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How do you design a five-a-side football kit?
A successful five-a-side football kit design must do more than combine attractive colours. Under floodlights it should separate teammates from opponents, keep numbers readable from a distance and present the club badge clearly during fast movement. Colour contrast, pattern density, logo hierarchy, goalkeeper differentiation and shorts should therefore be planned as one system.
Explore Our Models
Browse the five-a-side kit collection for starting models, or use the custom jersey service to convert your own idea into production artwork. This guide focuses on design decisions rather than repeating the general ordering process.
Why does a small-sided pitch change the design?
Players are close together, direction changes are rapid and evening floodlights alter colour perception. A low-contrast design that looks balanced on screen may make player identification difficult on the pitch. Test the concept for distance, motion and uneven light.
- Separate the main colour from common opponent colours.
- Keep large graphics away from the number area.
- Avoid details that merge into one shape from a distance.
- Make the goalkeeper immediately distinct from outfield players.
Choose colours for floodlight visibility
Define one primary colour, one supporting colour and a limited accent. Strong light-dark contrast improves the legibility of names and numbers. When club colours have similar brightness, add a neutral white, black or light-grey outline. Do not approve colour from RGB screen values alone; review how the colour and surrounding pattern will reproduce on fabric.
Control pattern density
Stripes, geometry, gradients and large graphics can all work, but every panel should not compete for attention. Choose one focal area and simplify the number zone. Front, back and sleeves are separate pattern pieces, so artwork crossing seams needs realistic joining tolerance. Teams using AI artwork should review the common AI jersey design mistakes before approval.
Place the badge and sponsors safely
The club badge usually leads the identity on the chest. Sponsors should follow a clear priority across chest, back and sleeve areas. Keep fine text away from collars, side seams and sleeve joins. Supply vector PDF, SVG, AI or EPS files whenever possible. The logo and sponsor placement guide provides a practical hierarchy.
Keep player numbers readable
Use a bold typeface with open internal spaces instead of an overly narrow or decorative font. Leave a calm area around the number and reduce the background pattern when necessary. Keep print name, number and size in one approved list. Small squads can also review the six-piece minimum order guide.
Differentiate the goalkeeper
The goalkeeper kit should retain the same badge, typography and design language while using a clearly contrasting colour. A slightly lighter version of the outfield colour may still look too similar under floodlights, so select a stronger difference and check both versions together.
Connect shirt, shorts and socks
Carry a supporting colour from the shirt into the shorts side panel or hem. If socks are included, repeat the primary or accent colour. Link shorts numbers to the same player list to prevent mismatched personalisation. Broader eleven-a-side options are available in the football jersey collection.
Does fabric affect the artwork?
Yes. Smooth, glossy and mesh surfaces reproduce the same colour and detail differently. Consider breathability, stretch, frequency of use and the amount of fine artwork together. Compare the available structures in the jersey fabric comparison.
Five-a-side design brief checklist
- Final team name and vector badge
- Primary, supporting and accent colours
- Preferred pattern direction or reference
- Sponsor priority and placement
- Player name, number, size and quantity list
- A separate goalkeeper colour
- Shirt, shorts and sock configuration
- Event date or required delivery date
Frequently asked questions
Can our sketch or AI image be manufactured?
Yes. A reference image can be adapted to production patterns while missing back, side and seam details are completed.
Can every player have a different name and number?
Yes. Personalisation can be applied from one approved player, size and quantity list.
Can the kit use a multicolour pattern?
Yes. Keep enough contrast around the badge, sponsors and number area.
Can we approve the artwork before production?
Yes. Front, back and relevant side views are checked before written approval and production planning.
Final test: does the kit work on the pitch?
- Can outfield players and the goalkeeper be separated immediately?
- Are numbers readable under floodlights?
- Are badges and sponsors clear of seams?
- Does the pattern leave enough space for numbers?
- Do shirt and shorts share one colour system?
- Is all personalisation data held in one approved file?
Explore five-a-side football kits or contact imajersey with your colours, badge, quantity and player list.
