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Racing colours are more than a uniform. They help officials, commentators and spectators identify a horse while representing an owner, stable or racing partnership on the track. When you design your own jockey silks, every choice—from the colour combination to the cap pattern—contributes to that racing identity.

This step-by-step guide explains how to turn an idea into a practical, recognisable set of custom jockey silks using Mittys’ online design tool. It also covers registration checks, printed patterns, matching caps, artwork and the details to review before ordering.

Ready to start designing?

Use the Mittys online jockey-colour designer to explore jacket patterns, colour combinations and matching cap designs.

Before You Design Your Jockey Silks

Start by deciding where the silks will be used. Colours intended for official racing generally need to be registered with the relevant state, territory or national racing authority. Each authority can set requirements for acceptable colours, patterns, logos and design availability.

You can experiment with ideas before registration, but check that your preferred design is available and compliant before committing to production. Mittys’ guides explain how to check existing racing colours in Australia and provide an overview of jockey-colour registration in Australia and New Zealand.

Important: Mittys can manufacture your racing colours, but approval and registration remain subject to the relevant racing authority. Confirm the current rules that apply in your jurisdiction.

Step 1: Choose Colours That Work on the Track

Strong racing colours must be distinctive as well as attractive. A design may look impressive close up but become difficult to recognise when viewed from the grandstand, on a broadcast or among a tightly grouped field.

Create contrast

Combine colours that remain visually separate instead of merging from a distance.

Limit the palette

A controlled selection of colours is usually easier to recognise than an overly complicated combination.

Consider every view

Check how the colours read across the front, back, sleeves and cap—not just the front of the jacket.

Think about stable history, family colours, branding or a visual theme that has meaning to the ownership group. For more detailed guidance, see how to choose racing-team colours. If visibility is the priority, learn when fluoro jockey silks may be suitable.

Step 2: Select a Clear, Recognisable Pattern

The pattern determines how your colours are organised across the garment. Traditional racing motifs include sashes, hoops, stripes, checks, stars, diamonds and contrasting sleeves. The best option is one that supports recognition without becoming visually crowded.

• Sashes and diagonal bands: create a strong line across the body.
• Hoops and horizontal bands: produce a classic racing appearance.
• Contrasting sleeves: make the arm colour easy to distinguish from the body.
• Stars, diamonds and symbols: add identity when used at a practical scale.
• Minimal designs: rely on a small number of bold, memorable elements.

Review the design at thumbnail size before finalising it. If its key features are still easy to identify when small, they are more likely to remain clear at racing speed. Mittys’ guide to jockey-colour design mistakes can help you avoid weak contrast and unnecessary complexity.

Step 3: Coordinate the Jacket and Matching Cap

Jockey silks are viewed as a complete set, so the cap should feel connected to the jacket. It can repeat the jacket’s dominant colour, carry a contrasting panel or reproduce a simplified version of the main pattern.

Check the front, back and side views of your design. A sash that works across the jacket front should continue in the intended direction, sleeve bands should align visually, and the cap pattern should remain clear from multiple angles.

Step 4: Add Logos or Custom Artwork Carefully

A logo, symbol or custom graphic can personalise your racing silks, but it must remain legible at the finished size. Fine lines, small lettering and intricate details may lose clarity when reduced or viewed from a distance.

Use the clearest artwork available and confirm that you have permission to reproduce it. Before including a logo in colours intended for official races, check whether the relevant racing authority permits it and whether approval is required.

Step 5: Review the Complete Design Before Ordering

Inspect every part of the design rather than approving it from a single front view. Confirm the colour placement, pattern direction, sleeve treatment, cap design and artwork. Names, initials and logos should be checked carefully for spelling and orientation.

Consider how the design will look under natural light, on camera and alongside other colours in a racing field. If you are unsure about a colour combination or production detail, contact Mittys before placing the order.

How Mittys’ Printed Jockey Silks Are Constructed

Mittys uses dye-sublimation printing to reproduce colours and patterns directly in the fabric. This means a sash, hoop or colour block is printed as part of the garment design rather than created by sewing separate coloured panels together.

The colour changes should therefore appear clean and continuous, without decorative hems or joins around each printed shape. Structural stitching is still used where the garment itself is assembled, including areas such as the sleeves, collar, cuffs, front opening and curved bottom hem.

Buttons are matched to the colour of the fabric directly behind them so that the front fastening follows the printed design. The result combines a practical racing-garment shape with a clear, uninterrupted pattern. You can learn more about the range in Mittys’ guide to racing-silk performance and construction.

Custom Jockey Silks Pre-Order Checklist

Check these details before submitting your design

• ✓ The proposed colours and pattern meet the relevant racing authority’s requirements.
• ✓ The design is available for registration where required.
• ✓ The main elements remain recognisable at a small size.
• ✓ The front, back, sleeves and cap have all been reviewed.
• ✓ Pattern directions and colour placements are correct.
• ✓ Logos and text are accurate, legible and authorised for use.
• ✓ The required garment size and product option have been selected.
• ✓ Any deadline has been discussed with Mittys before ordering.

Caring for Your Jockey Silks

Always follow the care instructions supplied with the garment. As a general precaution, treat racing silks gently: use cold water and a mild detergent, avoid bleach, and allow the garment to dry away from harsh direct sunlight. If the garment’s care label provides different instructions, follow the label.

Attend to mud and marks promptly, avoid unnecessary heat and store the silks only when they are completely dry. Proper handling helps preserve the fabric, printed colours, elastic cuffs and garment shape.

Create Your Custom Racing Colours with Mittys

Mittys combines racing experience, modern printing and Melbourne production to turn approved colour concepts into professional jockey silks. Whether you are establishing a new identity or updating an existing set, the online designer provides a practical place to begin.

Start with the online jockey-colour design tool, browse Mittys’ design-your-own products, or contact the team for assistance with your requirements.

Design Jockey Silks Online View Custom Jockey Silks Contact Mittys

Designing Jockey Silks: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my colours before designing my silks?

You can explore potential designs before registration. However, colours intended for official racing generally need to be available, compliant and approved by the relevant racing authority before they are used. Check the current requirements in your jurisdiction before committing to production.

How do I design my own jockey silks online?

Open Mittys’ online jockey-colour designer, select a base design, apply your preferred colours and patterns, coordinate the cap and review every view before ordering. If you need a custom feature that is not available in the tool, contact Mittys to discuss it.

Can I choose any design and colour combination?

You can explore many combinations, but official racing colours must comply with the applicable authority’s rules and may need to be distinguishable from designs already registered. Availability and approval should be confirmed before production.

Are different colour sections sewn together?

No. On Mittys’ printed jockey silks, colours and patterns are dye-sublimated into the fabric. A sash, hoop or contrasting colour area does not require an additional seam or hem around its printed edge. Stitching is used to construct the garment itself.

Can I order a matching jockey cap?

Yes. The cap can coordinate with the jacket by repeating its main colour, contrasting panels or a simplified version of the garment pattern. Review the jacket and cap together so they form one recognisable set.

How long does it take to make custom jockey silks?

Production time can depend on the design, artwork, order details and current workload. If you need the silks for a particular meeting or race date, contact Mittys before ordering to confirm the current timeframe.

What is the best fabric for jockey silks?

The right option depends on the intended use, racing requirements and your preferences for feel and performance. Review Mittys’ available jockey-colour products or contact the team for help selecting the appropriate garment.