Top 5 Mistakes Coaches Make When Ordering Uniforms (And How to Avoid Them)

Coaches, it’s time to blow the whistle on fumbled uniform orders. With the 2025 – 2026 fall sports season starting, you need to outfit your players for top-notch performances that are played in style. But how can you ensure your team gets quality uniforms on budget and on time?

There’s nothing like the moment your players put on their uniforms for the first time. It’s the transformation from individual players into a team. But behind every perfect uniform reveal, there’s usually a coach who had to navigate a surprisingly tricky process.

Unfortunately, many coaches make the same avoidable mistakes when ordering team uniforms, and those errors can turn what should be a highlight into a major headache.

At The Athletic Shop, Chattanooga, Tennessee’s one-stop shop for all uniform and custom apparel needs, we work with teams across all levels and sports, and we’ve seen the same mistakes come up over and over again.

If you’re gearing up to order uniforms this season, here are the top five pitfalls to avoid when getting your players ready for the season. With us in your corner, you’ll feel the stress of placing your order melt away, allowing you to use all that free time to lead your team to success.

1. Disregarding Fabric & Functionality

If you’re taking a one-size-fits-all approach for custom team uniforms, you’re missing out on key features that will impact your team’s comfort and performance.

Prioritizing aesthetics without regard to material or performance leads to issues, such as uniforms that don’t breathe, fade quickly, shrink, or tear. Coaches sometimes choose the design first, then pick a fabric that can’t handle the demands. That’s why it’s important to think about both quality and budget when ordering custom team uniforms.

At The Athletic Shop, we have a variety of fabrics and styles to choose from, depending on your team’s needs and preferences. Our experts work with you to create first-rate uniforms without breaking the bank.

Consider these factors when choosing your fabric:

• Moisture-wicking polyester: a durable fabric that wicks away sweat from the skin for more efficient evaporation
• Mesh: has perforations that increase airflow for maximum cooling
• Double-knit polyester: an extremely durable, tightly woven fabric ideal for high-impact sports
• Nylon: a strong, versatile fabric that is lightweight, breathable, and has stretch
• Cotton: a popular choice for its breathability, softness, and comfortability

When choosing your team’s uniforms, consider durability, comfort, texture, and the fabric’s key features, such as breathability or stretch.

Climate is another factor to take into consideration. For example, Chattanooga can get hot and humid, so lightweight fabrics are a plus.

2. Waiting Too Long to Order

It’s not a good idea to wait until the last minute when ordering custom uniforms for your team. Instead, you should create a plan.

Coaches often underestimate production and shipping times, especially during peak seasons like late summer or early spring. What seems like “plenty of time” in July can turn into a nightmare by August if manufacturers are backed up or shipping delays occur.

Uniforms aren’t just sitting in a warehouse; custom orders require artwork approvals, printing, stitching, and packaging. Starting the process early gives you breathing room and avoids the panic of scrambling before the first game.

Here in Chattanooga, vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers often have seasonal surges. If you need custom printing, embroidery, specialty fabrics, or sizing samples, it’s important to get your order in with enough time to spare.

Here’s how to avoid rush orders:

• Plan your uniform cycle backwards: Start with the date of your first game and work back through design, ordering, and delivery. Leave buffer time for proofs, artwork approval, and unexpected delays.

• Set deadlines with your team: get the roster finalized, measurements taken, and design locked in well before the deadline. It’s a good idea to set your uniform deadline well before your first game, ideally 4 – 6 weeks before. This helps ensure that you get everyone’s uniform in time, without the added pressure of rush orders.

• Work with a vendor you trust (like The Athletic Shop): because we have fast turnaround times, an experienced in-house design team, and a wide selection of apparel options.

3. Not Customizing or Branding

There’s nothing quite like the moment a player receives their custom uniform, complete with name, number, and team insignia. It’s more than clothing. It’s a symbol of belonging.

When your players take the field, their look tells a story: who they are, what they stand for, and how seriously they take the game. A strong, cohesive design reflects professionalism and pride, establishing your team’s brand and personality.

Uniformity in appearance also encourages discipline and cohesion. Players often perform better when they feel valued and seen, and nothing says “you matter” like gear made just for them.

Matching uniforms convey the credibility of your program to parents, fans, and opponents, and personalized features, such as custom colors, fonts, and logos, create a lasting visual identity your community will remember.

However, it’s important not to go over the top with flashy fonts, multiple colors, and layered logos. Too much design can lead to higher costs. Worse, overdesigned uniforms often end up looking cluttered on the field. A clean, sharp look always stands out more, helping your team look professional and unified.

The Athletic Shop works closely with schools, coaches, and athletic directors in Chattanooga to ensure uniforms reflect each team’s image.

Here are some customization options to consider:

• Screen printing: transfers full-color graphics onto fabric using a screen and ink
• Embroidery: stitches a design into fabric for a professional, high-end appearance
• Sublimation: uses heat and pressure to transfer designs onto fabric that are both vibrant and durable

When teams look united, they play united. That kind of chemistry shows up on the scoreboard.

4. Picking the Wrong Sizes

Don’t use guesswork when it comes to sizing uniforms. You want each player to feel comfortable in order to perform their best. It may seem easier to just “eyeball it” or reuse sizes from last year’s roster, but athletes grow, rosters change, and every brand fits a little differently.

The result? Uniforms that are uncomfortable for the players and embarrassing for the team. Taking the time to gather accurate sizes, or better yet, hosting a sizing day using a sample kit, makes a world of difference.

Additionally, not accounting for different cuts can cause discomfort or lead to an unflattering look. Tailored fits are becoming more common in custom team uniforms. Instead of boxy cuts, teams are opting for slimmer silhouettes that improve comfort and performance while looking professional.

Here’s what coaches often miss:

• Not giving options for different body types
• Not ordering sample sizing kits so players can try before the full order
• Failing to account for growth

How to avoid these mistakes:

• Collect accurate measurements for each athlete. Use the supplier’s size chart, not general assumptions.
• Request sample uniforms or sizing kits when possible; players can try them on to verify fit and comfort.
• Order extra units in popular sizes, especially medium and large. This gives flexibility.
• Consider fabric and stretch; heavy materials may fit differently than lightweight fabrics.

5. Not Considering Reorders

Players grow, uniforms get lost or damaged, and new teammates join mid-season. This is especially the case for youth teams. But if you ordered the minimum, you may be stuck waiting for new uniforms to be made.

In this case, you’ll be scrambling to rush an order that, if not finished in time, will leave your players with too-tight, low-quality uniforms, or even worse—no uniform at all!

There are a few simple steps you can take to avoid this and make things easier for your future self:

• Order a few extra uniforms in popular sizes.
• Keep your design, logo files, and color codes archived so you can reorder with matching specs.
• Budget for these extra pieces (damage, growth, new roster members) from the start.

It might seem like a cost-saving move at the time to order only what you need, but ordering exact quantities leaves no margin for error. By planning for potential reorders in advance, you’ll save a lot of time and trouble later. It’s always better to be prepared now than short-handed down the line.

Bonus Mistakes (You’ll Thank Us Later)

Here are a few bonus blunders that coaches should avoid:

• Compromising too much to save on costs: Sometimes cheap materials seem appealing, but if the uniform falls apart or doesn’t perform, you’ll spend more in the long run.
• Not involving players in design decisions: When players feel they helped choose the look or the fit, morale and unity tend to be better.
• Forgetting about compliance: Check with your athletic director or league for uniform regulations before you design to avoid penalties. Pay attention to number placement, size, color contrast, and logo limitations.
• Choosing the wrong vendor: Not all uniform suppliers are created equal. Some have poor communication, inconsistent quality, or limited experience with team sports.

Working with a dedicated team outfitter like The Athletic Shop means having a partner who understands timelines, league rules, and the real-world demands coaches face.

Tips Specific to Chattanooga & Surrounding Areas

Given our climate, logistics, and sports culture in Chattanooga, here are a few extra things to keep in mind:

• Climate and weather impact: Our summers are hot and humid; lightweight, moisture‑wicking fabrics will make a big difference for comfort and performance. Materials that trap heat or dry slowly can be miserable in games.
• Seasonal shipping and local events: Supplier lead times often increase just before big local tournaments or championships. Plan around major events.
• Transportation and delivery: If you’re ordering from out of state, factor in shipping delays. Local manufacturers or regional suppliers may save time and costs.
• School budget cycles: Many schools’ budgets refresh in certain months; being aware of those cycles helps with planning and funding.
• Community and parent expectations: In our area, team pride is real. Uniforms are often showcased at parades, pep rallies, and media coverage. A clean, professional look improves morale and community support.

Ordering Uniforms with The Athletic Shop

Uniforms aren’t just about looking good; they’re about unity, performance, and pride. Getting the details right (size, durability, design, timing) builds the foundation for a season where your team shows up confident and ready.

If you’re a coach in the Chattanooga area, let The Athletic Shop help you nail your next uniform order. We proudly serve:

• Chattanooga
• Signal Mountain
• Hixson
• East Ridge
• Red Bank
• Soddy-Daisy
• Ooltewah
• Collegedale
• and the surrounding towns

Whether you need uniforms for high school football, AAU basketball, travel softball, or Little League, we’re here to help!

We’ve assisted countless coaches in navigating the uniform ordering process. We know the pain points, and more importantly, we know how to prevent them. Our team is here to make sure your athletes get high-quality gear on time, every time, so you can focus on coaching, not chasing down jerseys.

The uniform process doesn’t have to be stressful. Avoiding these common mistakes can mean the difference between last-minute panic and a team that’s ready to take the field with pride.

Coaches turn to us because:

• We offer custom design consultation from professionals who know sports.
• We work with top-tier brands, such as Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, Augusta, and more.
• We’re local, so we understand the needs of your teams and the demands of the season.
• We stand by our gear with customer support, not just an online checkout cart.

Check out our resources:

• Design gallery: Our design inspiration gallery is here to get the gears moving, so you can look and play your best this season.
• Uniform builders: Use one of our builders to design a custom uniform for your team.
• Online apparel shop builder: Build your online store with us for your business, charity, establishment, or school.

Contact The Athletic Shop early, bring your ideas, and let us make the process smooth and cost-effective. We’re excited to see your team shine.