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Create Custom Apparel Your Club Members Will Love (Backed by data!)

All design, product and brand trends you need to know about this year.
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Faiza Arshad
Marketing Manager,
Fresh Prints
3 Years Ago
9 min read
268 Readers
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Fresh Prints makes custom college apparel ALL the time. We even hire student entrepreneurs to run it on their campuses. In 2022 alone, we printed 671,939 products and created 203,833 designs.

It comes as no surprise that by working with student organizations for 10+ years so far, we not only understand but can also predict campus fashion trends, popular shirt designs, trending products, and sought-after brands.

In this post, we’ll break down what we know so you can use data from us to create the best custom college apparel for your org.

  • Designs Orgs Search For The Most
  • Products Orgs Search For The Most
  • Brands Orgs Search For The Most
  • 2023 Campus Product Trends
  • 2023 Campus Design Trends
  • Average Price Orgs Pay For Merch
  • Typical events orgs order merch for

Designs Orgs Search For The Most

The Fresh Prints art gallery is our 3000+ collection of original Fresh Prints designs that were huge hits when we made them for our customers. Aside from mocking up design requests from our customers, our art team spends a whole lotta time updating the gallery with trendy designs. 

We’ve classified designs by type of event, type of org, season, and style on the gallery. Our data reveals that these design styles are the ones orgs have searched for the most to date.

Minimalist

Sigma Kappa Lovely Script Heart Calligraphy in Red Pr Shirt 01Sigma Kappa Lovely Script Heart Calligraphy in Red

Whether it be your org letters on the pocket area or a neat design on the front of a hat, minimal designs make it easy for your members to wear your custom college apparel outside of campus.

80s/90s

Beach Volleyball Club Colorful Retro 80s Summer Drawing With Palm Trees and Sunset Pr ShirtBeach Volleyball Club Colorful

Do trends die out or do we just rediscover them a few decades later and add a modern touch? In our experience, it’s the latter. We’re constantly updating our 80/90s designs according to the trend of the season.

Varsity

Pi Kappa Phi Realistic Deflated Basketball Recruitment ShirtPi Kappa Phi Realistic Deflated Basketball

 Big block letters, sporty vibes, and that unmistakable collegiate vibe. These varsity looks never go out of style and are ideal for giving your sorority or fraternity a bold, unified identity.

Classic

Pi Kappa Phi Frat House Detailed Illustration in Green Pr ShirtPi Kappa Phi Frat House Detailed Illustration

Born from iconic and memorable art styles, classic is your go-to if you want to make your custom college apparel feel memorable and your own.

Y2K

Alpha Delta Pi Y2 K Pixel Text and Halftone Cherries With Sparkles in Red and White Bid Day Crop TopAlpha Delta Pi Y2K Pixel Text

Our Y2K designs bring the early-2000s drama. Think sparkles, bold graphics, and statement vibes your chapter will be obsessed with. 

Products Orgs Search For The Most

The Fresh Prints Product Gallery features 1000+ products from a wide variety of brands. Collegiate clients often already know what type of product and brand they want before ordering.

Our Product Sourcing team regularly widens our collection to keep up with changing product preferences. Here is a list of products that orgs have searched for the most on our website:

Shirts

C1717 Banana FrontComfort Colors Adult Heavyweight T-Shirt

Classic and safe. Shirts are items students customize the most!

Tanks

1012 Be Athletic 20 Heather FrontBella Canvas Ladies' Micro Ribbed Scoop Tank

Popular for events on chillier days, hoodies are a great variation to the classic custom shirt. 

Hoodies

F P89 Royal Blue FrontFresh Prints Boston Heavyweight Hoodie

Popular for events on chillier days, hoodies are a great variation to the classic custom shirt. 

Shorts

F P16 Beige Front 6956a55c 6f64 4141 89b2 23a4590bb48a (1)Fresh Prints Madison Shorts

Classic and comfortable. Shorts are a popular pick for laid-back custom chapter looks.

Crewnecks

F P88 Royal Blue FrontFresh Prints Chicago Heavyweight Crewneck

Popular all year round, light-weight and heavy-weight crewnecks are another great variation to the classic shirt.

Brands Orgs Search For The Most

Our Product Sourcing team regularly researches and onboards brands based on evolving campus trends. A lot of brands go in and out of trend. Here is a list of brands orgs search for the most to create custom college apparel.

Comfort Colors

Comfortable and affordable. Comfort Colors is a classic choice for all our collegiate customers. In 2025, their products were searched a staggering 30,607 times.

Fresh Prints

We launch products we know you’d love to live your best 4 years in. In 2025, our products were searched 10,218 times.

Gildan

Gildan is a favourite for bulk orders and big events. Easy to print on, easy to wear. In 2025, their products were searched 4,109.

Nike

Sportswear but beyond! Orgs love to customize bands, hats, shirts, backpacks, etc. from Nike all year round. In 2025, their products were searched 8,071 times.

Champion

Champion logo’ed everything that took the world by storm in the last few years. In 2025, their products were searched 2,491 times.

Here’s a list of products our Product Development team predicts will trend in 2026! 

Sweatpants

Ash Front C81188d5 695b 4a03 Aee4 1c6dc12a0afa

Get ready to live in sweatpants next year, because in 2026, it’s all about cozy meets cool. Whether they’re oversized, fitted, cinched at the ankle or wide-leg, sweatpants are it.

Hats

6801 C Grey Front

Hats are about to have their moment in 2026. From vintage truckers to dad caps, everyone’s topping off their fit with something bold.

Skirts

Black F141232c Eaed 4e71 A47d F3580987d12f

Pair them with a baby tee or layer with a hoodie, skirts are the go-to for serving effortless campus style in 2026.

Jerseys

Blackwithgraphitegrey

Jerseys are going varsity chic with oversized fits, custom designs, and standout details.

Polos

F P40 Classic Bluemto Front

Sharp enough to be dressed up, street enough to be dressed down. Want it cropped? Here you go!

Grunge

Delta Gamma Songfest Punk Rock Band Graphic in Black and Yellow Pr ShirtDelta Gamma Songfest Punk Rock Band Graphic

Handdrawn

Zeta Tau Alpha Cute Teddy Bear Drawing Semi Formal Shirt (1)Zeta Tau Alpha Cute Teddy Bear Drawing

Typography

Pink and Red Delta Gamma Checkered Crochet and Heart Pr Shirt 1Delta Gamma Checkered Crochet and Heart

60s/70s

Sigma Kappa Groovy Text and Floral Graphic Sisterhood Retreat ShirtSigma Kappa Groovy Text and Floral Graphic

Cartoons

Kappa Delta Cartoon Snoopy and Woodstock on Bike With Hearts in Red and Yellow Pr Crop Top 100Kappa Delta Cartoon Snoopy and Woodstock on Bike with Hearts

Average Price Orgs Pay For Merch

You could customize an affordable item or splurge and go for something high-end! It all depends on your budget. If you want to know how much orgs pay for popular items per item, here's our data from last year.

  • Shirts – $22.45 – $30.59
  • Headwear – $14.90 – $25.89
  • Sweatpants – $29.70 – $42.60
  • Hoodies – $39.00 – $45.98
  • Crewnecks – $35.62 – $40.90 
  • Jackets – $55.55 – $74.79 
  • Shorts – $20.15 – $30.82

Find other products that meet your budget here.

Typical events orgs order merch for

Your org’s event timeline may look different but here is a list of events for which orgs typically order merch:

  • Rush & Bid
  • PR & General
  • Philanthropy
  • Parent's Weekend
  • Big Little Reveal
  • Formal & Semi
  • Game Day
  • Date Parties & Social
  • Retreat
  • Parent's Weekend
  • Holidays
  • Greek Week

There you have it! Behind the scenes at Fresh Prints – insider knowledge to help you make the best custom college apparel for your Org in 2025. Happy customizing! :)