Class shirts vs. year group shirts vs. teacher shirts
Schools produce different shirt occasions. Quick overview:
- Class shirts: 20-32 pieces. One class, one motto, often with all first names on the back. A classic in the transition from middle school to upper school.
- Year group shirts: 80-200 pieces. Entire year cohort. Common before graduation — see graduation shirts.
- Teacher shirts: 30-60 pieces. Staff room or department teams. Frequently for sports days, school trips or anniversaries.
Quantity rule: from 50 pieces upwards screen printing makes sense with a clear unit price advantage. Below 50 pieces, digital print or DTF is the right choice.
Lead time — 4-6 weeks before the target date
A realistic schedule:
- Week 1: Communication in the class/year group. Choose motto and slogan. Create online list.
- Week 2: Collect sizes and payments. Reminder run for stragglers.
- Week 3: Approve order, mock-up review with us.
- Week 4-5: Production (5-10 working days depending on method).
- Week 6: Shipping 1-3 working days. Distribution at school.
If you want to make it to a summer school fete, plan backwards from the date and add a 1 week buffer.
Organising the bulk order
The biggest hurdle is not the print — it is the logistics in the class chat. A proven approach:
Online list with required fields:
- Name (first and last)
- Size (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL — best with description "like a hoodie I love wearing")
- Cut (women/men/unisex)
- Colour if you offer 2-3 options
- Special text on the back (nickname?)
Tools: Google Forms, Doodle or a simple spreadsheet in the class cloud. Advantage: you see who is still missing.
Payment processing: Set up a collection account. Each hoodie costs about 25-45 euros. Collector takes the money, transfers the total amount to us. No-one likes collecting coins.
Deadline: Set a hard deadline for the class. Whoever does not register by then can reorder — but at express conditions.
Printing methods — what fits when?
Screen printing from 50 pieces: Brilliant colours, lasts 100+ washes. Perfect for clear logos, year mottos, single-colour slogans. Unit price drops significantly with higher quantities.
Digital print (DTG) from 1 piece: Photo quality, gradients, any colour. Good for class shirts with group photo or gradient motif.
DTF for functional fabrics: Brilliant prints on any material, good for blended or polyester hoodies.
Embroidery for teacher shirts with school logo: Very premium, but more expensive per piece. Pays off for small, exact logos.
Brands — what belongs on a school hoodie?
- Fruit of the Loom: Classic, affordable (12-18 euros plain), uncomplicated. Often the first choice for student hoodies.
- B&C: A little higher quality, heavier fabrics, better appearance. Unit price 18-25 euros.
- Stanley/Stella: Organic cotton, GOTS certified. Slightly more expensive (25-32 euros plain), but excellent quality.
- Hakro: More workwear oriented, suitable for teacher polos and functional shirts.
The choice depends on the per-piece budget. Tip: rather choose B&C — the hoodie will be worn for several years, the small extra cost pays off.
Pitfalls — and how to avoid them
Pitfall 1: Sizes are guessed. Tell people explicitly: "Your favourite hoodie is size X, so order size X." Don't let them guess.
Pitfall 2: Teacher wants to join, but has a different size. Plan teachers in early.
Pitfall 3: Slogan not approved by school management. If the school emblem or name is on it, get a quick sign-off. Avoids recall situations.
Pitfall 4: Typos in the print. Mock-up approval with two pairs of eyes. Cross-check the year group name list twice.
Pitfall 5: Money missing at the end. One person collects, one checks, one transfers. Four eyes — no cash.
Use case — graduation hoodie 2026, 142 pieces
A year 12 cohort plans graduation hoodies. Motto: "Class of 2026 — We're out". Chest: small school logo. Back: large motto plus list of all 142 first names. Brand: B&C in anthracite. Method: screen printing (5 colours). Finished unit price: 32 euros. Total: 4,544 euros. Delivery 5 weeks before graduation ball. Result: cohort wears the hoodies right into university.
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