Fundraising with Custom Apparel

Whether you're raising money for a school program, sports team, community project, or a personal mission, custom apparel is one of the most effective (and fun!) ways to generate funds, spread awareness, and rally support around your cause. It's more than just a t-shirt–it's a walking billboard for your mission. 

At Print + Press Design & Apparel, we specialize in turning your vision into custom products that sell – and more importantly, inspire. In this post, we'll walk you through how to fundraise with custom apparel and make your next campaign a smashing success. 

 

Why Custom Apparel Works for Fundraising

Let's cut to the chase: people LOVE merch. T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and tote bags give supporters something tangible that makes them feel like part of the cause. When does right, custom apparel becomes a lasting reminder of the difference they helped make – and it keeps your message in motion long after the fundraiser ends. 

 

Here's Why It Works: 

  • High perceived value: People are more willing to pay a premium when they're getting something they can wear or use. 
  • Built-in marketing: Every supporter becomes a brand ambassador.
  • Low overhead, high profit margins: When you work with a local print shop (hi, that's us!), you get the best rates with a good turnaround time. 

Step 1: Define your Cause and Fundraising Goal

Before jumping into designs, it's crucial to get clear on: 

  • What you're raising money for
  • How much you want to raise
  • Who your supporters are

This will help shape everything from product selection to pricing. 

Step 2: Choose the Right Apparel

Different audiences respond to different products. Here's a quick cheat sheet: 

  • Schools/Clubs: T-Shirts and Hoodies with mascot or club branding
  • Churches/Nonprofits: Soft tees with motivational messages or scripture
  • Sports Teams: Jerseys, trucker hats, warm-up gear
  • Family Events or Memorials: Photo Tees or custom ribbons

We'll help you select garments that fit your vibe, your budget, and your buyer. 

Step 3: Create a Design That Connects

You don't need a design degree– that's what we're here for. But you do need a design that: 

  • Tells a story or sparks emotion
  • Is bold and easy to read from a distance
  • Feels stylish and wearable beyond the event

We can create something completely custom for you, or polish up artwork that you already have. We'll also make sure it's print-ready to avoid any production delays.

Step 4: Set Your Prices and Profits

Here's where the strategy kicks in. You want to price your items high enough to raise money, but low enough to stay accessible.

Example:

  • Cost to produce a custom tee: $8-$12
  • Sell for: $20-$30
  • Profit per shirt: $10-$18

Multiply that by 50, 100, or 500 sales and you're looking at real impact.

Step 5: Promote Like A Pro

Don't let those awesome shirts just sit around – get them in front of your people! Use:

  • Facebook Groups & Events
  • Instagram & TikTok Reels
  • Local Businesses willing to share
  • Email blasts and text updates

Pro tip: People love deadlines. A limited-time sale or pre-order window encourages quick action and builds excitement.

Step 6: Sell, Print, and Deliver

We keep it simple:

  • You take pre-orders or order in bulk
  • We handle production and quality checks
  • You pick up or we ship directly to you or your supporters.

Want us to handle shipping to individuals? We can do that too – no stress on your end.

Let's Make Fundraising Easy (and Profitable)

At Print + Press Design & Apparel, we partner with schools, teams, churches, non-profits, and everyday heroes to bring fundraisers to life through beautiful, custom gear. We're here to guide you every step of the way – from design to delivery.  

 

Ready to raise money for your cause? 

Let's talk about your fundraiser today! Contact us here or shoot us a message on social media. We can't wait to help you bring your vision to life. 

 

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