August and September are the busiest months for schools, parent associations, academies, and student groups: backpacks, school supplies, and welcome textiles all need to be ready before the new term starts. At Gurupro we make custom backpacks and school supplies for schools and academies, and custom campus textiles —sweatshirts and t-shirts— for student associations. This guide covers what to order, which technique to use, and how far in advance, depending on whether you're a school or a student association.

Why back to school and back to campus matter for merchandise

The first day of term is when a school's, academy's, or student association's image matters most: new families, students starting the year, new members joining. A well-made backpack or sweatshirt with a logo isn't just practical —carrying books, identifying a group— it also signals that a well-run organization is behind it. And unlike a flyer, it gets used literally every day for months.

Back to school: custom backpacks and school supplies

For nurseries, schools, high schools, language academies, and after-school activities, the most common order combines a custom backpack with the school's logo and a basic school-supplies kit for new families. These are the most requested items:

• Custom backpacks: different sizes by age group (preschool, primary, secondary), with enough room for books and folders, in colors matching the school's identity.
• Welcome kits for new families: backpack plus basic school supplies (notebooks, pencil case, pens) with the school's logo, designed to make a good impression from day one.
• Standalone custom school supplies: notebooks, folders, and pencil cases to reinforce the school's identity without ordering a full backpack set.

Back to campus: sweatshirts and t-shirts for student associations

For debate clubs, student unions, fraternities, or welcome-week organizing teams, the typical order centers on textiles that give the group visibility from day one:

• Custom sweatshirts: with the association's name, class logo, or year's motto —the most requested item for giving a large group a shared identity.
• Association t-shirts: a more affordable option for large runs, common for welcome events or one-off campus events.
• Association tote bags: a common addition to new-member welcome packs; to dig deeper into the options, see our guide on which technique to use for custom tote bags.

Which personalization technique to choose in each case

To better understand how each technique works, see our dedicated guide on screen printing and embroidery applied to corporate and school textiles.

Common mistakes when ordering backpacks and textiles for September

• Ordering too late: back-to-school and campus orders all cluster into the same 3-4 weeks of August; it's best to finalize the design well before the first day of class.
• Not defining sizes properly: schools often need several size ranges (preschool, primary, secondary); associations should run a size survey before ordering.
• Choosing a backpack without considering the weight it will carry: books and folders are heavy; reinforce seams and straps for primary or secondary orders.
• Not making the most of the welcome kit: pairing a backpack or sweatshirt with a small extra item (notebook, pen) greatly improves perceived value without adding much cost.

"The backpack or sweatshirt that works best for September isn't the flashiest one in the catalog —it's the one that arrives on time and lasts the whole school year."

How to request a quote for back to school or campus, step by step

1. Define your audience: a school (backpacks, school supplies) or a student association (sweatshirts, t-shirts, tote bags).
2. Calculate the quantity with a margin above the expected number of students or members.
3. Send your logo in vector format (AI, EPS, or PDF), or at the highest resolution available.
4. Specify the sizes needed if the order includes textiles.
5. Confirm the deadline —usually the first day of class— so we can recommend a technique compatible with that timeline.

Real use cases at Gurupro

We work with nurseries, schools, high schools, language academies, and after-school programs through our custom backpack catalog, and with student associations and student unions through our custom sweatshirts and t-shirts catalog. We've spent over 20 years helping schools and student groups get their orders ready before the first day of class, with production timelines built specifically around the August-September window.

Frequently asked questions