How to Create a Custom Soccer Ball for Your Club

Custom footballs are a fantastic way to build pride and identity among club players, officials and supporters.  Custom soccer balls are also great for avoiding unnecessary ball loss (the balls are very easy to identify and harder to “lose”) and much keeping track of stock levels during the season.  

This article will guide you through the exciting process of designing a custom soccer ball for your soccer or football club.

Step 1: Consider Your Needs

There are two main factors to think about before diving into design:

• Functionality: What will the balls be used for?  The end use will impact decisions you make about supplier and quality?  For example will the balls be the club’s main training ball for next season, or an pre-season gift?  Make sure you are clear about the end use when you start speaking to suppliers. 
• Approvals: Who within the club will need to be in the design and ordering process?  Does the quote and design need to be approved by the full committee, or has the decision been delegated to a smaller group?  The approvals required will impact how much time you need to get everything ready before placing an order.  

Step 2: Sponsorship

• Start approaching sponsors as early as possible.  Custom soccer balls are a fantastic fundraising tool, sponsors can place their logos on individual or multiple panels and in return will help fund some or all of the ball purchase.  
• Sponsors may want to approve the final design so it is essential that you build enough time into your process to get these approvals, as well as making sure they can provide high quality logos for printing on to the balls. 

Step 2: Start Designing

Now for the fun part! Here's how to make your custom ball truly special:

• Colours: Most custom soccer balls have a white base with your club's primary and secondary colours as the base for the design elements.  Check the design mock ups to make the colours will stand out when the balls are on the park.  
• Logo Placement: Adding your club and sponsor logos is an essential part of the custom ball design.  Consider placing it prominently on contrasting panels, and across multiple panels for maximum impact
• Text: Large text is more visible than logos and great for brand-building.  Add your club name, established date or a tagline to make the design stand out.
• Ball and panel construction: Ask your supplier what are the shape of the panels and what is the stitching or bonding between panels.  This could impact your design e.g. can the design include elements that run across panels.  

Step 3: Finding the Right Manufacturer

With your design in mind, research custom soccer ball manufacturers. Here are some key questions to ask before you make the final choice:

• Customisation Options: Is your design achievable on their ball models? 
• Minimum Order Quantity: What is the minimum order quantity by ball size?  Will this work for your club?
• Quality: Ask for detail on the quality of the ball and recommended use (including by age group / skill level).  Are these balls only suitable as training balls?   Which age groups could also use them as match balls? 
• Pricing and Turnaround Time: Get detailed price and timeframe information before making a decision.  The production and shipping timeframe for custom soccer balls is longer than other custom products (like custom uniforms), so make sure the balls will arrive in time for when your club needs them. 

Step 4: Test a Sample

If you’re working with a new supplier, ask to see an example of a custom football, or talk to one of their other customers who regularly buy custom soccer balls.  Before you place an order make sure you are happy with the quality, timeframe and service from your selected supplier.

Step 5: Spread the Word!

Once your custom balls arrive, it's time to celebrate! Take team photos, share them on social media, and make them visible around the club. Make sure you are especially loud about any sponsors who have contributed funds to the ball purchase.  Use it as an opportunity to attract interest for new sponsors for next year.  

Bonus Tip:

Get creative with end of year gifts and replace trophies with custom soccer balls, or add a custom training ball to your sign-on packs. 

Custom soccer balls are a valuable way to protect an important club asset and promote the club’s brand among players and your broader community.