How to Customize a Baseball Jersey in Photoshop

If you have looked at our Custom Baseball Jerseys, you have seen many cool and creative designs. Want to know how we made them? In this tutorial, I will show you how we designed those jerseys. We will go step by step using Photoshop with a baseball jersey mockup.

The best part? You don’t need any design experience to do it. Seriously, anyone can follow this guide and design a custom baseball jersey in 30 minutes.

No matter if it's for your team, a gift, or a personal project, I will guide you. I’ll help you add team names and numbers. I can also show you how to change colors, logos, and patterns.

It’s quick, easy, and actually kind of fun. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to design a pro-level jersey that’s ready to print or show off. Let’s jump in and bring your baseball jersey idea to life.

Steps to Design a Baseball Jersey in Photoshop:

1. Buy a Baseball Jersey Mockup
2. Download the Fonts
3. Add the Logo, Team Name, Player Name, and Number
4. Apply Colors or Patterns to the Jersey
5. Add Stripes or Piping to the Sleeves and Chest
6. Export the Final Design

Buy a Baseball Jersey Mockup

What is a baseball jersey mockup?

Maybe you’ve bought a baseball jersey from MLBshop.com before. If you take a closer look, you’ll notice that all the product images for a team look almost identical. The only difference is the name and number on the back. That’s because they’re using mockups.

So, what exactly is a mockup? A mockup is a pre-designed template that allows you to place your custom design onto a jersey. A good mockup includes details like fabric texture, buttons, stitching, and even shadows.

What I love about mockups is that you can edit every part of the jersey - colors, logos, names, numbers, and stripes. Before anything goes into production, I can preview the full design and see exactly how it will look. If you’re designing jerseys or running an e-commerce store, mockups are a game-changer. They save time, look professional, and make your designs easier to sell.

Do you need a baseball jersey mockup?

If you’re like me, running a custom jerseys online store, you’ll realize how helpful mockups can be. Most baseball jersey mockups aren’t free. They usually cost between $20 and $100, depending on the quality, number of angles, and the creator. But for designers and online retailers, they’re worth it.

Mockups let you showcase your designs without having to photograph every single jersey. You can easily swap out names, numbers, logos, and colors, and preview in minutes. It saves a ton of time and money, especially if you have dozens (or even hundreds) of designs.

I see mockups as a one-time investment that keeps paying off. They make your brand look professional and polished.

But hey—if you don’t want to buy mockups, no worries. You can always download our blank baseball jersey images and add your design.

Baseball Jersey Mockup Recommendations

We’ve tested many baseball jersey mockups over the years, and here are the top 4 we highly recommend:

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Creatsy Baseball Jersey Mockup

We currently use this mockup on our own website. It’s affordable and functional.

Pros:

• Price: $19.99

• Includes both front and back views

• Provides stripe/piping details on the sleeves and chest

Cons:

• No 3/4 views available

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Yellow Images Baseball Jersey Mockup

Yellow Images is a well-known provider of premium mockups. It offers a wide range of baseball jersey mockups, including full-button and V-neck.

Pros:

• Extensive variety of styles (button-up, v-neck, etc.)

• Multiple view options

Cons:

• Each view and style must be purchased separately

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SportsTemplates.net Baseball Jersey Builder Template

SportsTemplates.net specializes in high-quality sports mockups. Their jersey builder is packed with features.

Pros:

• Highly editable with lots of parts

• Includes 4 different views

Cons:

• Views are sold separately

• Jersey cut/design isn’t the most modern-looking

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Freepik Baseball Jersey Mockup

Freepik is known for providing design resources. This mockup is stylish and easy to use.

Pros:

• Affordable subscription (approx. €10/month)

• Nice, clean 3/4 view mockup

Cons:

• Front and back are combined in one mockup

• Only includes a 3/4 view

Download the Fonts

Websites to Download the Fonts

If you’re looking for fonts for your logo, here are 3 websites where you can download baseball-style fonts. Most of them are free downloads. For some fonts, you need to get licensed if for commercial purposes.

• FFonts – MLB Fonts Collection

• 1001 Fonts – Baseball Fonts

• FontSpace – Baseball Fonts

These sites offer a wide range of fonts that are perfect for team names, player names, and numbers. Whether you're going for a classic MLB look or a modern twist, you’ll find something that fits your style.

Tips to Choose the Fonts

• Swoosh Fonts are widely used in baseball Jersey design. 
• Choose fonts with solid color.
• Don't choose fonts with outlines. 
• Avoid choosing fonts with strokes that are too thin.

Besides looking good in design, your font choice also needs to work well in production. Not every font can be easily printed or embroidered on a jersey. That’s why we recommend using bold fonts with solid fills and no outlines. These are much easier to reproduce and give a cleaner result on fabric.

How to install the Fonts

1. Open the Zip File
2. Double-click the TTF/OTF files
3. Click the Install on the left Corner

Add the Logo, Team Name, Player Name, and Number

Creating the logo, player name, and number is the most important part of this tutorial. I’ll show you how to design a team name with outlines and how to create an arched team name. This tutorial is based on the Creatsy baseball jersey mockup.

Open the Front Design Smart Object

1. Open the baseball jersey mockup in Photoshop.
   
2. In the Layers panel, go to Embroidery > Chest.
   
3. Double-click the Front Logo Design layer to open it in a new tab.

Create the Swoosh Logo

1. Select the Text Tool from the toolbar.
2. Click anywhere on the canvas to create a new text layer.
3. In the Properties panel, choose your font. I'm using ”Brannboll Connect“ font for this example.
4. Type your team name. I’m using “Baseball” as the sample name.
5. In this font, the numbers 0–9 represent different swooshes. Pick a number that fits your design.
6. For example, I used “Baseball6” to get the swoosh logo I wanted.
7. Press Ctrl+T (or Cmd+T on Mac) to resize and position your logo as needed.

Add an Outline to the Logo

1. Right-click the logo layer.
2. Select "Blending Options."
3. Check the box for "Stroke."
4. Adjust the outline width using the "Size" slider.
5. Choose the outline color by clicking "Color."
6. If you want a double outline, click the “+” icon next to "Stroke" to add another stroke layer.

Create Arch Logo or Arch Player Name

1. Select the "Text Tool" in the toolbar.
2. In the top options bar, click the "Create Warped Text" icon (it looks like a “T” with a curved line).
3. In the "Style" dropdown, select "Arc."
4. Adjust the "Bend" slider to curve the text as desired.

Preview Your Baseball Jersey Design

1. Press "Ctrl+S" in the Logo Design tab to save your design.
   

2. Then switch to the Front Jersey Design tab, and you’ll be able to preview your design on the baseball jersey.

Export Your Design

1. Go to "File" → "Export" → "Export As" from the menu bar.
   
2. Choose the desired image size.
   
3. Select the file format. PNG gives you a transparent background, while JPG gives you a white background.
4. Finally, click "Export All" to save your mockup.

Apply Colors or Patterns to the Jersey

1. Select "Overlay Layers" → "Chest".
   Double-click the "Chest" layer.
2. To add a solid color:
   Click the "Create new fill or adjustment layer" icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
   Choose your desired color in the Color Picker.
3. To add a pattern:
   Drag your image onto the canvas.
   Press Ctrl+T to resize or reposition the image as needed.
4. Press Ctrl+S to save your design.
   Then go back to the original file to preview your color or pattern update on the jersey.

Add Stripes or Piping to the Sleeves and Chest

This mockup includes 3-color stripe options, which can meet most of your design needs.

1. Select "Overlay Layers" → "Color Lines" in the Layers panel.
2. Pick your desired colors for each stripe.

Export the Final Design

Click "File"->"Export"->"Export As": Export JPG/PNG format

Click "File"->"Save as": Export PSD format

It’s a good idea to save both PSD and JPG versions of your design. JPG files are great for e-commerce use or for sharing your design with clients and suppliers. PSD files allow you to go back and review or edit your original work later.

For each part of the jersey, like the logo, player name, or number, you should export them as PNG or JPG files. When exporting, choose 3X size in the “Export As” settings. The higher the resolution, the better the result for actual production.

 

Balancing Custom Baseball Jersey Design and Production Feasibility

DIYer

If you're into DIY and planning to make your jersey at home, my advice is: keep it simple. Go for solid color bases and stay away from complicated patterns. It makes things way easier when you add your team name or number using vinyl or heat press. The cleaner the base, the smoother your project will go.

Also, try to stick with common colors like black, white, or navy blue. These are much easier to find as blank jerseys. If you're looking for something like Tiffany blue—good luck. Those rare colors are nearly impossible to get in blank stock.

Designer

You've got the creativity, but don't forget production reality. If you’re designing for a client, it’s best to keep things a bit more practical. Complex pattern details might look cool, but they can be a headache in production.

Small orders with complex designs? Most suppliers won’t even touch them. Why? Because they take too much time, cost more, and slow down the whole process.

If you’re ordering just a few pieces, try to keep it clean and simple. That way, things get made faster, and everyone’s happier.

But hey, if you’re just designing for fun or building your portfolio, then go crazy with the creativity. You don’t need to worry about how it’s made.

And if someone wants to buy your design? That just means they’re confident they can handle production themselves. It’s not your job to figure that part out.

Team or Group Organizer

If you're designing jerseys for a team or group, you've got more freedom, but you also need to stay realistic. If you're going for gradient or rare colors, you'll need to use sublimation printing. That's because gradient effects can't be done with dyeing. And rare colors usually aren't available as stock fabric.

Most fabric suppliers don’t keep rare colors in stock. You have to order at least 3,000 meters per color for baseball jersey fabric.

That’s why uncommon colors are hard to find unless you're manufacturing at scale. That's just not practical for 10 or 20 jerseys. So most of us rely on sublimation to hit those hard-to-find shades.

Even for common colors like black or white, you may need to compromise a bit on fabric types. But don't worry—most baseball jersey fabrics are polyester knit and perform similarly. They're all breathable and moisture-wicking, just with slightly different textures or feel.

Keep the design easy to duplicate across sizes, and finalize your player roster early. Adding late players might cause production delays.

Brand Owner

If you're a brand owner or someone planning long-term production, the game changes. Usually, you'd start by designing one jersey and getting a sample made to check quality and fit. Once you confirm the sample, you’re good to move forward.

With bigger orders, suppliers can do a lot more for you. You can choose the color, fabric, and craftsmanship. They can basically build your product line the way you want it.

Just make sure your designs match your factory's capabilities. Ask about color limits, printing options, and lead times up front. Time is money—especially when you’re trying to scale.

Your Production Partner for Custom Baseball Jerseys

We don’t have a minimum order requirement—whether you need one jersey or one hundred, we’ve got you covered.

We handle both embroidery and sublimation. So whether your design is clean and simple or a bit more detailed, we’ll see what we can do.

And if you’re running into issues with production or unsure how to bring your idea to life, just reach out.

We’re always open to talking through your vision and exploring whether we’re a good fit to work together.

Sometimes a quick conversation can save you a lot of time and trouble.

 

MLB Baseball Jersey Copyright Rules You Should Know

Before you dive into designing your custom baseball jersey. It's important to understand what you can and can’t do, especially when it comes to using MLB-inspired styles.

MLB jerseys might look simple, but the reason they’re sold at such high prices isn’t because of production costs. What you’re really paying for is the licensing fees and legal protection built into the product. That’s part of MLB’s pricing moat: they use copyright and trademark law to protect their brand value.

So when someone creates a jersey that borrows too heavily from MLB designs. They're stepping into legal territory that MLB fiercely protects. It is unfair to new designers, since baseball jersey designs haven’t changed much since the 1970s. If you compare today’s jerseys to those from decades ago, the differences are often minimal.

Still, this is the legal reality we live in.

So, let’s break down a few common scenarios and the legal risks that come with each.

 

1. Personal Use Only (For Yourself or as a Gift)

Risk Level: Low

If you are making a jersey for yourself or as a gift, do not use any official MLB team names, logos, or mascots. The legal risk is very minimal. MLB is unlikely to pursue individuals for personal or private use. The reason is simple—they won’t go to court over such a small matter.

Tip: Avoid using the same team colors combination as an MLB team. And don’t include any trademarks like team names or logos.

2. Team or Club Use (Non-Profit)

Risk Level: Medium

If your local team or league creates jerseys that resemble MLB styles but use a custom name and logo, you’re usually fine. As long as you’re not pretending to be an MLB affiliate and not using protected trademarks. But if your design gets too close to the original, it could raise red flags, especially if you post about it online.

Tips:

• You might not make money from it.
• However, being visible on social media or websites can still result in takedowns. This can happen if your design looks too much like an MLB jersey.

 

3. Selling a Few Jerseys Online (Etsy, Shopify, Instagram)

Risk Level: High

If you sell jerseys on platforms like Etsy or Amazon, and your jerseys look similar to MLB designs. Do you infringe MLB’s copyright? To some extent, yes.

How do they handle these infringements? Usually, they will search for infringing products, then send the takedown notices.

This may result in your store being suspended. However, it usually stops at this stage—most sellers don’t have to pay any damages. That’s why you still see many people selling MLB-like jerseys on Amazon or Etsy.

If you have your website, like Shopify or WooCommerce, the chance of receiving a takedown notice is much lower. Compared to Amazon and Etsy, your traffic is much smaller. And since you’re not making big money, MLB is less likely to bother you, unless you make too much money.

Warining:

• Do not use any MLB team names.
• Avoid using city and team combinations, like "New York Yankees."
• Do not upload product images that resemble licensed merchandise.

 

Tips to Avoid Copyright Infringement When Designing Your Baseball Jerseys

If you want to design and sell your own baseball jerseys, keep these important tips in mind. They will help you avoid legal issues and create unique uniforms.

• Create Distinctive Designs:  Make sure your jersey designs stand out with unique styles, colors, and overall appearances. Avoid copying or closely resembling any existing MLB uniforms or official MLB merchandise.

• Avoid Using Official Team Colors and Fonts:  Many MLB teams have trademarked their specific color schemes and fonts. Using original color combinations and font styles will help you steer clear of copyright infringement.

• Do Not Use MLB Logos or Trademarks:  Never include MLB team logos, names, mascots, or any official symbols in your designs.

• Add a Clear Disclaimer When Needed:If your design is inspired by baseball but has no official connection to MLB. It’s a good practice to include a disclaimer. For example: “This design is not affiliated with or endorsed by Major League Baseball or any of its teams.”