Fundraisers are important for nearly every humane society. At the 4,000-plus animal shelters in the U.S., donations, grants and other private funding represent a large percentage of their operating budget. A fundraising event is an opportunity to encourage contributions now and potentially recruit annual donors that let you continue your mission of finding better homes for dogs, cats and other pets. From walk/runs to art festivals, there are many ways to drum up support.

No matter the type of animal shelter fundraiser you’re hosting, event apparel can make a huge difference. It gets your message out there and is a keepsake that keeps on giving. The key is making sure you have the apparel that best fits the occasion and your messaging. Use our guide to choose humane society fundraiser apparel that will make people want to give more to a worthy cause.

Animal Shelter Apparel Design Tips

To start, let’s look at how to design your fundraising event apparel. You want clothing that gets your message across and that volunteers and recipients will want to wear long after the event concludes. How do you do that? Consider these six tips for custom apparel design:

1. Choose Apparel That’s Comfortable and Versatile

The most important thing is that your apparel is comfortable to wear and remains useful for a long time. Choose breathable materials such as cotton, polyester fleece and spandex that are hypoallergenic and feel good all day. You also want event apparel that can be worn in many situations, giving more opportunities for your artwork to be seen.

2. Include the Shelter’s Name and Logo

On this note, the apparel should have the organization name and logo in a high-visibility area. You are building a brand just like a business, and that brand needs to be prominently displayed. Otherwise, people who want to support your cause won’t know who to support – and their money may go elsewhere as a result.

3. Use Simple Lines and Contrasting Colors

A lot is happening at a fundraiser, and you don’t want to overwhelm people with a noisy, complicated shirt or jacket. Limit the apparel to two or three main colors, and make sure the graphics are a contrasting color to make them more visible. Keep images relatively simple as well so they are easy to see and understand.

4. Have a Short But Effective Message

For the same reasons, wording should also be kept to a minimum on your apparel. A good message can be expressed in a few words or a short sentence. The message should be positive, too – numerous studies have found that people want to feel good about giving, and positive reinforcement helps with this emotion.

5. Make Use of the Back

Remember that most clothing has two sides – and both are excellent canvases. If you have a lot of information you want to get on an animal shelter shirt, place the most important things (slogan, logo, etc.) on the front and go into a little more detail on the back. Things you might add to the back include event dates, sponsor logos, large images and website URLs.

6. Consider a Design Template

Are you having trouble getting your creative juices flowing? An animal shelter apparel design template is a good starting point. Find graphics and messaging that are heartfelt, hilarious and everything in between. You can use licensed templates as-is or tweak them to reflect your specific event and branding goals.

Types of Animal Shelter Fundraiser Apparel

Now that you know some of the best practices for designing animal shelter fundraiser apparel, how should you put them to use? Check out these suggestions for what apparel to offer depending on your event.

Animal Shelter T-shirts

For casual fundraisers such as carnivals, barbecues, dog walking services and pet grooming, few things beat the classic T-shirt. These affordable garments come in many styles from basic crewneck unisex tees to fashion T-shirts and long-sleeves for cooler weather. Custom t-shirts aren’t just for event volunteers, either – attendees will love them, too.

Dress Shirts and Polos

If you’re holding a more formal fundraising event such as a charity dinner or dog photoshoot, you may want something more upscale. Button-downs and polo shirts are a great way to add sophistication to the occasion – especially when your artwork is embroidered. You can even add the names of volunteers and major donors.

Customized Hoodies

Don’t let chilly temperatures put a damper on your event! The ever-popular customized hoodie is something that volunteers and benefactors of all ages will love adding to their collection. Pullover hoodies and zip-up hoodies are excellent fundraiser apparel that people can wear almost year-round, getting more eyeballs on your organization.

Athletic Apparel

Are you planning an annual dog walk/run or holding an event in the middle of the summer? Make sure your animal shelter provides athletic shirts, shorts and similar clothing made of performance fabrics. Their moisture-wicking properties help people stay cool as they’re jogging or otherwise moving about.

Hats and Caps

Top off a great event with some high-quality headwear! Add your humane society logo to a baseball cap, visor or bucket hat to promote everything from pet care classes to art festivals that raised money for animals. When winter arrives, knit hats and beanies help potential donors warm to your cause.

Fetch the Right Fundraising Apparel at BlueCotton

When you’re ready to order apparel for an animal shelter fundraiser, BlueCotton will deliver. We offer a huge variety of name-brand apparel that is printed in the U.S. With our Online Design Studio tool, you can discover the purr-fect look. Your satisfaction is guaranteed every time you shop at BlueCotton!

The post Custom Apparel Ideas for Animal Shelter Fundraising Events appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

A youth group mission is an important moment in a young person’s life. Whether it’s a local community outreach event or a weeks-long tour of a foreign country, mission trips are more than just an opportunity to share their faith with others. It also teaches them more about what is faced by those who are less fortunate and lets them serve those in need, whether that’s through providing food, painting houses, teaching classes or simply being a shoulder to lean on. By opening their minds and hearts to everyday struggles around the world, they can be in a better position to help others both abroad and closer to home.

Many things go into planning a mission trip, from arranging travel and housing to planning activities. One item that shouldn’t be forgotten is designing and ordering youth group mission trip T-shirts. It may seem insignificant compared to other parts of your journey, but a youth mission T-shirt plays a crucial role. Why should you order mission trip shirts, and what are some of the options your organization has? The team at BlueCotton is here to answer all your questions about faith mission T-shirts so you can get the right apparel.

Why to Order Mission Trip Shirts

Let’s start with the benefits of youth mission T-shirts and how they help with your mission. There are many reasons to order youth ministry shirts, including:

• • Mission trip T-shirts are a way to build identity and community among youths and volunteers. Mission members often come from many places and backgrounds, and the shirt emphasizes the concept that they are working together regardless of their background.
  • A logo shirt makes it easier for others to recognize students and leaders so they know who’s part of the group. This makes it easier to keep track of each other in unfamiliar areas and lets audiences know who they can talk to if they have questions.
  • The shirt artwork lets you showcase the message you’re trying to convey. Express faith, unity, hope and more without saying a word! Shirts can also provide important information to audiences about your organization.
  • For many, a youth mission shirt is a physical memento of their trip. It offers an instant reminder of a profound life experience and the memories they made.
  • By wearing matching T-shirts, youth mission volunteers will look more professional. It adds a sense of respect and commitment to their work, showing they are serious about the mission and helping to build trust.
  • A shirt will continue spreading the message of your mission long after it’s over. They have an impact far beyond short trips and one-off events, making them an ongoing way to promote faith.
  • Even for people not going on the trip, a faith mission T-shirt is a way to show support for those who are. Offering T-shirts to parents and close friends of mission members can spread your message even further. It’s also a good fundraising opportunity to help cover the many expenses of a mission trip.

How to Design a Great Youth Mission T-Shirt

The next thing to consider is the design of your shirt, as this will determine how big of an effect it has. The right youth mission shirt design will elevate your journey – but the wrong design can become a burden. Here are four tips for designing your faith mission T-shirt:

1. Keep Things Clean and Simple

It can be tempting to include a lot of information and elaborate details on your shirt. However, too complex a shirt design can lead to the message being lost. Use simple lines, contrasting colors and large fonts that can be read from a distance. Try to avoid overly wordy phrasing, too – by saying more with less, you clarify your message and make it more memorable.

2. Have a Message That’s Positive and Compelling

On a related note, you want to keep your messaging positive and open-minded. If you have a slogan that seems negative, judgmental, snobbish or non-inclusive, it can do serious damage to a mission – both for the people you’re trying to serve and those trying to serve them. Come up with a message that is easy for most people to embrace at least in principle. You might also consider a slogan that spurs curiosity and can be a conversation starter.

3. Consider Adding Names

As we mentioned, youth groups include people from many places, and these volunteers often travel to unfamiliar locations. Adding their names to the front or the back of the shirt can help their peers and the people they’re serving learn who they are, making the experience more personal. It can also give group members a greater sense of pride and purpose.

4. Get Shirts Made of Comfortable Materials

The best design in the world won’t matter if the shirt is so uncomfortable that people don’t want to wear it. Classic cotton T-shirts are always a safe bet, but there are many other good options. Polyester and moisture-wicking shirts are an excellent choice if your mission is in a hot, humid region or involves physical labor. Rayon is another great hot-climate shirt fabric, though it can be a little trickier to print on. Blended fabric shirts are available that offer the best aspects of each material.

Discover Mission Trip T-Shirt Ideas at BlueCotton

If you’re shopping for a custom mission trip T-shirt, BlueCotton can help. We offer a huge assortment of custom t-shirts from leading brands such as Gildan, Hanes, Next Level, Bella + Canvas and Sport-Tek. Upload existing artwork or use the Online Design Studio tool to create the perfect graphics. We’ll make sure you get the best value with unbeatable prices, fast turnaround time and free shipping plus a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

The post Faithful Fashion: Custom T-Shirts for Youth Group Mission Trips appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

Women’s running is becoming increasingly popular. It’s a sisterhood of sorts. And, of course, many women love to wear team attire, especially if it’s well-made and tailored to fit their bodies.

BlueCotton offers a wide array of custom women’s clothing, both athletic and otherwise. You can customize these items by bringing in your own logos and art and using our design studio or by using our design ideas, which provide a basic design you can modify. Start with a basic category – for example, sports team templates – and work from there.

For cross-country, check out our cross country design ideas. You can add your logo, change colors, add wording on the front or back, and more.

T-shirts

T-shirts specifically cut for women are a godsend. Women like the way they fit, so they’re likely to wear them more often. For cross country teams, check out tank top shirts like our Next Level 1533 Ladies Ideal Racerback Tank. You might also opt for a Tek ladies T-shirt like the LST353 Sport-Tek Ladies V-neck.

Shorts

Running shorts are essential for cross country, so why not customize them and make them fun to wear? A great option that’s comfortable to run in is the BD4614 Badger Sport B-Fit Ladies’ Short. Made to conform to the body, it’s available in four colors and sizes from extra-small to XXL. The BD4116 Badger Sport Ladies’ Core Short is another great option and is less form-fitting.

Sweatshirts and Sweatpants

Women’s sweatshirts and sweatpants are also great for cross country. After all, cross country runners encounter plenty of chilly weather. We like the LST253 Sport-Tek Ladies ¼ Zip Sweatshirt and the PRM2500 Independent Trading Co. Women’s Lightweight California Wave Hooded Sweatshirt.

It’s also nice to have customized sweatpants to match. Check out the DT6100 District Women’s VIT Fleece Sweatpants.

Jackets

Fleece jackets make a nice addition to cross country apparel. Runners can easily slip them on and off, and they keep them warm when they’re not on the course. Check out our LST24 Sport-Tek Ladies Sport-Wik Fleece Jacket, available in six colors, or our L223 Port Authority Ladies Microfleece Jacket, available in eight colors, for some examples.

The BlueCotton Difference

If you’re in need of custom apparel, BlueCotton is the place to go! We offer a wide array of customizable apparel, including T-shirts, athletic apparel, business apparel, women’s clothing, outerwear and more. We are an American company, with all of our work done here, design, embroidery, printing, shipping and packaging.

We make it easy to customize items with our easy-to-use design studio. With our multiple delivery options, you can get your items quickly, including our shirts-in-a-day customized products.

If you’re ready to order your custom apparel today, visit our website. Have a question or need some guidance? Feel free to contact us at (800) 536-1435 or tshirts@bluecotton.com.

The post Custom Shirts for Women’s Cross Country Teams appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

What’s great about BlueCotton is that we have an easy-to-use design studio for those who already know what they want and have clipart or other graphics they want to add. We also offer design templates that can provide a starting point from which you can customize your design. We also pride ourselves on providing great customer service. You can easily get in touch with BlueCotton staff members to answer any questions you may have about your design or your order.

Your custom apparel can feature team names, or organization names or logos. Apparel can also sport clever sayings or graphics. We make it easy for you by offering performance T-shirts in short- and long-sleeve, and in sizes from youth to adult plus-size and tall.

We also offer many templates for charity bowl-a-thons that can enhance your event and encourage participation. For example, our Breast Cancer Awareness designs are popular, as are our health awareness designs.

Our most popular products for bowling attire are our performance T-shirts. More specifically, our custom 5000 Gildan Heavy Cotton T-shirt is a customer favorite, as is our 2000 Gildan Ultra Cotton Tee – both affordable options that come in a variety of colors to fit your design needs. You might also like our women’s T-shirts, which are cut in a more feminine style.

For bowling, you might choose a customized polo for a classy look, or stay with T-shirts but opt for Tek fabric, as in our Sport-Tek Competitor Tee.

Other Apparel

While shirts are the most common type of custom apparel for bowling teams, there are also other customized apparel options. You might want these in addition to or instead of shirts.

For example, custom outerwear is a nice idea for traveling teams or simply to wear over T-shirts when it’s chilly. Creating custom bags might also be a fun way to show team spirit. They could hold bowling equipment for the team. You might also like some fun baseball hats with the team name on them. Keep in mind that you can use the same design you created or customized for your shirts on these items.

The possibilities are endless, so use your imagination. We’re rooting for many strikes for your team or league!

The BlueCotton Difference

BlueCotton is your go-to company for all personalized apparel, including custom t-shirts, athletic apparel, women’s clothing, hats, bags and more. We make it easy to customize items with our easy-to-use design studio. With our multiple delivery options, you can get your items quickly, including our shirts-in-a-day customized products. What’s more, we are an American company. All design, embroidery, printing, shipping and packaging are done in the United States.

If you’re ready to order your custom apparel today, feel free to contact us at (800) 536-1435 or tshirts@bluecotton.com.

The post Design Ideas for Bowling League Team Apparel appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

10 Inspiring Designs for Custom Spirit Week Apparel

Whether you have a spirit day every month or a full week of themed outfits once a year, these customizable designs can help boost your creativity for commemorative apparel.

Create a group order that lets you have a giveaway for every student to bring something special home or allow students to purchase your custom school clothing if they want it. Use our quick price tool to make budgeting easier as well.

However you set up your spirit week order, we have everything from custom T-shirts and sweatshirts to caps and performance wear to choose from. Discover these screen-printed designs to get inspired for making your own unique look to share your school spirit. We have Earth Day shirt ideas for eco-friendly spirit week days too.

1. Graduating Seniors

For the students celebrating their last spirit week, this classic shirt design will be a fantastic way to remember their time at your school as they go out into the world. Upload a graphic of your mascot or browse the clip art library in our online studio tool to make these shirts extra meaningful. Graduating students can enjoy these customized 5000 Gildan tees during their Senior Week with friends and for years to come.

2. School Family

The friendships that students make at school are foundational, and they’re like a family all their own. Help kids of all ages celebrate these bonds with the Port & Company PC54LS shirt that comes in youth and adult sizes for K-12 students. This custom long-sleeved tee is great for fall spirit week festivities and layers well in winter too, and you can even print on the sleeves for a distinctive style.

3. Mascot Pride

This timeless design works for every grade level and can be easily customized for your school and mascot. Choose from several colors to find the right ones for your students to show school pride. For Pajama Day or other cozy themes, the 18000 Gildan crewneck is a fantastic choice. Children’s sizing and plus-size options make it so every student can wear matching sweatshirts. Get a group photo for the school paper or yearbook too!

4. Sports Team Spirit

Popular themes for spirit week include tie-dye- Patterns and sports teams. Get a versatile school shirt for any of these options by printing this athletic template on the T1000 Colortone Tie-Dye tee. It’s great for decade-based themes like ’70s or ’80s Days too, giving your students plenty of opportunities to wear this shirt during future spirit weeks. Inspire kids to cheer on school athletes and bring fun to their everyday routines with this custom shirt.

5. Can’t Hide School Pride

Students love a comfortable hoodie, and you can make it even better with a custom school design that lets you add the mascot and get a fun rhyme out of it too. The stars and banners influence also looks amazing on Patriotic Days. During autumn or winter spirit week events, this 18500 Gildan pullover hoodie keeps students warm and can be worn under jackets too. Children’s and plus sizes give everyone a good fit.

6. School Strong

From the start of a new year to studying for finals- Students demonstrate a lot of teamwork and unity in the face of their academic challenges. School sports teams in particular will appreciate our strength-themed design. Give them something to wear at practice, during fitness routines and on Workout Days with the moisture-wicking August 790 shirt. These performance tees are just as useful during warm summer breaks spent on vacation or out with friends.

7. Mascot Crest

With dress codes about wearing caps in class, Hat Day is a favorite among students. Present them with a custom baseball hat to celebrate one of the themed days that lets them bend the rules. The iconic laurels help give students a sense of accomplishment just pulling on this 6006 YP Classics trucker cap. On summer break and weekends, they can toss on this hat to showcase their school spirit outside of class.

8. Mascot & School Name

This is a signature commemorative design that helps students look back fondly on their schooldays. With a mascot and school name, these shirts are perfect for having student names on the back. Middle and high schoolers will be glad to have unisex and women’s options. By offering feminine styles like the 2000L Gildan Ultra Cotton tee – Students who want a ladies’ school mascot T-shirt can enjoy a coordinating look with the classic version.

9. School Vibes

Add school colors to your kids’ wardrobes with the casual 18600 Gildan zip-up hoodie, changing the design template to match your colors. Pick the coordinating shades for the garment and screen printed ink to complete the look in exceptional style. Sizes range from small to 5XL to give as many people as possible the best fit for their body type, all in a convenient zippered hoodie that will always be on-trend.

10. Living That Life

Mascots help unite students regardless of their sports, clubs or any other extracurricular activities, and this DM136L raglan T-shirt for ladies has an athletic style that will be perfect to wear at games or school events. The unisex version is by District to create matching custom shirts for students to wear during spirit week or anytime they want. Encourage school pride with this fun design that fits any school from K through 12.

The post Spirit Week: Rocking Custom T-Shirts for School Pride appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

10 Family Reunion Clothing Designs To Customize

Check out this selection from our gallery of customizable shirt templates, which can also be printed on sweatshirts and women’s clothing as well as other apparel. Each product page will show which decoration methods can be used under additional details- So you’ll know what can be printed on for easy customization.

Apparel with youth sizing means that children can match with the rest of the family for a fantastic photo to remember the occasion by. Different colors can have different size options- So keep that in mind when planning out your look.

We offer several shipping options and guaranteed delivery to make sure your order gets where it needs to be on time. Try out Shirts in a Day for last-minute orders and Super Rush products that are delivered in three business days. Browse our collections to find your ideal garment for these family reunion T-shirt designs today, and explore the clip art library in our online studio to set your style apart.

1.  Why Be Normal?

Your family tree is full of individuals, all unafraid to show their true colors. Show off your hereditary free spirit with a custom tee like the 5000 Gildan Heavy Cotton shirt. Sizes for this T-shirt include kids’ extra-small to extra-large and adult options from small to 5XL. Customize this template in our online studio tool, changing the year and last name for a personal touch to your annual gathering.

2. Life Begins & Love Never Ends

You’ve all known each other since you were born or since they were babies, and this heartfelt T-shirt design for family reunions expresses that in everyday style. The 2400 Gildan Ultra Cotton long-sleeve tee layers easily and works for just about every season to keep family in your heart all year. Share this template with relatives directly from our online studio to ask for their insights.

3. Roots Run Deep

Shown here on the 996M Jerzees NuBlend hoodie that’s wonderful for fall family reunions, this tree-themed design demonstrates pride in a far-reaching history. Encourage the next generations to show interest in where they come from with this classic style. Our studio tool lets you print on the back as well- So you can add a list of your ancestors that will be on full display when the hood’s pulled up.

4. Beachside Reunions

Whether you’ve got a family beach house or always meet at the same shores, this design is made to honor that tradition year-round. Keep everyone comfortable with moisture-wicking performance tees like the 790 Augusta shirt shown here. Children’s sizes and plus sizing helps the whole family find a great fit. Customize the same design every year- Seeing how the little ones grow into adulthood for an extra-sentimental touch.

5. Not Perfect, But Close Enough

Shyness? Not in these households. Your clan knows that perfection isn’t attainable, but that’s why they’re so proud of being the next best thing. Give everyone a confidence boost whenever they think back on the reunion with customized family sweatshirts. This image shows the 18000 Gildan crewneck that has sizing for kids and adults, making sure every relative can be part of the fun.

6. It’s a Family Thing

What’s a family without inside jokes and chips off the old block? Celebrate your unique traditions and personalities with a T-shirt that says it all. For teenagers and women, the feminine flair of the 6400L Gildan SoftStyle tee will be a sure hit that complements the unisex version for kids and men. Everyone can march to the beat of their own drum in these casual shirts.

7. The Perfect Mix

You know better than most that your family has a wild side, but they stick together through good times and bad. Broadcast the chaos and love that comes with your relatives by customizing this template. Previewed on the Port & Company PC54LS Core Cotton tee, this design looks elegant with a splash of wit that will get people to chuckle. Keep your family close across the miles with this funny custom T-shirt.

8. Family Is Everything

For the especially close-knit families, this custom shirt design is just the thing to celebrate the annual reunion. The moving quote and timeless design make this a commemorative tee that will always be meaningful and stylish. The 3930 Fruit of the Loom tee in the preview offers a size range that has most body types covered, from little kids to plus-size adults.

9. Heart Hands

Exceptional for hyphenated last names and blended families, this customizable shirt template has adorable heart hands to share your love even after the festivities have ended. Choose the 2000L Gildan Ultra Cotton shirt for women and make sure everyone else matches with the unisex 2000 Gildan tee, which has big-and-tall options as well as kids’ sizing. The whole family can reflect on fond memories with this custom tee.

10. Reunion Banner Graphic

Classy and always on trend, this family banner design will appeal to every fashion sense and age group. The 256 Richardson snapback cap comes with UPF protection that’s perfect for lakeside family reunions. If your relatives are into the outdoors and your reunion might be hosted anywhere from the mountains to the sea, you can explore everything from zip-up hoodies to tank tops for the latest outing.

The post Family Reunion Fashion: Crafting Apparel for Lasting Memories appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

Every year, more than 1.1 million people around the globe complete a marathon, and many more attempt it. From small local festivals to world-famous events like the Boston Marathon and New York Marathon, they are a way for people to test their endurance in a supportive environment.

Custom marathon t-shirts are a fun, practical and stylish way to celebrate this accomplishment. Since they can be worn during and after the event, they are an important marketing tool as well. The right design can have a huge positive impact – but where do you start? Here are 10 tips for marathon t-shirt designs so you can come up with the perfect race day apparel.

1. Choose a Good Shirt Fabric

Do you want runners to wear their custom t-shirts for the whole race? Then you don’t want it weighing them down by mile five because it’s soaked in sweat or chafing. We recommend moisture-wicking materials such as polyester, nylon and technical mesh. They help move sweat away from the skin and have good airflow. A little bit of spandex adds some stretch for a better range of motion Bambo and other natural materials are eco-friendly and have anti-microbial properties. You might consider wool because of its excellent temperature regulation. Avoid cotton, though; it absorbs moisture without wicking it away, which leads to a heavy shirt that causes overheating and rashes.

2. Pick the Right Shirt for the Conditions

Marathons can be held at all times of year, and the weather can vary greatly. Plan accordingly so runners are comfortable – at least, as comfortable as can be when they’re running 26.2 miles. Lightweight marathon t-shirts will be great for a 90-degree July day, and you should look for shirts that have built-in UV protection. For cool, rainy spring and fall marathons, you should lean towards midweight and even heavyweight materials, and perhaps order long-sleeved tees instead of short-sleeves t-shirts.

3. Be Sure to Pick High-Quality Materials

Running apparel needs to work as hard as runners to go the distance. You want it to be of some use after the event, too, as a shirt can raise awareness for potential future marathon entrants. Choosing cheap, poorly-made materials might save you some money now, but it will be at the cost of brand exposure later – not to mention it can hurt your credibility. Invest in good materials from respected apparel manufacturers.

4. Use Bright Colors and Graphics

You want to make it as easy as possible to see runners. Bright, bold colors boost visibility, making it easier for onlookers to identify family and friends so they can cheer them on. They also improve safety since many marathons are run on public roads where there are still cars and bikers about. Make sure the graphics complement or contrast with the main shirt color so they don’t visually blend. You might want shirts that have reflective tape or trim as events often start in the early morning or continue into the night.

5. List Details About the Event

Running shirts are more than just a cool garment – they’re a platform to showcase your event and your brand. Take advantage by including relevant information such as:

• The name of the race.
• Its date and location.
• The official event logo.
• A course map.
• An image of a runner.
• The event slogan.
• The charity or cause, if any, that the event is benefiting.

6. Feature Sponsor Logos
Marathons are expensive to put on, and sponsors are an important source of revenue. One potential way to attract them is with logo placement on the t-shirt. You can sell different placements with rates depending on the size and location. In many cases, one or two sponsors may be enough to cover the cost of printing. Sponsors also make it more affordable to get the high-quality apparel we mentioned earlier.

7. Keep the Design Simple

While we’ve mentioned a lot of possible things to have on your custom marathon t-shirt, you need to be careful not to let it get cluttered. If you include too much information and images or use complicated fonts, the result is an overwhelming mess where nothing stands out. Not to mention that when the wearer is on the run, onlookers may not be able to see everything anyway. Focus on important elements with clean lines.

8. Leave Space for Bibs

Pretty much every marathon requires participants to wear a number bib or other form of identification. You want to have a blank space on your shirt large enough for them to attach this ID without it covering up the graphics, sponsor logos and information. This ensures maximum exposure.

9. Order the Correct Sizes

Experienced runners know the importance of their apparel fitting well. Too large a shirt will feel like a parachute; too small a shirt will cause discomfort. Include a field on registration forms for people to list their shirt size. BlueCotton also has a Group Orders Shipping Individually program where we can set up a webpage for participants to select their size, guaranteeing the correct fit. We’ll even ship the shirt directly to the runner so they can wear it to the starting gate without you needing to distribute them.

10. Find the Right Shirt Printer

No matter how many entries your marathon has, custom shirts are a huge undertaking. You need to work with a shirt printing company that has the selection, knowledge and services to put your design on the podium. BlueCotton has more than 30 years of experience designing marathon t-shirts. With low order minimums, a free online design studio, fast shipping and live support from real people, we’re here to give you the best possible experience from the starting whistle to the finish line.

The post Race Day Ready: Designing Custom T-Shirts for Marathon Success appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

Ordering customized t-shirts and other apparel for your business or group is a great way to show togetherness and promote your message. Whether for a company party, music club, high school sports team, college fraternity initiation or any other group, members will look stylish in their new apparel.

Even after you’ve come up with the perfect artwork design, though, there is one challenge: redistributing that apparel to employees and members. Repackaging and redistributing apparel takes time that would be better spent on other things. There’s also the issue of making sure everyone gets the correct size. You don’t want to run out of one size and have 20 extras of another because of who did and didn’t show up for an event – or because you had to guess since people didn’t get you their size in time.

Luckily, BlueCotton has the solution. With the Your Group Order Shipped Individually program, personalized shirts are easier than ever. Rather than dealing with the hassle of distributing shirts to members or having to pay for and store extra shirts, BlueCotton will take care of the logistics for you. That sounds appealing, doesn’t it? Read on to learn more about our custom apparel individual shipping and what it can do for any organization.

How Separate Shipping Works

We’ve made it as simple as can be to set up a group T-shirt order. Fill out the form with your contact information, the desired shirt style/colors, an estimate of how many shirts you will need and when you need them delivered. We will get back to you with a quote for your order.

From there, you can come up with a design or send us an existing artwork file. Once the design is finalized, we will create a webpage for you to share with group members so they can pick the items and sizes they want. This can be set up so you pay for the full order or members pay for their apparel. We can also make it into a fundraiser. Apparel will be shipped so it arrives by the event deadline with a $5 flat-rate shipping charge for each unique address.

You’re not limited to T-shirts. Use the “Additional Information” field to let us know if you want an individually shipped group apparel order of hoodies, sweatpants, polos, jackets or anything else listed in our catalog. We can even do a webpage with multiple types of apparel.

Alternatively, if you already know exactly what shirts you need and who they’re going to, we can skip the webpage and prepare your order all at once. Supply us with a list of addresses and we’ll add the $5 shipping charge per address on top of any other fees. Call (800) 536-1435 or email tshirts@bluecotton.com if you are interested in this option.

Benefits of Individual Group Apparel Shipping

Whether you’re celebrating a sales milestone or getting ready for a fishing competition, separate shipping offers many advantages, including:

• It’s a huge time-saver. Group shipping streamlines the process so you don’t need to spend time and resources redistributing apparel or collecting money. This leaves more of each available to run your organization or put on a successful event.
• It makes custom apparel scalable. Whether you need 10 shirts or 500, an on-demand group shipping webpage adapts to your needs. You can easily view participant orders and adjust the custom shirt campaign based on response.
• You won’t have excess inventory left over. We will only ship what people purchase or sign up for. Say goodbye to closets full of extra shirts that you paid for and never used.
• You can raise money for your organization. When you opt for a fundraiser webpage, anyone can purchase a shirt, and a portion of each sale goes to you. People can support your group financially while receiving high-quality branded apparel that shares your message.
• It’s secure. Only people with the link can access your group webpage, making it harder for non-members to order apparel and leave you with unexpected charges. It’s possible to password-protect the webpage as well.

When to Use Split Shipping

Individual shipping is an excellent choice when you want people to show up to an event already wearing your branded shirt. Trade show staff, 10K runners, chess tournament officials and others will have their apparel ready to go – there’s no longer a need to set up a table or chase people down as they arrive.

You should also consider group shipping for companies with a lot of telecommuters or groups whose members are spread across the country. Trying to send everyone their apparel will be time-consuming and expensive. Instead, let BlueCotton do it for you. With our flat-rate shipping, this option can often be less expensive than redistributing the apparel on your own.

Finally, choose split apparel shipping if you have a limited staff or volunteers. Everyone already has a lot on their plate in smaller organizations, and dealing with shirts on top of that is daunting. BlueCotton will be like another staff member helping you out.

Choose BlueCotton for Group Shirts and Apparel

For more than 30 years, BlueCotton has been helping small, medium and large groups get the customized shirts they need. Group orders with individual shipping are just one of the ways we support your personalized apparel goals. We also have an online design studio for creating artwork and offer live customer support by phone, email or live chat. If you need your group T-shirts fast, expedited shipping is available.

Submit your order information today and see how simple, convenient, cost-effective and stylish group apparel shipped individually can be. All design, embroidery, printing, shipping and packaging are done in the U.S.

The post Why BlueCotton is Perfect For Groups: Order Together, Ship Seperately appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

For that reason, they’re difficult to encourage because you have to figure out where to start. The best time to begin with any organization is your scheduled corporate retreats. These gatherings are already designed to bring people together for more than the usual work routine. Learn to gauge the sense of belonging among your teammates and discover how custom T-shirts can transform any corporate retreat into an opportunity for team-building.

The Power of Custom Tees for Corporate Retreat Planning

Lean into the unique culture of your workplace and the benefits of these retreats with customized shirts. Try these different ideas to bring your staff together, celebrating their achievements and fostering a team-building environment for everyone in your organization.

• Bridge Gaps in Your Company Structure

With the advent of remote work and the existence of nationwide businesses, it’s very easy to have teams that are from different locations or branches meeting at this corporate retreat. Rivalries and divides can develop between these groups when they’re usually apart.

With hybrid or on-site teams, you could still find tension between teams with similar end goals and different methods. Explore the massive clip art library in our online studio tool to find a graphic that represents their common goal to help get these groups get on the right path.

Design: Computer Whisperer Shirt

• Recognition for Unsung Heroes of Your Business

Team members who boost sales and increase your campaign reach are likely to get praise at quarterly meetings, but the departments that aren’t directly tied to revenue typically don’t get company-wide appreciation for what they do.

Show your gratitude for your technology team or other underrecognized staff members who keep your corporation going. From developers and IT support to accounting, you’re sure to have employees who toil behind the scenes and deserve a round of applause for their efforts.

• Tee Design Contest for Corporate Retreat Activities

While everyone at the event is connected by their workplace, this gathering is supposed to be fun and bring your team closer together. The typical fare ranges from trivia nights to welcome parties. You shouldn’t pass on the classic go-tos, but adding unexpected group activities to your itinerary helps get people in a mindset to work with less familiar colleagues.

Task different randomized groups with making their own shirt designs and place an order for the winning artwork that your employees vote for. Because these custom tees would be created by their peers, they’ll have more meaning than a standard company T-shirt. Learn about group orders from BlueCotton to see how you can help your employees sign up for their tee delivery at addresses across the country.

• Welcome New Employees

Help recent hires at your business feel like part of the team with a custom corporate tee that showcases their talent. For a casual culture, consider printing custom tees with a fun title like New Rockstar or a more professional option if you have a formal workplace.

These will encourage your seasoned employees to greet the newest staff members at your company. Even at a luxury corporate retreat, the option to dress casually will be fantastic for relaxing outside of the scheduled events – or back home.

• Shake Up the Hierarchy

Executive-level employees probably have few opportunities to meet the talent that makes up the foundation of your business. Planning a corporate retreat that unites your team goes beyond the venue and schedule, so you should encourage staff members who rarely interact with each other to talk.

Surprise employees with gift bags that include coordinating T-shirts, which can be used to create seemingly random teams for scavenger hunts or similar events at your retreat. That can be your opportunity to get the COO to meet employees who might otherwise be a name they see in passing.

Design: Art Club Shirt

• Commemorate Individual Activities with Custom Shirts

Check out custom performance shirts for the company hike, or make sure any craft classes you’ve got scheduled are stress-free by offering a new shirt just for that occasion. Teammates may not have come prepared for a painting lesson or working with clay.

By giving them a customized corporate T-shirt, you can help employees have fun working on their art projects without worrying about the business-casual outfits they bring with them. Thinking ahead on their behalf shows your consideration for your team, fostering a sense of belonging that you can act on during the rest of the year.

• Build On Corporate Retreat Themes

You could keep your retreat focused on your industry, like planning a camping trip for your outdoors supply company. Another option is creating a new annual theme each time to appeal to more people with every occasion. Whatever you have in mind for your team-building corporate retreat, a unifying theme will help set the atmosphere for everyone in attendance.

Nature themes could help you create activity groups by using Earth-based graphics, from trees and sunshine to different animals. Ask people to choose their favorites to give them common ground for making new connections. Other themes can be adjusted the same way, whether you choose sports or artistic designs.

• Charity Custom Tees for Philanthropic Retreats

Explore our charity gallery to find inspiration for volunteer shirts that your employees can keep as reminders of the charitable cause they supported as a team that year.

Personalizing each T-shirt with our Names and Numbers feature encourages that teamwork mindset with a sporty style, plus adding individual names to every tee so even acquaintances can call each other by name.

The post Building Team Unity: The Power of Custom T-Shirts in Corporate Retreats appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

As you get everything ready for your deadlines, you might find yourself wondering: How does the BlueCotton team make that delivery magic happen? Read about the hard work and careful planning that goes into our process that’s designed to keep everything going smoothly for the organizations and special occasions that shop with us.

1. Our U.S.-Based Team

Unlike many competitors, every stage of our production is done here in-house with our trained team. That helps us guarantee the quality of all orders that come through BlueCotton. From design and embroidery to printing, shipping and packaging, each step is handled in the U.S. with our qualified staff. We can stand behind our delivery because your product starts in our 100,000-square-foot facility in Bowling Green, KY. Meet our team and learn about our origins to see how we got started.

Our fastest delivery times are available with certain clothing from brand-name apparel like Gildan, which are trusted for the quality they provide. Businesses and event managers turn to our Shirts in a Day selection for clothes that everyday people are delighted to wear.

Compare our process to drop shipping, an online order system that technically started with mail-order catalogs. In these businesses, one company processes your purchase and then passes it on to another company that fulfills your order for delivery. The first business doesn’t keep inventory on-site and that adds to your overall shipping time. Get custom t-shirts, fast delivery and premium printing or embroidery with a team that does it all.

2. Guaranteed Delivery

Because we take care of all production here at our commercial facility, we have the game-changing ability to guarantee delivery on every custom order. Check out our delivery FAQ and order calendar tool to know exactly when you should buy unique apparel for time-sensitive occasions or tight deadlines. With several companies, you’re doing more guesswork to figure out when you should expect your order and waiting on a tracking code to have confidence about when the package will arrive.

Our four shipping options are clearly defined as arriving in one day, three days, five days or 10 days. The previewed date is automatically based on the day you visit our website – but you can use our calendar to choose the day you have in mind to make your purchase.

Planning has never been easier with guaranteed delivery by midnight on the dates shown. Free shipping and rush options are available for every product in our facility. The next fastest speed is Super Rush, which offers renowned brand names such as Comfort Colors and Bella + Canvas. You don’t have to pick between quick shipping and impressive clothing. Enjoy your one-of-a-kind custom shirts or other stylish apparel with prompt delivery.

3. Individual Shipping for Group Orders

For remote teams and nationwide organizations, group orders with different delivery addresses are a must. Handling the logistics of this internally can get stressful. You’d have to collect all the individual mailing addresses for your group members, make sure they’re accurate, and get the original delivery sent to your business. Each garment will have to be repackaged and sent off to the correct person by someone on your team. All this needs to happen while you organize an event or celebrate an accomplishment for your business.

For small- and medium-sized businesses, this can be a very tall order. Each person in your organization already has a job (or two) to handle. That’s why we’ll create a webpage that features your T-shirt design. Share your BlueCotton website with your group, so they can purchase or sign up for their apparel – depending on what you need. Choose to pay for the full order, let individuals pay or set it up as a fundraiser.

Save time on delivery and keep your internal resources applied to your goals by letting us ship the customized clothing directly to your team members. Once we have your design, we’ll take care of everything else. You can have every garment we offer delivered separately. From sweatshirts to sportswear, each order can enjoy this next-level fast shipping.

Exploring the Quick Delivery Service at BlueCotton

When you’re ordering a custom T-shirt, fast delivery is the difference between an event or organization everyone will remember and something people easily forget. The most popular picks are our short- and long-sleeved tees. We provide more specific choices too, such as athletic apparel and women’s clothing. Find everything from tie-dye hoodies to classic baseball caps that you can customize with logos or artwork from your group.

Our additional resources are here to help you along the way, even before you place an order. Go from concept to closet with our guides that go from effortless to complicated. Our simple design tips empower beginners to the customization market, while more advanced customers might need advice for choosing between screen printing and embroidery. The BlueCotton blog is meant to welcome newcomers and seasoned shoppers to the team-building power of custom clothing. Follow us on social media for regular updates on how our experts are shaking up the industry and subscribe to our newsletter for a discount on a qualifying order.

The post The BlueCotton Magic Behind Quick Turnaround Times appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.