Jersey fabrics: which knit is right for your team?

GSM is grams per square metre: the higher the number, the heavier and more opaque the fabric. All three collections are polyester, because sublimation dye bonds with polyester fibres. See how sublimation works.

Plain has an even surface that takes print crisp and clean. Dotknit is a fine bird's-eye knit with tiny pores that breathe better than plain, a good choice for soccer and touch in summer. Rise Knit has a raised diagonal rib that adds grip and hides sweat marks, which suits training tops.

Jacquard knits have a pattern woven into the fabric itself, so the shirt has a tonal texture under the sublimated design. Techno Knit is a subtle pin-dot, Emboss Knit a raised directional stripe, and Box Knit an all-over geometric weave. They add A$10 a jersey and are worth it where the kit is seen up close: senior match kits, presentation shirts and supporter merchandise.

Every Signature knit has an anti-microbial and UPF 50+ finish, which matters for a full day of cricket, a summer fun run or a beach volleyball tournament. Plain 190 is a heavier, dense interlock with a rich matte finish. Long Mesh 160 has open airflow channels and is our most breathable option for indoor basketball and hot courts. Airlite 140 is our lightest micro-mesh, made for runners.

These are starting points, not rules. Many clubs keep Classic for juniors and training, and upgrade only the senior match kit.

Every knit is cared for the same way: wash inside out with similar colours, skip bleach and fabric softener, and line dry out of direct sun. Mesh knits such as Long Mesh 160 and Airlite 140 dry fastest, which helps at carnivals and tournaments with games back to back. Because the design is sublimated into the fibre, normal washing won't fade it on any knit.

Heavier knits such as Plain 190 and Dotknit 190 hold their shape well through a long season and feel more substantial, which is why clubs often choose them for a senior match kit that is worn for several years.

If the committee wants to feel the fabric first, ask us for a fabric swatch on the contact page. Your designer can also suggest a knit when they send your free mockup, and you can change it before you approve.

Fabric upgrades are the main thing that changes a jersey's price, apart from collars and sleeves. For worked examples, see what a soccer kit or a cricket uniform costs.