How to Plan Custom Shirts for Your Event (Without the Stress)
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Whether it's a family reunion, charity run, church event, or company outing, custom shirts make it memorable. Here's how to plan your order so everything goes smoothly.
Start with the Timeline
6+ Weeks Out: Ideal
Plenty of time for design, revisions, and production. No rush fees. No stress.
3-4 Weeks Out: Comfortable
Still good. Enough time for one round of revisions and standard production.
1-2 Weeks Out: Tight
Doable, but you'll need to make decisions quickly. Rush fees may apply.
Less Than 1 Week: Emergency
Same-day rush available for local pickup. Contact us immediately.
Pro tip: Start earlier than you think you need to. Getting 30 people to agree on a design takes longer than expected.
Gather Your Information First
Before you contact a printer, have these answers ready:
How many shirts?
Get a headcount. Add 5-10% buffer for last-minute additions or sizing mistakes.
What sizes?
Collect sizes from everyone. Use a Google Form or group text. Don't guess.
What's your budget?
Know your per-shirt budget. This helps determine shirt quality and print options.
When do you need them?
Actual event date AND when you need them in hand (for distribution, mailing, etc.)
Do you have a design?
If yes, great. If no, do you have ideas, logos, or text you want included?
Choosing Your Shirt Style
Basic Tee (Gildan Heavy Cotton)
Affordable, durable, available in tons of colors. Great for large groups and casual events.
Price range: $25-30 with print
Soft Style (Gildan Softstyle)
Softer, more comfortable, slightly fitted. Better for gifts or when comfort matters.
Price range: $32-38 with print
Performance/Moisture-Wicking
For athletic events, outdoor activities, or hot weather. Keeps people cool.
Price range: $35-45 with print
Hoodies & Long Sleeves
Fall/winter events, overnight trips, or when you want something more substantial.
Price range: $50-65 with print
Design Tips for Event Shirts
Keep it simple
The best event shirts have a clear, readable design. Don't try to cram everything on there.
Include the essentials
- Event name
- Date
- Location (city/state)
- Any sponsors or organization names
Consider the back
Front: Event logo/name (smaller)
Back: Full design, participant names, sponsors, etc.
Choose colors wisely
Light shirts show dirt at outdoor events. Dark shirts get hot in summer sun. Think about where people will wear them.
Get group input early
Share 2-3 design options and vote. Endless revision cycles kill timelines.
Collecting Sizes
The hardest part of event shirts isn't the printing—it's getting everyone's sizes. Here's what works:
- Use a form - Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or even a shared spreadsheet
- Set a deadline - And stick to it. "If we don't have your size by Friday, you get a Large."
- Offer size chart - People don't always know their size. Provide measurements.
- Order extras - A few extra M, L, XL for mistakes or last-minute additions
Pricing Breakdown
Per-shirt cost includes:
- Blank shirt
- Printing (front)
- Basic design setup
Additional costs:
- Back printing: +$8-12
- Sleeve printing: +$9
- Design help: +$15
- Rush service: +$25/item
Volume discounts kick in at:
- 12+ pieces
- 25+ pieces
- 50+ pieces
Order Process
- Contact us with your event details
- Review quote and confirm quantities/sizes
- Approve design proof (we'll send a mockup)
- Pay deposit (50% for large orders)
- Production (3-5 business days standard)
- Pickup or delivery
Local Events We Love Printing For
- Family reunions throughout Onslow County
- Church groups and VBS programs
- Youth sports teams and leagues
- School events and field days
- Charity walks and runs
- Company picnics and team building
- Birthday parties and milestone celebrations
- Wedding parties and bachelorette weekends
Ready to Start?
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Local to Jacksonville, NC? Stop by and let's talk about your event. We love helping people create something their group will be proud to wear.