Hockey Jerseys — Home and Away

The jersey is the centrepiece of every custom hockey apparel program. Before ordering, confirm that both home and away versions are included in the plan. Most organized leagues require both sets. Ordering both in the same production run from the same supplier ensures consistent colour matching and design alignment between the two. Furthermore, player names, numbers, and any sponsor logos should all be finalized before the design proof is submitted — making changes after approval adds cost and delays the entire order.

Key jersey decisions to confirm before ordering:

• Sublimated or pro stitched — or a combination of both
• Performance fabric type based on playing level and conditions
• Home and away colour sets confirmed
• Player names and number font style agreed upon
• Logo files submitted in vector format (AI, EPS, or PDF)
• Sponsor logos confirmed and positioned in the design

Custom Hockey Pant Shells

Pant shells complete the visual lower half of the uniform. Without matching shells, the jersey looks unfinished regardless of how well it is designed. Custom pant shells should be ordered at the same time as the jerseys to ensure precise colour matching across both pieces. In addition, pant shells need to fit correctly over each player’s protective pants — so accurate sizing is just as important here as it is for the jersey.

Pant shell checklist items:

• Sublimated or pro pant shells matched to jersey style
• Colour references confirmed against jersey design
• Player measurements collected and cross-referenced with sizing chart
• Design elements such as stripes and side panels finalized

Custom Hockey Socks

Custom hockey socks in team colours tie the lower half of the kit together from pant shells to skates. Stock socks in approximate colours rarely match a custom jersey precisely. Consequently, ordering custom socks as part of the full kit — using the same colour references — always delivers a more professional and cohesive result. Both sublimated and pro sock options are available depending on the jersey style.

Hockey sock checklist items:

• Sublimated or pro socks matched to jersey and pant shell colours
• Stripe patterns confirmed against overall kit design
• Sizing confirmed for all players across the roster

Custom Hockey Gloves

Custom gloves in team colours complete the on-ice kit from head to skate. Many organizations overlook gloves when planning their apparel program — then regret it when the kit is otherwise perfect but the gloves do not match. Therefore, including gloves in the full kit order ensures colour consistency and a fully unified team look at every tournament and league game throughout the season.

Glove checklist items:

• Team colour matching confirmed against jersey design
• Logo or crest placement on cuff or back of hand decided
• Glove sizes collected from every player on the roster
• Ordered as part of full kit for colour consistency

Custom Team Hoodies

Custom hoodies are among the most-used items in any hockey team’s apparel program. Players wear them to and from games, during warm-ups, and throughout everyday life. Well-branded hoodies extend the team’s visual identity beyond the arena and build year-round recognition in the community. Furthermore, quality hoodies in team colours with the club logo create a strong and consistent brand presence at every setting throughout the season.

Hoodie checklist items:

• Sublimated or embroidered logo treatment decided
• Team colours and design confirmed
• Youth and adult sizing collected from all players
• Ordered as part of full kit for colour consistency

Track Suits and Warm-Up Gear

Track suits are essential for tournaments and travel days. They give the team a unified look during warm-ups and create a professional impression before the players even step onto the ice. In addition, branded track suits are highly visible at multi-team events — helping the organization stand out and reinforcing the team’s identity in competitive environments where many clubs are present at the same time.

Track suit checklist items:

• Full track suit or jacket-only option decided
• Team colours and crest placement confirmed
• Sizing collected for all players and coaching staff

Winter Jackets

Canadian hockey seasons run through cold months. A branded winter jacket keeps players warm and maintains the team’s visual identity during outdoor travel and community events. Moreover, jackets offer one of the most visible surfaces for sponsor logos — making them a valuable addition to any sponsorship package the organization presents to local businesses.

Winter jacket checklist items:

• Jacket style and insulation level appropriate for Canadian winter confirmed
• Team colours and logo placement finalized
• Sponsor logo placement included where applicable
• Sizing confirmed across the full roster

Custom Bags and Accessories

Player bags, backpacks, caps, and toques all carry the team’s branding into everyday life. As a result, these items extend the organization’s visibility beyond game day and give players more touchpoints with the team’s identity throughout the year. Including branded accessories in the apparel program is one of the most cost-effective ways to build year-round community recognition.

Bags and accessories checklist items:

• Player bags and backpacks with team logo confirmed
• Caps and toques in team colours added to the order
• Quantities confirmed for all players, coaches, and staff

Logo and Artwork File Requirements

Submitting artwork in the correct format is one of the most practical steps in the ordering process. Vector files — AI, EPS, or PDF formats — reproduce at any size without losing quality. Raster files like JPG or PNG produce blurry results when enlarged for jersey production. Therefore, checking your supplier’s file preparation guide before submitting artwork saves time and avoids production delays that push back the delivery date.

Artwork checklist items:

• Team logo available in vector format (AI, EPS, or PDF)
• Sponsor logos available in vector format
• Team colour hex codes or Pantone references confirmed
• Supplier’s file preparation guide reviewed before submission

Design Proof Review

Every element of the design proof needs thorough review before giving final approval. Logo placement, colour accuracy, player names, numbers, and sponsor branding all need to be correct at this stage. Errors found after production begins are costly and slow to fix. Consequently, a careful and unhurried proof review — involving the coaching staff and any relevant stakeholders — is always time well spent before committing to production.

Design proof checklist items:

• Logo placement verified on all items
• Colour accuracy confirmed against team references
• All player names and numbers checked for accuracy
• Sponsor logos verified for size, position, and colour
• Home and away designs reviewed side by side

Collect Accurate Measurements Early

Sizing errors are the most common and most avoidable problem in custom hockey apparel orders. A jersey that fits poorly looks unprofessional and frustrates the player wearing it throughout the season. Collecting accurate measurements from every player — and cross-referencing with the supplier’s sizing charts — prevents costly reorders and pre-season delays. Furthermore, gathering sizes early gives the organization time to follow up with players who miss the initial deadline rather than guessing and risking errors.

Sizing checklist items:

• Measurements collected from every player on the roster
• Sizes cross-referenced with supplier sizing charts
• Separate sizing collected for jerseys, pant shells, socks, gloves, and off-ice apparel
• Coach and staff sizes included where applicable
• Roster locked and finalized before the order is submitted

Player Name and Number List

A complete and accurate player name and number list needs to be finalized before the order is submitted. Name spelling errors and number duplications are common mistakes that are expensive to correct after production. Therefore, having every player confirm their name spelling and assigned number in writing before the list is submitted eliminates the most common sources of post-production complaints.

Name and number checklist items:

• Every player’s name confirmed in writing with correct spelling
• All jersey numbers assigned and confirmed — no duplicates
• Number font style confirmed and consistent across the full order

Allow Six to Eight Weeks Minimum

Custom hockey apparel requires time for design approval, production, quality checking, and shipping. Organizations that start the process at least six to eight weeks before the season avoid rush fees and last-minute stress. Planning ahead consistently produces better results than trying to compress the timeline as the opening game approaches. In addition, early orders allow time to address any design revisions or sizing questions without disrupting the production schedule.

Order Everything Together in One Run

Ordering the full kit — jerseys, pant shells, socks, gloves, and off-ice apparel — in one unified order from one supplier is always the most efficient and accurate approach. It ensures colour consistency across every piece. Moreover, it simplifies communication and reduces the administrative burden on coaches and team managers who are already managing a full program. Splitting orders across multiple suppliers or multiple timing windows introduces risk that is easy to avoid by planning the full kit from the start.

Confirm Delivery Address and Contact Details

Before the order is placed, confirm the delivery address, the correct contact person, and any specific delivery requirements your organization has. Large bulk orders require adequate space to receive, sort, and distribute individual packages. Confirming these logistics ahead of time prevents delays at the final stage — when the apparel has been produced and is ready to ship.

Timeline checklist items:

• Order placed at least six to eight weeks before first game
• Full kit ordered together in one production run
• Design proof reviewed and approved before the production deadline
• Delivery address and contact details confirmed with supplier
• Distribution plan ready for when apparel arrives

Complete Kits Built for Canadian Hockey

VMF Sportswear produces premium custom hockey apparel for organizations of every size across Canada. Every item we produce is built with performance fabrics, expert decoration, and full colour customization to deliver the professional results Canadian hockey organizations depend on season after season. Our experienced design and production team guides every organization through the full process — from first design concept through to final delivery.

Everything on the Checklist — From One Trusted Supplier

Every item on this checklist is available from VMF Sportswear as part of one unified kit order. Explore our full range of custom hockey apparel to see all the options available for your team this season. Ordering everything together ensures colour consistency and simplifies the entire process from first design to final delivery.

• Custom hockey jerseys — sublimated and pro stitched
• Custom pant shells — sublimated and pro options
• Custom hockey socks in team colours
• Custom hockey gloves with team branding
• Custom hoodies, track suits, and winter jackets
• Custom bags, caps, toques, and accessories
• Player names, numbers, and embroidered crests
• Sponsor branding built into the original design
• Bulk ordering for clubs and associations of all sizes
• Reliable production and delivery across Ontario and Canada

Start Your Season Checklist Today

Contact VMF Sportswear today to go through this checklist with our team. We will guide you through every decision, help you finalize the design, and provide a personal quote for your complete custom hockey apparel program. We are ready to help your organization arrive at opening night fully prepared — with a kit every player is proud to wear.