Schools

Custom Printing for Schools & PTAs

Spirit wear, fundraiser apparel, uniforms, and event tees for K-12, colleges, and PTAs.

Schools and PTAs are some of the highest-volume buyers of custom apparel in the country. Between back-to-school spirit wear, sports team gear, club shirts, fundraiser drives, and graduation merch, a single school can place 10+ orders per year — often in quantities of 50 to 500 pieces at a time.

The right printer for a school job is fast, communicates well, and understands tight deadlines (back-to-school, homecoming, end-of-year). Most school orders use screen printing for big runs of t-shirts, embroidery for staff polos and varsity jackets, and DTG or DTF for one-off teacher gifts and personalized items.

Pricing matters because most schools are budget-constrained. Look for printers that offer education or non-profit pricing, no-minimum reorders, and simple online ordering portals (so different parents/coaches can place sub-orders against the same artwork without re-uploading every time).

Recommended Printers for Schools

Top-rated printers from our directory who specialize in services this industry uses.

i

imprint.com®

Houston, Texas

4.6·9183 reviews·Screen Printing, Custom Apparel
V

Viralstyle

Tampa, Florida

4.2·21434 reviews·Custom Apparel
S

Safari Sun

Altamonte Springs, Florida

5·3679 reviews·Screen Printing, DTG Printing
L

Las Vegas Logos & Embroidery

Las Vegas, Nevada

5·3650 reviews·Embroidery, DTF Printing
U

UNIQLO 5th Avenue

New York, New York

4.5·8430 reviews·Embroidery
I

InkPixi

Grove City, Pennsylvania

4.8·4232 reviews·Custom Apparel, Engraving

What Schools Order

  • School-branded t-shirts and hoodies
  • Spirit wear (game day, homecoming, school colors)
  • Class shirts (graduation, field day, prom)
  • Sports team jerseys and warm-ups
  • Staff polos and embroidered jackets
  • PTA fundraiser apparel
  • Tote bags and drawstring bags
  • Tumblers, water bottles, and stadium cups

Recommended Methods

  • Screen Printing
    Best per-piece price for runs of 24+ shirts in school colors with simple logos.
  • Embroidery
    Premium feel for staff polos, varsity jackets, and PE coach gear.
  • DTG / DTF
    Photo-quality and small batches — ideal for senior shirts, teacher gifts, and personalized items.

Typical Quantity

24–500 pieces per design

Pricing

Most school orders land in the $8–$15 per-shirt range. Schools and PTAs often qualify for non-profit discounts of 10–20% on top of bulk pricing — always ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should our school place a back-to-school order?
Get artwork approved and your order placed at least 4 weeks before you need the shirts in hand. Late June through early August is the busiest stretch for printers — turnaround quoted as 7–10 days in May can stretch to 3+ weeks in late July. The earlier you order, the more printers will accept your job.
Can a printer set up an online store for our school?
Many printers offer school stores or "pop-up shops" — a dedicated page where parents/students place individual orders against pre-approved artwork, paid online, then printed in one production run after the store closes. This is especially useful for athletic teams, band, and clubs where you want size flexibility without managing collection forms. Ask if they offer a school store program.
What's the cheapest way to print 100 school shirts?
For 100+ shirts in 1-2 colors, screen printing is unmatched on price — typically $5–$8 per piece on a basic Gildan/Hanes tee. If you want premium triblends, expect $10–$14. To save the most: keep the design to 1-2 colors, use a value-tier garment, and avoid full-back prints (a single chest or front print is cheaper than a 2-location print).
Do printers offer non-profit or PTA pricing?
Many do, but they don't always advertise it. When requesting quotes, mention you're a registered PTA, school district, or 501(c)(3) and ask about education pricing. A 10–20% discount is common, sometimes more on repeat orders. Some printers also waive setup fees on reorders.

Ready to get quotes?

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