Custom School Uniforms and Swag: How to Order Branded Gear for Students, Staff, and Events

Back-to-school season comes around every year, and smart planning ensures your school has custom school swag that’s impactful and memorable. The best time to plan branded merchandise for students, staff, and campus events is right at the end of spring—before everyone disappears for summer break. But we still have time! 

From school spirit wear to practical promotional giveaways, we have favorite strategies to make your school year kickoff a success. For example, custom hats are still one of the top-requested items. But the standard embroidered hat just doesn’t cut it anymore. Schools that order fully custom, color-matched hats instantly create buzz—parents at rival schools notice and start asking why their kids don’t have cooler school spirit gear.

If you have high school students, start the year with football-related gear—it’s one of those quintessential pieces of the American high school experience. And don’t forget teacher appreciation gifts. These need to be useful inside and outside the classroom. Don’t go cheap—teachers look forward to these every year, and they are evaluating the thought behind them. Consider tech gadgets, wellness items, or even branded self-care products.

The key takeaway? Whether for students, staff, or supporters, the most effective items are school promotional products that are actually useful—not just pens, stickers, or temporary tattoos. Think outside the box and your school swag will have a lasting impact.

Why Branded Gear Builds School Spirit

School can be challenging—between assignments, social dynamics, and peer pressure. Building school spirit through branded gear helps unify students and staff.

While individuality matters, shared school swag helps everyone feel like part of something bigger. When all students wear the same hoodie or lanyard, barriers drop and connections build. Even small items—like silicone wristbands or ID lanyards—create common ground.

School spirit wear is more than just clothing—it’s a culture-builder. It says: This is who we are. This is what we stand for.

Top Promotional Items for Students, Staff, and Supporters

When choosing school promotional products, consider three factors: guilt, loyalty, and usability.

Parents will buy something out of guilt because their child goes there, but loyalty and usefulness determine whether they’ll keep buying—and at higher price points. Usability is key. The more practical the item, the easier it is to get parents, students, and even alumni to support fundraising efforts.

Schools with a strong brand identity and loyal parent-teacher communities can sell school swag at premium prices. Keep trends in mind, adjust your handouts, and your school spirit wear will feel fresh all year long.

Uniform Add-Ons That Make a Statement (and Keep You in Dress Code)

Most schools don’t require a strict, head-to-toe uniform anymore, but almost every school has some level of dress code. That doesn’t mean school spirit can’t shine.

Small add-ons make a big impact:

• Custom lapel pins for lanyards

• Branded patches for backpacks

• Logo keychains

If your school has a firm dress code, consider scheduling “casual days” where students can wear a school t-shirt or hoodie—it gives them something to look forward to and reinforces school pride.

Ordering Made Easy: Tips for Schools and Parent Committees

There are several ways schools distribute promotional products and school swag:

• Bulk ordering: PTAs or PTOs buy items in bulk, store them, and sell them at back-to-school nights, conferences, and other events. It’s simple and profitable, especially for inexpensive items like stickers and t-shirts.

• Batch ordering: Schools collect order forms for hoodies, hats, or school spirit wear, then submit them to a company like Be Branded for fulfillment.

• School spirit stores: Be Branded can even provide an online storefront so parents and students can order directly. Schools just choose the items, and we handle the logistics.

Each method has its benefits, but the key is to choose a system that keeps school swag moving and builds excitement—not dust in a closet.

Customization Options That Showcase Your School’s Identity

Every school should have spirit staples—core products that always sell and always spark pride:

• Hoodies: Students wear them year-round, and parents will buy them for younger siblings, too.

• T-shirts: A must-have, especially if you refresh the design a few times each year. Go beyond just the school logo—try clever slogans, limited-edition “drops,” or event-specific designs.

Even if your business isn’t a school, these promotional product strategies work for onboarding, client gifts, and community events. But for schools, they’re invaluable for building school spirit and giving students and staff items they’ll actually use.

Back-to-school season is all about connection. The right school swag makes your brand stand out—and stick around.