Spirit wear is one of the most reliable fundraisers a school parent group can run, mostly because kids actually want to wear the shirts. It also has one classic way to go wrong: ordering a stack of shirts in guessed sizes and spending the rest of the year trying to sell them at back-to-school night. This guide covers the decisions that matter, with prices from our own list so you can do the math for your PTO, PTA or HSA.
Pre-order or buy stock?
This is the biggest decision, and for most schools the answer is pre-order.
- Pre-order: families order and pay by a deadline, you send us the totals by size, and the shirts arrive already sold. No leftover inventory and no cash tied up. The downside is that kids have to wait a couple of weeks.
- Stock: you buy a quantity up front and sell at events. It works for a fall festival or field day where you can sell on the spot, but you are guessing at sizes.
A middle path that works well: run a pre-order in September, then order a small extra batch of the best-selling sizes to sell at events later. Since we have no minimum on printed shirts, a reorder of 15 shirts in March is not a problem.
What spirit wear costs and what you can make
Here are a few common options at the 24 and 48 piece breaks, colored garment with a front print:
| Item | 24 pieces | 48 pieces |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Gildan 5000B tee | $21.00 | $18.50 |
| Adult Gildan 5000 tee | $21.00 | $18.50 |
| Youth Gildan 18500B hoodie | $41.00 | $38.00 |
| Adult Gildan 18500 hoodie | $38.50 | $35.50 |
| Youth Gildan 18200B sweatpants | $32.00 | $29.50 |
Quantity breaks are based on the total of each style, so youth and adult sizes of the same tee in the same order are often worth confirming with us when you are close to a break. As a simple example, if your PTO sells a tee for $25.00 and you ordered 48 at $18.50, that is $6.50 per shirt for the school, or $312.00 on the run. Many groups price hoodies with a bigger margin, since parents expect to pay more for them.
Whatever you charge, write the price on the order form clearly and decide up front whether you will offer adult sizes for parents and teachers. Teachers buying shirts is often a big part of the total.
Using the school name and logo
Before you print the school crest or mascot, check with the principal or the district office. Some districts have guidelines on how the school name and logo can be used, and it is much easier to ask before the order than after. If the school does not have a clean logo file, a simple text design in school colors, with the school name and the year, often sells better anyway. Kids like big, bold and readable.
If you do have a logo, send the best version you can get, ideally a vector file (.ai, .eps, .svg or a PDF from the original design). Our artwork guide explains what to look for.
Youth sizing without the headaches
- Put the size chart on the order form, with chest widths, not just S, M and L.
- Remind parents that youth XL and adult S are different garments.
- Elementary kids grow fast. Many families size up for a shirt that should last the year.
- Offer toddler sizes for younger siblings if you have a preschool program. We carry Rabbit Skins toddler tees.
Sales tax, the simple version
Clothing is exempt from New Jersey sales tax, according to the NJ Division of Taxation, so there is no sales tax on spirit wear whether or not your group is exempt. Where it matters is everything else. Signs, banners and decals are taxable at 6.625%. If your PTO is a qualified nonprofit, it can apply to the state for an exempt organization certificate (Form ST-5), which lets the organization buy items for its own use without sales tax. The Division of Taxation's exempt organization page explains who qualifies and how to apply. If you have one, send us a copy before you order signs or banners.
This is general information, not tax advice. Your treasurer or the district business office is the right place to confirm how your group should handle it.
A realistic timeline
- Week 1: pick the design and garments, make the order form, get it approved by the school.
- Weeks 2 and 3: pre-orders open. Two weeks is usually enough. Send one reminder.
- Week 4: total the sizes and place the order. Standard printed orders are ready 7 to 10 business days after the deposit.
- Week 6: sort and hand out.
So plan about six weeks from idea to shirts in backpacks. If you are aiming for the first day of school or a fall event, start in August.
Sorting and distribution
If you send a list of student names, teachers and sizes, tell us how you want it bagged and we will work with you on it. Pickup is contactless at our front door in Paramus, and we can also ship the box to the school for a flat rate. Book a pickup time when the order is ready, and the address comes with your confirmation.
Running the order form
A simple online form does most of the work. Include the student's name and teacher, garment and size, quantity, and how the family paid. A few more tips from the parent side:
- Show a mockup image of each item on the form. Parents buy what they can see.
- Offer two or three items at clear prices, like a tee, a long sleeve and a hoodie.
- Close the form on a fixed date and do not reopen it. Run a second sale in the spring instead.
- Assign one volunteer to handle questions and the final count.
Beyond the t-shirt
A few items that tend to do well for schools: a hoodie for the fall, a long sleeve tee for field day, and a "proud parent" shirt for fifth or eighth grade graduation. For moving-up ceremonies and senior recognition, graduation yard signs are popular too. Our yard sign guide covers sizes and rules in New Jersey towns.
Next step
Build your design in the designer and you will see the price at each quantity before committing to anything. If you want help setting up an order form or choosing garments, our school spirit wear page has more details, or text us at 201-948-4433.