Which decoration is better for my program, sublimation, tackle twill, or screen print?
It depends on the sport, the look, and the budget. Sublimation dyes the design into the fabric, so color can cover the jersey and nothing sits on the surface. Tackle twill sews on raised letters and numbers — the classic football look — and names or patches usually add cost. Screen print and heat transfer are the lower-cost way to put simple numbers and a team name on a stock garment. None of the three is the right default for every program.
Before the brand conversation, the decoration method changes the price, the look, and what you can change later. Most California programs are choosing among three methods. The football-only version of the sublimation versus tackle twill choice is already written up; this page adds screen print and the other sports.
| Sublimation | Tackle twill | Screen print or heat transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the mark is made | The design is dye-printed into the fabric. Nothing sits on top to peel. | Letters and numbers are cut and sewn or heat-pressed onto the jersey. | Ink or a transfer is applied to the surface of a stock garment. |
| Design | Unlimited colors, gradients, and full-body graphics. | Best for bold, simple marks. Limited to the twill colors you choose. | Simple numbers, a team name, and a logo. |
| Feel | No extra layer on the fabric. | Raised letters. The classic Friday-night look. | A printed layer on the garment. |
| Price, as of 2026 | Priced as part of a custom set. On football, numbers and team names are part of the print rather than a per-letter upcharge. | The traditional look costs more, and names, captain patches, and extra letters are usually add-ons. | The lower-cost end. Football budget sets on this site are planned around $60–$90 per player for a jersey and pants. |
| A good fit when | You want a custom game uniform with color across the whole jersey. | You want sewn numbers on a football jersey and a simpler graphic. | You want an economical set, a spirit tee, or a simple mark on a stock jersey. |
As of 2026, the football cost guide plans a full jersey-and-pants set from about $60–$90 at the budget end to $130–$180+ for a fully custom sublimated Adidas or Under Armour set. Basketball, soccer, and the other sports have their own ranges in the cost guides. Polos on this site are commonly embroidered rather than sublimated. Match the method to the garment, not to a default.
Sources: decoration descriptions match this site's sublimated vs. tackle twill football guide and the football uniform cost guide. Price ranges are general market planning ranges as of 2026, not a quote.