How to Plan Custom Shirts for Your Event (Without the Stress)
Share
Whether it's a family reunion, charity run, church event, or company outing, custom shirts make it memorable. Planning custom event shirts doesn't have to be stressful -- with the right approach and a reliable print partner, you can get high-quality DTF transfers applied to your group's shirts and have everyone looking great on the big day. Here's how to plan your order so everything goes smoothly.
New customer? Use code WELCOME10 at checkout for 10% off your first order of custom DTF transfers, gang sheets, or rush services. Start planning your event shirts today and save!
Planning Timeline: When to Start Your Event Shirt Order
Timing is everything when ordering custom shirts for a group. The earlier you start, the more options you have and the less you'll pay. Here's a week-by-week breakdown to keep your project on track:
| Timeline | Task | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Weeks Out | Set budget, choose event theme, begin headcount | Use a shared spreadsheet or Google Form to collect names and sizes early |
| 6 Weeks Out | Finalize design concepts, request quotes from your printer | Share 2-3 design options with your group and vote -- don't leave this open-ended |
| 4 Weeks Out | Approve design proof, confirm sizes, place order | Lock in your size deadline -- anyone who misses it gets a default Large |
| 2 Weeks Out | Production in progress, plan distribution logistics | Decide pickup vs. shipping. For large groups, assign a distribution lead |
| 1 Week Out | Receive and inspect shirts, sort by name/size, pack for event | Bag each shirt with a name tag to make day-of distribution fast |
6+ Weeks Out: Ideal
Plenty of time for design, revisions, and production. No rush fees. No stress.
3-4 Weeks Out: Comfortable
Still good. Enough time for one round of revisions and standard production.
1-2 Weeks Out: Tight
Doable, but you'll need to make decisions quickly. Rush fees may apply. If you're in this window, check out our rush service options to see what's possible.
Less Than 1 Week: Emergency
Same-day rush available for local pickup. Contact us immediately.
Pro tip: Start earlier than you think you need to. Getting 30 people to agree on a design takes longer than expected.
Gather Your Information First
Before you contact a printer, have these answers ready:
How many shirts?
Get a headcount. Add 5-10% buffer for last-minute additions or sizing mistakes.
What sizes?
Collect sizes from everyone. Use a Google Form or group text. Don't guess.
What's your budget?
Know your per-shirt budget. This helps determine shirt quality and print options. For a detailed breakdown of what things cost, read our complete DTF pricing guide.
When do you need them?
Actual event date AND when you need them in hand (for distribution, mailing, etc.)
Do you have a design?
If yes, great. If no, do you have ideas, logos, or text you want included?
Choosing Your Shirt Style
Basic Tee (Gildan Heavy Cotton)
Affordable, durable, available in tons of colors. Great for large groups and casual events.
Price range: $25-30 with print
Soft Style (Gildan Softstyle)
Softer, more comfortable, slightly fitted. Better for gifts or when comfort matters.
Price range: $32-38 with print
Performance/Moisture-Wicking
For athletic events, outdoor activities, or hot weather. Keeps people cool.
Price range: $35-45 with print
Hoodies & Long Sleeves
Fall/winter events, overnight trips, or when you want something more substantial.
Price range: $50-65 with print
No matter which style you choose, our DTF transfer process produces vibrant, durable prints that won't crack, peel, or fade after washing. Learn more in our DTF Printing 101 beginner's guide.
Design Tips for Event Shirts
Keep it simple
The best event shirts have a clear, readable design. Don't try to cram everything on there. For common pitfalls to watch out for, see our guide on the top 10 DTF design mistakes and how to avoid them.
Include the essentials
- Event name
- Date
- Location (city/state)
- Any sponsors or organization names
Consider the back
Front: Event logo/name (smaller)
Back: Full design, participant names, sponsors, etc.
Choose colors wisely
Light shirts show dirt at outdoor events. Dark shirts get hot in summer sun. Think about where people will wear them.
Get group input early
Share 2-3 design options and vote. Endless revision cycles kill timelines.
Collecting Sizes
The hardest part of event shirts isn't the printing -- it's getting everyone's sizes. Here's what works:
- Use a form - Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or even a shared spreadsheet
- Set a deadline - And stick to it. "If we don't have your size by Friday, you get a Large."
- Offer size chart - People don't always know their size. Provide measurements.
- Order extras - A few extra M, L, XL for mistakes or last-minute additions
Pricing Breakdown
Per-shirt cost includes:
- Blank shirt
- Printing (front)
- Basic design setup
Additional costs:
- Back printing: +$8-12
- Sleeve printing: +$9
- Design help: +$15
- Rush service: +$25/item
Volume discounts kick in at:
- 12+ pieces
- 25+ pieces
- 50+ pieces
For larger groups, gang sheets are the most cost-effective way to print multiple designs or sizes on a single sheet, which brings your per-transfer cost down significantly. Curious whether gang sheets or individual transfers are right for your order? Read our comparison: Gang Sheets vs. Individual Transfers.
Order Process
- Contact us with your event details
- Review quote and confirm quantities/sizes
- Approve design proof (we'll send a mockup)
- Pay deposit (50% for large orders)
- Production (3-5 business days standard)
- Pickup or delivery
Popular Event Types We Print For
Over the years, we've helped hundreds of groups across eastern North Carolina get their custom shirts ready for every occasion imaginable. Here are some of the most popular event types we work with:
Family Reunions
Matching family shirts are a reunion tradition. We see everything from simple surname-and-year designs to elaborate family tree graphics with every member's name. Popular styles include coordinated colors for different branches of the family.
Church Groups & VBS Programs
Vacation Bible School, youth group retreats, mission trips, and choir events. Churches often order in bulk, and our gang sheet pricing helps stretch ministry budgets further.
Sports Teams & Leagues
From youth baseball to adult rec leagues, we print jerseys, practice shirts, and tournament tees. DTF transfers are perfect for sports because they hold up through sweat, washing, and hard use.
Military Units & Veterans Groups
We're located near Camp Lejeune and Fort Liberty, so we know military culture. Unit shirts, deployment reunion tees, and veteran organization apparel are some of our most popular orders. Check out our dedicated guide: DTF Gang Sheets for Military Units.
Birthday Parties & Milestone Celebrations
Sweet 16s, quinceañeras, 50th birthdays, retirement parties -- custom shirts turn any milestone into a keepsake everyone takes home.
Charity Walks, Runs, & Fundraisers
Custom race-day shirts create team identity and build excitement. Moisture-wicking options are available for athletic events where comfort matters.
Company Outings & Team Building
Corporate picnics, department retreats, and holiday parties. Custom shirts boost team spirit and make great photos for the company newsletter.
Wedding Parties & Bachelorette Weekends
Bridesmaid proposal shirts, "bride tribe" tees, and rehearsal dinner outfits. These are great gift items that the wedding party keeps wearing long after the big day.
Why DTF Transfers Are Perfect for Event Shirts
If you're ordering custom shirts for a group, DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers offer several advantages over traditional screen printing:
- No minimum order -- whether you need 5 shirts or 500, the per-piece cost stays reasonable
- Full color at no extra cost -- your design can include photos, gradients, and unlimited colors
- Works on any fabric color -- dark shirts, light shirts, even performance fabrics
- Durable and washable -- prints stay vibrant through dozens of wash cycles without cracking
- Fast turnaround -- no screen setup means we can produce your order faster than traditional methods
Want the full rundown on the technology? Read our DTF Printing 101 guide for everything you need to know.
Order Gang Sheets for Your Group
Local Events We Love Printing For
- Family reunions throughout Onslow County
- Church groups and VBS programs
- Youth sports teams and leagues
- School events and field days
- Charity walks and runs
- Company picnics and team building
- Birthday parties and milestone celebrations
- Wedding parties and bachelorette weekends
Ready to Start Planning Your Event Shirts?
Don't wait until the last minute. The earlier you start planning your custom event shirts, the more options you'll have and the less stress you'll feel. Whether you need 10 shirts for a birthday party or 200 for a family reunion, we're here to help you every step of the way.
Request a quote | Browse services | Contact us
Local to Jacksonville, NC? Stop by and let's talk about your event. We love helping people create something their group will be proud to wear.