How to Customize a Basketball Jersey

A basketball team's jersey helps the players stand out in a crowd and gives them a stronger sense of being a team. A basic basketball jersey contains three elements: the team's name, the player's number, and the player's name. A more stylized jersey can contain an image, and enhance the player's overall look on the court. Whether you are looking to customize an existing basketball jersey to include a personal element or design a brand new jersey from scratch, you can find the resources you need on eBay. With some basic tools, fabrics, and a bit of creativity, you can easily produce customized basketball jerseys that match your vision.

What You Need to Customize a Basketball Jersey
You need a number of tools and fabrics to begin customizing a basketball jersey.

A Basketball Jersey
Customizing a basketball jersey either requires adding numbers, lettering and images to a blank basketball jersey or removing numbers, lettering and images from an existing jersey. Either way, you need a basketball jersey to begin. Whether you are customizing jerseys for a single person or an entire team, it is important to first figure out the correct size for the player. Here are the National Basketball Association's (NBA) standard jersey sizes.


Basketball jerseys are supposed to fit loosely, so remember to choose a jersey that allows the player to move around freely. Cotton or cotton-polyester blend jerseys work best, since 100 percent polyester jerseys melt when an iron is applied.

Iron-On Letters and Numbers
Iron-on letters and numbers come in a variety of fonts, shapes, sizes, and colors. You can find them at craft retailers or by searching for "iron on jersey letters/numbers" on eBay. You can also iron appliques and embroidered patches onto your jersey to give it a special bedazzlement. Search for "iron on patches" on eBay to see their large selection.

Other Required Tools
An iron and an ironing board are required to apply iron-on letters, numbers, and patches to a basketball jersey. If you are customizing an existing jersey and want to remove vinyl lettering or logos, you also need a hair dryer, a razor blade, and some rubbing alcohol.


Determine The Design
Decide how you want your basketball jersey to look. Buy a blank jersey that is a darker color for home games, and a lighter color for away games. Choose the font and size of the lettering that you wish to use. The team name appears on the front of the jersey and can be something like the name of a town or city, the name of a school, or the name of a mascot. You can also decide how large you want the numbers that appear on the front and the back of the jersey to be, and whether or not you want to include the player's name on the back of the jersey. When in doubt, look to your favorite basketball team's jerseys for inspiration.


Customize Your Basketball Jersey
Once you have purchased a blank or existing basketball jersey that fits the player and determined the jersey design, it is time to customize your jersey.

Remove Lettering
If you are using an existing basketball jersey, you want to remove its vinyl lettering. To do this, heat the lettering with a hair dryer until it is warm. Slide a razor blade under the letter and gently pull it up. Dab the area with rubbing alcohol, and rub the remaining glue with a dry cloth. Wash the jersey according to the label.

Apply Letters and Numbers
Place the basketball jersey on the ironing board with the front facing up. Remove the protective paper from each letter and number, and align them horizontally across the jersey. You can use a ruler to space the letters apart evenly. Plug in the iron, and set it to medium heat. When the iron is hot, press is against each letter and number for several seconds until the adhesive sticks. Turn the jersey over, and do the same on the rear. Add iron-on patches, if using, with the same methods.


How to Buy Materials to Customize a Basketball Jersey on eBay
You can find all of the materials you need to create a customized basketball jersey on eBay. Search for blank basketball jerseys and iron-on letters by typing the term into the search bar found on every page of the website. Use keywords like "basketball" or "sports" to narrow your results. Be sure to check the seller's feedback to ensure you are buying from a reliable source.

Customizing your own basketball jersey allows you the freedom to make a jersey that fits your style and preferences. Remember to find a jersey that fits the player and have an adult supervise when operating a hot iron.