Order deadlines
Custom Merch Order Deadlines (2026–2027)
When to order so it arrives on time: order-by windows for homecoming, holidays, graduation, and back-to-school, plus the simple formula to plan any event date backward.
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The order-by formula
Order-by date = event date − (10 production + 5 shipping + 5 buffer business days) ≈ 20 business days before your event. Production runs roughly 10 business days and shipping about 5 business days, plus a 5-business-day safety buffer for artwork approval and size collection, about four calendar weeks in all. Nothing is made until you approve a mockup, so start early.
The season-by-season windows below apply that formula. For the general, any-time-of-year version of this advice, see how far ahead to order event merch. To apply it to your own date automatically, use the merch deadline calculator. Ordering for a Texas school? See the season-by-season 2026–27 school-year deadlines.
Homecoming shirts: 2026 order-by dates
To have 2026 homecoming shirts in hand for the game, order by your event date minus production time minus shipping, plus a buffer: for most fall homecomings that means placing the order several weeks ahead, in late summer.
| Event window | Event dates | Order by |
|---|---|---|
| Early fall homecoming | Sept 2026 | Early-to-mid August 2026 |
| Mid fall homecoming | Oct 2026 | Early-to-mid September 2026 |
Holiday gifts: 2026 order-by dates
For custom holiday gifts to arrive before the December 2026 holidays, order by the delivery date minus production minus shipping, plus a buffer, and add extra time for per-recipient kitting, which ships individually.
| Event window | Event dates | Order by |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk to one address | Dec 2026 | Late November 2026 |
| Per-recipient kitting | Dec 2026 | Mid-to-late November 2026 (kitting adds ~1 week) |
Graduation merch: 2026 order-by dates
For spring 2026 graduation merch, order by the ceremony date minus production minus shipping, plus a buffer. Spring is a busy production window, so ordering earlier protects your date.
| Event window | Event dates | Order by |
|---|---|---|
| Spring graduation | May–June 2026 | Early-to-mid April 2026 |
Back-to-school: 2026 order-by dates
For back-to-school 2026 spirit wear ready for the first weeks, order by the first-day date minus production minus shipping, plus a buffer: placing orders in mid-summer keeps you comfortably ahead.
| Event window | Event dates | Order by |
|---|---|---|
| Back-to-school | Aug–Sept 2026 | Early-to-mid July 2026 |
Order deadline FAQ (2026)
Work backward from your event date: order-by date = event date − (10 production + 5 shipping + 5 buffer business days) ≈ 20 business days, about four calendar weeks. For most 2026 fall homecomings that means placing your order in late summer, several weeks ahead, so approved artwork has time to print and ship. Lock your design early and build in buffer for size collection and proof approval.
For spring 2026 graduation merch, count back from the ceremony date: order-by = ceremony date − (10 production + 5 shipping + 5 buffer business days) ≈ 20 business days, so a May–June ceremony means ordering by early-to-mid April. Spring is a busy production window, so ordering earlier protects your date. See the table above for the season-by-season order-by windows.
For custom holiday gifts to arrive before the December 2026 holidays, place your order by late November 2026: mid-to-late November for per-recipient kitting and individual shipping, which add about a week of handling time. The formula is the same: delivery date − (10 production + 5 shipping + 5 buffer business days) ≈ 20 business days. Order early; the weeks before the holidays are the busiest of the year.
Have a date to hit? Start now.
Tell us your drop date and we'll confirm the order-by timing and send a free mockup and quote. Or call (737) 253-8727.
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