Colour matching can be a challenge when it comes to fabrics, especially with colours that are more complex or muted than what is seen onscreen.
Onscreen colours can appear more vivid and intense due to their higher contrast, which can make fabrics look less saturated or overly muted to the eye in comparison. Depending on the fabrics used, the actual colours can also differ due to the fibres, textures and dyes used, as well as environmental factors like natural light and moisture or humidity.
To ensure a good colour match, we recommend documenting the exact colours used in your logo so that those same colours can be used for your team’s custom jerseys, hoodies and other accessories.
Updated for 2026: What Teams Should Know About Colour Matching
For 2026, the biggest colour matching tip for Canadian rec-league, school, and tournament teams is still simple: start with the best colour reference you have. If your team already has a logo, old jersey, sponsor artwork, or school brand guide, sharing that information early helps your custom sublimation jerseys stay consistent across jerseys, hoodies, hats, and other team gear.
It is also helpful to remember that sublimation printing is not the same as viewing a graphic on a phone. Screens use light to display colour, while fabric reflects light after ink is applied into the fibres. That difference is why a colour can look bold and bright in a digital mockup but slightly softer once it is printed onto performance fabric.
- If you have Pantone, CMYK, RGB, or HEX values, send them with your artwork.
- If you only have a logo file, send the highest resolution version available.
- If you are matching a previous uniform, photos can help, but an in-person sample is even better.
- If your team has both adult and youth players, confirm that all items are using the same artwork and colour direction before production.
TeamGear can help interpret those references and apply them to a jersey design that looks clean, consistent, and practical for real game-day use.
What you see on screen vs. in real life on fabric
When it comes to what you see on screen vs. in real life on fabric, there may be differences due to the brightness of your display.
Whether you’re viewing your custom artwork on a cellphone or a computer monitor, they all have different settings. These factors can lead to variation in the colours you see between the digital version of your design and the printed version.
Below is an example showing a selection of colour swatches from our digital colour chart, versus how they look printed on fabric.
If you prefer to see how your chosen colours look when printed on fabric, we recommend visiting our factory in Mississauga, ON to view the colours in person! By viewing the colours in person, you can compare different colour swatches to ensure the accuracy of the desired colour to be printed on your jerseys.
How to Review Your Jersey Colours Before Approval
Because every phone, laptop, and monitor displays colour a little differently, it is a good idea to review your artwork in a practical way before giving final approval. Look at the design on more than one screen if possible, and avoid judging colour only with your screen brightness turned all the way up.
For teams ordering custom sublimation jerseys, the artwork approval stage is the time to look closely at contrast, readability, and overall balance. A colour does not need to be an exact screen match to work well on fabric, but player names, numbers, sponsor logos, and team logos should be easy to see from a distance.
- Check that numbers stand out clearly against the jersey body colour.
- Make sure sponsor logos are readable on both light and dark backgrounds.
- Review home and away colour combinations if your league requires separate sets.
- Ask one or two teammates to review the mockup, but avoid too many competing opinions late in the process.
Taking the Guesswork Out of Colour Matching for Your Custom Jerseys
One of the major challenges of colour matching is accurately replicating colours on different mediums, or even on different fabric types. Colours can vary greatly even when they are of the exact same colour code, and this difference can be seen onscreen, as well as in real life when printed on the fabric.
We help take the guesswork out of colour matching your jersey and logo. Our team can use the exact colour codes from your logo, or create a design for you, so that the finished product is a perfect match.
Can you match my logo colours?
Absolutely. If you have a logo or past jersey design with custom colour codes, you can let our team know the colour codes before starting with our custom jersey designers.
What to Send Your Designer for the Best Match
Absolutely matching logo colours starts with the right files and references. If your team has multiple versions of a logo, choose one official version before the design process begins so the colours stay consistent across the full order.
For the cleanest result, send vector artwork when available, such as AI, EPS, or PDF files. High-resolution PNG files can also work well, especially if they have a transparent background. If your logo was pulled from a social media profile or copied from a website, the file may be too small for accurate colour and print detail.
- Send your official logo file, not a screenshot, whenever possible.
- Include colour codes if your school, club, or sponsor has brand standards.
- Tell the design team if you are trying to match an older jersey, helmet, socks, pants, or team hoodie.
- Confirm whether you prefer a brighter athletic look or a more classic muted look.
This is especially useful for school teams and Canadian clubs that need their uniforms to match existing colours used on gym banners, websites, spirit wear, or sponsor materials.
Tips to Ensure an Accurate Colour Match
Accurately matching colours can be a time-consuming and complex process, but we’re here to help. We’ve also included some tips below to help simplify the process and ensure your team’s logo, brand, and graphics always look as good as possible.
If you’re unsure of a colour scheme for your jerseys, logo or custom accessories, just ask!
Our design team is always happy to help create a unique look for your team, and we’ll provide high quality, full sized artwork for you to preview your team jerseys before ordering.
Here are our tips to help you pick matching colours for your custom jerseys:
- Consider the type of fabric you’d like for your custom jerseys, as this will affect the appearance of the colours printed. Our standard dry fit fabric has a matte finish, and our premium sport fabrics have more of a glossy and vibrant finish.
- Visit our factory in Mississauga to view colour swatches in-person, on different fabrics, so you can see exactly how the colours on your jersey will come out.
- Pick your colour scheme, including a main colour and an accent colour, and make sure they work well together with your logo and other design elements. Our design team can create a custom mockup for you using those colours along with your logo.
- Check your custom artwork to ensure you like the colour scheme and design, as this will be the final printed version for your custom jerseys. Although colours may appear differently on your screen than in person, your overall designs will match what is on the final artwork.
Our Most Popular Colours
Feel free to preview our colour chart below to get ideas for your custom jerseys. Keep in mind that these colours may appear differently on screen and on fabric!
For example, the "Bright Red" in the top left corner is a standard online Red colour, but it usually prints out with a slight orange tone.
Ready to Start Customizing Your Jerseys?
Let us know your jersey ideas in our design form here. Be sure to include any colours and logos you'd like to see on your jerseys.
Refer to our custom jersey size chart here to ensure you pick the perfect fit!
If you have any questions about colour matching, Contact Us and we'd be happy to help!
Final Colour Matching Checklist Before You Order
Before your team places an order, take a few minutes to confirm the colour details with your coach, captain, school contact, or sponsor. This helps prevent last-minute changes and keeps the order moving smoothly, especially during busy spring, summer, and back-to-school seasons in Canada.
- Confirm the main jersey colour, accent colours, and number colours.
- Review all logos, names, numbers, and sponsor artwork in the final mockup.
- Make sure the approved artwork is the version your whole team expects.
- Ask about fabric options if you are deciding between a matte or more vibrant finish.
If you are ready to build a clean, consistent look for your next season, tournament, or school program, TeamGear Canada can help with custom sublimation jerseys designed for your team colours, logo, and sport.
