Fundraiser, event and nonprofit tees: how to size and price the run
Whether it is a 5K, a booster club sale, a food bank volunteer day or a church camp, the shirt order follows the same rules. Here is how Battle Born Clothing sizes these runs, what the sponsor back costs, and the math at 48.
How many to order
| If you have | Order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A firm sign-up list with sizes | The list plus 5-10% in M, L and XL | Late sign-ups and swaps |
| An estimate from last year | Last year's count plus 10% | Events grow; a second run pays screens again |
| Pre-sales only | Exactly the pre-sold count, round up to a break | 48 is where screen print makes sense |
| Volunteer staff tees | Headcount plus 2-3 per size | Volunteers show up unannounced |
If you are at 40, go to 48. The extra eight shirts cost less than the jump in per-piece rate below the 48-piece screen print threshold, and you will use them.
The all-in math at 48
| Design | Each | Screens | Total | Per shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-color front, white shirt | $10.38 | $20 | $518.24 | $10.80 |
| 1-color front, dark shirt | $10.63 | $20 | $530.24 | $11.05 |
| 1-color front + 1-color sponsor back, white | $14.72 | $40 | $746.56 | $15.55 |
| 1-color front + 1-color sponsor back, dark | $15.22 | $40 | $770.56 | $16.05 |
A lighter PC54 or Gildan 64000 is quoted per job and comes in under the PC61. Quantities above 48 are quoted per job and the per-piece rate drops.
Sponsor backs and screen counts
Sponsor logos on the back are one screen if they are all printed in one ink color. Ask sponsors for a one-color version of their logo; most have one. Every additional ink color on the back is another $20 screen and a higher per-piece rate. A clean one-color sponsor back on a white shirt is the cheapest way to sell sponsorships: $4.34 per shirt and one screen.
Selling the shirts vs giving them away
- Giving away (volunteer tees, participant tees included in registration): no label concerns beyond the shirt's own.
- Selling adult shirts: price them at two to three times the all-in cost. A $10.80 shirt sells at $25 comfortably.
- Selling kids' sizes: decorated children's apparel sold in the US needs a CPSIA tracking label. Tell us; we add it. Read CPSIA tracking labels for decorated kids' apparel.
Youth sizes
The PC54Y is the youth cut of the PC54 and prints in the same run as adult shirts, so 30 adult plus 18 youth is one 48-piece job. The youth blank is quoted per job. Youth art is usually printed smaller; we scale it and show both on the proof.
Timeline for a dated event
28 days from proof approval, plus typically 1 to 5 business days of UPS Ground transit depending on your region. Start six weeks out, close sign-ups at five, approve the proof the day you see it. If you are inside that, read rush custom tees before you promise anyone a shirt.
Licensed marks and logos
School mascots, pro team marks and company logos belong to someone. Sponsors give you theirs on purpose, so that is fine. Anything else needs the owner's permission. Your event's own art is yours.
What to send
- Front art and the sponsor logos (one-color versions)
- Adult and youth size list
- Shirt and ink colors
- Whether shirts are sold or given away
- Event date and ship-to city
Questions
Can we add sponsors after the proof?
Yes until the screens are burned. After that, a new back screen is $20 and a new proof.
Do nonprofits get a discount?
Prices are the published schedule for everyone. The way to save is one ink color, a light shirt and 48 or more pieces.
Can you ship to the event address?
Yes, by UPS Ground to any state, typically 1 to 5 business days in transit. Give us the ship-to and the date the venue can receive boxes.