Club rush, spirit week, a new officer board, a team banquet: school merch usually comes with a deadline and a group of people with opinions. This guide is for ASB leaders, club officers, advisors and parent volunteers who want custom merch that students actually wear, without last-minute scrambling.
Pick the right piece for the moment
Different pieces suit different jobs:
- Tees are the go-to for big groups, spirit days, events and club rush. They are affordable and easy to size. See our custom tees.
- Hoodies get worn all year, so they are a good fit for clubs and teams that want something members keep. Browse custom hoodies and sweatshirts.
- Quarter-zips look a little more polished. They work well for officer boards, leadership groups, FBLA/DECA-style clubs and coaches. See the quarter-zip sweatshirt.
- Hats are an easy add-on with embroidery. See custom hats and beanies.
A common setup is a tee for the whole group plus a hoodie or quarter-zip for officers or members who opt in.
Get the design approved before you collect money
Schools often need sign-off on logos, mascots and wording. To avoid redoing work:
- Check whether your school has logo or mascot usage rules.
- Get a mockup first, then share it with your advisor or activities director.
- Confirm colors against school colors before you finalize.
Our ready-made kits include free apparel design, and custom orders get design guidance as part of the quote, so you can review artwork and request changes before anything is produced.
Collect sizes and payments in one step
- Use a single form that captures name, size and payment status together.
- Post the size chart with the form so students can check fit.
- Set a firm close date and add a few extras in common sizes for late orders.
- Keep a simple sheet listing who ordered what. It makes distribution day much easier.
Budget honestly
Think about what drives cost:
- Garment choice. Tees cost less than hoodies, and hoodies less than premium quarter-zips.
- Decoration. The number of print locations and colors, or embroidery size, matters.
- Quantity. Larger runs usually lower the per-piece cost.
If your club is fundraising, decide early whether merch is sold at cost or with a margin, and check your school's rules on selling to students.
Timeline checklist
- First: choose pieces, start the design and get a quote.
- Next: approve the artwork and open your group's order form.
- Then: close orders and confirm final quantities and sizes.
- Finally: production and delivery.
Timing depends on quantity, decoration and season, so share your date and confirm the schedule when you request a quote.
Start your school or club order
See our school apparel request page, then send your group, pieces, rough quantity and date through our contact form. Need jerseys too? See our custom team jerseys. For a real local example, read the Cupertino High School Tennis case study.