Pick custom basketballs for gyms, schools, camps, and indoor leagues. If your campaign centers on team events, beach tournaments, recreation leagues, and group activities, opt for custom volleyballs. The best option hinges on where people play, how your logo is visible during play, and whether you want indoor-only, outdoor-only, or both.
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Shop Volleyballs
Quick comparison table (fast decision)
|
Factor |
Custom Basketballs |
Custom Volleyballs |
|
Best for |
Gyms, schools, camps, indoor leagues, tournaments |
Recreation leagues, team events, beach/park play, community tournaments |
|
Typical play setting |
Strong indoor + outdoor |
Often outdoor + event-based, also indoor rec play |
|
Brand visibility |
Constant hand contact (dribbling, passing) |
Repeated touches + group play visibility (serves, bumps, sets) |
|
“Event feel” |
Competitive + training |
Social + team activity vibe |
|
Best branding style |
One bold logo panel, minimal tex |
Bold logo + short event/team name, high contrast |
Choose custom basketballs if…
Choose custom basketballs for all-year, consistent impressions from gym and school usage.
Best when targeting:
- Schools, PE programs, camps, gyms
Basketballs are great when:
- You want a ball that gets worn out from practice + warmups + pick-up games
- Your design is a simple bold mark that stays readable through heavy handling
- You want “everyday utility” more than “one-day event energy
Choose custom volleyballs if…
Choose custom volleyballs for a community-oriented, team activity giveaway for event, leisure, or outdoor play.
Best when promoting:
- Community tournaments, recreation leagues, parks, beach events
Volleyballs are great when:
- You want a product that naturally creates group interaction and photo moments
If your audience is mixed (families, adults, corporate teams, community programs) and you need a product for
Community fairs, corporate events, or camps:
Schools, gyms, camps:
Beach, parks, rec leagues:
Go By Campaign Goals
**If your goal is repeat impressions through constant handling in gyms, it’s basketballs.
If your goal is group play, event energy, and “team activity” branding, it’s volleyballs.
- Audience with lots of training: Basketballs
- Community tournament vibe: Volleyballs
Community taste: what printing method works
Basketballs (high friction + constant handling)
Basketballs that look branded like a flyer don’t look good.
- Best: a large logo that has thick lines, and not a lot of writing
- Avoid: tiny lines, tiny website URLs, and large sentences
- Reference: a “stand out” part that the logo is large enough to see
Volleyballs (rotation visibility + group play)
Volleyballs need simple branding and a large contrast to text.
- Best: the logo and just the name of the team, nothing else
- Avoid: large sentences
- Reference: one large logo. Keep all of the other writing very brief.
Planning quantities (keep it simple)
Based on whether the balls are for teams (play) or distribution (attendees), how ordered is it.
- Teams/leagues: 2-4 balls for each team, and extra for warm ups and back ups
- Tournament prizes: one tiny set for winners and one for the sponsors
- Community events: one for each group or team. This is a lot better than just one for each person.
- School programs: sets for the class and 10% more to be empty.
To use one purchasing pathway for several sports, use this link:
Related Comparisons
These other articles have already been published or planned:
custom basketballs vs custom footballs
custom basketballs vs custom soccer balls
FAQs
Which is better for schools: basketballs or volleyballs?
Basketballs are better for schools because they work in gym settings and get repeat use during PE and practice.
Which is better for outdoor summer events?
Volleyballs are better for outdoor summer events because they fit parks and beach play. They are great for social group activities.
Which ball gives more repeat brand impressions?
Basketballs give more repeat impressions because they are constantly being handled during dribbling.
Can I add a long slogan to either one?
Long slogans lose readability, and they are often difficult to read during play. It is better to print a bold logo and then add a short name.
Should I consider mini sport balls instead?
Opt for mini sport balls for effortless distribution and large-scale giveaways. Opt for full-size sport balls for greater perceived value and real-play usability.

