How to Sell Back to School Uniforms and Apparel in 2020

August 6, 2020

Custom apparel for in-school, home schooling and remote learning

As the 2020 school year approaches, there are a lot of questions about which schools will open and what decisions parents will make; will they send their kids to school, home school or sign up for distance learning?

No matter the decision, this will impact both how custom apparel companies do business this coming ‘back to school’ season. And into the future.

So what are some things your business can do to stand out? How can YOUR business be successful in these new circumstances?

In-School Uniforms

There are two big things to look out for here that can help you make some good money this fall.

#1: Check in with schools in your area. Especially ones that use custom school uniforms.

A lot has changed since last school year. So even if a school has a long term relationship with another supplier – call and see if there’s any opening for a new vendor.

Make that same call to preschools, daycares, etc. You will be surprised on the number of schools that are looking for new company.

Maybe their old school uniform provider has closed. Or maybe their school is ordering much smaller quantities, needing an apparel shop who specializes in small runs.

#2: School Face Masks are a big opportunity!

Many schools and school systems, private schools, camps and daycares are requiring students (and staff) wear face masks.

And your business can help staff look good with school logo face masks, and students can have fun with picking a decoration. Or the school might make a face mask a part of a matching school uniform set.

Either way, this is going to be a big business for back-to-school.

Home School Uniforms and Distance Learning Uniforms

This almost seems silly to mention, but there is real opportunity here.

Parents that are having their children home for this back to school season (by their choice or not) are concerned about how they will work everything out. One way your business can help is by offering a ‘home school uniform package’.

A school uniform your stay-at-home kid wears might match their in-class friends exactly. That way the parents and kids both get to stick to a get-up-and-get-dressed routine, and they might feel more like part of the class.

Or this could include a comfy t-shirt, shorts, sweatpants, a hat and a hoodie with the school logo on it. Again, participating in that school community, even if it’s just with a logo t-shirt.

Why would anyone want to purchase a home school uniform?

It gets kids out of pajamas and into a school outfit. Symbolizing a specific change from lounging around to getting to work
It gets them a fresh new set of clothes to symbolize their new grade level. As much as kids don’t like school, it also is their next new adventure. You can help provide apparel to help expand on that.
Students still have their school pride. They still identify with their mascots and slogans. This custom school apparel can instill their sense of pride in their school.
Connect them with their fellow students. Wearing a uniform connects you to people, if they are doing a zoom class and they are all wearing the same shirt, it's going to have an impact.
Kids grow, so they have to buy them new clothes anyway. Your custom outfits might as well be school themed since its that time of the year.
Dressing up in something new and of a school theme will just make them feel good. According to an article in Scientific America about how clothes influence our performance they write, “a growing body of research suggests that there is something biological happening when we put on a snazzy outfit.” Help students in your area tap into better school performance.

These opportunities are out there.

There is going to be someone who gets a new school contract.

There is going to be a business that makes more money than they did last year on back to school masks alone.

A small apparel shop will make a ton of money selling apparel to kids who are staying at home. It’s just going to happen; the question is will you be one of those people?

Will your business be one of those stories?

What can you do next?

Get inspired by apparel blanks available for youth and adults

Build a list of blank accessories like lunch boxes and bags

Look at Face Mask options and colors you can offer your clients

If you aren’t in the business yet check out white toner transfers or embroidery as potential starts

Top quality custom apparel requires high quality supplies, try Triton Heat Transfer Vinyl

One first step to try this out is with some email marketing. Send out something like the samples below.

Practical Advice – Selling Custom School Uniforms in 2020

Here is an email strategy and samples you can send out to all your past clients and potential customers.

Email #1

The Survey

Hi ______ I could really use your help with a quick survey, and it will just take a moment of your time. As you know I run (your company) and we specialize in custom apparel.

I am conducting a survey so my business can be best prepared for the upcoming school year. What are your kids doing this ‘back to school’ season?

Getting out of my house and off to school
Doing their schooling at home for the time being
A mix of both

Further if you have multiple students, doing different things, let me know.

Thanks in advance!

Email #2

The Reply – If they answered “Getting out of my house and off to school”

Thanks for helping me with my survey! I am glad to hear that your kids are getting back to a little more normalcy with school. I know things will be somewhat different and I have a few products I am offering to help out.

Custom Masks – If your child is wearing masks by choice or mandate, I can help them make the best of it. I have a few styles in a few colors and we can customize it any way they want.
Slogan t-shirts – If your child has a favorite song, slogan, joke or bible verse I can put it on a back to school shirt for them. The special now is 2 for $$ or 3 for $$
Backpack and Lunchbox customizing – We offer names, homeroom teachers and various designs we can put on their school accessories. If you havent purchased a backpack yet, we have a few really nice options. I have attached a link to my website (or facebook) where you can see pictures of some of these items.

Thanks again and if I can help you with any of the above let me know. I am working hard to help my business thrive in 2020. Your busines matters to me.

Email #3

The Reply – Doing their schooling at home for the time being

Thanks for helping me with my survey. If you are used to home schooling then that’s great! If this normally isn’t your thing, I hope your children excel in this new environment. A good education is important.

Since things are a different nowadays, I have a few different products to offer. If I can help you with any of these let me know.

Home School Uniforms – This might sound funny, but it’s something parents out here are doing. I offer t-shirts, hats, sweatpants, hoodies, etc. all in a school uniform style. These can include mascots for their normal school, or even something unique, like your family name. These home school uniforms are cool because:
- It provides a routine from ‘out of pajamas’ to ‘school time’
- They know when the uniform is on its time to work, not play Fornite or Minecraft or whatever else they do.
- They are going to need some new clothes after this summer anyway, so help get them excited for school with new back to school themed apparel.
Custom Masks – If your child is wearing masks by choice or mandate, I can help them make the best of it. I have a few styles in a few colors and we can customize it any way they want. They are probably not wearing them for home school but might for other activities outside the house.
Slogan t-shirts – If your child has a favorite song, slogan, joke or bible verse I can put it on a back to school shirt for them. The special now is 2 for $$___ or 3 for $$____
Backpack and Lunchbox customizing – We offer names, homeroom teachers and various designs

Thanks again and if I can help you with any of the above let me know. I am working hard to help my business thrive in 2020. Your busines matters to me.

Once you gain interest be sure to work on adding upgrades and additions to orders. These could be adding an additional logo location or adding additional items. Things like can coolers, caps and jackets are great add-ons to increase your order size.

Overall, the back to school and the subsequent weeks following are a busy time for custom apparel shops. Be sure you are looking at every angle as this season will surely be different than others.

To learn more about starting (or growing) your custom apparel business LIVE CHAT with one of our pros or call us at 877-793-3278

Keep in mind that if you have a customer who needs special graphic work you can use the www.coldesi-graphics.com service to get artwork cleaned up, digitized or created from scratch. Having great art is one of the keys to success.