Organizing a local event can be challenging – but ordering T-shirts should be the easy part. Not sure where to get started? Here’s a quick start guide to ordering custom printed T-shirts for your next event.’
1. Consider Your Logo and Branding
When you create custom T-shirts, they are a representation of your brand and organization. Represent yourself well! You want the branding to be simple and clear (easy to recognize) with bold logos and minimal text.
If someone has to stop and focus to read and figure out what it says or means, it’s too much. Choose colors and designs that align with your brand image. Working with a graphic designer is always a good idea.
2. Look at Your Audience
Next, consider who will be wearing the custom T-shirts at your local event. Families of all ages running a 5K race? A college sorority? Kids at a local school? Keep your audience in mind when choosing a T-shirt type and style.
You may want to create variations of the same design (for example, unisex or women’s fit shirts and kids’ sizes) to accommodate everyone.
3. Determine Your Budget
Before you get any further in the ordering process, consider your budget for this project. This will determine not only the quantity of items you order but the styles, materials and printing methods you choose.
Don’t forget to factor in costs such as shipping and rush ordering, if applicable.
4. Choose a Style, Printing Method and Material
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to printing methods for ordering local event T-shirts. Factors to consider include budget, turnaround time, sustainability, design and preference.
Printing: A few popular types include screen printing, embroidery and puff ink screen printing.
Style: There are many styles of T-shirts including basic tees, women’s fit, tank tops, baseball tees and more. Or you can branch out with sweatshirts, hats and other apparel.
Material: Choose a quality type of material for your shirts, considering climate and how they will be worn. Some fabrics are more moisture wicking for physical activity while others boast the benefit of being durable or sustainably made.
5. Check Your Timeline
The earlier you order custom printed T-shirts, the better. While many vendors offer quick turnaround times, you might be looking at additional fees for a rush order.
Be sure to ask about the lead time when placing your order to avoid any last-minute delays. Ordering with a local company can help avoid long shipping times.
6. Crunch the Numbers
The number of T-shirts you order depends on the type of event you are planning.
- If you are selling shirts, you’ll need to create an estimate of what sizes you’ll need.
- If you are ordering shirts for staff at an event, you can get a pretty good idea of how many to order.
- Finally, if the shirts are for an event requiring pre-registration (such as a fundraiser or 5k) you can order and print the shirts on demand – although you will want to order extras for last-minute signups.
It can be difficult to determine the magic number of exactly what to order to avoid running out or having too many left over. This is where an experienced vendor can help.
7. Use the Right Vendor
Finally, perhaps the most important step is choosing the right vendor to create your custom printed T-shirts. You want to order from a reputable company that can produce a high-quality product at a reasonable price.
Not sure who to choose? It’s a good idea to read reviews and testimonials, ask questions and get a quote before agreeing to an order. Choose a local printing company if you can!
Order Custom Printed T-Shirts with Full Press Apparel
Our team at Full Press Apparel takes the guesswork out of ordering custom T-shirts. Let us guide you every step of the way, from perfecting your branding to selecting the right printing method and ordering the right number of shirts and size options.
We are located in the heart of Tallahassee, FL but ship our custom products and apparel across the U.S. Request a quote or chat with our team today.
