Bear Grips Pro ShopsEsports Clothing Brands Alternative: Build Your Own
- Reselling national esports clothing brands turns your team members into someone else's customers.
- A custom branded team line keeps the identity (and the markup) with the team.
- Most national esports apparel brands require wholesale minimums of 25 to 100 units per design.
National esports clothing brands (We Are Nations, Meta Threads, Champion Gaming) make broadcast-quality apparel for pro orgs. For amateur, college, and small teams, the wholesale terms (25+ unit minimums, $50+ per jersey) often kill the idea before it starts. Building your own branded team line through print on demand keeps the identity and the markup with the team. Here is the comparison.
What national esports clothing brands actually offer
Three categories of national esports clothing brand exist:
- Pro-style sublimated jersey suppliers (We Are Nations, Meta Threads): full sublimation, 10-25 unit minimums, $50-150 per jersey, $200-400 setup, 4-6 week lead times.
- Pro org licensed merch (Champion Gaming, 100 Thieves, FaZe Clan apparel): you buy their merch, not yours. Wear it, but no team identity for you.
- Esports apparel resellers: branded streetwear with esports-style aesthetics. Wholesale or retail, but again not your team's identity.
Why building your own team line wins
Your own team line:
- Your team logo, not a national brand.
- Your team takes 100% of the markup, not a thin wholesale margin.
- No minimum order, no upfront cost.
- Design refresh any time without rebuying inventory.
- Each team member orders their own size and ships free.
When national brand resale still makes sense
Two scenarios where a national esports clothing brand is still the right call:
- Pro or semi-pro org with sponsor deals that require broadcast-polish sublimated jerseys.
- Team of 25+ players with budget for the upfront minimum order.
For 90% of amateur, college, high school, and small esports teams, building your own line through print on demand is the better fit.
Cost comparison
| Channel | Item | Wholesale / Base | Retail | Team Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National brand wholesale | Sublimated jersey | $50-90 (with minimum) | $110-150 | $30-60 (limited) |
| Branded team POD | Performance tee | $23.86 | $36-42 | $12-18 (no minimum) |
| National brand wholesale | Hoodie | $40-60 | $95-130 | $35-70 (with minimum) |
| Branded team POD | Comfort soft hoodie | $36.88 | $58-66 | $21-29 (no minimum) |
Hybrid model for larger programs
Some larger college programs run a hybrid: a sublimated jersey from a specialty supplier for the active starting roster (10 units), plus a printed team line through POD for everyone else (fans, subs, support staff, parents). The hybrid serves the broadcast need and the year-round merch shop at the same time.
Build Your Own Esports Team Line
Your logo, no minimum, no wholesale margin loss. Members order direct, team earns full markup.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is an esports clothing brand?
Three categories exist: sublimated jersey suppliers (We Are Nations, Meta Threads), pro org licensed merch (100 Thieves, FaZe Clan), and esports streetwear brands. Most have wholesale minimums and target larger orgs.
Can I get esports clothing for my team with no minimum?
Yes, by running your own team line through print on demand. Sublimated jerseys from national brands typically require 10 to 25 unit minimums. Branded team print on demand has zero minimum.
Should we resell a national esports clothing brand?
For pro or semi-pro orgs with sponsor deals, sometimes yes. For amateur, college, and small teams, building your own line keeps the team identity and the markup with the team.
Can we run both a national brand jersey and our own team line?
Yes. Larger college programs often do exactly this: a sublimated jersey for the active starting roster plus a print on demand team line for fans, subs, and support staff.
