Motocross jerseys are bought on a different rhythm from road apparel. Teams re-brand every season as sponsors change, off-road labels drop new colourways two or three times a year, and dealers want small runs with their own graphics. This guide explains what a manufacturer needs from you, how sublimation actually works, and what to check before you commit to a jersey program.

Sublimation, explained

A sublimated jersey is printed before it is sewn. Your artwork is printed onto transfer paper, then heat and pressure turn the ink into a gas that bonds with the polyester fibres of each cut panel. The graphic becomes part of the fabric rather than a layer on top of it, which is why sublimated jerseys never crack, peel or fade the way screen-printed or heat-transfer graphics do — and why the print can run edge to edge across every panel and seam.

Because every panel is printed to order, there is no minimum tied to a screen or a plate. That is what makes short team runs and rider-specific personalisation economical.

What to send your manufacturer

  • Vector artwork (AI, EPS or PDF) for logos and sponsor marks. Raster files at 300 dpi are workable for photographic or gradient backgrounds.
  • A placement guide — a flat template or a reference jersey marked up with where each sponsor sits. If you have no template, ask the factory for theirs.
  • Colour references — Pantone codes or a physical swatch. Sublimation colours shift slightly between screen and fabric; a printed sample fixes this before the run.
  • A size breakdown with rider names and numbers, if applicable, in a spreadsheet.
  • Your label and neck print artwork for private label.

Construction points that separate good jerseys from cheap ones

  • Fabric weight and hand. Lightweight, moisture-wicking polyester with a soft face. Very thin fabrics print brighter but tear at the sleeve gussets; ask what weight the factory uses.
  • Cuffs and hem. A longer, snug cuff stays under the glove. A drop-tail hem stays tucked in the riding position. A silicone hem grip is optional but appreciated by riders.
  • Ventilation. Mesh side and underarm panels for hot series; solid panels for cooler climates and mud.
  • Seams. Flatlock stitching where the jersey sits under armour or a chest protector.
  • Sizing. Youth through 3XL, and women's cuts if your riders need them. Confirm the factory's size chart against your market — MX sizing runs differently in the USA and Europe.

Is a motocross jersey PPE?

No. A motocross jersey is racewear, not protective equipment, so it is outside the scope of EN 17092 and needs no CE or UKCA mark to be sold in the EU or the UK. Protection in motocross comes from separate items — roost guards, chest protectors, neck braces and knee braces — that carry their own standards. If your range also includes road gear, that is in scope: jackets, pants and gloves must be certified by your brand through a Notified Body, and your manufacturer should be building to EN 17092 or EN 13594 requirements and supplying a technical construction file to make that possible.

Timeline for a team or dealer program

  1. Artwork and layout — a few days once your files and placements are in.
  2. Printed sample — one jersey in your main size for fit, colour and print approval.
  3. Production — printed and cut to your size breakdown with names and numbers, then stitched, inspected and packed under your label.
  4. Shipping — air freight for pre-season deadlines, sea freight for larger dealer runs.

Start the conversation at least eight weeks before your first round to leave room for a sample revision and freight.

Working with AJSAMCO on motocross jerseys

AJSAMCO Industries manufactures fully sublimated motocross, enduro and off-road jerseys in Sialkot, Pakistan, alongside the leather and textile road apparel we have produced for private-label brands since 2013. Team kits, dealer runs and event series are all catered for, with matching MX pants and gloves quoted on request. See the motocross jersey manufacturing page or send us your artwork for a quote.