Every fundraiser shirt sale starts the same way: someone says "let's sell shirts!" Three weeks later, there are six boxes of mediums in a garage and a treasurer doing math nobody likes. It doesn't have to go that way. The groups that raise real money with custom shirts, whether it's a PTA, a booster club, a church youth group or a neighborhood nonprofit, follow the same simple playbook.
Step 1: Sell first, print second
The single biggest money saver is the pre-order model. Open a two to three week order window, collect sizes and payments, then place one print order with exact counts. No guessing, no leftover inventory, no cash tied up in shirts nobody asked for. We'll quote you for the final quantity once the window closes.
Step 2: Know your math before you set a price
Your profit is the sell price minus the per-shirt cost. Per-shirt cost drops as quantity goes up, so a bigger pre-order window really does raise your margin. Here's a simple way to think about it:
| Group size | Best method | Why | Typical approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 24 shirts | DTF transfers | No screen setup, full color | Keep it to one design and a simple price |
| 24 to 100 shirts | Screen printing or DTF | Setup cost starts to spread out | Limit ink colors to protect your margin |
| 100+ shirts | Screen printing | Lowest cost per shirt at volume | Offer hoodies as a higher priced add-on |
Step 3: Design for the crowd, not the committee
- One or two ink colors keeps the cost down and looks bold from across a field.
- Put the cause on the shirt. People buy because they care, so a clear name and year beats a busy graphic.
- Pick a shirt people will wear again. A soft tee gets worn to the grocery store, and that is free advertising for your next event.
Step 4: Make ordering painless
Use one shared form with size options and a hard deadline. List adult and youth sizes separately, and offer a size chart link. Add a small bump for 2XL and larger, which is standard and fair. A deadline that actually closes is what makes people click.
Step 5: Add a second product
Families who buy one shirt will often buy a hoodie, a tote or a hat. Offering two or three items lifts your total raised without adding much effort, since we print everything in the same run.
Your fundraiser timeline
- Week 1: Finalize the design and get a quote from us.
- Weeks 2 to 3: Open pre-orders and promote to families, members and friends.
- Week 4: Close orders, send us the final count and pay the deposit.
- Weeks 5 to 6: Production and pickup, ahead of your event or the holidays.
Planning for a holiday season drive? Start now. Fall slots fill quickly across Orange County.
Planning a fundraiser shirt sale in Orange County?
Tell us your group size and deadline and we'll help you set a price that actually raises money. Visit us at 11642 Knott Street Suite E-19, Garden Grove, or give us a call.
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