Jersey Design Mistakes Teams Should Avoid

A custom jersey should do two things every time it hits the ice: represent your team with pride and perform at a high level. But even great programs sometimes end up with jerseys that miss the mark because of a few common design mistakes.

At K1 Sportswear, our professional design team works with organizations every day to create jerseys that look sharp, read clearly, and stand out for the right reasons. If your program is planning a new set this season or next, here are the biggest jersey design mistakes to avoid.

Low Contrast That Makes Numbers Hard to Read

This is the most common issue we see. If your numbers blend into the jersey color, referees, coaches, broadcasters, and fans cannot read them clearly. That becomes a real problem fast.

Best practice: Use a strong contrast between the jersey base color and the number color. Clean, readable numbers always win.

Overcomplicating the Design

A jersey can look custom and elite without being overloaded. Too many patterns, stripes, logos, and textures can make a uniform look busy, and it can reduce the impact of your branding.

Best practice: Start with a clean layout and build from there. Strong teams often have simple designs with one bold feature.

Fonts That Look Cool But Read Poorly

Some stylized fonts look great in a mockup, but on the ice, they can be difficult to read, especially from a distance. Player names should be clear, and numbers should be instantly recognizable.

Best practice: Choose a bold athletic font and keep it consistent across jersey sets.

Ignoring Placement and Proportions

Logos that are too small, shoulder patches that do not align, or striping that sits awkwardly can make even the best artwork feel off. Uniforms need balance.

Best practice: Make sure the design is built around real jersey proportions, not just on a flat screen.

Not Thinking Through the Full Uniform Set

Your jersey does not exist alone. Socks, shells, and hoodies often accompany it. If those elements are not considered during the design process, the final look can feel mismatched.

Best practice: Plan your full uniform package together so your look stays consistent across everything your team wears.

Design It Right the First Time

A uniform is part of your team identity. It is what players wear in big moments, what fans photograph, and what represents your program for years to come.

K1 Sportswear makes it easy to avoid these mistakes. Our design team works directly with you to create a clean, professional, and completely custom jersey that your team will be proud to wear.

Start your custom design today by filling out the form below!