Back-to-School Merch Beyond Leavers
When you think of back-to-school orders, leavers hoodies often come to mind first. But the school market has much more potential. From PE kits to club merchandise, personalised accessories, and staffwear, there’s a wide range of products decorators can offer year-round.
Here’s how to expand your school orders beyond the leavers season.
Sports teams, house competitions, and PE classes are always in need of branded tops, shorts, and jackets.
Tips:
- Use durable, high-wash transfers that survive frequent activity
- Offer multiple sizes to cover students across all year groups
- Pre-set press recipes to speed up large orders
Sportswear orders can run throughout the academic year, giving decorators steady work.
Drama clubs, music bands, STEM teams, and other school groups love branded apparel.
Ideas:
- Hoodies, t-shirts, and caps with club logos
- Event-specific designs for performances or competitions
- Small accessory items like tote bags or water bottles
Custom merchandise adds value and allows schools to showcase pride in their programs.
Don’t forget the adults! Staff uniforms, volunteer tees, and even parent-teacher association merchandise are great for schools wanting a consistent look across the community.
Benefits:
- Strengthens school branding
- Opens opportunities for repeat orders
- Easy to upsell alongside student orders
Back-to-school isn’t just September. Schools run campaigns and events year-round.
Examples:
- Welcome packs for new students
- School open day merchandise
- Fundraising events and charity initiatives
Planning your production around the school calendar ensures you can take orders all year, not just during leavers season.
Efficiency is key for repeat business:
- Batch garments by size and colour
- Save press recipes for recurring designs
- Use threadable platens for hoodies and bags to speed up production
A smooth workflow helps you manage multiple orders without mistakes, keeping schools happy and coming back.
