When ordering custom sportswear for a school, club, or community team, timing is everything. You want uniforms that not only look great but also arrive on time.
One of the most common questions we receive at Team Spirit Sports is: “What is turnaround time?”
Understanding what turnaround time actually means, and what affects it, can help you plan better, avoid last minute stress, and ensure your team is geared up and ready for the big match.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what turnaround time is, what’s included in it, how long it typically takes, and what you can do to ensure a smooth and timely order process.
What Is Turnaround Time?
In simple terms, turnaround time refers to the period between placing your confirmed custom order and receiving the finished products.
It includes the full production process, starting after your final design approval and payment, and ending with delivery to your school, club, or address.
For custom sportswear, turnaround time usually accounts for:
Fabric Sourcing and Preparation
Once your order is confirmed, the manufacturing process begins with sourcing and preparing the correct fabric. This stage includes selecting the right materials, colours, and fabric blends to suit your garment’s purpose. Having these materials on hand is essential before any production work can begin.
Printing or Embroidery
Next comes the decoration stage, where your design is applied to the garments. Depending on your chosen style, this may involve sublimation printing, embroidery, or screen printing. This step requires accuracy and care to ensure colours, logos, and text are placed correctly and align with your approved design.
Cutting and Sewing
Once printed or embroidered, the fabric is cut into panels and sewn together to form each garment. This is where the physical assembly of the uniforms takes place. Skilled craftsmanship ensures the correct fit, shape, and durability, especially for performance-based sportswear where movement and comfort are key.
Quality Checks and Packaging
Before anything is dispatched, garments go through a final quality assurance process. Each item is checked for accuracy, stitching integrity, and print consistency. Once approved, the uniforms are carefully folded, packed, and labelled for delivery to the correct destination.
Freight or Delivery to Your Location
The final part of the turnaround time is shipping. Whether the garments are being delivered to a school, club, or directly to individuals, this stage includes handling, freight scheduling, and transit time. For Australian customers, working with a local supplier like Team Spirit Sports helps keep delivery times shorter and more reliable.
At Team Spirit Sports, turnaround times for most custom orders typically range between 4 to 6 weeks, although this can vary depending on several factors.
Why Turnaround Time Matters
Planning ahead for sportswear is essential, especially when uniforms are needed for a set date. Missing a delivery deadline can cause frustration for players, coaches, and coordinators, and may even affect team participation.
Knowing your custom sportswear supplier’s turnaround time allows you to:
- Plan events or competitions with confidence
- Avoid rush fees or express delivery costs
- Ensure all players have their uniforms in time
- Build in buffer time for fitting or last-minute changes
By understanding what turnaround time includes and how it works, you’ll be in a better position to manage your uniform program effectively.
Factors That Influence Turnaround Time
While most custom sportswear orders follow a general production timeline, several factors can affect how long it actually takes for your uniforms to be completed and delivered.
1. Time of Year
Peak periods, such as the start of school terms or lead-up to major sporting tournaments, often come with higher order volumes. During these times, production queues can lengthen, which may extend standard turnaround times.
Tip: If you're ordering for Term 1 or major seasonal sports, try to finalise your order early in Term 4 of the previous year.
2. Design Complexity
The more detailed your custom design, the longer it may take to produce. Full-colour sublimated kits, gradient fades, intricate logos, or personalised names and numbers can add a few extra days to production, especially if they require multiple approvals.
At Team Spirit Sports, we offer free design mock-ups and support you through revisions to ensure your final design is just right.
3. Order Size
Larger orders may take longer to produce, particularly if they involve different sizes, gender-specific cuts, or additional accessories such as matching shorts, socks, or jackets. However, we do our best to maintain consistent lead times, even on bulk orders.
Smaller top-up or replacement orders may be fulfilled more quickly, thanks to our no minimum order policy.
4. Design Approval and Payment Delays
Turnaround time starts only once your final design has been approved and your order has been confirmed with payment. Delays during the design or approval stage can push your expected delivery date back.
To stay on schedule, it's helpful to:
- Assign a clear point of contact within your school or club
- Respond promptly to emails or mock-up revisions
- Confirm quantities and sizes early on
What’s a Typical Turnaround Time at Team Spirit Sports?
For most custom teamwear, our standard turnaround time is: 4–6 weeks from the date of final approval and payment.
In many cases, simpler items or smaller orders may arrive sooner. We’ll always provide an estimated dispatch date upon order confirmation so you know exactly what to expect.
If you're unsure whether your timeline is realistic, feel free to contact our team, we’re happy to advise based on your project’s size and urgency.
Can Turnaround Time Be Shortened?
In some cases, yes. But it depends on current production capacity and your order’s complexity. We understand that schools and clubs sometimes need urgent uniforms, and we’ll always do our best to help when possible.
Express orders may be available with:
- Simplified designs
- Smaller quantities
- Additional express freight charges
If you have an urgent deadline, please get in touch as early as possible. We can advise on the best way to meet your timeline or suggest flexible alternatives.
How to Stay on Track With Your Order
To make sure your sportswear arrives on time, here are a few planning tips:
1. Start Early
Initiating your order well in advance is one of the simplest ways to avoid delays. Begin the design and approval process as early as possible, ideally a full term before your uniforms are needed. This gives you ample time for revisions, size collection, and final approvals without rushing or compromising on quality.
2. Gather Sizes First
Having accurate size information before requesting a quote can significantly speed up the ordering process. Take the time to collect students' or players' measurements early, and consider using a sizing chart provided by your manufacturer to ensure consistency. This reduces the back-and-forth and helps your order progress smoothly into production.
3. Allow for Fitting
If possible, hold a fitting session using sample garments, especially for junior students or those still growing. This step not only prevents incorrect sizing but also allows students to feel confident and comfortable in their uniform. For growing teens, it’s often wise to size up slightly to extend the garment’s wearability over the school year.
4. Build in Buffer Time
Always allow a little extra time between your expected delivery and the event or season start. A one-week buffer gives you breathing space for distributing uniforms, addressing any issues, or making minor adjustments. It also ensures you're not left scrambling if a courier delay or unforeseen issue arises.
5. Communicate Clearly
Clear communication between your school or club and the manufacturer is key. Assign a single point of contact on your end to manage approvals, updates, and questions. Timely responses to design proofs, quote confirmations, and shipping details help keep everything on schedule and prevent unnecessary delays.
The earlier you confirm your order, the more peace of mind you’ll have as game day approaches.
Why Choose Team Spirit Sports?
At Team Spirit Sports, we understand how important timing is, especially when it comes to uniforms for schools, clubs, and representative teams across Australia.
We offer:
- Reliable 4–6 week turnaround on most custom orders
- No minimum order quantity, perfect for top-ups or smaller teams
- Full design support to help streamline approvals
- Responsive Australian-based customer service
From polos and singlets to jackets and leavers’ shirts, we make it simple to plan, design, and order your custom sportswear with confidence.
Ready to start your order or get a quote? Get in touch with Team Spirit Sports today to explore your options or speak to our team today.
FAQs About Turnaround Time for Custom Sportswear
1. What is turnaround time?
Turnaround time refers to the full period from when your custom sportswear order is confirmed, meaning the design has been approved and payment has been made, through to delivery. It does not include the initial design consultation or quoting stage, so it’s important to finalise these early to avoid delays.
2. How long does custom sportswear usually take to be delivered?
At Team Spirit Sports, the standard turnaround time is 4–6 weeks from final approval. However, this can vary depending on the order size, design complexity, and time of year. Smaller or simpler orders may arrive sooner, while peak seasons may take a little longer.
3. What causes delays in the production or delivery of sportswear orders?
Common causes include delayed design approvals, incomplete size information, changes to the order mid-process, or peak season congestion. Weather-related freight delays or supplier disruptions can also occasionally affect turnaround. Planning ahead and responding promptly helps prevent most delays.
4. Does turnaround time include the design and quoting stage?
No, turnaround time begins only after your design is finalised and your order is confirmed. The quoting and design development phase, while essential, happens beforehand and should be factored into your overall planning timeline.
5. How can I make sure my custom sportswear order stays on schedule?
The best way to stay on track is to start early, gather all sizing information in advance, approve designs promptly, and keep communication clear and consistent. Building in a small buffer before your deadline also gives you flexibility in case of any unexpected delays. At Team Spirit Sports, we’re here to guide you through each step to help ensure a smooth and timely delivery.