Sports Equipment Printing: Club Targets and Stickers for EUR 5,000

In September and October this year, we completed a complex order for a sports club, which included sports equipment printing, target production and club branding materials, totalling roughly EUR 4,910 excl. VAT. The order included 6,800 printed targets, 1,300 stickers, 3 PVC banners, 2 roll-up banner stands, 150 posters, 160 printed garments and 100 mugs. From the first conversation to the final delivery, it took 19 business days.

The club is a shooting and archery training facility near Riga. We're not using the club's name or competition photos in this article — we agreed with the client to publish only the figures and the technical solution, and they confirmed this in writing before we prepared the article.

How the project started

The client sent a single free-form email listing: "need targets, stickers for boxes, something for the fence, and T-shirts for the team." The first step wasn't printing — it was a conversation. A 40-minute call where we discussed how many training sessions take place per week, how many targets are used per session, and when the autumn competitions were planned.

After the call, we prepared a quote with three options: basic (targets and stickers only, ~EUR 1,400), mid-range (plus banners and posters, ~EUR 2,200), and full package. The club chose the full package, as part of the cost was covered by a sponsor. We sent the quote the next business day after the call.

The quote: what and for how much

All prices are approximate, excl. VAT, and apply to the specific quantities listed — prices change for other print run volumes.

Target production: precision matters more than colour

With shooting targets, the key factor isn't colour saturation — it's dimensional accuracy. Ring diameters must meet the standard with a tolerance of just a few tenths of a millimetre. Before the full print run, we prepared a sample set of five targets; the client's coach re-measured them at the club, and only then did we get the green light.

We produced the training targets in black and white on 160 gsm uncoated paper — it holds up well to shot edges and doesn't tear when removed from the frame. The A2 competition targets were produced in full colour with the club's and sponsor's logos at the bottom edge. We deliberately avoided glossy coated paper: under halogen lighting, the sheen interferes with aiming.

Stickers on equipment: laminated vinyl, not paper

The stickers were intended for bow cases, lockers, transport bags and sector numbers on metal stands. We chose white polymer vinyl with gloss lamination and die-cutting — the laminated top layer withstands friction, moisture and wiping with alcohol cleaning wipes. Without lamination, stickers on frequently handled surfaces would wear out within six months.

For sector numbers, we chose 100×100 mm squares with matte lamination, since they're read from a distance of 10–15 metres and a matte surface doesn't reflect glare. For more on materials and sizes, see our sticker printing section.

Why 1,000 pcs instead of 200

The club initially requested 200 logo stickers. We calculated that a 1,000-piece run costs only EUR 105 more, since setup costs are the same either way. The surplus is now used as giveaways for new members and competition guests.

Banners, posters and apparel

Three 3×1 m banners made from 510 gsm PVC with metal eyelets every 50 cm were installed on the training facility fence — in a windy location, wider eyelet spacing means a torn corner by the first autumn. Two roll-up banner stands travel to competitions and open days; we produced these on blockout material so the image from the other side doesn't show through under backlighting. Banner and portable stand specifications can be found in our banners and roll-up stands section.

For apparel, we used two different technologies. For 120 T-shirts with a two-colour logo, we used screen printing — at this volume, it's cheaper than DTF transfer and more durable through washing. For the 40 sweatshirts, we used embroidery for the logo, as the coaches' apparel needed a more durable and representative finish. Mugs and other branded items were selected from our promotional products catalogue.

Files and schedule

The club only had its logo in JPG format from an old website. We redrew it as a vector file (.ai and .pdf), matched CMYK colour codes, and only then started on the artwork — without a vector file, neither die-cutting nor screen printing film production is possible.

The standard turnaround for stickers, banners and posters is 2–5 business days, while apparel and promotional products with printing take 5–10 business days after artwork approval; in this project, apparel took the longest. If a faster turnaround were needed, targets and stickers could be delivered in the first week and apparel later — which is exactly what we did, since the competition date fell before the T-shirts' planned deadline.

What's worth planning differently for this type of project

First, calculate your annual target consumption in advance: the 6,000-piece print run cost approximately EUR 0.115 per sheet, while a 1,000-piece run would cost around EUR 0.22. Second, sort out your logo vectorisation before placing the order, not midway through it — this time it took three days. Third, order a few spare stickers and one extra banner: replacing a single item later always costs more than ordering a spare alongside the original.

Frequently asked questions

How much does printing shooting targets cost for a smaller print run?

Approximately: 500 pcs of A3 black-and-white targets on 160 gsm paper — around EUR 130 excl. VAT; 6,000 pcs — around EUR 690. The per-unit price drops roughly by half when increasing the run from 500 to 6,000.

Do equipment stickers withstand outdoor conditions?

Yes, if you use laminated polymer vinyl. Such stickers last 3–5 years outdoors in Latvia's climate, and at least two years on frequently handled surfaces. Paper stickers are not suitable for this purpose.

Which printing technology is more cost-effective for team T-shirts?

From around 50 pieces with a 1–3 colour logo, screen printing is cheaper and more durable. For smaller quantities or multi-coloured designs, we use DTF transfer. For coaches' and representative apparel, we more often recommend embroidery.

How long should I expect delivery to take for a similar project?

For a complex order including apparel — 15–20 business days. The printing-only portion (targets, stickers, posters, banners) is usually ready in 2–5 business days. We handle urgent jobs by separate agreement.

What does the client need to prepare before placing an order?

A logo in vector format (.ai, .eps or .pdf), CMYK colour codes, and precise measurements if it concerns targets or marking. If a vector file isn't available, we prepare it for you — in this project, that took three business days.

If you're planning a similar club or sports facility project, send us a free-form list at info@attaprint.lv, call us, or message us on WhatsApp at +371 25776699. We prepare quotes with 2–3 budget options within one business day.