The Ultimate Guide to Customising Tracksuits

Looking to kit out your team or launch a street-ready merchandise line? Custom tracksuits are a smart move: they’re wearable, on-trend, and offer generous print and embroidery real estate across hoodies, zip tops, joggers, and shorts. Below, we break down what makes a tracksuit decoration-friendly, and how Stanley/Stella, Anthem, and Build Your Brand stack up for different branding needs.

What makes a great tracksuit for branding?

• Fabric & face: A smooth, tightly knit face (often cotton-rich with a touch of polyester) helps prints lay clean and makes embroidery neater.

• GSM & drape: Mid to heavy GSM (280–350gsm) holds shape, resists show-through, and handles larger graphics better.

• Stability: Less torque and shrinkage = more consistent print placement on reorders.

• Panels & seams: Consider where leg seams, pockets, and zips fall. Fewer obstructions make thigh and calf prints easier.

• Colourfastness: Consistent dye lots help you hit brand colours run after run.

Printing on tracksuits: method match-ups

• Screen printing: Best for bold logos and solid spot colours. Use low-bleed inks for cotton/poly mixes and flash appropriately on heavy fleece.

• DTG: Great for artwork with gradients on cotton-rich tops; pre-treat carefully and test on brushed fleece.

• DTF/Transfers: High detail with quicker setups; perfect for multi-colour logos and numbering on legs.

• Vinyl: Small runs, names/numbers; watch stretch and heat settings to avoid press marks on fleece.

Embroidery on tracksuits: cleaner results

• Backings: Use cut-away backing on hoodies/sweats; add a water-soluble topping to keep stitches from sinking into fleece.

• Needles & thread: 75/11 or 80/12 with 40wt thread is a solid baseline.

• Placement: Left chest (tops), hip or thigh (joggers). Avoid heavy fills over seams/zip channels.

Brand snapshots: who’s best for what?

Stanley/Stella — Premium, eco-minded blanks with smooth print surfaces

Why choose it: Modern cuts, cotton-rich fleece with a clean face that’s excellent for screen print and embroidery. Ideal when your brand story includes responsible materials and a quality retail handfeel.
Decoration notes:

• DTG loves their soft, ring-spun faces; just test pre-treat on brushed backs.

• Embroidery sits crisp on chest and sleeve placements; use topping to avoid sink.
  Best for: Retail-grade merch, creator brands, hospitality teams that want a refined look and feel.

Anthem — Polished, consistent, decoration-ready

Why choose it: Consistent sizing and finishes that make repeat orders predictable. Ethically made, with smooth outer surfaces that keep edges sharp for screen prints and patches.
Decoration notes:

• Great for screen print, transfers, and clean embroidery outlines.

• Reliable base colours that make Pantone matching easier across styles.
  Best for: Corporate kits, events, and brand programs where consistency is everything.

Build Your Brand — Streetwear silhouettes that love bold graphics

(Visit: https://www.buildyourbrand.de/en/index)
Why choose it: On-trend, street-inspired fits and heavier fleeces that carry large leg prints and oversized chest logos beautifully.
Decoration notes:

• Excellent canvas for DTF/transfers and screen prints with statement graphics.

• For embroidery on heavier hoods, add stabiliser and consider lighter stitch densities on large motifs.
  Best for: Streetwear collections, brand collabs, and bold promotional drops.

How to choose the right tracksuit for your branding

1. Match fabric to method

   • Cotton-rich blends for DTG and soft-hand screen prints.

   • Poly/cotton blends are versatile for screen print, DTF, and embroidery—just use low-bleed inks.

2. Pick the right GSM

   • 280–320gsm is a sweet spot for everyday merch and teamwear.

   • Go heavier for premium streetwear or cold-weather capsules.

3. Plan placements early

   • Top: left chest, centre chest, sleeve.

   • Bottom: upper thigh, calf, or small hip marks.

   • Avoid crossing pocket bags, rib cuffs, or zip tunnels with big fills.

4. Size & fit strategy

   • Decide on regular vs. oversized up front—art scale and placements should follow the fit.

   • Keep mockups consistent across sizes to avoid design creep on smaller/larger pieces.

5. Colour & consistency

   • Choose core base colours (black, grey, navy) for easiest reorders.

   • Lock your Pantone targets and note any underbase/ink choices in your spec.

6. Test before you roll out

   • Run a small print test and a wash test (40°C with tumble) to confirm cure, bleed resistance, and embroidery stability.

   • Save your heat press settings and hooping notes for the next batch.