CHF 35.- setup — machine setup, file handling and proof approval included
Material sponsorship can help clubs with lettering, banners or textile printing. A workshop and a club must agree what each side contributes and on what terms for every project. This guide covers common uses and the questions to settle before working together. The hub Clubs, supporters and local involvement explains the wider approach and all three models.
What material sponsorship means in practice
Material sponsorship can be agreed as a discounted supply or a shared contribution. It is not automatically a cash donation or free delivery. Price, materials, working time and benefits in return must be set down in writing for each case.
For a specific project, the workshop and club clarify material quality, production work, installation and possible benefits in return. Discounts are binding only when agreed.
Common applications
- Pitch-side advertising boards: A possible use for a sports club: individual sponsor banners or board spaces. Number, size and material depend on the pitch, mounting and budget.
- Jersey printing for teams: Club jerseys can carry the club logo, sponsors and player numbers. The print method and replacement schedule depend on the textile and need.
- Signs around club facilities: Entrance lettering, wayfinding, information signs and sponsor boards. Dibond or rigid PVC foam for a long service life.
- Pump track and bike park signage: A sports facility may need wayfinding, sponsor spaces or information boards. Agree on content and material with the operator.
- Beach flag at the club entrance: A beach flag can mark a club entrance. Fabric, printed side and mounting depend on the chosen product.
- Fixtures and season banners: Banners with a season schedule or event list that can be updated. Standard PVC for seasonal replacement.
- Club anniversary banners: Large one-off banners for anniversaries, new sports facilities or victory celebrations. Mesh PVC or standard PVC according to location.
The right promotional materials depend on the club and venue. Boards may suit one pitch, while signs or wayfinding may suit another facility. Jerseys are a separate textile job.
Pitch-side advertising boards
Plan pitch-side advertising around the existing structure. Material and mounting must suit the site:
- Material for board spaces: Depending on the structure, suitable panels, films or banners can be used for boards. Weather and use affect the material choice.
- Printing on both sides: Whether an advertising surface is printed on one or both sides depends on material, mounting and viewing angles.
- Size for the site: Set the size and number of advertising surfaces on site or from the facility plans.
- Pole-pocket mounting: Depending on the banner and structure, pole pockets, eyelets or other fixings are possible. The system must fit the site.
- Sponsor layout: One sponsor per banner with logo and contact details. Use a consistent layout template for every banner in the set.
- Service life: Service life depends on material, location, weather and care. Check advertising surfaces regularly for damage.
When sponsors change, individual advertising surfaces can be added or replaced if the mounting system allows. We clarify scope and price for the specific job. Details in the guide Construction-fence and site-board advertising with instructions for pitch-side advertising.
Jersey printing for teams
- Jersey fabric: Agree on the fabric and how jerseys are sourced with the club. The print method must suit the chosen textile.
- Print method: Depending on the fabric and design, sublimation, transfer printing or another suitable method may be used. Not every existing jersey can be sublimated. Details in the Print methods comparison.
- Sponsor print: Main sponsor on the chest, secondary sponsors on the back or sleeves. Keep the layout consistent.
- Player number and name: On the back. Set up individually for each team.
- Replacement schedule: Jerseys are replaced as needed, for example when members or sponsors change or jerseys wear out. Agree on the term and costs of the involvement separately.
- Quantity: Quantity depends on the team, sizes, spare jerseys and any jerseys for coaches or staff.
A shared layout template can make recurring textile orders easier to prepare. Whether individual reprints are possible depends on the textile and print method. More detail in the guide Printing workwear with a related print process.
Signs, wayfinding and information
- Wayfinding around the site: Arrows and signs for changing rooms, entrance, stands, bistro and emergency exits.
- Sponsor board: A large board near the entrance with all sponsor logos. A multi-year investment that can be updated periodically.
- Signs: Track section information, difficulty, safety rules and a sponsor board at the track entrance. Dibond or aluminium composite.
- Club history boards: For anniversaries or club entrances. Premium stainless steel or acrylic glass for a refined look.
- Season and event posters: A1 or A0 size with fixtures and event schedule. Can be updated periodically.
The material and upkeep of a sponsor board depend on its site and structure. Clarify costs and expected service life for the specific job. Details in the Signs hub.
Terms for materials and work
- Agree on material terms: The specific agreement sets out which material costs are passed on and whether a discount applies.
- Calculate workshop time: Printing, finishing and installation take time. Whether and how that time is discounted belongs in the quote.
- Clarify design work: Design and file preparation may be needed. State whether they are included or charged separately.
- Clarify delivery and installation: Agree on transport, installation and travel according to the location and work involved.
- Setup fee: Include setup and recurring print files in the quote. Whether a fixed fee is possible depends on the job.
- Effect of combining orders: For repeat or combined orders, setup work can be spread across several items. Calculate this before promising a price.
What the club provides in return
Material sponsorship is an agreement between two sides. The club contributes:
- Visible sponsor mention: Displaying the workshop logo is one possible benefit. Placement and duration must suit the club and existing sponsor rules.
- Sponsor mentions in club channels: A sponsor list on the website, club magazine or event programme. The specific format depends on the club’s channels.
- Consent to a workshop story: Publishing the involvement requires consent for text and images, and the necessary rights. Agree on this as a separate benefit or communication rule.
- Lead time for orders: Allow enough time for design, production and installation. Agree on deadlines and any rush surcharges before the order.
- Clear contact person: Name one committee member as the contact, rather than changing the contact for each enquiry.
- Fair renewal of the agreement: Discuss an agreement’s end or a planned extension early. Avoid last-minute requests without lead time.
Which clubs fit?
- Regular need for materials: Recurring needs may make a longer agreement useful. Individual projects can also be assessed separately.
- A long-term relationship: The term depends on the project, club and workshop. Record the start, renewal and end in writing.
- Lucerne and Central Switzerland: On-site installation means including travel and support in the calculation. Clarify possible locations for the specific job.
- A clear need for materials: Sports clubs, pump tracks, sports groups and club sites with lasting signage are natural partners. Clubs without a material need, such as walking groups without visible signs, are harder to place in this model.
- A well-organised club: Clear responsibilities and decisions help with a longer partnership. Internal conflicts cannot be judged from outside as a rule.
- Selection criteria: Whether a project fits depends on the club’s purpose, material needs, capacity and your own criteria. Explain those criteria openly in advance.
Possible scenarios
- Pump track clubs: A pump track club might need wayfinding, safety information and sponsor spaces. Scope and service life would be agreed case by case.
- Example: ice hockey club: An ice hockey club could plan board advertising, jersey printing and entrance lettering together.
- Example: floorball club: A floorball club could coordinate advertising spaces in the hall, jersey printing and fixtures banners.
- Local sports clubs in the canton of Lucerne: Football, handball and volleyball clubs may also need board advertising, jersey printing or wayfinding. The specific choice depends on the venue and budget.
These scenarios are for planning. We present actual partnerships in separate project stories with verified details and the participants’ consent.
Enquiring as a club
If you are on a club committee and want to explore material sponsorship for signage, send us an enquiry with:
- The club’s official name, registered location and region
- Number of teams, facilities or events per year
- Estimated needs, such as banners, jerseys or signs, with approximate quantities
- How often items are needed (yearly, every 2 years, every 3 years)
- Length of the relationship (1-year pilot or multi-year involvement)
- Contact person with phone number and email
- Optional: existing sponsors or workshop partners
In the first discussion, we clarify whether material sponsorship or another involvement model (supporter terms or event promotion) fits better. More on the wider concept in the Clubs, supporters and local involvement hub.
Frequently asked questions
How are materials and work priced?
There is no general discount rate. Materials, workshop time, design, installation and possible benefits in return are calculated for the specific job and recorded in writing.
Can the jersey fabric and printing both be part of the agreement?
That depends on the agreement. The club can supply jerseys, or sourcing them can be part of the order. Print method and terms depend on the textile and quantity.
What happens when the agreement ends?
At the end of an agreement or after major changes, we discuss renewal or a new structure personally. A normal workshop relationship can continue without material sponsorship.
Can several clubs in one region be partners?
Several commitments are possible in principle. Whether they work together depends on the agreements, club rules and available capacity.
What about replacing advertising for former sponsors?
When a sponsor changes, individual advertising surfaces can be replaced. The price and any setup work are agreed for the specific reprint.
How long does a sponsorship decision take?
The decision depends on project scope, responsibilities and the club’s internal decisions. Clarify your preferred deadline early; there is no fixed processing time.
Is there a minimum order size for material sponsorship?
There is no general minimum. Whether the model works for both sides depends on materials, production work, repetition and benefits in return.
What about insurance and liability for sponsored materials?
Ownership, insurance, installation responsibility and replacement after damage should be covered in the order or agreement before delivery.
Want to explore material sponsorship for your club?
Send us your club, planned material needs and preferred deadline. We discuss possible applications and check which terms might suit the specific job.
Note: This guide was created in the Fabrik4 Lab based on workshop experience and reviewed before publication.
