Custom Tour Tees for High School Music Departments
Planning a band, chorus, or musical tour is no small task. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to design, order, and distribute custom tour tees for high school music departments that look great, feel even better, and arrive on time.
As a high school music director, you juggle schedules, fundraisers, travel logistics, and the pressure to create memorable experiences for your students. One small but powerful piece of that puzzle? Custom tour tees that not only unify your group but serve as keepsakes that students (and parents) will treasure long after the curtain falls.
Table of Contents
Why Custom Tour Tees Matter for Music Programs
What to Include on Your High School Music Tour Shirt
Choosing the Right Shirt Style and Print Method
How to Design a Shirt That Students Will Actually Wear
Easy Online Ordering and Distribution Options
(VIDEO) Behind the Scenes: Custom Tour Tees for High School Music Departments
When to Start Your T-Shirt Fundraising
Let’s Get Started – March to the Beat of a Professional Tee Partner
Why Custom Tour Tees Matter for Music Programs
A Unifying Identity for Your Performers
Tour shirts visually unify your ensemble and help reinforce a sense of team pride. Whether your group is performing at a regional festival, marching in a parade, or touring colleges, custom tees make your group easy to spot and create a professional, cohesive image.
Commemorate an Experience
A well-designed tee becomes a memento of a once-in-a-lifetime trip or production. Many alumni still hold onto their high school tour shirts for decades as reminders of their performances, friends, and formative musical memories.
Easy Fundraising Tool
Selling extra shirts to families and supporters is a low-effort way to raise money for your program. We’ll cover pricing strategies and online store options later in this post.
What to Include on Your High School Music Tour Shirt
School Name and Ensemble Type
Be sure to identify your school and whether this is for the band, chorus, jazz ensemble, pit orchestra, or drama/musical cast.
Event or Tour Name
Include the name of the event or trip, such as “Spring Choral Tour 2025” or “Jazz Festival Circuit.”
Year and Dates
Add the year or specific tour dates to commemorate the time period.
Design Elements That Resonate
- Musical notes or instruments
- Stage curtains or drama masks
- State or country outlines if you’re traveling
- Custom student-designed artwork
Checklist of essential design elements for high school music department tour t-shirts
Choosing the Right Shirt Style and Print Method
Shirt Types That Work Best
- 100% Cotton Tees: Affordable, breathable, and classic.
- Cotton/Poly Blends: Slightly more durable, wrinkle-resistant, and soft.
- Performance Tees: Great for marching bands in hot climates.
Screen Printing vs. DTG “Direct To Garment”
- Screen Printing: Best for large orders (typically 24+), long-lasting, vibrant colors, cost-effective.
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG): Ideal for complex multi-color designs but less cost-efficient in bulk.
Pro Tip : Always order a mix of sizes (XS through 3XL if possible) and include a few extras for unexpected additions or sizing issues.
How to Design a Shirt That Students Will Actually Wear
Collaborate with Students
Let your music students submit ideas or vote on designs. This increases buy-in and guarantees the shirt won’t get buried in a drawer.
Keep It Modern and Clean
Avoid outdated fonts and overcrowded graphics. Use bold, readable typography and a clean layout.
Limit Colors for Budget
Keep the design to 1-3 print colors to stay on budget without sacrificing style.
Easy Online Ordering and Distribution Options
Set Up a Fundraising Store
Companies like AMBRO Manufacturing offer free custom online stores where students and families can purchase directly, helping you avoid collecting paper orders and cash.
Group Shipping vs. Individual Fulfillment
Choose whether all shirts ship to the school in bulk or go directly to each customer. Bulk shipping saves money; individual shipping saves sorting hassle.
Bonus Tip
Include optional spirit wear or matching hoodies for parents, boosters, or staff to increase fundraising potential.
(VIDEO) Behind the Scenes: Custom Tour Tees for High School Music Departments
Step into our production shop as we talk directly to the dedicated music educators behind high school bands, choirs, musicals, and concert ensembles. In this video, we break down how your department can elevate its next performance season with custom tour tees that unify your students, boost program visibility, and make lasting memories. See our factory in New Jersey where we produce high-quality, bulk-printed shirts that meet tight school timelines and exceed expectations, all tailored specifically for high school music programs like yours.
When to Start Your T-Shirt Fundraising
- Design Finalized: 6–8 weeks before your tour
- Order Open: 4–5 weeks before
- Deadline to Order: 3 weeks before
- Production/Delivery Window: 2 weeks
Starting early ensures fewer rush fees and better pricing.
See Also:
- How to Run a Successful T-Shirt Fundraiser for School Music Programs
- Top 10 Custom Merchandise Ideas for School Theater Departments
March to the Beat of a Professional Tee Partner
Ordering custom tour tees for high school music departments shouldn’t be a stressful side quest. With the right partner and some thoughtful planning, you can create shirts that make your students proud, boost your program’s visibility, and even raise funds.
Ready to get started? Contact AMBRO Manufacturing today to set up your free custom store or get a quote for your music department’s next big performance tour. You can also give us a call (908) 806-8337
