How to Design Your Own Cheerleading Uniforms for Cheap

Cheerleaders work hard to pump up the fans, celebrate athletes and get the community involved in the games. With the exception of professional sports teams, most cheerleaders are unpaid, volunteering their time because they love their sport. Even though they’re cheering for free, cheerleading actually costs the participants money (for example, the projected cost of a single uniform for the Archer Athletic Association’s cheerleaders is $230 per person; Archer trains local athletes to gain places on elementary, middle and high school sports teams). To design cheaper uniforms, look to your community for help sponsoring your high school or college squad.

Instructions

    • 1

      Review other teams’ uniforms and let the squad vote to determine what they like best. Keep track of teams that have won local and national competitions so you can study their uniforms.

    • 2

      Ask someone on your team (or a team supporter, faculty member or friend) with graphic design or art skills to donate their time to designing your logo. Offer game tickets or a special thank you note in the program in return.

    • 3

      Use local resources such as custom printing companies, clothing designers, bulk wholesalers and shoe stores. Ask if the businesses would consider donating (or reducing prices) items such as sneakers or t-shirts in return for recognition in your programs and website.

    • 4

      Post your needs (such as 30 cheerleading tops printed with logo or 40 blue and white bloomers) on a website where companies can compete to low ball price your items.

    • 5

      Buy in bulk wherever possible. Wholesalers will reduce prices on larger quantities of items such as pom poms, socks and hair ribbons.