Football Jersey Lettering Styles Explained: Names, Numbers and Fonts
The name and number on the back of a football shirt are set in a bold, condensed style so they can be read from the stands. Choosing one for your own shirt comes down to a few simple ideas.
Why jersey lettering looks the way it does
Tall, narrow capitals fit a long name across the shoulders and stay readable at a distance. Heavy block styles read as strong and modern; slab styles feel classic and retro.
Clubs' own typefaces
Many clubs and leagues use their own designed lettering, and those typefaces are licensed. We do not use them. Our design center offers ten open-licence lettering styles that suit the same job, labelled by how they look, such as classic condensed, tall sport, heavy block and retro slab. They are look-alikes in spirit, and are not any club's own typeface.
Choosing a style
Type your name and number into the design center and the lettering gallery shows your own name in every style, so you can compare them side by side and see the shirt change as you choose. Long names usually look best in a condensed style; a short name and a big number suit heavy block.