What if your school’s next fundraiser didn’t require an outside vendor, a minimum order, or a grueling three-week wait for printed merch? Imagine a program where students are not just selling products, but owning the entire business process from concept to completion.
An in-house, student-led merchandise program is a powerful way to support fundraising goals while teaching real-world business and communication skills. With Epson’s MakeON technology, you can bring professional-grade print production directly into the classroom.
Here is your five-step guide to launching a successful school merch program.
1. Choose Your Product
The key to a strong start is simplicity. Begin with a single product that is easy to produce and has high appeal within your school community.
What to consider: Think about what students and faculty already want — spirit wear for a big rivalry game, custom gear for a popular club, or branded items for a seasonal event like homecoming.
Pro Tip: Let your students pick the first product. Ownership and engagement start when students have a voice in the decision-making process.
2. Design It
You don’t need to be a professional graphic designer to create high-quality merchandise. Students can use the design tools they are already familiar with, such as Canva, Adobe Express, or any classroom-friendly app. Once the design is ready, simply export the file and bring it into Epson’s user-friendly print software — no specialized training required.
Internal Roles: To make this feel like a real business, assign specific roles to your students, such as lead designer, file prep lead, or quality reviewer.
Pro Tip: Giving every student a stake in the outcome ensures higher quality and more pride in the final product.
3. Produce It
Forget about shipping delays and vendor coordination. With MakeON, students own the entire production line. They handle everything from the first print to the finished, packaged product right there in the classroom.
Classroom Integration: You can easily plan projects around your existing schedule. A full class can rotate through the production steps in a standard 50-minute session.
Pro Tip: Plan production runs to maintain a steady flow of work without overwhelming the students.
4. Market It
Producing the merch is only half the job. Marketing is where students learn the essential skills of communication, sales, and strategy.
Creative Tactics:
- Photography: Have students photograph the finished products for the school’s social media accounts.
- Lunchroom Pre-orders: Set up a pre-order table during lunch or at school sporting events.
- Drops: Create limited-run drops to build excitement and a sense of urgency.
- Partnerships: Partner with local sports teams or clubs to tap into built-in demand.
5. Reinvest the Profits
A sustainable program is one that pays for itself. Every sale puts money back into the program to cover materials or fund new initiatives.
The Reinvestment Plan:
- Track Costs: Help students track the cost of blanks, inks, and supplies versus their total revenue.
- Set Goals: Ask the class, “What does the next project need?”
- Student Choice: Let the students make the final call on how the profits are used — whether it’s for new equipment, a class trip, or seed money for their next mini business.
Ready to launch your school merchandise program?
Whether you’re running a CTE program, an entrepreneurship class, or a school club looking for a better way to raise funds, MakeON gives educators a simple and scalable way to bring real-world skills to life.
Explore MakeON printers and find the right fit for your classroom today.
