How Custom Women’s Teamwear Is Developed: From Artwork to Finished Polo & Skort Sample

Developing custom teamwear involves much more than placing a logo onto an existing garment.

From the initial artwork and fabric selection to panel development, garment construction and branding placement, every stage affects how the finished product looks, fits and performs.

In this product development example, we take a closer look at a custom women’s V-neck polo and skort set, showing how the design progresses from individual panels to a finished teamwear sample.

Custom Women’s Polo and Skort: Product Overview

This women’s teamwear set combines a short-sleeve polo with a matching sports skort.

The design uses a strong red base with contrasting white shoulder and side panels, creating a clear team identity while keeping the overall appearance clean and practical.

Key features shown on this sample include:

• Women’s shaped polo silhouette
• Fold-over polo collar
• Open V-neck construction
• Contrast shoulder and side panels
• Short sleeve finish
• Matching sports skort
• Integrated inner brief
• Custom team branding areas

The outer fabric shown in this development is a 145gsm LH-A010 fabric.

From Artwork to Sublimated Panels

Before the garment is assembled, the artwork must first be translated into individual production panels.

For this project, the polo and skort are developed using sublimated panels combined with Cut & Sew construction.

This is an important distinction in custom sportswear development. Sublimation and Cut & Sew are not necessarily competing methods. They can be used together within the same garment.

The artwork is prepared according to the individual garment pattern pieces. The required colours and graphics are then applied to the relevant panels before assembly.

This approach provides flexibility for:

• Custom team colours
• Complex graphics and patterns
• Player names and numbers
• Team and sponsor branding
• Contrast panel layouts

Once the printed panels are prepared, they move into the sewing and garment assembly stage.

Polo Collar, V-Neck and Panel Construction

Good custom teamwear development is not only about artwork. Garment construction is equally important.

This polo features a fold-over collar combined with an open V-neck. The shoulder area uses contrasting panels that continue the red-and-white visual direction of the full set.

The sample also allows the sleeve and hem finishes to be reviewed before bulk production.

Details such as these influence the appearance of the finished garment and need to be considered together with the artwork rather than treated as separate decisions.

Developing the Skort

The matching skort has its own construction requirements.

Unlike a standard sports skirt, this sample includes an integrated inner brief, combining the appearance of a skirt with additional internal coverage for sport and movement.

The outer shell includes curved contrast panels on the front, while the back remains visually cleaner.

Development points shown on this sample include:

• Elasticated waistband construction
• Integrated inner brief
• Curved contrast front panels
• Outer shell construction
• Hem finishing

This illustrates why even apparently simple teamwear pieces require careful pattern and construction development.

Planning Custom Branding and Player Details

Once the garment structure is established, branding positions can be planned around the product.

For a women’s polo and skort set, typical customisation areas can include:

• Chest branding
• Team crest
• Back player name
• Player number
• Skort branding
• Skort number placement

The final placement should always consider the garment pattern, seam positions, artwork and required decoration method.

This is particularly important for bespoke teamwear, where the objective is to build a coherent team identity rather than simply add branding to a generic garment.

From Artwork to Finished Sample

The complete development process can be simplified into four main stages:

1. Artwork – establish the garment design, colour direction and panel layout.
2. Sublimated Panels – prepare and print the required pattern pieces.
3. Cut & Sew – assemble the individual panels into the finished garment structure.
4. Finished Sample – review the complete product before moving forward.

Sampling provides an opportunity to check the overall appearance, garment proportions, construction details and branding positions before the project progresses further.

Why Product Development Matters in Custom Teamwear

A successful custom sportswear project depends on multiple elements working together:

• Artwork
• Pattern development
• Fabric selection
• Sublimation
• Cut & Sew construction
• Fit and proportions
• Garment finishing
• Branding placement

Decisions made at the beginning of development can affect the entire finished product.

For clubs, schools, organisations and sportswear brands, reviewing these details during the sampling stage can help create a clearer path toward the final teamwear range.

Custom Women’s Teamwear Development with BKS

BKS Sportswear supports the development of custom sportswear and bespoke teamwear for clubs, schools, organisations and apparel brands.

Depending on the project, our development capabilities can include:

• Sublimated teamwear
• Cut & Sew / C&S construction
• Custom panel development
• Fabric selection
• Custom colours
• Team branding
• Player names and numbers
• Product sampling
• Custom sportswear development

Every project has different requirements, so the garment structure, fabric, printing method and branding approach should be selected around the intended product rather than using the same solution for every design.