Running a preorder can feel exciting, a little chaotic, and extremely rewarding if you set it up the right way. Whether you're launching new merch, doing a school fundraiser, or testing out a fresh design for your brand, preorders are one of the smartest ways to sell apparel without taking on any risk. You don’t have to guess inventory, you don’t have to hold stock, and you don’t get stuck with shirts that don’t sell. When it’s done well, your preorder becomes a smooth system where you promote your design, customers place their orders, and you collect guaranteed sales before anything goes into production.
To help you launch confidently, here is a clear, simple, step-by-step checklist that covers everything from design preparation to promoting your sale and finalizing your order. This guide works perfectly for schools, artists, small businesses, sports teams, nonprofits, or anyone using our preorder platform.
Finalize Your Artwork and Choose Your Garment
Before anything else, make sure your design is completely ready to go. That means checking the colors, sizing, placement, and the type of garment you plan to print on. If you aren’t sure what style fits your audience, stick to the basics like tees, hoodies, long sleeves, or crewnecks. They always perform well.
Good things to double check:
- Is your artwork high resolution and easy to read?
- Does it screen print well, or will it require DTF for small details?
- Are the number of colors clear?
- Which garment and color will showcase your design best?
This early clarity prevents surprises when the preorder goes live.
Decide How Long Your Preorder Will Run
Most successful preorders last somewhere between 3 and 14 days. Shorter launches create urgency and help keep attention. Longer launches give supporters more time, which can be helpful for fundraisers.
A useful rule of thumb:
- 3 to 5 days works best for hype releases or brand drops
- 7 to 10 days is ideal for schools, teams, and fundraising
- 14 days is the maximum you should ever go
Anything longer tends to lose momentum. Think about your audience and pick a timeline that fits how they shop.
Prepare Your Pricing and Profit Goals
If you're raising money, choose a price that leaves enough room for your payout after production. Our platform makes this simple because we handle fulfillment, printing, packaging, and shipping. You get your cut once the sale ends.
When pricing your items, consider:
- Garment cost
- Number of print colors
- Profit margin you want
- How many items you expect to sell
Your audience doesn’t need bargain basement pricing. They want something meaningful that supports a cause or proudly represents their school or business. Be confident with your pricing.
Write a Clear Description for Your Product Page
Customers love transparency. A short, simple description can help reduce repeat questions and build trust. Make sure you include:
- What the item is
- How the preorder works
- When customers can expect delivery
- Whether items are screen printed or DTF based on quantity
- Refund policy
The more clear your description is, the smoother your launch will be.
Approve Your Mockups Before Going Live
A good mockup can make or break a preorder. People want to see what they’re buying, and a clean, realistic mockup increases conversions. Before publishing, check that:
- Your mockup matches your chosen garment
- Colors look accurate
- Sizing and placement look natural
- The mock is easy to read on mobile devices
A strong visual is one of the biggest factors in preorder success.
Promote Your Preorder Everywhere
Once your preorder is live, promote it like it matters. Because it does. Even a few small posts can dramatically change your results. Make sure to share it in as many places as possible:
- Instagram feed posts and stories
- Facebook groups or business pages
- School newsletters
- Email lists
- Booster club or PTA pages
- Sports teams’ communications
- Friends and family
- Local communities
And don’t be afraid to post multiple reminders. People often need two or three chances before they click through.
Track Sales and Encourage Final Pushes
Most preorders follow the same pattern. You’ll see excitement at the beginning, a small lull in the middle, and then a burst of sales in the final 24 hours. Use that last day. Reminders are extremely effective. Share countdown posts or send one final message through whatever channels your audience uses.
This “last call” phase often pushes you over the minimums required for screen printing and helps maximize your overall result.
Close the Sale and Approve the Final Numbers
Once the preorder ends, review all your sizes, quantities, and earnings. This is when our team steps in. We prepare your print files, calculate which designs qualify for screen printing, and begin production.
During this phase, make sure:
- All customer information looks correct
- The size breakdown is accurate
- You approve the final summary for production
Once confirmed, we take it from there.
Let Your Supporters Know When Orders Ship
Communication is everything. After your preorder moves into production, keep your customers updated. A short announcement goes a long way. People appreciate knowing their items are on schedule and being handled with care.
This small step builds trust, makes future launches even easier, and sets the tone for your brand.
Celebrate Your Launch and Plan the Next One
A successful preorder is something to be proud of. You created something people were excited to support. You raised funds or built momentum for your brand. And you did it without wasting time or money on unused inventory.
Take a moment to celebrate, then jot down what worked well so your next launch is even stronger.
Final Thoughts
Preorders turn merchandise into a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. You get guaranteed sales before production, customers get items they’re excited about, and the entire process becomes streamlined and stress free. Our platform is built specifically to make this easy for you, whether you’re a first-time creator or a school looking to run consistent fundraisers.
If you want help preparing your next preorder or need mockups, artwork guidance, or pricing suggestions, we’re always here to help.