Sizing is usually the last field buyers fill in — and it is one of the six factors that set your cost per jersey, alongside order quantity, fabric, printing method, design complexity and packaging and shipping. This guide explains what the numbers on a factory size chart actually measure, which chart applies to your sport, how mixed adult and youth breakdowns work, and what to confirm before bulk production starts.
What your size breakdown changes about the order
Your size breakdown is not just a headcount. Every size in your breakdown is a separate cutting and printing configuration, so the spread of sizes you send is part of the production job, not a detail to settle later.
Two rules keep this simple. The minimum order is 10 pieces per design, and mixed sizes within one design are accepted — so a small club with several sizes does not have to over-order in a single size to reach the minimum. If your order also mixes several designs or colors, confirm exactly how the minimum applies on your written quotation before you pay.
Two kinds of numbers on a size chart
The most common sizing error is comparing the wrong two figures. Factory charts carry two different kinds of number, and they are measured in different places.
Garment measurements, taken on the finished piece
The size columns are garment measurements taken on the finished piece. Chest, length and shorts are measured flat (one side); waist is measured all around (full circumference).
That note is printed at the top of each chart, and the rule differs by sport. On the basketball chart, adult waist is measured flat across the relaxed elastic waistband, while youth waist is measured all around (full circumference). On the tracksuit chart, jacket length and trouser outseam are measured flat, but chest and waist are measured all around. Reading a flat measurement as though it were a full circumference — or the reverse — is where size charts get misread.
Body measurements, shown as recommended ranges
The second kind of number is the body range a size is cut to fit. On the soccer and shorts charts, the Height and Weight columns give the recommended body range for each size. On the marathon chart, height and weight are the body measurements each size is cut to fit. On the baseball chart, height and weight are the recommended range for each size.
Each chart also spells out what its letters mean, so you are not guessing. On the hockey chart: A = body length (highest point of the collar down to the hem), B = chest width (armpit to armpit), C = sleeve length (shoulder seam to cuff). On the marathon chart: A = chest width, measured flat on one side from armpit to armpit; B = body length, from the highest point of the collar down to the hem.
Which chart you need, and what each sport runs to
Each style page carries its own size chart with flat measurements in cm and inches. Ask us for the chart of the style you are considering — sizes are set per sport, and charts are not interchangeable between sports.
| Sport | Adult sizes | Youth sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer | adult S to 11XL | youth YXS to XS |
| American football | adult S to 11XL | youth YXS to XS |
| Basketball | adult M to 12XL | youth YXS to S |
| Ice hockey | adult S to 10XL (13 sizes) | — |
| Baseball | adult S to 10XL (13 sizes) | youth YXS to XS (6 sizes) |
| Marathon / running | adult XS–10XL (14 sizes) | — |
| Shorts | adult S to 11XL | youth YXS to XS |
| Tracksuits | adult S to 10XL (13 sizes) | — |
One measurement is confirmed later rather than on the chart: on the shorts chart, inseam is confirmed on your written quotation.
A worked example: the soccer adult set
Below is the Adult Set (Jersey + Shorts) chart from the soccer page. Chest, length and shorts are flat (one side); waist is all around.
| Size | A Chest | B Length | C Shorts | D Waist (all around) | Height (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 48.5 / 19.1 | 67 / 26.4 | 42.5 / 16.7 | 69 / 27.2 | 160–165 | 50–60 |
| M | 50.5 / 19.9 | 69 / 27.2 | 44.0 / 17.3 | 72 / 28.3 | 165–170 | 60–70 |
| L | 52.5 / 20.7 | 71 / 28.0 | 45.5 / 17.9 | 75 / 29.5 | 170–175 | 70–80 |
| XL | 54.5 / 21.5 | 73 / 28.7 | 47.0 / 18.5 | 78 / 30.7 | 175–180 | 80–90 |
Match the garment columns against a uniform your players already wear; use the height and weight columns when you are sizing a squad from scratch. If a player sits between two rows, send both figures — on the quote form you can select adult sizes, youth sizes, mixed adult & youth, or ask us to advise you.
Mixed adult and youth sizes in one order
School, college and club programs usually need both. Mixed sizes within one design are accepted, and on the quote form you can select adult sizes, youth sizes, mixed adult & youth, or ask us to advise you. Sizes are made to your requirements, and adult and youth measurements can both be produced for the same programme.
When the standard chart does not fit your squad
If your program needs something outside the standard chart, sizes can be customized to your requirements. Sizes are made to your requirements — tell us the measurements your squad needs and we build the size set for that order. Mixed sizes count towards the minimum on the same design.
Confirm the fit before bulk production starts
Fit is one of the things a physical sample exists to check. The path most teams take: start with a free digital proof to lock the artwork, then order one physical sample to check fabric hand-feel, color and fit. Once you approve it, we lock those specs for production.
Digital proofs are free at that stage and usually ready within 3–5 days, with up to 5 rounds of revisions included. A physical sample costs US$15–50 per style depending on the design and customization, and takes about 7 days to make. Sample shipping is paid by the buyer, and we will quote you the fastest option. The sample fee is not deducted from your bulk order.
Color is settled in the same approval step: colors are set by Pantone reference and confirmed on the digital proof — design, logo, artwork size and placement; a physical sample, when ordered, is also checked for color. We keep batch samples so reorders stay close to your approved sample, and reorders match the original batch colors.
Once the deposit is received and the design or sample is approved, bulk production runs 10–15 working days.
Sizing checklist before you send your breakdown
- Which sizes in the standard chart match the players you already have measurements for?
- How many players sit outside the standard chart, and what measurements do they need?
- Does your program need youth sizes, adult sizes, or both in one run?
- What is your size spread, and does it stay within 10 pieces per design?
- Does the order mix several designs or colors? If so, ask how the minimum applies before you pay.
- Which figures are you comparing — garment measurements on the finished piece, or the recommended body range?
- Do you need a physical sample to check fit before the full run?
Send your sport, quantity, sizing and timeline — that is all we need for a first estimate within 24 hours. Request a Quote at ZHONGKANG. The reorder, sample-fee, sizing and shipping answers are on our custom order process page, and the pricing structure behind your quote is explained in full.