The Smart Order Checklist: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Custom Merchandise

As we transition from summer into fall, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead for your custom merchandise orders—whether you’re preparing for school events, corporate giveaways, fundraisers, or team shirts. Ordering custom t-shirts and apparel can feel tricky if you’re not fully prepared, but don’t worry—we’ve created a Smart Order Checklist to help you avoid the most common mistakes.

Follow these 5 tips to make sure your custom merchandise order is right the first time.

1. Forgetting to Double-Check Your Sizes

One of the most common mistakes when ordering custom t-shirts is not confirming sizes correctly. Guessing sizes or ordering without proper data often leads to mismatched orders and wasted money on reprints.

Pro Tip: Create a quick size collection form (Google Form, Excel sheet, or email survey) before placing your order. This ensures every participant gets the right fit.

2. Skipping Over Design Proofs

Never skip the design proof approval step. Reviewing proofs allows you to spot typos, color mismatches, or layout issues before printing begins.

Pro Tip: Ask your printer for both digital mockups and print proofs—and review them carefully with your team before signing off.

3. Choosing the Wrong Fabric

Fabric matters more than most people realize. Some materials don’t hold screen-printed designs well, while others affect comfort and durability.

 Pro Tip: Stick with proven fabrics like 100% cotton or cotton/poly blends for a balance of comfort and print quality. If you’re not sure, ask your printer which fabrics work best for your project.

4. Waiting Until the Last Minute

Rushed orders = rushed mistakes. Custom merchandise requires time for design prep, proofing, printing, and shipping. Ordering too late often results in stress—or worse, missed deadlines.

 Pro Tip: Place your order at least 2–3 weeks before your event to leave room for adjustments and guarantee on-time delivery.

5. Not Verifying the Details

Before you finalize your order, do one last detail check. Look over quantities, sizes, colors, artwork, and delivery dates. Fixing errors afterward is much harder and more expensive.

Pro Tip: Use a pre-order checklist and review it with your vendor before confirming.

Final Thoughts: Make Ordering Stress-Free

Ordering custom t-shirts and merchandise doesn’t have to be complicated. By following this Smart Order Checklist, you’ll avoid the most common pitfalls and ensure your order arrives exactly as expected.

Ready to get started? Fill out our custom quote form at Running Threads and let us help you create the perfect custom apparel for your next event.