How to Select Cheerleading Uniforms

Cheerleading uniforms can be chosen in a variety of ways. Many vendors sell uniforms to teams from a group of stock apparel. Some teams choose to select and order custom uniforms, while others purchase a whole uniform package. Coaches and cheerleaders should determine their needs, budget and time constraints before making an order.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Team logo
• Cheerleading uniform vendor
• Team colors
• Funds available for purchase
• Time frame for turn around
• Team design

Select Cheerleading Uniforms

1. Know your time frame. If the homecoming game is in a few weeks, you'll probably have to use the quickest method. Most vendors will give you options for delivery time frames. Some offer expedited delivery for an extra fee.
2. Know that stock cheerleading uniforms can usually be ordered and ready for delivery or pick up in 2 weeks. If you select a stock order, there are a variety of cheerleading shells and matching skirts you can choose from. Stock choices do allow small customizations like school and personal names. This is the most popular choice because of turn around time and cost effectiveness.
3. Purchase custom created uniforms if you have 4 to 5 weeks available to wait and are aiming for a specific look. Custom uniforms offer special shell designs and matching skirts in colors that are not available on most stock apparel options. For a guaranteed match, and if you have extra time and extra funds, custom uniforms can be the best choice.
4. Place a package order. Uniform packages include any stock uniform and offer matching pom-poms, cheerleading briefs, socks and shoes. This is the most economical option if you are planning to purchase cheerleading supplies in addition to the uniforms. The turn around time for creating a custom team logo on the stock uniform packages is about 2 weeks.
5. Buy the cheerleading supplies from the same vendor. This ensures perfect logo, design and color matching. Some supplies to consider include socks, shoes, briefs, bodysuits, megaphones, pom-poms and warm up gear.
6. Check your uniform company to be sure they offer youth or mascot apparel. Your mascots or youth cheerleaders may have a different looking uniform than the regular team members, but the colors, logos and designs should match.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop around as there can be a huge difference in price and turn around time between companies. Varsity.com offers one of the largest selections of uniforms in the industry (see Resources below).
• Know what your vendor's minimum ordering requirements are. Smaller teams may have to shop elsewhere.
• Have your designs, colors and logos ready to produce when you order.
• Ask about the vendor's return policy.
• Start the process early. This will leave you with extra time in case there are mistakes.
• Be sure to differentiate between order time and delivery time. It may take an additional week to ship.
• Don't waste team funds on excess supplies that you don't need or won't use..