The holiday season is the busiest time of year for custom apparel — and the decorators who plan ahead are the ones who make the most money. Here's how to stay ahead of the rush.
Holiday Order Timeline
- October: Finalize your holiday designs. Get artwork ready now before you're scrambling.
- Early November: Place your first holiday orders. Build inventory for Black Friday/Cyber Monday.
- Mid-November: Reorder based on early sales. Your gang sheet is already set up — reorders are fast.
- December 1–15: Peak production window. Order early in the week to ensure shipping before Christmas.
- December 16+: Rush orders only. Build in extra time for shipping delays.
Gang Sheet Strategy for the Holidays
Set up a holiday gang sheet in October with your top 4–6 designs. Reorder the same sheet repeatedly as inventory sells through. This is far more efficient than placing individual design orders throughout November and December.
Black Friday / Cyber Monday
Custom apparel sells extremely well during BFCM on Etsy and Shopify stores. Have inventory pressed and ready to ship before November 28 — don't be caught waiting on transfers when your store goes live with a sale.
Spirit Stores & Group Orders
Schools, businesses, and organizations running holiday group orders should close their order windows by December 10 at the latest to ensure delivery before Christmas.
Order your holiday DTF transfers now → 24–48 hour turnaround from Lake in the Hills, IL. Don't wait until the rush hits.
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