Summer is fundraising season. Across the UK, parks fill up with charity fun runs, high streets host sponsored walks, and school fields turn into bustling summer fairs. A set of matching custom T-shirts does more than look good in the group photo — it builds a sense of team, makes your volunteers easy to spot, and gives every supporter a keepsake that keeps your cause visible long after the day is done.
If you've never organised event shirts before, the process can feel daunting. How many do you order? When? What goes on them? This guide walks you through it step by step, so your fundraiser runs smoothly from first idea to finished shirts.
Start with the goal, not the garment
Before you think about colours or slogans, get clear on what the shirts are for. A charity 5K team wants lightweight, comfortable tees they can actually run in. A summer fair committee wants something smart and recognisable for volunteers manning stalls. An awareness campaign might want a bold, eye-catching design in a specific colour that people will wear again and again.
Write down three things: who will wear the shirts, what they'll be doing in them, and what you want people to remember. Those answers shape every decision that follows — fabric, fit, print method and design.
Work backwards from your event date
The single biggest cause of fundraiser stress is leaving the order too late. Custom printing takes time: artwork setup, proofing, production and delivery all need to fit comfortably before your event.
As a rule of thumb, aim to confirm your order two to three weeks ahead for a standard run. If your design is complex, you need a large quantity, or you're ordering during the busy summer peak, give yourself a little more breathing room. Build in a buffer for collecting sizes and approving the proof — those steps often take longer than people expect because they depend on other people replying.
If you're already up against the clock, don't assume it's impossible. Get in touch early and ask what's realistic; a good supplier will tell you honestly what can be done rather than letting a deadline slip.
Nail down sizes early
Sizing trips up more group orders than anything else. Chasing thirty people for their T-shirt size the week before an event is a thankless job. Make it easy on yourself:
- Send a simple form or message asking for sizes well in advance, with a clear deadline.
- Share a size guide so people choose accurately — fits vary between garments.
- Order a small number of spares in the most popular middle sizes to cover late sign-ups and mistakes.
- For family events, remember you'll likely need children's sizes as well as adult fits.
Getting sizes locked down early means your order can go to print the moment your design is approved, rather than waiting on stragglers.
Design for impact and longevity
A great fundraiser shirt balances your charity's identity with a design people genuinely want to wear. A few principles help:
- Keep it bold and readable. Your cause or event name should be legible from a distance — useful on a crowded course or a busy field.
- Choose colours with contrast. Light text on a dark shirt (or vice versa) reads far better than tones that blend together.
- Leave room for sponsors. If local businesses are backing your event, the back and sleeves are perfect for thanking them without cluttering the front.
- Think beyond the day. A design that isn't overloaded with one-off details will be worn again, keeping your charity in front of people for months.
If you only have a logo or a rough sketch, that's fine. A printer with an in-house artwork team can turn your idea into clean, print-ready files — at CentralCustom this setup help comes as standard, so you don't need design software or experience to end up with a professional result.
Choose the right print method for your run
The two methods you'll most often choose between are screen printing and DTF (direct-to-film) transfer, and the right one depends on your design and quantity.
Screen printing is the workhorse for larger orders with simple, one or two-colour designs. The set-up makes it brilliant value at volume, with hard-wearing prints that survive repeated washing — ideal for a big fun run team all in the same two-colour design. Our custom screen printing service is built exactly for runs like these.
DTF transfers come into their own for detailed or full-colour artwork, photographs, or smaller quantities where screen set-up isn't economical. The finish is crisp and vibrant with no extra cost for more colours. Not sure which suits you? Send your design over and ask — the answer usually becomes obvious once a printer sees the artwork and the numbers.
Budget realistically — and let the cause sell itself
When you're fundraising, the shirts shouldn't eat the donations. A few ways to keep costs sensible:
- Order in one batch. Splitting an order into two runs usually costs more than ordering everything together.
- Keep colours efficient. For screen printing, fewer ink colours and fewer print positions keep the price down.
- Use low minimums to your advantage. You don't have to over-order; choose a supplier whose minimums match your group size so you're not paying for shirts you won't use.
- Consider selling them. Many groups offer event shirts to supporters for a small donation above cost, turning the kit into a fundraiser in its own right.
A practical pricing comparison across garments and quantities is worth asking for up front, so there are no surprises when the invoice lands.
Bring it all together on the day
Once your shirts arrive, do a quick count and check the print against your approved proof straight away — well before the event, not on the morning of it. Hand them out in advance where you can, so everyone turns up already kitted. Then enjoy the moment: a sea of matching shirts crossing a finish line or staffing a summer fair is a genuine morale boost, and a brilliant advert for your cause.
Frequently asked questions
How many spare T-shirts should we order?
A handful of spares in popular middle sizes is sensible — enough to cover last-minute sign-ups and the occasional sizing swap, without over-committing your budget.
Can we put local sponsors on the shirts?
Yes. The back and sleeves are ideal for sponsor logos, letting you thank supporters while keeping your main message clear on the front.
What if we don't have a designer?
You don't need one. Share a logo, photo or sketch and an in-house artwork team can build print-ready files for you. Explore our custom charity and fundraising T-shirts to see what's possible, or browse the wider promotional and event range.
Is there a minimum order?
Minimums vary by supplier and garment, but low minimums mean small community groups can order comfortably. Always check before you commit so you only pay for what you need.
Ready to organise shirts for your charity fun run or summer fundraiser? Request a free quote from CentralCustom and we'll help you choose the right garment, print method and timeline for your event.
