Ordering custom team leotards is very different from buying uniforms off the shelf. When you purchase ready-made apparel, you’re choosing from existing designs, available sizes, and current inventory. The process is relatively simple.
Custom team apparel is different. You’re creating something unique for your athletes, selecting colors, refining design details, confirming sizes, and coordinating timelines. While the process involves a few more steps, it also gives your team the opportunity to wear a uniform that truly represents your program.
If you’ve already decided that custom apparel is the right fit for your gym, you’re probably wondering:
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How long does the process take?
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When do we choose sizes?
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Do we get to see the design before ordering?
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Can we request a sample?
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What happens after we approve the artwork?
In this guide, we’ll walk through the entire process, from your first design idea to the moment your order arrives at your gym.
Why Ordering Custom Is Different From Buying Off-the-Rack
Custom apparel isn’t built from existing inventory. Every order is created specifically for your team. That means the process includes a few important stages before production begins:
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Design development
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Design approval
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Sample review (when applicable)
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Team sizing
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Production
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Delivery
Each step exists for a reason: to help ensure your athletes receive uniforms that look great, fit properly, and arrive on time. The good news is that once you understand the process, it’s surprisingly straightforward.
Step 1: Submit Your Team’s Design Idea
Every project starts with an idea. Some coaches arrive with detailed sketches and inspiration boards. Others simply know they want something modern, elegant, or different from what they’ve worn in previous seasons. Both approaches work.
For training leotards, the easiest way to begin is by completing our free proposal form.
What to Include in Your First Message
The more information you provide, the easier it is for our design team to understand your vision.
Helpful information includes:
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Team name
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Team logo
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Preferred colors
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Approximate quantity
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Inspiration images
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Previous uniforms
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Design preferences
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Timeline
Don’t worry if you don’t have every detail figured out. The goal isn’t to submit a perfect design. The goal is to establish a clear creative direction.
A Note About Competition Leotards
Competition leotards often require additional design considerations, including crystal placement, budget discussions, and performance requirements. Because of this, competition projects typically begin through direct communication with our team rather than through a standard online form. Your advisor will help guide you through the process and answer any questions before design work begins.
Step 2: Review Your Custom Mockup
Once we receive your request, our design team begins creating concepts based on your goals and inspiration.
At Bold&Grit, we provide up to three initial design proposals, allowing coaches to explore different creative directions before selecting a favorite.
After reviewing the proposals, you’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback and request revisions.
Many teams reach a final design within one to three rounds of revisions.
The most successful projects gather all feedback before submitting revision requests. This helps our designers make multiple updates at once and keeps the project moving efficiently.
Once everyone is happy with the design, the artwork is approved and the project moves to the next stage.
Step 3: Request a Free Sample (Optional but Recommended)
One of the biggest concerns coaches have is: “What if the final product doesn’t look or feel like we expected?” That’s why we offer a free sample program for many custom projects.
A sample allows your team to evaluate:
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Fabric quality
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Construction
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Overall fit
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Printing quality
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Design execution
For many coaches, seeing and touching a physical garment provides additional confidence before moving into full production.
Important Timing Considerations
While we highly recommend reviewing a sample whenever possible, it’s important to understand that samples require additional time. If your team is working with a very tight deadline, producing a sample may not be feasible without affecting your delivery date.
In those situations, your advisor will help determine whether it’s best to proceed directly to production or adjust the timeline to accommodate sample approval. The earlier you begin the process, the more flexibility you’ll have to include a sample review.
Step 4: Use Sizers and Confirm Team Sizes
Once the design is approved, and after sample review, if applicable, we move into sizing. This is one of the most important stages of the entire process. Rather than relying exclusively on size charts, we send physical sizing garments to your gym whenever possible. These sizers are selected based on the products you’re ordering.
For example:
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Bomber jacket order? We send bomber jacket sizers.
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Specific leotard back design? We send that back style whenever available.
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Unisex apparel? We send unisex fit samples.
Athletes can try on garments during practice, allowing coaches to make sizing decisions with greater confidence. This process significantly reduces the risk of sizing errors later. Once sizing is complete, you’ll submit your final Purchase Order with athlete sizes and quantities. At this point, all major decisions have been finalized and production can begin.
Step 5: Production and Delivery
Once we receive your approved Purchase Order and the initial 50% payment, your order enters production.
Unlike mass-produced apparel, every garment is manufactured specifically for your team. Because we produce in our own facility, we maintain direct oversight of every stage of the process, helping ensure consistency, quality, and attention to detail from start to finish.
During production, we:
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Cut fabrics
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Print graphics
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Assemble garments
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Apply embellishments and crystals (if applicable)
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Perform quality control inspections
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Prepare the shipment
Once production is complete, your order is carefully packed and shipped directly to your gym.
Your advisor will provide tracking information once the order leaves our facility.
Handling Common Roadblocks
Even well-organized projects occasionally encounter challenges.
Here are some of the most common situations we see.
Missing Sizes
Sometimes athletes miss the sizing session. When this happens, we recommend completing sizing as early as possible and identifying missing athletes before submitting the final Purchase Order.
When Should You Start the Process?
One of the biggest mistakes teams make is waiting until they urgently need uniforms. The earlier you begin, the more options you’ll have.
Starting early provides time for:
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Design exploration
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Team feedback
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Sample review
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Sizing sessions
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Production
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Shipping
It also reduces stress for coaches, athletes, and parents. If your athletes need uniforms for a specific competition season, it’s always better to start the conversation sooner rather than later.
Creating Custom Team Apparel Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
At first glance, ordering custom team apparel can seem overwhelming. In reality, it’s a straightforward process when each step is approached one at a time.
From your initial design request to the day your order arrives, every stage is designed to help your team receive uniforms that reflect your identity, fit properly, and perform beautifully.
Ready to get started?
Submit your free proposal form today and take the first step toward creating custom team leotards your athletes will be proud to wear.