Start 6–8 weeks before you need it
The kit itself takes days to make; the delays are human: committee sign-off, sponsor logo chasing, and size collection. Working backwards from your season opener: weeks 1–2 design and approval, weeks 2–3 sizes and sponsor artwork, weeks 4–6 production and delivery, with buffer. Mid-season emergency orders are possible, but pre-season peace is cheaper.
Set the budget per player, not per club
Clubs think in totals; players think in 'what do I owe?'. Decide the per-player bundle first, shirt only, full kit, kit + training top, and whether sponsors or subs fund it. Sponsor-funded kits: a local business typically covers a full squad kit for the exposure; our free mockups with their logo in place are your best sales tool when approaching them.
Collect sizes the smart way
One person owns the size list. Share the size chart, collect in one thread, and lock it with a deadline, 'no size by Friday = you get Large'. It works. See the size guide for measuring tips and the spare-shirts trick.
Sponsors and artwork
Ask sponsors for vector logos (.ai/.eps/.svg/.pdf); a phone photo of a business card can be redrawn but adds days. Confirm placement in the mockup, chest, sleeve, back, and get the sponsor to approve the mockup too. It prevents the 'that's not our blue' conversation after printing.
Approval and reorders
Only production-approve when the mockup, sizes and sponsors are all locked, changes before production are free, changes after are a new order. Your design stays on file forever: new signings and replacements are a WhatsApp message, no minimums, no setup fees.