Start with the event date and the exact item list
Begin by fixing the date the order must be handed out, then work backwards from there. Whether it is for a sports day, a class trip, a fundraising event or house wear, the timeline matters because printing, drying, folding and bagging all take time. In Jeffreys Bay and the wider Kouga area, schools often need orders ready before a long weekend or before learners leave for fixtures in Gqeberha, so it helps to plan early.
Make one simple list with the items you need, the quantities, the colour of each garment and the sizes required. If the order includes hoodies, long sleeve tees or caps, note that too. A clear list saves time during quoting and reduces last minute changes.
- Event or handout date
- Garment type and colour
- Sizes needed per item
- Print position needed, such as front, back or sleeve
- School house, grade or team breakdown
Choose print placements that suit school wear
Most school orders use a front print for the logo or house name, with a back print for the event name, sponsor or team list. Hoodies often work best with a small chest print and a larger back print if the artwork is simple. If the garment will be worn often, keep the layout practical so it stays clear after repeated washing.
For younger learners, smaller prints can be easier to wear day to day. For older learners and staff, larger back prints work well for sports, camps and public events. We can also do neck label prints if you want a cleaner finish inside the garment and less irritation than a sewn label.
- Small chest print for school identity
- Large back print for event names or houses
- Sleeve print for year groups or sponsors
- Neck label print for a neater inner finish
Send artwork that prints cleanly
Clear artwork makes a big difference on school clothing. A simple school crest, house logo or event name usually prints better than a crowded design with thin lines. If the logo is old, blurred or saved from a photo, it may need cleanup before printing. That is part of a proper artwork setup and it helps avoid weak edges or uneven colour.
Try to send the logo in the best quality you have, together with the wording exactly as it must appear. Check spellings, dates and house names carefully before approving the artwork. One small error can mean a full reprint and no school wants that.
- Send the highest quality logo available
- Confirm school name, house names and slogans
- Check spelling on dates, grades and initials
- State the print colour clearly, especially for dark garments
Pick the right colours for school use
Colour choice is more than just taste. For school wear, the print must show up clearly on the garment colour and still look neat after washing. White print on navy or black is common, while dark print on light garments can also work well. If the school has strict colours for uniform day, match them closely so the order feels consistent.
Colour matching is especially useful for houses, teams and staff wear where the printed colour must stay consistent across repeat orders. Coastal humidity in Jeffreys Bay can also affect storage, so garments should be kept packed properly and not left open in damp rooms before distribution.
- Light print on dark garments for strong contrast
- Keep house colours consistent across all sizes
- Ask for a sample strike-off if the colour must be checked
- Store finished garments in a dry room before handout
Use a size collection system that reduces mistakes
The biggest school order problems often start with sizes. A simple size sheet works better than guessing. Ask learners or parents to mark the size needed for each garment, then have one staff member check the totals before the order is submitted. That extra step saves a lot of sorting later.
For younger grades, the school can group sizes by class or house. For older learners, it helps to collect individual orders with names attached. If the order is for staff or committee members, separate those sizes from learner stock to avoid mix ups.
- Use one size sheet for the whole school or house
- Collect names where individual allocation is needed
- Separate learner, staff and sponsor orders
- Double check totals before approving production
Plan for packing, handout and repeat orders
Once printing is done, the order still needs to be sorted properly. Folding and bagging makes distribution easier, especially when a school is handing out several hundred items. Bulk packing can also be arranged for class packs, house packs or team packs so the office or sports department can issue them quickly.
It is worth keeping a record of what was ordered. Schools that repeat the same shirt or hoodie later in the year save time when the previous sizes, colours and print positions are on file. That helps with extra learner orders, late staff additions and replacement garments after events.
- Ask for folded and bagged garments where needed
- Separate packs by class, house or team
- Keep a record of previous orders for repeat runs
- Leave a little buffer time for urgent changes or extra sizes
A simple checklist before you submit the school order
Before sending the order through, go through the details one more time. This is the point where most delays can be avoided. A clean checklist makes it easier for our team to quote accurately and keep the job moving from artwork to print to finishing.
If the school is ordering from Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis, Oyster Bay, Kareedouw or Gqeberha, the same rules apply. Clear information upfront means less back and forth later, and that is good for busy school offices and sports coordinators alike.
- Have you confirmed the handout date?
- Are all sizes counted and checked?
- Is the artwork correct and approved?
- Have you chosen the garment colours?
- Do you need folding, bagging or bulk packing?
