New Premier League 19-20 Numbers and Sleeve Badges Include Smart Labels

The Premier League has switched its printing supplier - the company that produces all official player numbers, names and sleeve patches - from Sporting iD to Avery Dennison ahead of the 2019-20 season.

New Premier League 19-20 Sleeve Badges Released

May 8, 2019

While the sleeve patches have undergone slight changes, no visible changes were made to the Premier League numbers and names font for 19-20. However, as one of our readers has informed us, the new Avery Dennison-produced printings come with included 'smart labels'.

As you can see in the video, it's possible to scan the shirt - the official Avery Dennison Smart Reader app is required - which confirms the authenticity as well as allow the buyer to access exclusive content. The tech works on the numbers, letters and also sleeve badges.

"Intelligent labels or 'smart labels'—labels inlaid with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology—are rapidly improving many aspects of how we live, from the clothes we wear and the food we eat to our cars, medicine, and air travel. As the world's largest UHF RFID partner, Avery Dennison is at the forefront of this transformation, developing pioneering integrated RFID solutions designed to help improve inventory management and loss prevention across the value chain, from manufacturing source to consumer. Businesses in multiple industries choose Avery Dennison intelligent label solutions, including UHF, HF and NFC solutions, to boost efficiency, enhance visibility, and increase margins, while providing customers with greater convenience, reliability, and safety."

Nike did something very similar with the Chelsea 18-19 third jersey, allowing people who bought it to participate in the design process for the 'Shirtholders' Jersey', which was released earlier this year.

Nike Chelsea Shirtholders Shirt Released

Apr 26, 2019

What do you think about this? Comment below, and check out all new Premier League kits here.