Recognizing the Quality of an Authentic
Closeup Photos and Scans of Genuine Reebook Authentic, EQT, Screen Print Replica...
...and then, a Counterfeit Jersey

Unfortunately, you are not likely to see these kinds of details when looking at a jersey online. But once you get it in, you can evaluate a few things if you have any question about authenticity. Though more prominent details will stick out like a sore thumb on any picture, here is what you can expect to see in person.

AUTHENTIC

Here are several pictures of AUTHENTIC jerseys. Their quality, consistency, and richness of color really stand out. They are expensive, so if you want one, be ready to pay. You're not likely to get lucky and get one cheap. Those who sell them pay, from what I understand, $124 wholesale, and consumers who buy them and then decide to sell them aren't likely to part with them without asking a fair price. All the way down to the tags, the sharpness of a genuine AUTHENTIC speaks for itself. Saying this doesn't mean an authentic always comes without flaws - they do happen - but the general construction, color, pattern, and sewing techniques are consistent.

The pictures below are of AUTHENTIC jerseys purchased from NFLShop.com. I guarantee they are real. Got a great deal because of the END OF THE SEASON sales and another coupon you could add to it. $144 shipped to my door. Too bad these are now the "old" jerseys for the San Diego Chargers. Oh well -- throwbacks are great ;)

The only thing to disclaim...these are '06-'07 season productions. I understand that as years go by, some minor design changes can be made in jerseys. Though QUALITY should still shine through, the way the numbers are layered and materials used can change slightly. At the end of the Authentic section here, there are some pictures of an '04-'05 season jersey, with the differences notes.

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SCANS

PHOTOS (of same jersey scanned above)

Above is EXACTLY how I received my Gates Authentic Jersey from NFLShop.com. You should expect it to be packaged in a large, labeled bag as shown.

When you lay down an authentic to take pictures, the cloth is heavy enough and stiff enough, that they just seem to lay down perfectly and take on a very symmetrical shape. Most fakes are kind of flimsy and show inconsistency one side to the other along with odd proportions.

GATES HOME JERSEY (SCANS)

Authentic stitching looks almost as good inside as it does from outside. Often fakes have wrinkles in the material, many loose threads, and crooked of off-line stitching. Although Authentics are not free from small flaws, there is a general consistency that proves itself.

GATES HOME JERSEY (PHOTOS)

You'll see in Bolt picture above (right), that Authentics can have imperfections also. But again, the consistency of stiching and overall look proof themselves

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Three panel Bolts with color matched stitching. Each sew barely overlaps the edge of it's same color cutout leaving almost a smooth, consistent edge. The Bolt cutouts are precise and well centered on top of each other. The material does not fray like many fakes.

Stitching on the name tag letters is immaculate, again barely overlapping the cutouts. Sleeve numbers are perfect. No eye sores. Unless there is a factory second/defect, these things are consistent all the way around.

You'll pay the price for an authentic jersey, as seen below. But if you want the real deal, it's the only way. You can sometimes get lucky and find them between $150 - $200, but never expect to grab one under that.

04-05 Version Authentic -- TOMLINSON HOME JERSEY

Below are scans and photos of a SIZE 60 (egads!!!) Tomlinson home jersey. To be noted are a few differences. Although the quality of this jersey is top notch (see richness of color and accuracy of stitching), the bolts, numbering, and cuffs are a different style of tackle twill. A few of these pop on eBAY, usually for a really good price. But detecting them is a bit tough. To note, the shoulders tend to be "pointy" and then taper quickly to a non-elastic/spandex cuff. I have seen one other of these posted on a forum, and one other on eBAY. Sale prices were in the range of $70-$100.

The numbers on the '04-'05 jersey are tackle twill, but the layers are not continuous. The outer layers are basically just outlines which are sewn onto the other layers. For example, on the home jersey, the yellow blue trim (middle section of bolt) is just a thin cutout that lays on top of both the white and yellow sections. The white in the "underlay", while the yellow border in joined at the edge, then the blue set on the inner edge of the yellow. So, the blue cutout is sewn on top, and is elevated. See how blue outline is RAISED (below) -- yellow and white section are "butted" up together underneath. Each is individually sewn, however. Then, with the numbers, it's basically the same thing. However, the white section of the numbers overlaps on top of the blue section instead of the blue being on top of both.

With current tackle twill, the yellow piece would be solid all the way through (so it would be the bottom layer). Then the blue would be next, then the white on top. This means on current jerseys the middle is THREE LAYER THICK, which makes them very stiff. I would have to say the older version is a more tedious production and it also makes the Bolt less stiff (only one layer thick at middle) which is great. The accuracy of the stitching and Bolt position has to be even more accurate because the ouline pieces need to be held in place with precision while stitching. Also, because of the material used for those thin outlines (blue and yellow), I think it would actually hold up better in the long run (not that the current Authentics are lacking in durability). The changes made, though not significant, were probably a cost cutting measure (less labor time).

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Note that the cuffs on '04 have Spandex on the underside of the sleeve all the way to the cuff, but the cuff itself does not have spandex around the perimeter. I'm actually not 100% positive all of them were like this. It may have been a provision for the larger sizes (like this 60).

PHOTO at RIGHT BRIGHTENED FOR EMPHASIS (note how jersey materail under bolt curves into chest area)

'04 - '05 has older hologram design and does not sport "PLAYERS, INC" on the hem tag. Most fakes on eBAY have the old design hologram, but the newer hem tag. Reebok makes these kinds of occasional changes to keep counterfeit production down.

EQT

The EQT (Premier) jersey is a great option for those that want a more classic "shirt" fit and yet a higher quality jersey. The numbers and name are sewn on. However, in difference with AUTHENTIC, theEQT numbers are one sold piece of multi-colored cloth, instead of two or three separate pieces. Fake sew marks are implemented between the inner colors to give a fully sewn look, but only the outside is actually sewn. The Bolts are screen printed onto the shoulders. Because the sew-ons are only one layer and the Bolts are screen printed, the shoulders do not "puff" as badly as on an AUTHENTIC, making them drape better. The material used is an upgrade from SCREEN PRINT (replica), but not as nice as the AUTHENTICS. The EQT also has a picture of the teams helmet embroidered onto the hem tag. The EQT does not have spandex or elastic/spandex cuffs. A +2 length EQT makes it the same length as an equally sized Replica, so I think a Replica is actually a +2 length, though not designated as such.

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SCANS

One major difference between AUTHENTICS and the EQT and REPLICA is the size of the Bolt. For some reason, they designed the screen printed Bolt to be SMALLER on the EQT and REPLICA. The picture immediately below demonstrates the difference.

PHOTOS (of same jersey scanned above)

Screen Print Replica

This is the lowest cost version of what is supposed to mimic the onfield jersey. It currently has a diamond mesh, lightweight cloth and thermal plastic screen print numbers, name, and bolts. The name is screen printed onto a sewn on name plate. It has an embroidered NFL shield and a typical tag. The bolt on the Chargers replica is significantly smaller than on the Authentic. Screen prints, like others, should not be dried in a dryer as the numbers will lift and peel after only several washed. Let air dry, and keep washing to a minimum if you want these to last.

Counterfeit

You will quickly see some differences in your fake jersey. Initial appearance is often enough to give one away, but for the slightly nicer fakes, the closeup look will reveal differences. The fake jersey below is pretty well done. However, the cutouts have visible flaws and the stitching, though nice, if often uneven around the edge. Stitch width may often change over a short section of the Bolt. Jersey material can be seen running across the shoulder, instead of with the Bolt (over the shoulder). Thread color is a closer match on AUTHENTICS than on most fakes. And as mentioned above, the stitching on an AUTHENTIC is so precise that each zig and zag barely reaches over the edge of the cutouts, making a smooth edge for each layer of color. Comparing AUTHENTIC color to colors on a fake is very tough with digital images. They can easily be altered or the pictures can be over-exposed, too dark, use different light types, etc. This is another issue you'll have taking a chance on a fake.

Compare Jersey Holes on Authentic to My Counterfeit -- this scan was taken with both jerseys on the scanner, so they are exactly the same scale. The counterfeit holes are bigger. You can see on picture to the left than the horizontal rows are spaced nearly the same. However, the hole centers are further apart on the fake (seen vertically in picture on left). Picture on right shows how jersey holes compare up/down (like when worn).

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Here is an example of a horribly stitched fake. The stitching accuracy (around edges) is very poor. Notice how uneven the cutout it. The jersey hole also go the wrong way, and the Bolt tips have no curvature as they should.

DIRECT COMPARISON of a TYPICAL FAKES to AUTHENTIC

Colors on fake are light, almost pastel in comparison to the rich, deep colors of an Authentic. Note how the jersey materail under the Bolt differs as it turns into the chest area. Authentics curve nicely into spandex gussets while most fakes are squared and cause puckering.

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Though you can customize jerseys to some extent (at retail shops), one common problem with equal size designated fakes is that they run EVEN BIGGER than the Authentics. This may not be true of larger sizes, but it is for the smaller ones. 2nd picture to the left (above) shows about 2-3 inches LONGER at the hem and also a much longer/wider sleeve.

Interesting note: JERSEY HOLES are generally SMALLER on AUTHENTIC than on FAKE

If you really want details -- look at the spandex on the neck ring. Since it would be functional for it to stretch and then compress after put on, the "grain" of the spandex SHOULD allow for this. Genuine on left shows grain going vertically, while fake shows horizontal, which makes no functional sense. Just another tip off you might find in person.

The letter and number size on this fake are pretty much right on. Tough to distinguish name plate from being fake, but numbers and Bolts are usually a bigger giveaway. Tags on Authentic have clearer letters and details. Note position of NFL SHIELD at the neck -- should rest on or very near the jersey material border.