Quick answer: Most team jerseys use one of five polyester fabrics: smooth interlock, bird-eye mesh, dimple mesh, air (pro) mesh or micro-mesh. Lighter, more open meshes (about 120–160 GSM) suit football and running; heavier dimple and air meshes (about 150–220 GSM) suit basketball, hockey and lacrosse.
The fabric decides how a jersey breathes, feels, lasts and prints. This guide explains the main jersey fabrics and which to choose for each sport.
Quick answer
For football, rugby training and running, choose interlock or bird-eye mesh. For basketball and volleyball, choose dimple or air mesh. For hockey and lacrosse, choose heavier air or pro mesh. Use micro-mesh for shorts and linings. All are polyester, so they take sublimation perfectly.
Need these made? Ravix Pro Industry in Daska, Sialkot is a sportswear manufacturer for sports clubs and clothing brands in the USA, UK, Europe, Canada and Australia. Custom, OEM and private label production since 2008, with in-house sublimation, printing and embroidery, an MOQ of 30 pieces per design, samples in 7–10 days and bulk in 2–4 weeks. WRAP, BSCI, OEKO-TEX and ISO 9001 certified.
Part of our guide: Fabrics · Fabric library
Jersey fabric types compared
| Fabric | Surface | GSM | Breathability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester interlock | Smooth, closed | 130–180 | Good | Football jerseys, training tops, polos |
| Bird-eye mesh | Tiny diamond holes | 120–160 | Very good | Football, running, esports jerseys |
| Dimple mesh | Small dimples, textured | 150–200 | Very good | Basketball, volleyball, cheer |
| Air / pro mesh | Larger open holes, sturdy | 170–220 | Excellent | Hockey, lacrosse, basketball, practice jerseys |
| Micro-mesh / tricot | Very fine, smooth mesh | 120–160 | Good | Shorts, linings, dance and cheer wear |
Interlock vs mesh
Interlock gives the smoothest surface and sharpest sublimated detail, which is why many football clubs use it for match shirts. Mesh fabrics are more breathable and lighter in hot conditions, so many teams combine an interlock body with mesh side or back panels.
Fabric by sport
| Sport | Body | Panels |
|---|---|---|
| Football / soccer | Interlock or bird-eye | Mesh side panels |
| Basketball | Dimple or air mesh | — |
| Volleyball | Stretch interlock | Mesh underarm |
| Ice hockey | Air / pro mesh | Reinforced shoulders and elbows |
| Rugby | Stretch poly-spandex knit | — |
| Esports and fan jerseys | Bird-eye or interlock | — |
See our sport guides: football kits, basketball jerseys, hockey jerseys and volleyball uniforms.
Finishes to ask for
- Moisture-wicking finish
- Anti-odour or anti-bacterial finish
- UV protection for outdoor sports
- Recycled polyester (rPET) versions for sustainable kits
Read our moisture-wicking fabric guide.
From our factory floor in Sialkot
At Ravix Pro Industry we have manufactured sportswear since 2008 and now run more than 100 stitching and finishing machines with 150+ workers, producing 20,000+ pieces a month for over 500 brands and clubs in 50+ countries. Every order follows the same 11 steps: quote, design, approval, sample, cutting, decoration, stitching, thread trimming, quality check, packing and door-to-door shipping. Sublimation, screen printing, DTF and embroidery happen in-house, so we control colour, print quality and timing ourselves. See our manufacturing process and quality checks.
Ready to start? Request a free quote for custom team jerseys or message us on WhatsApp with your design, quantity and sizes. MOQ from 30 pieces per design. We reply within 24 hours.
FAQs
What fabric are football jerseys made of?
Usually 100% polyester interlock or bird-eye mesh, about 130–160 GSM, which wicks sweat and takes sublimation well.
What is bird-eye mesh?
A polyester knit with tiny diamond-shaped holes that improve airflow while keeping a fairly smooth surface.
What is dimple mesh used for?
Basketball, volleyball and cheer jerseys, because it is breathable, durable and slightly textured.
Which jersey fabric is most breathable?
Open air or pro mesh is the most breathable, followed by bird-eye and dimple mesh.
Can all these fabrics be sublimated?
Yes. They are polyester, so sublimation gives bright, permanent prints.
