How to Get Your Sorority Shirts On Time (and Become the Best Apparel Chair Ever)

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Shirts that show up two weeks after the event, delayed deliveries that miss the big day, or merch that arrives just in time… for the next event. When you’re the one in charge, the fear of your order arriving late is real.

Sorority life moves fast. You’ve got merch to plan for all year long (we’re looking at you apparel chair), and it only takes one delay to throw everything off.

We’ve worked with hundreds of chapters across the US, and we’ve seen it all. From perfectly mapped-out six-week merch plans to last-minute chaos that could’ve been avoided with better timelines. The good news is, with the right info, a solid plan, and a team that sticks to deadlines, you can make sure your chapter’s merch shows up on time.

Let’s get into how Fresh Prints’ merch timeline works, how to stay on track (yes, even when you need to rush order sorority shirts), and how to avoid delays that’ll have your whole chapter freaking out.

What’s the standard turnaround time for orders? 

The standard turnaround time for custom apparel at Fresh Prints is 14 days (or 21 for individual shipping) from when the order is placed. That’s two full weeks, and yes, every day counts. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening during those 14 days so you can see why planning ahead saves you and your chapter a lot of stress.

Day 1-3: Design + Proofing 

Once you’ve worked with your Campus Manager or our sales team to pick a product and confirm your idea, your design request gets sent to our in-house art team. From there:

• A proof is created: This is a digital mockup of your shirt, including the design, colors, sizing, and exact print specs.

• You’ll review and approve the final design. If edits are needed, we’ll revise it (we offer unlimited revisions!).

• Licensing check: If your design includes Greek letters or university marks, we verify it meets licensing rules (which can take a day or two if approval is needed).

Day 4-7: Logistics and Order Set-Up

While your proof is being approved, your Campus Manager is also handling the behind-the-scenes logistics:

• Product availability: We check our suppliers to make sure every size and color is in stock.

• Shipping method is chosen: Most orders are bulk shipped to one address, but there are also individual or hybrid options.

• Pricing is locked in: You’ll get a quote, and once you approve it, we’re ready to go.

Day 8–14: Printing, Packing, and Shipping

Once your order is approved and paid for:

• We send it to production, where your shirts are printed using your chosen method.

• After printing, the items are inspected and packed.

• Then, your order is shipped out, and you’ll get tracking details in your email.

If you need a fast sorority shirt turnaround, the key is to be super clear on your event date and get your design and sizes locked in ASAP.

Can I get an order delivered within 10 days?

Yes, it’s possible. But it takes speed and clarity to make it happen.

Rush orders are like a group project with a tight deadline: if even one person lags behind, the whole thing slows down. So if you’re ordering sorority shirts and your event is barely a week away, here’s exactly what you need to do to pull it off:

Choose a Product That’s In Stock

When you're in a time crunch, picking the right shirt is the first step to making sure your order actually arrives on time. If you choose something that’s only available in limited sizes, the rush order simply can’t happen.

To avoid delays, talk to your CM early about what products are available for a fast turnaround. They’ll work with us to confirm which styles, sizes, and colours are in stock and can ship quickly. This means:

• Avoiding super specific or hard-to-find items

• Being flexible with colors or garment brands, if needed

• Choosing a style that comes in all the sizes you need

The more flexible you are, the faster we can get the order rolling.

Finalize the Design (Before You Even Place a Rush Order)

Rush orders don’t leave a lot of room for back-and-forth. If your design isn’t finished yet, you’re not ready to order. Make sure:

• You know exactly what design you want

• The design avoids specialty decorations like embroidery or applique

• Licensing is already approved, or your design avoids licensing triggers altogether

You’ll save 1–2 days just by getting these things locked down early.

Keep It Simple

When it comes to rushing sorority shirts, the simpler, the better. That means:

• No specialty inks (like glitter or puff)

• No patches or appliqué

• No individual customization (like names or numbers)

• Stick to basic print locations (front & back)

• Complex designs or multiple print locations may cause delays, so it’s a good idea to double-check with your CM if you’re working with a tighter timeline.

Avoid Special Shipping Needs

Rush timelines only apply to bulk shipping (i.e. one shipping address like your sorority house). Orders with individual shipping, international delivery, or special packaging (like individual bagging or tagging) are not eligible for rush timelines.

Want it fast? Keep it simple and send it to one place.

Approve Everything Fast… Like, Really Fast

One of the biggest reasons rush orders fall apart is waiting on approval. If you’re serious about a fast turnaround, you need to:

• Approve the design and quote ASAP

• Give the final size breakdown right away

• Confirm your chapter is ready to pay the invoice when it’s sent

• Communicate any event deadlines clearly to your Campus Manager

The sooner you approve, the sooner we print. Every hour counts.

Know That Some Print Methods Have Limits

If your order involves screen printing and the design is simple, we can rush up to 200–300 garments. But if it’s embroidery or another slower print method, we’ll need to double check capacity before confirming anything over 100. When in doubt, your Campus Manager will loop in the logistics team.

Be Realistic

We get it, sometimes the timeline is tight. Maybe your event date snuck up on you, or the group took forever to finalize a design. Don’t stress. Even if you’re short on time, reach out to us anyway. We’ve helped tons of chapters pull off quick turnarounds, and there's often a way to make it work.

That said, if your event falls during a high-demand season—like Bid Day, Homecoming, or Greek Week—your best bet is to plan ahead 4-6 weeks in advance. These times of year are packed with orders from chapters all over the country, and the earlier you place your order, the more flexibility and options you’ll have. 

But again, if you’re in a crunch, don’t hesitate to message your Campus Manager. We’ll always do our best to help you pull it off.

I Need the Order to Be Delivered in Five Days… Can You Make It Happen?

If you're on a super tight deadline and need custom sorority shirts delivered within five working days, you’ll want to look into Fresh Prints Flash. It’s our fastest fulfilment option, designed specifically for those last-minute moments.

If your chapter places a Flash order before 12 pm EST on a Monday, your shirts can be at your door by Friday. If you placed the order after 12 pm EST, don’t worry, it’ll get processed the next business day.

What Exactly Is Fresh Prints Flash?

Flash is our expedited production service for both apparel and select promo items. It prioritizes your order at every step—printing, packing, and shipping—so you can go from design to delivery in one school week.

Here’s how it works:

• You choose from Flash-approved products

• Your design follows the Flash guidelines

• You bulk ship to one address (no individual shipping or custom packaging)

Once it's placed and approved, we fast-track everything from production to delivery. It’s the simplest way to get guaranteed fast merch.

What Products Are Eligible for Flash?

Not every item qualifies for Flash, but we’ve curated a solid list of options on the Fresh Prints Flash product page. These items are ready to go and in stock across popular sizes. These include classic sorority tees, comfy hoodies, crewnecks, and many more.

What Print Methods Work with Flash?

We keep it simple to keep it fast. Fresh Prints Flash includes:

Screen Printing

• Up to 3 colors per print location

• No sleeve prints or pocket designs

DTG (Direct-to-Garment)

• Only for 100% cotton garments

• We can do sleeves and pocket prints

Embroidery

• Only on front chest or regular back

Is There a Minimum or Maximum Quantity?

Yes. Each print type has a minimum order quantity (MOQ):

• Screen Printing: 24

• Embroidery: 12

• DTG: 6

Flash orders can go up to a maximum of 200 items per design, depending on the print type. If you’re thinking of going over that, your Campus Manager can check capacity with our team.

Curious about how we bring your designs to life? Check out our How to Merch page to see all the different print options and how it happens irl.

You’ve Got This

Most sorority events happen around the same time for everyone, so your chapter is showing up next to every other sorority too. Just know that people are watching, especially PNMs and freshmen, deciding where they want to end up. If your merch is late or looks off, it reflects on your whole chapter. Plus, your sisters are counting on merch they’re proud to wear, it’s a big part of what makes the event feel whole.

So stick to the standard sorority shirt shipping timeline, finalize your design early, ask questions, and use all the support available from your CM.

If you’re not sure what’s possible yet, shoot us a message or reach out to your Campus Manager. We’ll walk you through it, confirm what’s doable, and find the fastest path forward.

If you’re ready to go Flash, pick a Flash-eligible product and let us do our thing. Your order could be on your doorstep by the end of the week.

P.S We have thousands of designs to choose from, and you can even create your own using our design tool.