Start With The Job Count And Wear Plan
Before you ask for a quote, count how many shirts you need and how they will be worn. A one week youth camp has different needs to a weekend outreach, and that affects fabric choice, print size and budget. If the shirts must handle daily wear, washing and dusty sports fields, say so upfront.
It also helps to decide whether the shirts are for leaders only, all campers, or a mixed order with different sizes for boys, girls and adults. In the Kouga area we often see camps where the final count changes by a few pieces after registration closes, so plan a small buffer if possible.
- Total quantity needed, plus 5 to 10 extra if late names are still coming in
- Who will wear them: campers, leaders, volunteers, or all three
- When the shirts must be ready for collection or delivery
- Whether they must work for sports, chapel, travel or evening events
Choose The Right Shirt For Heat, Dust And Washing
Camp shirts in our part of the Eastern Cape need to cope with warm days, sea air and frequent washing. Cotton is comfortable and good for casual camp wear, while a cotton-rich blend often keeps its shape better after repeated use. If the camp is outdoors and active, ask for a fabric that breathes well and does not feel heavy after a long day.
Think about the colour too. Light colours are cooler in the sun, but they show stains faster. Darker colours hide marks better, though they can run hotter at midday. For schools and youth groups near the coast, this matters when shirts are worn for transport, games and evening fire-light sessions.
- Lightweight shirts for hot summer camps
- Heavier shirts for winter camps or outdoor duty
- Short sleeves for general wear, long sleeves if sun protection is needed
- Colours that suit the group and stay presentable after repeated washing
Get The Artwork Ready Before Printing Starts
Good artwork saves time and avoids costly changes. If you already have a logo, send the cleanest file you can find. If the design includes a camp name, year and theme, check the spelling carefully. A small typo on 80 shirts is a headache nobody wants.
Screen printing works best when the artwork is clear and the number of colours is decided early. One-colour prints are often the most cost-effective for large camp runs, while multi-colour prints suit more detailed logos. If you want a back print, sleeve print or neck label print, mention it before the quote is finalised.
- Send the logo in a clear format, not a blurry photo
- Confirm spelling for camp names, dates and scripture references
- Say where each print should go: chest, back, sleeve or neck
- Tell us if you need colour matching to an existing school or club shade
For a youth camp in St Francis Bay, for example, the group may want a small front logo, a large back print and a simple sleeve mark for team leaders. That sort of setup is straightforward when it is planned early.
Check Sizes Before You Commit
Sizes are where most camp orders go wrong. Do not guess. Get a size list from the group, or do a fitting day if the order is large. Youth and adult sizing can vary more than people expect, and a camp shirt that is too small gets left in a bag instead of being worn.
When you collect sizes, ask each person to choose one size only and keep the list neat. If there are mixed body types in the group, add a few spares in the most common sizes. This is especially useful when the camp includes school teams, youth leaders and visiting speakers.
- Exact size count by small, medium, large and up
- Separate counts for ladies, mens and youth fits if needed
- A few spare shirts in common sizes for late changes
- Clear labelling if different groups need different colours
One useful habit is to have the organiser sign off the final size sheet before printing starts. It keeps the order tidy and reduces arguments later on.
Ask How The Shirts Will Be Packed
If you are collecting shirts for a camp, packing matters almost as much as printing. Folding and bagging by size can save hours on delivery day, especially when volunteers are handing out shirts to a long list of names. Bulk packing works well for one group, while sorted packs suit mixed camps with leaders and attendees.
Tell us whether the shirts should be packed by size, by team, or by person. If the camp is moving between venues in Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay or Gqeberha, tidy packing makes loading and distribution much easier. It also helps when you are trying to keep orders separate for different schools or church groups.
- Bulk packed by size for fast distribution
- Individually folded and bagged for named campers
- Separate packs for leaders, teams or houses
- Clear marking for different colours or print versions
Build In Time For Sample Checks And Repeats
If the order is important, ask for a sample strike-off before the full run begins. It gives you a chance to check print position, colour and size on the actual shirt type. That is useful when the camp wants a fresh look for a yearly event, or when the shirt will be used again by future groups.
Repeat order support is also worth thinking about. Many camps and youth groups reorder the same shirt each year with only a date change. Keep the artwork, sizing pattern and colour notes on file so the next order is faster. In a busy season, that can make a real difference.
Brand-On Screen Printing works with camp organisers, schools and clubs across Jeffreys Bay, Kouga, Humansdorp, Cape St Francis, Oyster Bay, Kareedouw and Gqeberha. Based in the Jeffreys Bay industrial area, our team handles artwork setup, colour matching, screen printing and finishing so the order is ready for issue, not just printed and left in a box.
