Whether it is part of a uniform, team kit or even a marketing assault, custom embroidered clothing is an increasingly popular way of personalising an item of clothing. There are a host of companies that, for just a small fee, will replicate a design into a specific garment using the latest in digital embroidery machines.

Because embroidery is much more durable the more traditional screen-printing methods of finishing a garment, it is ideal for those items that are intended to be worn again and again, perhaps even exposed to a higher lever of wear and tear such as those found on a sports field. However, although the actual production of a team kit is relatively simple, designing it may require a little careful consideration.

Colours

Teams that represent their country or county might take inspiration from flags or regional symbols such as the Yorkshire White Rose or a Lancashire Red Rose, or schools and university teams might choose to adopt their own college `colours` as part of a long held tradition. Being original is a key element to any sports team and in most cases two different colours will be required for both `home` and `away` games so it is vital that teams choose those colours that will help them to be recognised and remembered.

Logos

A team logo can be a focal point to any sports team; in many cases it will give some indication as to the heritage or morals of the team and should therefore be a symbol that people will remember. Teams may look to the history of their sport and perhaps its influence in the location they represent as a clue to what their logo should be, others may prefer to keep in with a sporting theme such as the `animal` nicknames given to many UK rugby teams. There may be more than one logo on a team kit, particularly where a team receives sponsorship from local or national businesses and agree to include the branding on the kit.

Styles and Materials

The general design of a sports kit needs to incorporate both aesthetics with ergonomics; i.e., players need to be able to move around freely in their kit as well as being proud to wear it in order to enhance their psychological drive. The choice of fabrics for a sports kit can vary depending on budgets available – whilst traditional cotton t-shirts for example tend to be durable and airy, they can also get heavy when wet and absorb bacteria from sweat. Synthetic fabrics are therefore a popular choice too and can be cheaper unless you decide to maximise on the ergonomic factor and incorporate such features as `tear resistance`, `wind resistance`, and even what is sometimes referred to as `Evaporex technology` which is designed to wick away moisture from the skin. Water-sports and winter sports are most likely to benefit from advances in sportswear designs; wet suits in particular have come on significantly and are available in a variety of sizes and fits.

The Personal Touch

Customising team sportswear doesn`t mean that the individual can`t add their own personal touch to part of their kit. Where footballers have their names and allocated numbers printed onto the back – a similar stamp can be made with embroidery too. A player`s name can often be found on the breast of a shirt for example which, although not necessarily seen from a distance, at least recognises that teamwork relies on individuals coming together. Find more likeminded sportsfans at Ryder cup pga golf betting.