The Private-Label Football Guide

Vector artwork is non-negotiable: AI or PDF with fonts outlined, spot colours flagged to Pantone. Raster logos below 300 dpi cannot be printed cleanly on curved panels. We supply a 2D panel-flat template so your designer works to actual panel geometry rather than a flat circle.

• Polybag + generic barcode label: promotional and school tier, lowest cost.
• Branded hangtag on polybag: club and academy — carries your logo and QR to warranty.
• Individual printed inner box: retail entry tier, adds 6–10% to unit cost.
• Gift box + tissue + hangtag: premium retail and match-ball SKUs.
• Retail-ready master carton: 6/10/12 pcs, printed side flap for shelf display.

Register your wordmark and logo in the countries you actually sell in before your first drop. In the EU, a single EUIPO filing covers all member states; in the US, a USPTO filing takes 8–12 months but is enforceable earlier via a 1(b) intent-to-use claim. We sign an NDA on artwork before sampling — but a signed NDA is not a substitute for a registered mark.

The commercially proven private-label football range is three SKUs: a promotional machine-stitched ball at your entry price, a hand-stitched trainer at the mid tier, and a thermal-bonded match ball at the top. Add a size 4 youth version of the trainer for parents. Do not launch with more — depth beats width in year one.

DTC brands need one hero SKU with strong photography, an academy tier for repeat buyers, and warranty registration to build the mailing list. B2B brands need the same range plus a printed line sheet with Incoterms, MOQ per SKU and 30/60-day replenishment lead times. Retail buyers meet in July for spring next year — plan samples to be signed off by then.