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Nonprofits run on visibility, community, and trust. Custom apparel serves all three. A well-designed t-shirt turns every supporter into a walking billboard. Volunteer gear builds team identity and pride. Fundraising merch generates revenue while spreading your mission to people who have never heard of your organization.
The best part is that custom apparel has become more accessible and affordable than ever. You do not need massive budgets or huge minimums to create professional-quality gear that your community will actually want to wear.
Merchandise sales remain one of the most effective and straightforward fundraising strategies for nonprofits. Unlike bake sales or car washes, custom apparel generates ongoing visibility long after the sale.
A typical fundraising t-shirt program might look like this:
At just 100 shirts sold at $25 with a $10 cost, your organization nets $1,500. Scale that to multiple designs, seasonal campaigns, or an online store and the numbers get exciting fast.
Volunteers are the backbone of every nonprofit. Giving them quality custom gear is one of the simplest ways to show appreciation, build team cohesion, and make your events look organized and professional.
Custom apparel can elevate every type of nonprofit event.
Charity walks and fun runs practically require custom shirts. Performance-blend tees keep participants comfortable, and bold event graphics make great social media content.
Staff and volunteers at formal events benefit from embroidered polos or button-downs. The polished look matches the setting while still clearly identifying your team.
When your team is out in the community, whether doing park cleanups, food drives, or neighborhood canvassing, matching shirts create a professional, trustworthy appearance. Community members are more likely to engage with a coordinated group than individuals in street clothes.
If your nonprofit hosts conferences or retreats, custom apparel for attendees makes the experience feel curated and memorable. It also functions as organic marketing when attendees wear the shirt at home.
Nonprofit budgets are tight. Here is how to maximize your apparel dollars.
The single biggest cost driver in screen printing is the number of ink colors. A one-color print can cost half as much as a four-color print. Design with one or two colors and let the blank color do the work. A white logo on a navy tee looks just as professional as a full-color design.
You do not need the most premium blank on the market for every application. Gildan 5000 and Gildan 18000 (hoodie) are workhorses that look good, hold up well, and keep costs down. Save the Bella+Canvas and Comfort Colors blanks for your premium fundraising merchandise where the higher retail price justifies the blank cost.
Price per piece drops significantly at higher quantities. If you know you will need shirts for multiple events throughout the year, consolidate into one larger order instead of several small ones.
Offering sizes from Youth Small through 5XL sounds inclusive, but it spreads your quantity across many SKUs and can lead to excess inventory. Analyze your past orders or survey your audience. Most nonprofits find that Small through 2XL covers 90% or more of their needs.
Once your design is set up for printing, future orders using the same design have no new setup costs. Create a core logo design that works across multiple years and campaigns. You can always tweak the tagline or event date while keeping the main artwork.
The most successful nonprofit apparel programs are not one-off orders. They are ongoing strategies.
Establish 3 to 5 core items that are always available: a tee, a hoodie, a hat, and maybe a tote. These are your evergreen products sold through your website and at every event.
Layer in limited-edition designs for specific campaigns, events, and awareness months. These create urgency and give supporters a reason to buy again.
An online store lets you sell 24/7 without managing inventory. Work with a print partner who offers fulfillment services so orders are printed, packed, and shipped on your behalf. You set the price, and the margin goes straight to your mission.
Pay attention to which designs, blanks, and price points sell best. Double down on winners. If your $25 Comfort Colors tee outsells your $18 Gildan tee despite the higher price, that tells you your audience values quality and is willing to pay for it.
Custom apparel is one of the most powerful and accessible tools in a nonprofit's toolkit. It generates revenue, builds community, rewards volunteers, and spreads your mission far beyond your immediate network.
French Press Custom works with nonprofits, churches, schools, and community organizations across Southern California every day. We understand tight budgets, volunteer coordination, and the importance of getting it right. Our team will help you choose the right blanks, optimize your design for print, and deliver on time and on budget.
Request a free quote or call (562) 758-5110 to start your nonprofit apparel project.
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