Your Sponsorship Logo Is Invisible: Here’s the Fix

Take a look at your club’s latest match-day photos. Can you easily read the sponsors’ names on the jerseys, or do you have to zoom in to see them? If you’re struggling to recognise the logos, there’s a good chance spectators are having the same problem. The good news is that you don’t always need to redesign the entire uniform. In this blog, we’ll cover common logo mistakes and simple ways to fix them before your next order.

Why Is Your Sponsor Logo Hard to See?

Poor colour contrast is one of the main reasons logos become difficult to recognise. A dark blue logo on a black polo might look fine on a computer screen, but people may struggle to read it from a distance. Start by checking how the artwork looks against the actual garment colour. If the colours are too similar, ask your sponsor whether they have an approved white, black or single-colour version.

Sponsor Logo Too Small? Try This Test

A logo can look perfectly readable on your computer screen and still be too small on the finished merchandise. This happens when sponsors have long business names or detailed taglines. Before approving the artwork, I suggest that you print a copy at the actual size planned for the garment. Place it on a shirt and ask someone to look at it from a few metres away. Check whether they can:

• Read the sponsor’s business name
• Recognise the logo without moving closer
• See the main design clearly
• Distinguish it from other sponsor logos

If the name is difficult to read, I suggest that you increase the size within the permitted branding area. You could also ask the sponsor for a simpler logo version without the tagline.

Logo Placement Mistakes We Notice

Where you place a logo matters just as much as its size. If the artwork sits near a seam, underneath an arm, or somewhere people rarely see, your sponsor may not get the exposure they expected. Each garment also has different areas suitable for printing or embroidery. Here’s what we’d consider for common sporting merchandise.

For instance, a sponsor logo on the back of a hoodie may be partly hidden when someone wears the hood down. Check how the artwork looks when someone is actually wearing the garment, not just when it’s lying flat. If you’re ordering official sporting uniforms, I suggest that you review your league’s sponsorship rules first. Some competitions restrict logo sizes or reserve certain areas for club crests, player numbers and league sponsors.

Embroidery vs Printing

The branding method can affect how well people recognise your sponsor’s logo. Embroidery often suits simple club crests and business names on polos, jackets and caps. For larger designs or detailed artwork, printing may give you more flexibility. The best method still depends on the material and how complicated the logo is. Here are some options worth comparing:

• Embroidery: Suits simple logos and lettering that can be stitched clearly.
• Screen printing: Works well for bold designs with limited colours.
• Digital printing: Suitable for detailed, multicoloured artwork on compatible fabrics.
• Sublimation: Commonly used for fully customised polyester sports jerseys.

If your sponsor’s logo includes tiny lettering, ask whether embroidery can reproduce it clearly. We can help you compare branding methods before you approve the design.

Don’t Make These Artwork Mistakes

The problem begins with the artwork supplied to the club. Ariane Milarpez, one of our account managers, mentioned that common mistakes include sponsors sending small JPEG logos from their website. This is not suitable for printing on jerseys. We suggest requesting the original logo file. Vector formats such as AI, EPS, or suitable PDF files allow designers to resize artwork without losing image quality. Before sending the artwork for production, check for:

• Blurry or low-resolution logos
• Missing fonts or incorrect lettering
• Unapproved colour changes
• Stretched or distorted artwork
• Outdated sponsor names
• Taglines that become unreadable at smaller sizes

We can prepare a digital mock-up showing your proposed logo size and placement. Share it with your sponsor for approval, especially if you’ve changed the colours or simplified the original design.

What If Your Club Has Several Sponsors?

Having several businesses support your club is great, but fitting every logo onto one jersey can be tricky. If you squeeze them all into a small space, people may struggle to recognise any of them. Start by checking your sponsorship agreements and competition rules. These will help you decide which sponsors receive the main positions and how much space each logo should occupy. For example, your principal sponsor might have the main chest position, with smaller sponsors placed on approved sleeve or back areas. Give each logo enough space so the artwork doesn’t look crowded.

Make Your Sponsors Easier to Recognise

Already have sponsor logos ready for your next club order? Send us the artwork, your preferred merchandise and the quantities you need. We’ll help you check the available branding areas and find suitable printing or embroidery options. Want to give your sponsors the visibility they deserve? Call us on 1300 858 288 for a quote.