How to Design Custom BJJ Academy Gear: Logo & Color Guide

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BJJ Sportswear includes free design mockups with every academy order. Send us your logo and colors and our team builds the full gear design. You review, revise, approve.export@fitmanpro.com →

Include your logo file, brand colors, and which items you need (rash guards, gi, shorts). We respond within 24 hours.

The design phase is where most custom academy gear orders go wrong.

Not at the fabric stage. Not at production. At the design stage — where a gym owner without a vector logo, without clear color references, and without a written design brief hands a supplier a JPEG from their Facebook page and says “make it look good.”

The result is three rounds of revisions, a delayed order, a logo that prints blurry, and shorts that are a slightly different shade of blue from the rash guards.

This guide fixes that. It walks you through every stage of the design process from logo file preparation to mockup approval — so your first order arrives looking exactly the way you intended.

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The design process overview

The design process for custom BJJ academy gear follows five stages. Understanding all five before you start saves time, revision rounds, and frustration.

Prepare your logo file

Get your logo in the correct format before contacting any supplier. This is the single most common cause of delays. Vector file required. Details below.

Define your color system

Identify your primary, secondary, and accent colors. Find or obtain Pantone codes. Collect physical reference samples if Pantone codes are unavailable.

Write a design brief

One page. Logo placement, design style, text to include, reference images. The more specific your brief, the fewer revision rounds you need.

Review the mockup systematically

Check placement, color accuracy, spelling, and seam alignment. Write specific, actionable feedback. Not vague impressions.

Approve and archive

Written approval locks the design for production. Request your production files be archived so reorders can be produced identically.

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Step 1 — Prepare your logo file

The logo file is the foundation of your entire design. Everything your supplier creates — rash guard, gi patches, shorts panels — starts with your logo. Getting this right before anything else saves you weeks of delays.

What you need: vector format

A vector file is a graphic format where the image is defined by mathematical curves and paths — not pixels. This means it can be scaled to any size — from the side of a building to the sleeve of a rash guard — without any loss of quality.

The three vector formats your supplier will accept:

• AI — Adobe Illustrator native file. The gold standard. If your designer uses Illustrator, this is what you want.
• EPS — Encapsulated PostScript. Widely compatible. Works in most professional design software.
• SVG — Scalable Vector Graphics. Open format, works in browsers and most modern design tools.

What does not work well

Raster formats — JPEG, PNG, WEBP — are pixel-based images. When scaled up, they become blurry. A PNG logo that looks sharp on your website at 300 pixels wide will look blurry when printed at 15 centimetres on a rash guard chest.

If all you have is a PNG or JPEG:

• It must be at minimum 300 DPI at the actual print size. A logo that will print 10cm wide needs to be at least 1,181 pixels wide (10cm × 300DPI ÷ 2.54).
• Your supplier’s designer can sometimes manually redraw a simple logo as a vector — ask about this service. It typically costs $20 to $80 depending on complexity and takes 3 to 5 additional days.

Key rule: Never send a logo screenshot, a logo from your website, or a photo of printed material. These are always too low-resolution for sublimation production. If your original designer is still contactable, ask them for the AI or EPS source file — they should have it.

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What to do if you have no logo yet

Many new academies contact suppliers before they have a logo. This is common and fixable.

Option 1 — Hire a local graphic designer. A competent freelance designer can create a BJJ academy logo for $150 to $500. Platforms like Fiverr (from $50) and 99designs (from $299) offer logo design at various price points. Always specify you need the final deliverable in AI or EPS vector format — not just a JPEG.

Option 2 — Use your supplier’s design team. Many custom gear suppliers offer logo creation as part of their service. BJJ Sportswear can create a simple academy logo alongside your gear order. This is often the most efficient option for new academies — one supplier handles both the logo and the gear design in one workflow.

Option 3 — Online logo makers. Tools like Canva, Looka, or Adobe Express offer logo creation with vector download options. These work best for simple, text-based logos. Complex illustrated logos benefit from professional designer input. Always download the vector (SVG or AI) version — not the PNG.

A logo does not need to be complex to work well on gear. Some of the most recognisable academy logos in BJJ are clean, simple wordmarks or single-element marks that read clearly from a distance on the mat.

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Step 2 — Define your color system

Your academy color system is the set of colors that appear consistently across all your branding — gi, rash guard, shorts, website, signage, and social media. Consistency across all materials is what makes a brand look professional rather than cobbled together.

For gear design, define three colors:

• Primary color: The dominant color of the garment. Usually the base color of the rash guard and shorts. This is what people see from a distance.
• Secondary color: Used for contrast panels, side panels, collar, and waistband. Creates visual structure and breaks up the primary color.
• Accent color: Used for logo, text, and detail elements. Often white, gold, or a bright contrasting color. Provides legibility and visual pop.

Three colors is the sweet spot for gear design. Fewer than three can look flat. More than three can look chaotic. If your existing academy branding already uses more colors, choose the three most prominent for gear application and use the others as occasional accents.

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Pantone codes explained

A Pantone Matching System (PMS) code is a standardized color reference number used across print, manufacturing, and branding industries worldwide. For example, Pantone 286 C is a specific shade of royal blue — the same shade regardless of which country, which screen, or which printer is used.

Why this matters for gear: screens display colors differently. Your monitor at home, your supplier’s monitor in Pakistan, and the production software all display the same RGB code with slight variations. What looks exactly right on your screen may print with a visible color shift on the final garment.

Pantone codes eliminate this problem. Your supplier inputs the Pantone code into their sublimation system and calibrates to that exact color. The result matches what you specified — not what happened to look close on their monitor.

How to find your Pantone codes

• Ask your original logo designer — they should have specified Pantone codes in the brand guidelines
• Use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop — you can convert any color to its nearest Pantone equivalent
• Use the Pantone Color Finder online tool at pantone.com — search by HEX or RGB value
• Purchase a Pantone color guide swatch book — physical reference is the most accurate method

If Pantone codes are unavailable, send a physical reference sample — a printed business card, an existing rash guard or gi, or a fabric swatch — with your order. Your supplier will color-match to the physical sample using their sublimation calibration tools.

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Designing for dark base colors

Dark base colors — black, dark navy, dark grey — are popular for academy gear because they hide training wear and look sharp at competitions. However, dark bases create a specific design challenge: logo and text visibility.

A dark logo on a dark base disappears. Your academy name in dark blue on a black rash guard is unreadable from more than a metre away. The solution is contrast.

Rules for dark base designs

• Use white or light accent colors for logos and text on dark bases. White on black reads from across a room. It is clean, professional, and visible.
• Add an outline or drop shadow to light logos. A thin white logo outline adds definition even on medium-dark backgrounds where white alone might blend.
• Test your logo on a dark background before finalising. Open your logo file, place it on a black or navy rectangle in any design tool, and evaluate legibility. If it looks unclear on screen, it will look unclear on gear.
• Create logo lockups for different contexts. Have a light version of your logo (white or light accent) for dark gear and a dark version (full color or dark) for white and light gear. Your designer can create both from the original vector file easily.

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Step 3 — Write a design brief

A design brief is a one-page document you send to your supplier before the design phase begins. It is the single most effective tool for reducing revision rounds and getting the result you want on the first or second mockup.

Suppliers who receive a clear brief produce better first mockups. Suppliers who receive no brief — just a logo and “make it look good” — produce a generic result that requires multiple revisions to get right.

Template: Academy Gear Design BriefAcademy name:[Full name as it should appear on gear]
Affiliation:[e.g., Gracie Barra, Alliance, independent]
Items to design:[e.g., long sleeve rash guard + grappling shorts]

Primary color:[Name + Pantone code if available]
Secondary color:[Name + Pantone code if available]
Accent color:[Name + Pantone code if available]

Design style:[e.g., clean and minimal / bold graphic / traditional / modern geometric]
Reference images:[Links or attached images of gear styles you like]
Logo placements:[e.g., logo on left chest + academy name on back collar]
Text to include:[Academy name / founding year / motto / affiliation]
IBJJF compliance needed:[Yes / No]
Things to avoid:[e.g., no red, no busy graphics, no script fonts]
Deadline:[Date you need gear delivered]

Send this brief with your logo file at the start of the conversation — not after you have seen the first mockup. A brief shared after the fact means the designer has already made assumptions you now need to undo.

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Step 4 — Understand sublimation panels

Sublimation printing works on flat fabric before it is cut and sewn into a garment. The printer creates a flat design — called the panel layout — that maps every color and graphic element onto the flat pieces of fabric. Those pieces are then cut and assembled into the final garment.

Understanding panel layout helps you give better feedback on mockups and avoid common disappointments.

Key panel layout concepts

Seam placement: Design elements that cross a seam line will be split between two panels and re-joined at the seam. A perfect-looking mockup on screen may have a graphic that lands awkwardly at the shoulder seam or side seam on the actual garment. Good supplier designers account for this — always ask explicitly whether logo placements are clear of major seam lines.

Panel boundaries: Each garment section is a separate panel — front body, back body, left sleeve, right sleeve, collar, waistband. Each panel is designed and printed separately. Colors and graphics that need to flow seamlessly from one panel to another require careful design planning at the boundary edges.

Print area limitations: Not every part of every garment can be sublimated. Areas with very tight structural stitching (some waistbands, heavy collar constructions) may not accept sublimation printing — requiring embroidery or a woven label instead. Confirm which areas are fully printable with your supplier before finalising the design.

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Logo and text placement guide

Garment	Placement	Best for	Notes
Rash guard	Left chest	Primary logo	Most visible single placement. Keep logo size proportional — 8 to 12cm wide.
Rash guard	Upper back	Academy name / large graphic	High visibility during rolling. Good for academy name in large text.
Rash guard	Left sleeve	Founding year / affiliation / motto	Good secondary placement. Keep text brief — readable at sleeve width.
Grappling shorts	Left leg panel	Primary logo	Most visible shorts placement. Logo should face outward when standing.
Grappling shorts	Waistband panel	Academy name / text	Visible from behind. Good for short text — academy name or motto.
Gi jacket	Left chest	Primary embroidered logo	Standard placement. IBJJF size limits apply for competition gear.
Gi jacket	Back collar	Academy name (embroidery)	Seen from behind during rolling. Keep text concise.
Gi jacket	Left sleeve	Logo / affiliation	Visible during gripping. Good for team affiliation or flag patch.
Gi pants	Left hip	Small logo / text	Lower visibility but adds completeness to the branded set.

Design principle: Less is more. One strong primary placement reads better than six logos scattered across the garment. Your academy’s most iconic version of its logo on the left chest, academy name on the upper back — this alone creates a clean, professional look that holds up across all contexts.

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Step 5 — Review the mockup correctly

When you receive the first design mockup from your supplier, do not give feedback immediately based on first impression. Review it systematically against your brief.

Work through this checklist in order:

1. Colors first. Do the colors match your Pantone references or physical samples? Colors viewed on screen will differ slightly from printed output — but obvious discrepancies (orange appearing as red, royal blue appearing as navy) should be flagged immediately.
2. Logo accuracy. Is the logo complete, correct, and sharp? Check that no elements are missing, no colors have been changed, and no parts are blurry or distorted.
3. Text spelling. Read every piece of text character by character. Spelling errors in gear design are permanent and expensive — they require reprinting the entire order. Do not skim.
4. Placement. Is the logo where you asked for it? Is the text in the right location? Does anything cross a major seam line unexpectedly?
5. Visual balance. Step back from the screen and look at the overall garment. Does the design feel balanced? Is any area too heavy or too empty? Is the logo proportional to the garment size?
6. Consistency check. If you are ordering multiple items (rash guard + shorts), are they visually consistent? Do they look like a matching set or two separate garments?

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Managing revision rounds efficiently

Most suppliers include 2 to 3 revision rounds at no extra cost. Using them efficiently avoids paying for additional rounds or accepting a design you are not fully happy with.

Be specific in every piece of feedback. “Can you make the logo bigger?” is better than “it doesn’t look right.” “Move the academy name from the left sleeve to the right sleeve and reduce the font size by 20%” is better than “the text placement feels off.” Specific feedback produces specific results.

Consolidate all feedback into one message per round. Do not send one piece of feedback, wait for a revised mockup, then send another piece of feedback. Send everything you want changed in one clear, numbered list. This is faster for both parties and uses your revision rounds efficiently.

Use visual references for subjective feedback. If you want a different style of font, send an image showing a font you like. If you want the color slightly warmer, send a reference image. Subjective descriptions (“make it more energetic”) without visual references create more confusion than they resolve.

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IBJJF design compliance

If your students compete in IBJJF events, design decisions must account for competition rules before production.

Item	IBJJF design requirement
Gi jacket color	White, royal blue, or black only
Gi patches	Must be stitched on all four sides. Size limits apply — check current rulebook.
Rash guard color	Must correspond to the athlete’s belt color
Grappling shorts	Zero Velcro anywhere. Minimum 11-inch inseam for adults.
Academy logos	Permitted within size limits — must not cover official IBJJF patches when applicable
Offensive imagery	Prohibited on all competition gear

Always confirm compliance against the current IBJJF rulebook — not just this table. Rules update periodically and the rulebook supersedes any secondary source.

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Training gear vs competition gear design

Many academies benefit from designing two separate sets of gear — one for training, one for competition. They serve different purposes and have different design freedoms.

Training gear design

No IBJJF color restrictions. Any color combination is acceptable. Training gear is an opportunity for bolder creative expression — graphic-heavy designs, bright colors, seasonal limited editions. It is also lower stakes — if you try a design and students do not love it, the next training gear order gives you a chance to refine it.

Competition gear design

IBJJF compliant colors required (white, royal blue, or black gi; belt-color rash guard). Simpler, cleaner design works better for competition — judges and referees need to identify your academy quickly, and a clean design with a prominent academy logo achieves this better than a busy graphic.

A practical approach: order the competition set first (simpler, cleaner, IBJJF compliant), then use the training set to experiment with bolder creative directions once the team is already outfitted for competition.

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Archive your design files

Once you approve a design and production begins, ask your supplier to archive the production file — including the panel layout, Pantone codes, logo vector files, and font files used.

This is important for three reasons:

• Reorders. When you need more gear six months later, production can restart immediately from archived files rather than repeating the entire design phase.
• Additions. When you add new items (spats, rashguard youth sizes), the design files ensure new items are produced in exactly matching colors.
• Supplier changes. If you ever change suppliers, your archived files can be transferred — ensuring design continuity even if the production partner changes.

Store a copy of all design files in a cloud folder (Google Drive, Dropbox) that is accessible to your management team — not just on one person’s laptop.

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Most common design mistakes

• Sending a low-resolution logo. The most common and most costly mistake. Always confirm your logo is in vector format (AI, EPS, SVG) before contacting your supplier. Do not wait until they ask for it.
• Skipping the design brief. No brief means the designer makes assumptions. Assumptions mean revisions. Revisions mean delays. One hour writing a clear brief saves three weeks of revision rounds.
• Approving without checking spelling. Typos in gear are permanent. “Jiujitsue Academy” has been produced in full runs. Read every character of every text element before approving.
• Dark logo on dark background. Check every logo placement against the background color. Confirm the logo has sufficient contrast to be readable from 2 metres away.
• Not requesting a physical sample before large orders. For orders above 30 units, a physical sample confirms that screen mockup colors match real-world production. Colors on screen always look slightly different from physical gear.
• Designing training gear without considering IBJJF compliance first. If students compete under IBJJF rules, confirm compliance before sending the design to production — not after the gear arrives.
• Forgetting to archive files after approval. Starting the design from scratch on every reorder wastes time and risks color inconsistency between order runs.

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Design readiness checklist

• Logo file in vector format (AI, EPS, or SVG) — confirmed and ready
• Primary, secondary, and accent colors defined with Pantone codes or physical samples
• Logo lockup versions ready for both light and dark backgrounds
• Design brief written — 1 page, covering all points in the template above
• Reference images collected — 3 to 5 examples of gear styles you like
• IBJJF compliance confirmed if students compete — gear colors checked against current rulebook
• All text to appear on gear confirmed and spell-checked before the design brief is sent
• Physical sample request planned for orders above 30 units
• Cloud archive folder created for design files after approval
• Delivery deadline set — design phase typically adds 1 to 2 weeks to lead time

Common mistakes to catch before sending your brief

• Low-resolution logo from website or social media — replace with vector file
• Colors described only as “our blue” or “our red” — provide Pantone codes or samples
• No reference images — without them, the designer interprets “modern and professional” differently from you
• Assuming IBJJF compliance — confirm explicitly against current rulebook
• No plan for archiving files — agree on this with supplier before production starts

Frequently asked questions

For full ordering guides on specific items — see our custom rash guard ordering guide, custom gi for teams guide, and custom grappling shorts guide. For the complete cost breakdown across all items, see our custom BJJ team gear cost guide.