How to Make Back-to-School Merch Easy for Your Staff and PTO

Overwhelmed by School Merch Planning? You’re Not Alone.
Every summer, school teams and PTOs gear up for the same challenge—organizing back-to-school apparel and gear. From collecting sizes to managing payments to chasing down orders, what should be a fun team-building moment often turns into a logistical headache.

But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way.

The Common Merch Pitfalls (And Why They Drain Your Energy)
Let’s call it what it is: school merch planning can be chaos without the right support. You’ve probably seen it before:

• Mismatched spreadsheets and order forms

• Confusing payments through too many channels

• Delays on artwork or final designs

• Last-minute shipping stress before school starts

These stress points aren’t just frustrating—they drain time, stall enthusiasm, and affect how staff and parents experience the start of a new school year.

There Is an Easier Way—Here’s How Running Threads Helps
We’ve worked with school teams across the country who felt exactly this way. Our job? To make your merch rollout smooth, clear, and (yes) actually enjoyable.

Here’s how we do it:

✅ Online Pre-Order Store – We create a custom portal to collect shirt sizes and payments—no spreadsheets needed.
✅ Custom Screen Printing – High-quality, bulk-discounted apparel with sharp, lasting prints.
✅ Hands-On Consultation – We'll guide you through product picks, sizing tips, and timelines.
✅ Managed Logistics – From order tracking to delivery, we keep things running on schedule.

Meet “Jess from the PTO” – The Real MVP
Jess is a parent volunteer balancing work, kids, and a fast-approaching school year. She just wants to get staff tees and student gear ordered—without it becoming a second job.

She came to Running Threads in June. We helped her:

• Pick the perfect tri-blend tees and comfy hoodies

• Launch a staff ordering link in a few days

• Approve the final design with no back-and-forth

• Receive all orders, organized and labeled, in time for in-service week

Result: happy staff, proud parents, and Jess got her evenings back.

Start Early, Stress Less
We always suggest schools begin planning their fall merch in June or July. That gives time for design tweaks, proper sizing windows, and smooth delivery before school doors open.

Here’s a sample timeline:

• June: Pick styles, finalize designs

• July: Launch order link, promote to staff and families

• Early August: Printing and delivery

• Mid-August: Everyone’s geared up for the first day of school!

Let’s Make Your Merch Season a Win
If you’re tired of the chaos and ready for a better way, let’s talk. Our team is ready to guide you through every step, from shirts and hoodies to banners and beyond.

🎒 Start your quote today.
We’ll help you create a merch plan that’s organized, stylish, and 100% school-spirit approved.