The brief for a St Francis Bay waterside event
The client was a local event team in St Francis Bay running a one weekend programme with visitors, marshals and volunteers moving between the water edge, parking areas and check in points. They needed shirts that looked the same across all sizes, carried sponsor artwork clearly, and were comfortable enough for long shifts in the wind and sun.
The brief was practical from the start. The shirts had to work as commemorative event wear, but also as functional volunteer kit that could be spotted fast from a distance. We were asked for a clean front print, a stronger back print for sponsor visibility, and a simple system for sorting sizes before collection.
What had to be factored in before print day
St Francis weather can change quickly, so we planned for cool mornings, salt air and a bit of sand getting into everything. The client also needed the order handled without delays because event teams often collect at the last minute and there is not much room for rework once people are on site.
- Artwork needed to stay readable on light coloured tees
- Sponsor logos had to be consistent in scale across all sizes
- Volunteer shirts needed bolder print placement for easy identification
- The order had to be packed by size and role for quick hand out
- Stock had to suit both men and women without looking mismatched
We also checked the final print positions carefully so the neckline, sleeve and back placements sat properly on each garment. On event wear, a few millimetres can make a shirt feel off centre, and that is something you notice immediately when there are group photos and sponsor branding involved.
Screen printing setup and finishing details
We supplied screen printing across the event range, with one colour prints for the volunteer shirts and multi-colour work where the sponsor layout needed extra detail. The base shirts were chosen for daily comfort and easy wear in the Kouga climate, with sizes from small to 3XL so the whole team could be covered in one run.
Artwork setup was handled in house before the press run, and we prepared sample strike-offs to check the main logo size, spacing and contrast. Once approved, we moved into the full production run and then completed folding and bagging by size so the event team could sort stock quickly. That saved them time and reduced confusion at hand out.
- Screen printing on tees for event staff and volunteers
- Front chest print and stronger back print for sponsor visibility
- Artwork setup and colour matching for the approved event artwork
- Sample strike-offs before the main run
- Folding, bagging and bulk packing for easy distribution
Timeline from artwork check to packed collection
The job moved through a simple three week schedule. Week one covered artwork setup, sizing confirmation and strike-off approval. Week two was the main print run and drying. Week three was finishing, packing and collection coordination. That pace worked well because the client had enough time to sign off the layout without feeling rushed.
We kept the process clear at each step so there was no confusion around counts, sizes or placement. The client could see what was being done and we could adjust the pack plan before final collection. For event orders, that kind of planning is often the difference between smooth hand over and a long morning in the car park.
The result on event day and after the weekend
The finished shirts gave the event team a neat, consistent look and made sponsors visible without overpowering the garment. Volunteers were easy to identify from a distance, which helped with movement around the venue and with general crowd direction. The shirts also photographed well, which matters more than people think when the event has waterside backdrops and lots of informal pictures.
Feedback from the client was that the packing made collection simple and the shirts felt comfortable for all day wear. The order also suited repeat use, so a few pieces can still be kept for future events or admin duties after the main weekend. That is always useful when a local event runs more than once and wants a familiar look again next year.
What we would do again for a coastal event order
If we were repeating this job for another St Francis Bay event, we would use the same approach: confirm artwork early, test print the sponsor layout, and pack by role as well as size. For coastal events, that keeps the whole order practical and avoids last minute sorting once the shirts arrive on site. We would also keep the contrast high on the main print so it stays readable in bright sun and against beach side backgrounds.
This project showed how useful straightforward screen printing is for local events. With the right shirt choice, clean artwork setup and neat finishing, commemorative wear can still do a proper job for volunteers and sponsors alike. It was a tidy order from start to finish and the sort of job we handle often for towns across the Kouga region, from St Francis Bay through to Jeffreys Bay and Gqeberha.
Key facts
| Project | St Francis Event Tees |
|---|---|
| Client type | Local event team in St Francis Bay |
| Town | St Francis Bay, Kouga, Eastern Cape |
| Timeline | 3 weeks from artwork check to packed collection |
| Print method | Screen printing with one colour and multi-colour work |
| Packout | Folding, bagging and bulk packing by size and role |
