Customized Tee Shirts for School Fundraisers: How to Make Yours a Success (Even If You’re Overwhelmed)

Feeling Overwhelmed? Here’s Why Customized Tee Shirts Are the Easiest Fundraiser for Busy Teachers

If you’re a school teacher trying to launch a fundraiser and feeling completely overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Whether you’re organizing it solo or with minimal help, the pressure to raise money fast can be intense. One of the easiest, most effective ways to raise funds for your school or club is through customized tee shirts for school fundraisers.

It’s quick to set up, low-risk, and generates real school spirit. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, even if you’ve never ordered a custom shirt or run a fundraiser before.

Why Customized Tee Shirts Work So Well for School Fundraisers

Customized shirts are more than just apparel, they become school pride, walking billboards, and keepsakes.

Built-In Demand

Every school has students, parents, staff, and alumni who love to show their support. A cool, limited-edition shirt taps into that pride instantly.

Low Startup Cost

Most companies let you start with no upfront cost. Some even run the sale for you and send you a check.

Easy to Customize

You can create a shirt for any group — drama club, marching band, field trips, senior week, sports teams, and more.

High-Profit Margins

Schools typically make $7 to $12 profit per shirt, depending on how it’s priced and sold.

Step-by-Step: How to Launch a Tee Shirt Fundraiser (Fast and Easy)

This section is for you if you’re asking, “Where do I even start?”

Step 1: Pick a Theme or Cause

Think about the event or purpose. Is it for your music program? A field trip? Senior class? Graduation? Teachers? Make the shirt relevant.

Step 2: Get Design Help

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a designer. Good vendors will help you create a design for free or offer templates. You just explain the idea (mascot, school colors, inside joke, event name), and they handle the rest.

Step 3: Choose a Fundraising Model

There are two simple options:

• Pre-sale model: Collect orders and money up front, then print only what’s needed.

• Online store model: Let a vendor set up a free web store, and they handle the payments, printing, and shipping.

Tip: If you’re strapped for time, the online store option is your best friend.

Step 4: Pick the Right Vendor

This is where things can go wrong, or really right. Look for a company that:

• Specializes in school fundraising

• Has a friendly, accessible support team

• Offers free design help

• Can create an online store for you

• Provides quick turnaround

See also: Team Blanket Fundraiser

Step 5: Promote the Shirt

Here’s the good news, you don’t need a marketing degree. Promote your fundraiser using:

• School email newsletters

• Printed flyers

• Social media posts (Facebook groups are powerful!)

• Morning announcements

• QR codes linking to your order form or online store

What to Put on a School Fundraiser Shirt (Even If You’re Not Creative)

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create something kids and parents will love. Here are simple, proven ideas:

Popular Tee Shirt Design Ideas for Schools

• “Class of [Year]” with student names

• Mascot in a superhero pose

• “I Survived 8th Grade Math”

• Retro school logos or vintage fonts

• Event-specific (Field Day, Prom, Homecoming)

• Funny quotes like “Straight Outta Homeroom”

How Much Can You Raise Selling Customized Tee Shirts?

A single fundraiser can bring in hundreds to thousands of dollars with minimal effort.

Sample Fundraising Profit Example:

• You sell 100 shirts at $20 each

• Your cost is $9 per shirt

• You profit $11 per shirt = $1,100 raised

Multiply that by multiple events or groups, and your shirt fundraiser could become a go-to solution every semester.

What Teachers Like You Say About Using Shirts for Fundraising

“I was so nervous to start a fundraiser, I had no idea what I was doing. But the company helped with the design, set up the store, and made it super simple. We raised over $900 for our 7th-grade trip and the shirts looked amazing!”
– Rebecca M., 8th Grade Teacher, Illinois

Fundraiser in 5 Steps

Common School Fundraising Mistakes to Avoid

Even though this is simple, avoid these common errors:

❌ Waiting too long to start

Give yourself at least 2-3 weeks before the event to get shirts printed and delivered.

❌ Overordering

Don’t guess shirt quantities. Always collect orders first or use a pre-sale model.

❌ Choosing a company that doesn’t help

You don’t need to do it all yourself. Pick a vendor that specializes in helping schools. (Like Us!)

❌ Picking a product that nobody wants

Don’t pick something that can’t be universally appreciated by everyone in your target audience.

Better Than a T-Shirt: The Blanket That Becomes a Parka

Did you want something more elevated than a T-Shirt?  If you’ve been secretly hoping someone would just hand you a winning fundraiser idea that practically runs itself, this is it.

Meet the 2-in-1 weather-resistant blanket parka, a unique and practical product that’s changing the game for school fundraisers. It’s warm, wearable, and wildly popular, especially with parents and students who want spirit wear that actually gets used.

Here’s why this product is a teacher’s dream:

• Dual Purpose = Double the Value
  It’s not just a fleece blanket. It transforms into a hooded parka with snap closures and a built-in pocket system. People love the versatility, especially for chilly football games, band competitions, bus duty, or just staying warm at home.

• Easy to Sell (and People Actually Want It)
  This isn’t a candle or cookie dough that gets tossed aside. It’s stylish, useful, and makes a perfect gift for parents, grandparents, and fans. The fact that it’s weather-resistant and turns into a coat makes it feel high-end and worth the price.

• Great for All Seasons
  Fundraisers typically slow down after the fall, but not with this product. It sells well all winter long and makes a great gift leading up to the holidays or graduation season.

• Huge Fundraising Potential
  Because of its perceived value, schools can comfortably price this product for a strong profit margin while still offering buyers something truly worthwhile. Teachers report raising more money with fewer sales because of the higher price point and real demand.

This is a rare kind of school fundraiser, one that feels easy, profitable, and actually appreciated by the people who buy it. If you’re stretched thin and need something that delivers real results without draining your time or sanity, the blanket-parka combo is exactly the right call.

Related Fundraising Resource:

See also: Oversized Sherpa Wearable Blanket Hoodie

Final Tips from the Pros

• Keep the design fun and wearable,  not just a school logo slapped on a tee.

• Price shirts for value ($18–$22) so you still make profit but parents aren’t scared off.

• Give a firm deadline and stick to it, urgency boosts sales.

• Offer incentives: “Top 3 sellers win a prize” or “Class with most sales gets a pizza party.”

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

As a teacher, your plate is already full. That’s why our team is here to make school fundraising stress-free. We’ll help you design your shirts, set up a free store, and walk you through every step, so you can focus on what really matters.

Ready to launch your custom tee shirt fundraiser?

 Give us a call today (908) 409-1591 and speak directly with our knowledgeable team, or you can use our convenient contact form and we’ll call you!