What Size Letters for Jersey?

A Quick Guide for Custom Basketball Jerseys

Whether you're playing in a school tournament, joining a weekend league, or starting your own apparel brand, getting the right size for jersey lettering isn’t just about looks—it’s about function, visibility, and overall style. When creating custom basketball jerseys, one of the most common questions we get is: What size should the letters be?

Let’s break it down.

Why Letter Size Matters

Basketball is a high-paced sport, and fans, referees, and teammates need to quickly identify who’s who on the court. That means your jersey lettering should be:

• Readable from a distance

• Proportional to the jersey size

• Aligned with league or event guidelines (especially for school and semi-pro teams)

Too small, and it gets lost in motion. Too big, and it overwhelms the jersey’s design. The sweet spot? It depends on where the letters are placed.

Standard Letter Sizing for Jerseys

Here’s a general guide for sizing your custom basketball jersey lettering:

• Player Name (Back of Jersey):
  2 to 3 inches tall
  This is ideal for readability without overshadowing the jersey number. Block or varsity-style fonts work best for clarity.

• Team Name (Front of Jersey):
  3 to 4 inches tall
  The team name usually spans the chest, so go bold. If your design uses an arc or curve, allow a bit more room to keep it readable.

• Player Number (Front and Back):
  6 to 8 inches (Back)
  4 to 6 inches (Front)
  Numbers need to be the most prominent element, especially for referees and game officials.

These sizes are flexible depending on jersey size and layout, but they offer a great starting point if you're designing from scratch.

Design Tip: Match Font to Fabric

When customizing jerseys at Craft Clothing, we consider not just letter size, but how those letters will be applied. Sublimation, embroidery, and silkscreen printing each behave differently on performance fabrics like Dri-fit or Pullmax.

• Sublimation gives you flexibility with detail, so intricate or thinner fonts can still pop.

• Embroidery is perfect for bold, simple lettering, especially if you want a premium texture.

• Silkscreen is great for high-contrast, solid-color fonts.

Our team ensures your letters won’t crack, fade, or peel—no matter how many times your jersey gets washed after a rough game day.

Bring Your Jersey Design to Life

Still unsure about the layout or font size? No problem! At Craft Clothing, we offer free mockups and design consultations for every jersey order. Whether you're going for the Blade, Blur, or Flame jersey design, we’ll make sure your player names, team logos, and numbers are balanced and game-day ready.

Browse our collection of custom basketball jerseys and start designing with confidence.

Final Thoughts

The right lettering size can make or break your jersey design. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about identity, visibility, and team pride. So next time you’re customizing your jerseys, remember: sizing is just as important as style.

Need help getting started? Drop us a message, and let’s craft something legendary together.