A class reunion or graduation shirt is more than just apparel — it's a keepsake. Done right, people hold onto these shirts for decades. Here's how to plan an order that your class will actually want to wear.
Reunion shirts — what works
Class reunion shirts live or die on the design. Here's what consistently works:
- Graduation year prominently featured: "Class of '99" or "25 Year Reunion — 1999-2024" gives the shirt context and makes it a keepsake.
- School name and mascot: Connects it to the shared identity that brought you together.
- A design that doesn't look dated: Avoid trendy design styles. Clean, classic graphics age better than what's fashionable this year.
- Back printing for the roster: Some reunions print all attendee names on the back. This is optional but very popular — it makes the shirt feel personalized and exclusive.
Read our guide on how to design a great event t-shirt for more design guidance.
Graduation party shirts
Family and friend graduation celebrations often want matching shirts for the group — "Class of 2025" or "[Name]'s Graduation" with the year and maybe a photo. These work best as simple, clean designs ordered quickly.
For graduation orders, DTF printing is great — it handles full-color designs on small quantities without the setup costs of screen print. Read our guide on what DTF printing is.
How to collect sizes and payment from classmates
A team store is the perfect solution for reunion shirts — set it up, share the link with the reunion committee, and let classmates order their own sizes and pay directly. No money collection, no size spreadsheet, no chasing people down. Read how this works in our guide on team store vs bulk order.
How far in advance to order
For a reunion or graduation event with a fixed date:
- If using a team store: open the store 4-6 weeks before the event, close it 3 weeks out, receive shirts 1-2 weeks before the event
- If doing a bulk order: place the order 4-5 weeks before the event minimum
- For rush situations: call us — DTF rush orders can be turned around in as few as 5 business days
Shirt style for reunions
Comfort is key — reunion guests range from 30s to 80s+ depending on the class. A soft, mid-weight t-shirt in a relaxed fit pleases the widest range. For a more polished look, a polo or long sleeve is an option. Read our guide on cotton vs 50/50 blend to pick the right fabric.
💡 Order 15-20% more shirts than your RSVP count. Walk-ins happen at every reunion, and you don't want to run out. Extra shirts can be sold at the event or kept as mementos.
Ready to order your reunion or graduation shirts? Call 855-TSHIRT-5 or request a quote online.