specific needs. Uniforms for most any school sports are available, as well as gear for officials and cheerleaders. The company also offers a wide selection of accessories. EOAthletics apparel is available at any of the many Educational Outfitters stores across the nation, as well as on the Web.
www.educationaloutfitters.com
North American Athleticwear
North American Athleticwear manufactures and distributes athletic uniforms for teams at factory-direct prices. One of the most popular items the company offers is a single-ply, reversible jersey that can be used for home and away games. Reversible shorts also are available. All products are made in America. Most products are available in black, white, red, navy, royal blue, Carolina blue, yellow, orange, purple, Kelly green, aqua, gray, maroon, Vegas gold, cardinal red, forest green and brown. Custom colors also are available. North American Athleticwear also can affordably print, number and design logos.
www.athletic-uniforms.com
Cheerleader & DanzTeam
Cheering--the fun and excitement of bringing fans to their feet and the team to victory--is just a part of the total cheerleading experience. It’s also about forging friendships, promoting leadership, teamwork, and community, sharing spirit and instilling pride. Cheerleader & DanzTeam has been providing cheerleading uniforms to schools since 1948. Since then, CDT has offered squads and coaches high-quality, fashion-forward designs, quick and accurate delivery, and good customer service.
www.varsity.com
Sporting Goods Express
SportingGoodsExpress.com has uniforms for baseball, basketball, youth football, lacrosse, cheerleading, softball, volleyball and soccer in sizes for men, women, boys and girls. The company also offers major league baseball replica uniforms and caps as well as other gear, including that used by officials. In addition to uniforms, Sporting Goods Express carries more than 1,500 different sports equipment items.
www.SportingGoodsExpress.com
