How Our Preorder System Works (and What to Expect)
Our preorder platform was built to make selling high-quality merch easy, risk-free, and accessible for clubs, schools, organizations, bands, and small businesses. That said, there are a few important guidelines we follow to ensure every order is produced responsibly, efficiently, and at the quality level we’re known for.
This page exists to be transparent about how our preorder system works. As our platform evolves, we may update or add to these terms to better serve our customers.
Screen Printing Minimums
We proudly prioritize traditional screen printing whenever possible because it produces the most durable, vibrant, and professional results. However, screen printing requires setup time, materials, and labor that make minimum order quantities necessary.
Minimums are based on the number of colors used in the design:
1–2 color designs: 12 garments minimum
3–4 color designs: 24 garments minimum
5–6 color designs: 48 garments minimum
7–8 color designs: 72 garments minimum
These minimums apply to the total number of garments sold during the preorder window, not per size or per style. Minimums are also per design, meaning orders cannot be split across multiple designs to meet a threshold.
If a preorder falls just one or two items short of the required minimum, we’ll work with you whenever possible to find a solution.
What Happens If Minimums Aren’t Met?
If a preorder does not reach the required minimum for screen printing, we won’t cancel your orders or leave you guessing.
Instead, the design will be produced using Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing so all customers still receive their merchandise.
DTF allows us to fulfill smaller runs while maintaining good print quality and consistency. While screen printing remains our preferred method, DTF acts as a reliable fallback when minimums are not met.
Why We Structure It This Way
Our preorder system is designed to balance three important things:
- No upfront costs for organizers.
- Professional-grade decoration for customers.
- Fair production practices that allow us to deliver consistent quality.
Minimums help us avoid cutting corners while still offering a low-risk way to sell merch. This structure ensures everyone involved gets a product they’re proud of, without financial pressure on the organizer.
Guaranteeing Screen Printing with a Bulk Add-On
If an organizer is set on having their garments screen printed but the preorder does not meet the required minimum, there is another option available.
Organizers may choose to order the remaining quantity in bulk to meet the screen printing minimum. This allows the entire order to be produced using traditional screen printing rather than switching to DTF.
This option also works well in situations where additional people want to place orders after the preorder has closed. Once a preorder ends on our site, that specific item is no longer available unless it is relaunched in the future. Any late orders must be handled separately.
Bulk add-on garments:
- Count toward meeting the screen printing minimum.
- Do not include the preorder platform fee.
- Are priced 15% less than preorder pricing.
This approach gives organizers more flexibility, helps preserve the desired production method, and ensures no interested buyers are left out once a preorder has closed.
If this option sounds like a good fit, we’re always happy to talk through quantities and pricing before or after a preorder wraps up.
Returns, Exchanges & Sizing
Because all preorder items are made to order, we do not accept returns or exchanges, including for sizing issues. Once a preorder closes, garments are produced specifically for the customers who ordered them, which means there is no extra inventory available for size swaps.
To help customers choose the correct size, size charts are provided in each product’s description. It’s important to note that different garment styles, brands, and fabrics fit differently. A lightweight tee, heavyweight tee, and hoodie will not fit the same, even if they’re labeled the same size. We strongly recommend reviewing size charts carefully before placing an order.
This made-to-order approach is what allows organizers to sell merch without upfront costs or leftover inventory.
Local Pickup & Shipping
Local pickup is available only if the preorder organizer chooses to offer it. When local pickup is enabled, finished items are delivered in bulk to the organizer, who then becomes the distributor. Pickup location and timing are handled directly by the organizer.
If local pickup is not offered, orders will ship directly to customers. In the event a package is lost in transit, we’re happy to help and can offer a refund when appropriate. Shipping costs, however, are non-refundable.
Samples, Proofs & Production
We do not offer physical samples prior to launching a preorder. Instead, each preorder includes an extensive digital proof that must be reviewed and approved by the organizer before the store goes live. This proof serves as the final reference for production and ensures alignment on placement, colors, and layout before printing begins.
Artwork Ownership & Reuse
You always retain ownership of your artwork. If screen printing is used, the physical screens created for production belong to our shop and cannot be transferred, as they are specialized tools built specifically for our equipment and workflow.
The same design can be reused for future preorders, making relaunching a popular item simple and cost-effective.
Preorder Approval & Content Guidelines
We reserve the right to decline preorder submissions for any reason, including (but not limited to) political messaging or harmful content. This helps ensure our platform remains respectful, inclusive, and community-focused.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions about a preorder, an order you placed, or how the process works, we’re always happy to help. You can reach out through our contact form or email us directly at hello@neoprintco.com