For bulk school merch, pick screen printing for 50+ pieces and DTG for smaller runs, confirm 2–3 week lead times, and consider no-MOQ online stores to avoid leftover stock.
Ordering school merch seems easy until sizes, timelines, and methods collide. Parents and PTA leads report late deliveries, wrong sizes, and out-of-stock substitutions; volunteers also get stuck with unsold inventory when stores over-order. Some districts require vendor approval or licensing, and many teams aren’t sure whether screen print or DTG will hold up best for repeated wear.
This guide solves those headaches. We’ll share 10 bulk merch ideas that actually sell, note the best print method per item, and flag lead-time, sizing, and budget tips all aligned with how modern spirit-wear stores run today.
What Actually Sells in Bulk
- Tees and hoodies move fastest; aim for tee $15–$25 and hoodie $35–$55 to keep volume high.
- Keep colors simple (black, navy, heather grey); they sell more and reduce leftover sizes.
- Use a basic size curve: about 70–75% S–XL, 20–25% 2XL/3XL, a few XS or 4XL only if requested.
- One front print (1–2 colors) is the sweet spot for cost and speed; add a small sleeve hit only if budget allows.
- Preorder first, then order in bulk; this avoids boxes of unsold stock and wrong sizes.
- Bundles (tee + hoodie or tee + cap) raise average order value without hurting conversion.
- Season helps: hoodies fall–winter, tees year-round, caps and bottles spring–summer, beanies late fall.
- Add a small evergreen item (sticker pack, lanyard, tote) for impulse buys under $10.
Top 10 Merch Ideas (Rapid Rundown)
These quick-hit merch ideas keep school spirit high while boosting fundraising results.
- Premium Cotton Tees: Year-round best seller; easy sizing, low cost, fast to print.
- Midweight Hoodies: High perceived value; perfect for fall games and spirit weeks.
- Crewneck Sweatshirts: Trendy fit; fewer returns than hoodies (no zipper/fit issues).
- Trucker Caps: One size fits most; quick add-on that lifts average order value.
- Beanies: Seasonal winner; simple embroidery, low risk on sizes.
- Water Bottles: Daily-use item; great for teams and fundraiser bundles.
- Tote Bags: Easy to stock; prints cleanly, popular with staff and parents.
- Sticker Packs: Under-$10 impulse buy; perfect for laptops and water bottles.
- Lanyards & ID Holders: School-approved utility; steady demand all year.
- Stadium Blankets: Game-day favorite; larger margin item for winter events.
1 – Premium Cotton Tees
Tees sell all year and are the #1 volume item in school spirit wear and fundraisers. Stores consistently report shirts (and hoodies) at the top of their sales mix, with bulk screen printing keeping unit costs low once you’re at ~50+ pieces.
Most schools work on 7–15 business day timelines from art approval, so tees fit neatly into a one-week preorder and a single bulk run. Use screen print for volume and switch to on-demand/DTG only for late orders or small reprints.
What Works in Real Life
Across 58 campuses, Camp Kesem used t-shirt fundraisers connected to their donation platform and raised $11,000+ in one coordinated push—proof that simple shirts move fast when the audience cares.
Expected Pricing
Typical school pricing sits around $18–$30 per tee (youth on the lower end, adult/NYC markets higher). Example public PTA pricing: $25 youth / $30 adult. Note many vendors add a 2XL+ upcharge.
Expected Margin
Example (72 tees, 100% cotton, 2-color front screen print):
Sell $22 – (Blank $4.75 + Print $2.10 + Setup amortized $0.50 + Fees $0.70) = Profit $13.95 (~63%) → 72 units ≈ $1,004 profit.
(Setup fees are often $30–$35 per color; bulk lowers per-shirt print cost.)
How to Run It
- Approve one clean design (1–2 colors) for speed and cost control.
- Size curve: concentrate S–XL, limited XS/4XL; note 2XL+ upcharge.
- Method: screen print for 50+ pieces; use on-demand only for latecomers.
- MOQ & lead time: plan 2–3 weeks; avoid rush fees if possible.
- Fulfillment: run a 1-week pre-order, then one bulk run to avoid leftovers.
2 – Midweight Hoodies
Hoodies are the fall–winter MVP: higher perceived value than tees and a reliable cart driver for spirit stores. Most screen printers quote 7–10 business days for production (longer in peak season), so a one-week preorder followed by a bulk print keeps timelines clean and avoids leftovers.
Families are used to paying $40–$55 for school hoodies, and many PTAs list adult or youth styles right in that range making hoodies a safe pick for fundraising drops.
What Works in Real Life
A PTA store run via Membership Toolkit listed multiple hoodie styles and processed 3–4 week turnarounds after the order window—standard for bulk spirit wear. Another PTA shop shows youth/ adult hoodies live in-season with sale pricing, indicating steady demand across sizes.
Expected Pricing
$40–$55 for school-branded hoodies (youth at the lower end; premium brands higher). Many stores show adult zip hoodies in the mid-$30s to $50 band and youth graphic hoodies $25–$40 on sale.
Expected Margin
Example (48 midweight hoodies, 1-color front screen print):
Sell $48 – (Blank $18.50 + Print $2.50 + Setup amortized $0.60 + Fees $0.90) = Profit $25.50 (~53%)
Batch: 48 units ≈ $1,224 profit. (Screen print still wins for bulk; embroidery adds durability but raises unit cost.)
How to Run It
- Approve a 1-color front or front+small sleeve to control cost.
- Size curve skews S–XL; 2XL+ upcharge is common.
- Screen print for volume; consider embroidery only for minimal art (mascot wordmark).
- Plan 7–15 business days from art approval; extend in peak season.
- Use a preorder window (1 week) to avoid leftover inventory.
3 – Crewneck Sweatshirts
Crewnecks trend well with students and staff: cleaner fit than hoodies, fewer return issues (no zipper fit), and strong winter sell-through. Many PTA stores price crewnecks around $38–$45, keeping them attractive for bulk orders.
Production timelines mirror tees/hoodies: typical 7–10 business days for standard screen printing once art is approved, faster for DTF patch runs.
What Works in Real Life
Multiple PTA shops list crewnecks alongside tees and hoodies (e.g., adult crewneck $40, youth crewneck $30), confirming consistent demand and repeat orders during the school year.
Expected Pricing
$35–$45 is common for school crewnecks; examples show $38–$43 in active PTA stores.
Expected Margin
Example (60 crewnecks, 1-color front screen print):
Sell $40 – (Blank $13.25 + Print $2.40 + Setup amortized $0.40 + Fees $0.80) = Profit $23.15 (~58%)
Batch: 60 units ≈ $1,389 profit. (Crewnecks often carry similar margins to tees; keep color count low to preserve margin.)
How to Run It
- Stick to 1–2 colors; avoid heavy back prints to keep unit cost down.
- Order heavier cotton/poly blends for winter drops.
- Size curve like tees; note 2XL+ upcharge where applicable.
- Lead times 7–10 business days after art approval; pad during peak.
- Bundle with tees to raise AOV during spirit weeks.
4 – Trucker Caps (Embroidered)
Caps are a one-size crowd-pleaser that lift average order value without size risk. Schools commonly list rope or trucker styles between $20–$45, with premium rope hats at the high end. Bulk embroidery partners (Lids/others) advertise fast turnaround and low minimums; local decorators also offer quick programs with next-day options for simple runs.
What Works in Real Life
Active PTA stores show rope/embroidered hats in regular rotation—e.g., adult rope hats at $45 and youth hats $15–$20 indicating steady demand and easy upsells during seasonal drops.
Expected Pricing
$20–$45 depending on brand and decoration (flat embroidery vs. patch vs. 3D puff).
Expected Margin
Example (72 trucker caps, front embroidery):
Sell $28 – (Blank $7.75 + Embroidery $4.25 + Digitizing amortized $0.40 + Fees $0.60) = Profit $15.00 (~54%)
Batch: 72 units ≈ $1,080 profit. (Patches/3D puff add cost; consider them for premium drops only.)
How to Run It
- Embroidery is most durable; keep front art simple for clean stitch counts.
- Confirm hat style/fit (foam trucker vs. rope vs. low-profile); sample one first.
- Typical lead time 1–2 weeks; rush possible for small runs.
- Offer in neutral colors (black/navy) to avoid leftovers; add one school color as a limited run.
- Add caps to bundles (tee + cap) to lift AOV without adding sizes.
5 – Beanies (Embroidered/Knit)
Beanies spike in late fall and winter and pair well with games and holiday shops; simple embroidery keeps them durable and school-appropriate. Embroidery vendors commonly offer quick bulk programs, and many spirit-wear suppliers run dedicated beanie fundraisers.
Schools like beanies because they’re one-size and easy to reorder in a single school color, reducing leftover risk versus sized apparel.
What Works in Real Life
Spirit-wear suppliers promote seasonal custom knit beanie programs for teams and booster clubs, with streamlined order forms and fundraiser pricing—evidence these move well for cold-weather drops.
Expected Pricing
$15–$25 depending on knit quality and decoration (flat embroidery vs. patch). (Typical spirit-shop ranges published by school/booster vendors.)
Expected Margin
Example (72 knit beanies, front embroidery):
Sell $20 – (Blank $6.25 + Embroidery $3.75 + Digitizing amortized $0.30 + Fees $0.50) = Profit $9.20 (~46%)
Batch: 72 units ≈ $662 profit. (Adding a woven patch or 3D puff raises cost—use for premium runs only.)
How to Run It
- Keep art simple to control stitch count and run time (clean mascot or wordmark).
- Plan 1–2 weeks from art approval (pad in peak).
- One-size simplifies ordering; offer one neutral and one school color.
- Bundle with hoodies/blankets for winter spirit packs.
6 – Water Bottles (Printed)
Reusable bottles are everyday items students actually use; they show steady fundraiser demand and are easy to brand. Many school-focused vendors carry bulk logo water bottles specifically for events and fundraisers.
They also pair well with “go green” messaging and pack neatly into team kits or back-to-school bundles.
What Works in Real Life
Fundraising packages that include a custom bottle + bag + towel are marketed for quick school sales with low minimums (e.g., 12), indicating bottles fit cleanly into bundled offers and drive AOV.
Expected Pricing
$10–$20 for school-branded bottles (material and print method drive the range).
Expected Margin
Example (96 BPA-free bottles, 1-color print):
Sell $15 – (Blank $3.60 + Print $1.20 + Setup amortized $0.25 + Fees $0.45) = Profit $9.50 (~63%)
Batch: 96 units ≈ $912 profit. (Upgrades—stainless, multi-color, wraps—raise cost; reserve for premium campaigns.)
How to Run It
- Approve a 1-color logo for speed and cost control.
- Confirm lid type (flip/straw/screw) and capacity (18–24 oz) before proof.
- Typical lead time 1–2 weeks after art approval.
- Bundle with sticker packs to lift AOV at checkout.
7 – Tote Bags (Screen Print or DTF)
Totes sell well with staff and parents and are popular for school events (book fairs, teacher gifts, field trips). Spirit-wear platforms show totes as a common add-on in school stores and seasonal collections.
They print cleanly, pack flat, and avoid sizing complexity—ideal for preorders and quick reorders.
What Works in Real Life
Active school/teacher catalogs (e.g., event collections) list personalized totes as a standard spirit item for milestone days and fundraisers—evidence they’re a repeatable seller across districts.
Expected Pricing
$10–$20 for non-woven or cotton totes; heavier canvas or branded blanks price higher.
Expected Margin
Example (120 cotton totes, 1-color print):
Sell $14 – (Blank $3.10 + Print $1.35 + Setup amortized $0.20 + Fees $0.35) = Profit $9.00 (~64%)
Batch: 120 units ≈ $1,080 profit. (Keep art to one side and 1–2 colors to preserve margin.)
How to Run It
- Choose natural/black blanks; they hide wear and sell year-round.
- Print method: screen for 50+; DTF for small, multi-color art.
- Lead time 1–2 weeks after art.
- Offer as a bundle with tees or water bottles for event days.
8 – Sticker Packs
Sticker packs are an easy under-$10 add-on that students actually use (water bottles, laptops, binders). Bulk sticker vendors offer fast runs and low unit costs at quantity, which makes packs a safe way to lift average order value.
What Works in Real Life
Many school spirit programs bundle custom bottle + sticker packs in “spirit packs” for fundraisers to push AOV; vendors promote these combos specifically for K-12 teams and clubs.
Expected Pricing
$6–$12 per 4–6-piece pack, depending on size/finish (glossy, matte) and whether you include die-cut shapes.
Expected Margin
Example (300 packs, 5 stickers each):
Sell $8 – (Stickers per pack $1.55 + Pack/insert $0.10 + Fees $0.25) = Profit $6.10 (~76%)
Batch: 300 packs ≈ $1,830 profit. (Roll/kiss-cut bulk keeps costs down; rush or specialty finishes raise cost.)
How to Run It
- Keep art simple: mascot, school initials, and a slogan; size to fit bottles and laptops.
- Approve one finish for speed; avoid mixed finishes on the first run.
- Lead time: many printers ship in ~1 business day after approval for stock options; pad for large quantities.
- Sell as a checkout add-on and in bundles (e.g., bottle + pack).
9 – Lanyards & ID Holders
Lanyards sell steadily because schools need them for IDs, keys, and events. K-12 vendors highlight lanyards as a school-store staple with 5–7 day ship windows after proof—fast enough for spirit weeks and new-student days.
What Works in Real Life
Active school catalogs list dozens of custom lanyard and badge-holder styles with pricing suited to bulk, confirming all-year demand from students, staff, and clubs.
Expected Pricing
$4–$10 per lanyard (more for woven, two-tone, or add-ons like safety breakaway or domed tags).
Expected Margin
Example (250 screen-printed lanyards, 5/8″):
Sell $6 – (Blank + print $2.10 + Digitizing/art $0.10 + Fees $0.25) = Profit $3.55 (~59%)
Batch: 250 units ≈ $888 profit. (Pricebusters with quick ships improve margin; premium woven lowers it.)
How to Run It
- Lock color + clip style early (bulldog/J-hook) to avoid delays.
- Use one imprint color to keep cost and lead time tight.
- Typical lead time 5–7 days after proof; rush available with some vendors.
- Offer a lanyard + ID holder bundle for staff/volunteers.
10 – Stadium Blankets
Blankets shine in fall sports and winter events; many suppliers run school-color blanket fundraisers and pre-sell programs because they’re high-perceived-value items with solid margins.
What Works in Real Life
Dedicated school vendors promote custom mascot blankets specifically for K-12 fundraising, including pre-sell order forms and rush options—evidence these are a go-to for booster clubs.
Expected Pricing
$25–$45 for fleece/stadium styles; premium or wearable blankets price higher (sports-licensed examples start ~£49 kids / £69 adults, showing headroom at the top of the market).
Expected Margin
Example (72 fleece stadium blankets, 1-color print):
Sell $32 – (Blank $12.00 + Print $2.60 + Setup amortized $0.40 + Fees $0.80) = Profit $16.20 (~51%)
Batch: 72 units ≈ $1,166 profit. (Full-color sublimation or wearable styles increase cost; use for premium runs.)
How to Run It
- Approve one school color first; keep art to 1–2 colors for speed.
- Plan 1–2 weeks from art approval (pad during peak).
- Offer as a bundle with beanies or hoodies for game days.
- Use a pre-sell to confirm demand and size your bulk order.
Conclusion
Bulk school merch doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Start with proven sellers (tees, hoodies, caps), match the print method to quantity (screen print for bulk; on-demand for stragglers), and plan realistic turnarounds so you hit event dates. Preorders keep you from over-buying and help you reorder with confidence.
If you want the easy button, Varsity Vault can stand up a clean store, capture sizes, and run timed windows so you avoid leftovers and pad in-season reorders. Pair that with a simple size curve and low-color art, and you’ve got a repeatable playbook you can run every term.
FAQs
What print method should we use for bulk spirit wear?
Choose screen printing for larger runs. It’s faster per unit and more cost-effective at quantity. Use DTG/on-demand for small batches, multi-color art, or late orders. This mix keeps quality high and unit costs predictable.
How long does production usually take?
Most shops quote ~7–10 business days for standard screen printing after art approval; complex specs or peak seasons extend this. Some contract printers cite ~14 working days as an average. Build a buffer for finishing or specialty inks.
How do we avoid leftover inventory?
Run a one-week preorder before placing the bulk order. Preorders gauge demand, size the PO correctly, and reduce overstock risk then you can reopen for reorders if interest stays high.
What’s a smart way to set prices and margins?
Keep prices inside “expected” bands (e.g., tees, hoodies, caps) and limit colors/print locations. Calculate margin as sell price minus blank, print, setup, and fees; bulk keeps print costs low, which lifts margin without raising price.
When should we reorder?
Set a simple rule (e.g., when stock drops below 15 units or after delivery week one). If the preorder was strong, reopen quickly and repeat the bulk run while your art and approvals are still live.
Can Varsity Vault run this whole workflow for us?
Yes. Varsity Vault can host the store, collect sizes, run the preorder, and coordinate bulk printing so you hit your date without sitting on inventory. It’s the simplest way to get from concept to delivery. (varsityvault.io)
