| If you're planning a reunion (or any event) for the | | | | to determine what they want? |
| coming year, there are a million decisions to make. | | | | A rule of thumb in ordering for a group is to plan |
| One important decision is what you will provide for a | | | | (there's that word again) in plenty of time to obtain |
| keepsake item. The goal is to make the reunion a | | | | information for decision making. It's important to |
| fun, relaxed, carefree time, (with high attendance and | | | | know as far ahead as possible how many people will |
| participation) enjoyed by all. Making keepsake items | | | | want t-shirts, how many and what sizes for each |
| as meaningful and personal as possible can be a | | | | person, including any children (teens, youth and |
| motivator for participation so it's important to give | | | | infants) that might be participating in your event. |
| attendees something that is stylish, functional and | | | | Sending out surveys or order forms early in the |
| affordable. | | | | process, will give you hard numbers that make it |
| Custom printed reunion t-shirts and caps are popular | | | | easier to determine what is needed and allows you |
| choices for keepsakes because they are all of the | | | | to take advantage of quantity discounts. It also |
| above. When ordering for a large group, it's important | | | | keeps you from being left with a large number of |
| to keep costs down while obtaining quality | | | | shirts after the reunion is over or worse, not having |
| merchandise and planning is the key to success. | | | | enough for all attendees. You can order a few extras |
| It doesn't take much imagination to think of issues | | | | for any unplanned guests that may show up at the |
| that can occur when ordering custom t-shirts for a | | | | last minute. But at least you won't order 200 shirts |
| large group. Talk to any reunion planner and they will | | | | and be left with 100 or vice versa. |
| probably agree that ordering shirts for a large group | | | | Production costs include the base price of the item |
| can be a challenge. I'm sure that if you talked to | | | | (the shirt), the cost to set up equipment, run charges |
| enough planners, you would hear stories about | | | | and art charges. |
| misspelled names printed on shirts, or ones where | | | | Set up charges are the costs associated with setting |
| planners didn't order enough shirts to go around. You | | | | up equipment to print artwork onto your shirts or |
| could hear even more about planners who waited | | | | other items. There is usually a set up charge |
| until the last minute to order, who pulled their hair out | | | | associated with each color and each location in your |
| trying to find a "fast" printing service with overnight | | | | imprint. That's because as part of the printing |
| delivery. | | | | process, multiple colored designs have to be |
| Each group has their own way of selecting and | | | | separated into four colors (CMYK) Cyan, Magenta, |
| distributing these items to members. The most | | | | Yellow, and Key (Black). You're charged for the |
| important message is to plan as early as possible and | | | | resources needed to set each of those colors. This |
| look at more than one factor (not only price) in | | | | process also has to happen for each location in your |
| selecting shirts for your group. Here are some tips; | | | | imprint. In selecting a shirt, look at the set up charge |
| especially if you're new to reunion planning, that might | | | | for printing your items, the number of locations you |
| save you both money and headaches. | | | | want for your imprint and the number of colors in |
| When looking at t-shirts, first consider your group | | | | your imprint (up to four) and start adding. The cost |
| and your budget. What does your group like, in terms | | | | for multiple color, multiple location imprints can add up |
| of style, quality, colors, etc? How much can you | | | | really fast. |
| afford to spend per shirt? Check catalogs and online | | | | To save on printing production costs, you might |
| for shirts that you think will fit your needs. | | | | consider having a one color imprint or reduce the |
| When looking at shirts, consider fabric weight, colors | | | | colors to fewer than four. You might also consider |
| and sizes available, delivery charges, quantity | | | | having your imprint in one location. |
| discounts, production costs (which includes artwork | | | | Artwork can be your own design, as simple as your |
| costs) and the base price. | | | | reunion name and date to a complex graphic design, |
| Fabric weight. The weight provides an indication of | | | | logo, family crest or emblem. Most printing companies |
| the number of ounces per yard of material. For | | | | will have stock designs or graphic design services |
| example, you may see a 5.4 oz. 100% cotton shirt. | | | | available, from supplying basic lettering to full service |
| That means that the shirt provides 5.4 ounces per | | | | design. If you have an artistic person in your group, |
| yard of fabric and will be a lighter material than a shirt | | | | solicit their services or have a logo contest and select |
| that's say 6.1 ounces. The 5.4 oz shirt will be a good | | | | judges from your group to determine which design |
| quality, middle weight shirt that works well in hotter | | | | to use. Another option would be to hire your own |
| temperatures. The 6.1 ounce shirt is considered a | | | | graphic designer. |
| premium weight shirt and will be absorbent, while | | | | Artwork proofs. It's best to ask for a proof of your |
| holding more heat. For a cotton shirt, it's good to | | | | imprint before your artwork is finalized (if using a paid |
| make sure that it's pre-shrunk so that when it's | | | | professional) and after it is received by your printer, |
| washed there is minimal shrinkage. | | | | before your shirts go into printing production. Some |
| Colors and sizes are important in terms of price. | | | | companies will provide proofs for free and others will |
| Shirts in colors are generally more expensive than | | | | charge a fee. Most firms will fax or email a proof, |
| white shirts. Some shirts have mid level pricing for | | | | which shows the layout and wording used in your |
| "heathered" colors, like heather gray, ash etc. So if | | | | imprint. In my opinion proofs are worth every penny |
| you're looking for ways to cut costs without | | | | you spend for them, because you can make sure |
| sacrificing quality, look at purchasing white (or | | | | that everything is spelled correctly and arranged the |
| heathered/neutral) shirts. In many cases, shirts that | | | | way you want. |
| are larger in size than an extra large (XL) will cost | | | | With most printing companies, it is your responsibility |
| more per shirt. Tall sizes are also extra in many | | | | to make sure the artwork is correct and they won't |
| cases. Also not all shirt styles are available in plus and | | | | be responsible for any misspellings or layout issues |
| tall sizes. | | | | after the fact. Don't assume that they will offer a |
| If you need to provide shirts for a wide range of | | | | proof, but make sure to ask for one. To make sure |
| sizes there are some shirt lines that carry | | | | that your imprint turns out the way you want, have |
| "companion" shirts for men, women and children that | | | | several people from your group to proofread to |
| are available in a range from youth to plus and tall. | | | | make sure it's OK before giving the go ahead for |
| Don't mix brands if possible, choose shirts in the | | | | printing the final product. |
| same brand with a wide range of sizes to keep | | | | T-shirt funding. How are you going to pay for your |
| colors consistent. Look at the available sizes and any | | | | t-shirts and other reunion keepsake items? One |
| additional costs for sizing when choosing your shirt. | | | | option is to take orders and receive payment before |
| Delivery time and charges can add tremendously to | | | | the reunion, in time to place your order. Upon arrival |
| the cost. Planning ahead and ordering in plenty of | | | | to the reunion, everyone gets the shirt (probably |
| time makes delivery a snap. Most companies provide | | | | along with other goodies) in a nice little package with |
| expedited shipment that includes overnight and 2 or 3 | | | | other reunion information like programs, maps, etc. |
| day delivery... for a hefty fee. The shorter the | | | | This option provides the best way to determine the |
| delivery time, the more you pay. | | | | correct number of shirts and sizes needed, and it will |
| Don't assume that the minute you hit the send | | | | allow you to take advantage of quantity discounts. |
| button on your online order, or when you hang up | | | | Another option is to include the shirt pricing in reunion |
| from your phone order, that the delivery clock starts | | | | dues for the year. Make the dues enough so that |
| ticking. For example, if a company says the | | | | you have enough money about two or three months |
| production time is seven days, don't assume that you | | | | ahead of the reunion to order shirts. Everyone that |
| can order seven days before your event and have | | | | pays the reunion fees or dues gets a shirt. |
| shirts in hand to distribute. | | | | You can always use money from fundraisers held |
| Production time is the time it takes to print the item, | | | | throughout the year to pay for the shirts. As a |
| and it's totally separate from delivery time. Production | | | | matter of fact, t-shirts, caps, videos of past |
| time is in working days and does not usually include | | | | reunions, cookbooks, key chains, buttons, and other |
| weekends, holidays and peak times when the printer | | | | items are excellent fund raising tools. They can be |
| has more items to print. Once the item is produced | | | | sold before, during or between reunions to keep cash |
| (printed), it then leaves the factory via UPS, US Mail, | | | | flowing. Put nostalgic photos from the "good ole |
| FedEx, etc. for delivery to your location. Depending | | | | days" on items and sell them for a small fee. The key |
| on your location and the service you select, it could | | | | is in finding items that are low enough in price to |
| take up to an additional ten days for your packages | | | | purchase so that you will make a profit, and an |
| to arrive. | | | | attractive design that will sell. |
| Also, it may take time for the printer to make any | | | | Sometimes local businesses and even national chains |
| changes needed to make your art file camera ready. | | | | will buy ad space in programs or on t-shirts in |
| Plan to order t-shirts (and other custom printed | | | | exchange for advertising. If your reunion group is |
| items) at least 2-3 months before the date of your | | | | large enough, it might be worth it to talk to |
| event. If in doubt, ask your printer. | | | | businesses that cater to tourists. They may place an |
| Quantity discounts commonly apply for larger orders. | | | | ad with your group and offset some of the cost of |
| The more items you order, the more you save. This | | | | printing your shirts. |
| is the tricky part of ordering t-shirts for a group that | | | | These are some ideas for planning and saving money |
| most people don't think about until they are actually | | | | on t-shirts and other custom printed items. We have |
| ready to order. | | | | a number of quality shirts and other items available |
| How many size adult small, medium, larges, etc do | | | | online right now. Use our site, that's packed with |
| you order? How many youth small, medium and | | | | reunion apparel and other promotional items for |
| larges do you order? How many plus and tall sizes do | | | | every need. It's never too early to start planning and |
| you order? Do you estimate the quantity and sizes | | | | ordering. |
| and hope for the best or do you survey your group | | | | |