Trust me, NOTHING surprises me with CCM/Reebok. For example, when they sublimate nameplates, they sublimate a roll in one shot and then cut the plates on the back end. HOWEVER, the problem is that the direction in which they are cutting is the OPPOSITE of the direction in which the jerseys are cut and then sublimated. What you end up getting is two different colors! Ever see two different blacks? Currently living this with a team. The only ONE of their jerseys that looks correct with the nameplate is their white. The others look horrid!
Because they'd rather pay $5.50/nameplate instead of $45/yard for a 100 yard roll of fabric. Say they do 6 sets of jerseys at $5.50 each x 6 sets (30 jerseys a set) = $990. $45 x 100 = $4500. For teams with $1.5m budgets, you'd think "f**king buy the roll", but, there's much more involved...
Also, not sure if CCM/Reebok is still offering the roll for sale. Been a few years since I checked.