A varsity jacket is a wool body, leather sleeves, a striped rib and chenille patches. Substituting any of those with cheaper alternatives is obvious at arm's length, and buyers paying $200+ know exactly what a real letterman jacket feels like.
We manufacture custom varsity jackets with a wool-blend melton body, genuine or PU leather sleeves, striped 2×2 rib at collar, cuffs and hem, snap front, quilted lining and chenille or embroidered patches. Full wool, full leather and satin versions also available. For brands searching for a custom varsity jacket manufacturer that treats a 50-piece order like a real order, Mike Apparel samples first, produces in 2–3 weeks and delivers duties-paid.
Choosing the cloth for a custom jacket
Every jacket programme starts with a swatch card. These are the constructions we recommend for jackets; any of them can be dyed to Pantone and most can be washed or garment-dyed after sewing. If you are unsure, sample the varsity jacket in Melton wool 480 GSM body + PU leather sleeves first; it is the construction we recommend for the standard varsity.
| Fabric | Specification | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Melton wool 480 GSM body + PU leather sleeves | 60/40 wool-poly, PU | the standard varsity |
| Melton wool body + genuine cowhide sleeves | premium | top-tier letterman jacket |
| Full melton wool | 60/40 | all-wool varsity |
| Satin varsity 220 GSM | 100% polyester | lightweight satin varsity |
Fit options for jackets
Pick a starting silhouette and we adjust from there. Blocks are graded XS to 3XL in US sizing, and size-set samples are available for brands that want to check the whole run. For a varsity jacket, we usually sample the classic letterman fit first and adjust from there.
- Classic letterman fit
- Oversized boxy varsity
- Cropped varsity (women's)
- Longline varsity
What is inside the seams
The stitch, rib, thread and hardware choices below are what separate a factory jacket from a promotional blank. All are standard on our runs. Start your varsity jacket tech pack with this line: striped 2×2 rib knitted to your colours (two or three stripes).
- Striped 2×2 rib knitted to your colours (two or three stripes)
- Snap front with metal snaps, or YKK zip
- Diamond-quilted lining with inner pocket
- Welt pockets with optional leather trim
- Leather sleeves fully lined and bagged
Embellishment and wash
Every embellishment listed here is produced in our own print, embroidery and wash departments in Sialkot. Panels are decorated before assembly where placement demands it. On a varsity jacket the most common request is chenille chest letter and back patch.
- Chenille chest letter and back patch
- Embroidered sleeve numbers and names
- Woven and leather patches
- Chain-stitch back embroidery
- Custom snap buttons
For a method-by-method comparison on jackets, read screen printing vs DTG vs embroidery.
Private label jackets
Your brand, not ours, is on the finished jacket. We sew in woven neck labels, size tabs and care labels to your artwork, attach hang tags and pack in branded poly bags or boxes. No Mike Apparel branding appears anywhere on the product. Our private label clothing page covers label options and minimums. A typical varsity jacket run carries a woven main label, printed care label and hang tag; letterman jacket programmes often add a woven hem loop.
Varsity Jacket pricing by quantity
Pricing for a custom jacket is driven by fabric weight, decoration and quantity. The bands below are per piece for the constructions on this page at typical spec, and every quote is itemised so you can see exactly what moves the number. For reference, a varsity jacket run of 50 pieces in Melton wool 480 GSM body + PU leather sleeves with one embroidery and private labels sits close to the middle of the first band.
| Quantity | Price per piece (USD) |
|---|---|
| 50–100 pieces | $45 – $95 |
| 100–300 pieces | $40 – $84 |
| 300–1,000 pieces | $35 – $74 |
| 1,000+ pieces | $31 – $66 |
Quoted prices exclude freight; we quote DDP separately so you see the landed cost to your door. Sample fees are credited against the bulk order. For a full walkthrough of what drives the number, read our custom jacket manufacturing cost. Varsity Jacket reorders skip the sample fee entirely and are priced at the band of the total quantity ordered to date.
Lead time and production process
The production process for a custom jacket runs in five steps. Sampling takes 7–10 days; bulk takes 2–3 weeks after approval; DDP air freight to the USA takes another four to seven days. For a varsity jacket the sample stage is where snap front with metal snaps, or YKK zip is confirmed on a real garment.
- Brief and quote (24 hours)Send a tech pack, sketch or reference jacket with target quantity. We reply with fabric options, MOQ and per-piece pricing.
- Pre-production sample (7–10 days)One jacket in your fabric, fit, colour and branding. Revisions until approved. Read about the sampling process.
- Approval and depositSign off the sample and size set; 50% deposit reserves fabric and the production slot.
- Bulk production (2–3 weeks)Cutting, sewing, wash, decoration, labelling, QC and packing in-house, with photo updates.
- QC and DDP shipping (4–7 days by air)Inspection against the approved sample, then DDP delivery with duties paid. See our full timeline guide.
Have a varsity jacket in mind? Send a tech pack, a sketch or a reference piece with your target quantity and we will reply within 24 hours with fabric options, MOQ and per-piece pricing.
Made for US brands, shipped worldwide
Most of our jacket production ships to the United States, DDP, meaning duties, taxes and customs clearance are paid by us and included in the quote. Air freight lands in Miami or Dallas in four to seven days after the run ships; sea freight takes four to five weeks and costs less for larger orders. We also ship to the UK, Canada, Australia, the EU and the UAE. See streetwear manufacturing for USA brands and our DDP shipping page. A 50-piece varsity jacket order fits in a few cartons and clears US customs as one DDP consignment with a single commercial invoice.
Frequently asked questions
Can you knit custom striped rib?
Yes. Rib is knitted to your Pantone colours with two or three stripes. Custom rib has a 50-piece minimum, the same as the jacket.
PU or genuine leather sleeves?
Genuine cowhide sleeves are the premium option and add roughly $25 per jacket. PU sleeves look close, are lighter and are vegan.
Can you do chenille patches in-house?
Yes. Chenille letters and patches are produced in-house from your artwork, up to 30 cm, and sewn or heat-applied.
What is the price of a custom varsity jacket?
$45 to $95 per piece at 50–100 units depending on sleeve leather, patches and rib.
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Last updated September 5, 2026 · Mike Apparel, Sialkot. Pricing and lead times reflect current factory capacity; confirm on your quote.
