Custom school merchandise is more than just clothing—it’s a tool for building school pride, raising funds, and celebrating milestones. Whether it’s a t-shirt for spirit week, a hoodie for grads, or water bottles for a fundraiser, the right merch can create excitement across your entire school community. But what should you order? And how do you make sure it actually gets worn or used?
In this guide, we’ll walk through the best types of custom merch for schools, how to choose what works for different events, and how to make the ordering process as smooth as possible.
What to Consider Before Ordering School Merch
Before diving into product options, take a step back and clarify your goals. Are you trying to raise money, reward students, promote school spirit, or all of the above? Different goals will call for different products and price points. A t-shirt for a spirit event is different from a premium hoodie meant as a grad gift.
Also consider your audience. Elementary students may want something bright and fun, while high schoolers typically prefer more neutral colors and stylish designs. Parents and teachers might appreciate practical items like tote bags or notebooks. Think about who will be using the merch and where they’ll be using it.
Budget and timelines matter too. Try to plan at least a month ahead, especially if you’re ordering during the busy back-to-school or graduation seasons. Use a simple spreadsheet to track sizes, quantities, and deadlines. For tips on managing bulk orders smoothly, check out our promotional products guide.
Best Custom Merch for School Fundraisers
T-shirts remain the go-to fundraising item because they’re affordable, easy to print, and universally useful. But hoodies have grown in popularity, especially during colder months. While they cost more, they also have a higher perceived value—which means you can price them higher for fundraising.
Other great merch options for fundraisers include:
- Water bottles: Practical, long-lasting, and don’t require sizing.
- Tote bags: Perfect for parents, staff, or events like book fairs and open houses.
- Merch bundles: Combine a shirt, bottle, and sticker at a slight discount to increase order value.
If you’re wondering whether merch really works for school fundraising, our post on why promotional products are worth it dives into how branded gear continues to deliver real value.
What Works for Spirit Days and School Events
School-wide events are the perfect opportunity to build unity through custom apparel. Coordinating t-shirts by grade, team, or house color creates visual energy and makes everyone feel included. Keep designs fun but simple—a bold slogan, mascot, or one-color print often looks better (and costs less) than a complicated graphic.
Accessories can also play a role. Items like branded headbands, bandanas, or even socks help students get into the theme without needing a full outfit. For seasonal events, tailor the products to the weather. Lightweight tees work well in spring; long sleeves and toques are better suited to fall and winter.
Popular spirit event items include:
- Color-specific shirts or hoodies for house/team days
- Mascot-themed bandanas or face decals
- Seasonal accessories like beanies or scarves
Thoughtful Grad Gifts That Stick
Graduation is a major milestone, and students want keepsakes that feel special. Custom hoodies or crewnecks with the school name and graduating year are always a hit. Many schools also choose to include all student names on the back of the hoodie—a small touch that adds huge sentimental value.
If you want to go beyond apparel, leatherette notebooks, embroidered toques, or cozy blankets with the school crest make excellent grad gifts. You can even add a thank-you card or motivational quote inside each gift package for a personal touch.
Offering personalization—like adding a student’s name—can elevate the item even further. It may increase the price slightly, but it turns a good gift into a keepsake.
Design Tips for Student-Approved Merch
A clean, stylish design makes all the difference in whether your merch gets worn. Stick to bold type, limited colors, and straightforward slogans. Avoid overly busy designs or ones that feel too juvenile for older students.
To increase adoption:
- Offer a few design mockups and let students vote.
- Stick to neutral tones with school-colored accents.
- Keep logo placement subtle and well-integrated into the design.
Curious how different print methods affect look and feel? Our printing guide explains the difference between screen printing, embroidery, and other techniques.
Simplify the Ordering Process
The biggest hurdle for most schools isn’t picking the merch—it’s managing the logistics. To avoid chaos, use digital order forms with sizing charts and clear deadlines. If you’re handling payment, offer options like e-transfers or a cash collection day.
Assigning the task to a student council or parent committee can also make things easier. Keep a master list to track who ordered what and whether they’ve paid. If possible, order a few extra items in common sizes to accommodate late orders or exchanges.
Tips for smoother fulfillment:
- Package items by class or homeroom
- Use name labels or tags for easy distribution
- Keep extras on hand for sizing swaps
Final Thoughts
When done right, school merch becomes more than a shirt or hoodie—it becomes part of the experience. Whether you’re raising money, building school pride, or celebrating grads, custom gear should be easy to order, fun to wear, and designed with your audience in mind.
At Drive Sportswear, we make it simple for schools to design and order custom apparel and accessories. From spirit days to graduation, we’ll help you create products that students and staff will be excited to wear—and remember long after the school year ends.
