How to order T-shirts for a school or charity event

Why the usual way fails

Event shirts are usually ordered late, by volunteers, with a tight budget and a fixed date. Size lists keep changing until the last week, and artwork arrives as a low-resolution logo from a phone. Many suppliers want a minimum quantity that small events cannot reach, or quote only after several rounds of messages. Most event T-shirts are also worn once and forgotten, which is a waste of money and material. For organizers who care about sustainability, it is hard to find a local maker that offers recycled fabric without making the order complicated.

How RIZER helps

RIZER is a Sri Lankan apparel maker that turns recycled PET plastic bottles into fabric for T-shirts, polos, jerseys and uniforms, and promotional and event organizers are one of the groups it serves, including NGOs and event planners. You can choose any colour and size, and a fabric weight between 120 and 250 GSM, with recycled polyester, polyester or cotton blends. Logos can be added with heat transfer, hi-build, embroidery and other methods, and the team helps with artwork and size planning for bulk orders. The founder says there is no fixed minimum order, so smaller events are not shut out. Getting a useful quote starts with sharing the garment type, quantity, size breakdown, colours, artwork and delivery location, and the quickest way to reach them is WhatsApp. The team is based in Panadura and serves customers across Sri Lanka, with worldwide delivery offered as well.

Step by step

1. Decide what the shirt is for and who will wear it, such as runners, volunteers or students.
2. Collect an estimated quantity and a size breakdown.
3. Choose colours and a fabric weight that suits the activity.
4. Prepare your logo or artwork and where it should go on the shirt.
5. Send these details with the event date and delivery location to RIZER.
6. Review the quote and approve the sample or artwork before production.

Tips

• Ask for sizes early and add a few spares in the most common sizes. Last-minute sign-ups always happen.
• Send the logo in the highest quality you have. Branding support covers artwork guidance, but a sharp file saves a round of messages.
• Pick a design people would wear again after the event, such as a simple logo on a good colour, so the shirt is not thrown away.
• Use WhatsApp for quick back and forth on details when the date is close.

Questions