T-Shirt Ordering Guide for Coaches & Team Managers
Most youth and adult sports teams under-order. Here's how to get the right quantity, sizes, and timeline without waste or stress.
Lead Time
Order 3–4 weeks before you need them. Standard screen printing takes 10–14 business days. Rush orders cost more — plan ahead and save.
Quantity Sizing
For a typical youth team (12 players): order 14–16 shirts. For adults: order for all players plus 2–3 extras for new members or replacements.
Sizing on Reorder
If you reorder the same design later, sizes often shift. Save your original size chart — it makes reorders fast and accurate.
Payment
Full payment is required before production. Most teams collect from players first, then place the order. We can send an invoice if you need to coordinate payment separately.
Youth Sizes
| Size | Chest | Length |
|---|---|---|
| YS | 28–30" | 20" |
| YM | 30–32" | 21" |
| YL | 32–34" | 22" |
| YXL | 34–36" | 23" |
Adult Sizes
| Size | Chest | Length |
|---|---|---|
| S | 36–38" | 28" |
| M | 38–40" | 29" |
| L | 40–42" | 30" |
| XL | 42–44" | 31" |
| 2XL | 46–48" | 32" |
| 3XL | 50–52" | 33" |
Spirit Wear Checklist
A good fundraiser starts weeks before the event. Use this checklist to avoid the last-minute scramble that leads to mistakes and markup rush fees.
Event Merch Sizing Guide
Festivals and fairs draw a wide range of body types and ages. Stock smart — here's how to balance inventory without over-ordering.
Know Your Crowd
A family-oriented fair skews toward youth and women's cuts. A motorcycle rally leans adult men's. Ask the event organizer for a demographic estimate if available.
Size Distribution
For mixed crowds: 30% S/M, 35% L/XL, 20% 2XL, 15% 3XL+. For women's events: flip it — 45% S/M, 30% L/XL, 15% 2XL, 10% XL/3XL.
Pre-Order vs. On-Site Stock
If you have a presale opportunity, take it. Pre-sold items are guaranteed revenue. For walk-up sales, stock the bestsellers — black tees in S–XL cover 80% of demand.
Price Points
Festival-goers expect to pay $20–30 for a shirt. Price to include a margin that covers your production cost plus event booth/table fees if applicable.
Screen Print or Embroidery — Which Do You Need?
Both look great. The right choice depends on your product, design, quantity, and budget. Here's the quick version.
| Factor | Screen Printing | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | T-shirts, jerseys, athletic wear — big bold designs, lots of colors | Polos, jackets, hats, workwear — logos, text, smaller designs |
| Look & feel | Flat ink on fabric — vibrant, flexible, slightly thicker on dark colors | Raised thread — premium feel, subtle shine, textured |
| Minimum order | No hard minimum for most designs | 12 pieces minimum for most items |
| Cost at low qty | More economical for 1–50 units | Higher per-unit setup at low quantities |
| Durability | Excellent — prints flex with the fabric, won't crack with normal wear | Excellent — holds up well to repeated washing and heavy use |
| Best design type | Logos, illustrations, multi-color artwork, photographic prints | Simple logos, text, monograms, small single-color designs |
| Turnaround | 10–14 business days standard | 12–18 business days standard |
Go Screen Print when:
You want bright colors, detailed art, or a budget-friendly option for any quantity. Works great on t-shirts, hoodies, and performance wear.
Go Embroidery when:
You want a polished, professional look on polos, jackets, or caps. Embroidery signals quality — great for corporate events, staff uniforms, or premium fundraisers.
How Bulk Discounts Work
The more you order, the less you pay per shirt. Simple as that. Here's how our pricing tiers are structured — exact prices depend on your specific design and garment choice.
- Custom design on your choice of garment
- 1–3 color screen print
- Individual quality check
- Great for one-time events
- Best value for most teams and orgs
- 1–4 color screen print
- Discount per piece vs. small orders
- Ships in 10–14 business days
- Significant per-piece discount
- 1–5 color screen print
- Volume pricing on garments
- Ideal for schools, leagues, large events
Pricing above is a general guide — your final cost depends on garment choice, design complexity, and colors. Get a custom quote for exact pricing on your order.