Why a store beats a one-time bulk order
A bulk order means someone has to collect money, chase sizes and guess quantities. A fundraiser store flips that. People order and pay for their own shirt, so the church never carries inventory or fronts a deposit. With OTTM there is no minimum at all for fundraiser stores.
Step 1: Decide what the money is for
Give people a reason to buy. "Youth mission trip to ..." or "New nursery fund" sells better than "church merch". Put the goal in the store description and in every announcement.
Step 2: Choose one or two designs, not ten
Fewer designs means a clearer message and fewer decisions. Start with a shirt and a hoodie. A scripture design, a church logo design, or a camp or trip design all work. If you do not have artwork, send a logo, a verse or an idea and we will create it with you. You can also build it yourself in the design studio and see the mockup right away. If you want us to create or refine artwork, that appears as a design fee on your estimate before you approve anything.
Step 3: Open the store
The ordering portal is free. Your store gets its own page, so you can share one link in the bulletin, on social media and in group chats.
Step 4: Set a deadline
A short window, two to three weeks, creates urgency. Announce it from the pulpit, in the bulletin and by email, and send one reminder in the final week.
Step 5: Pick up at church
Fundraiser store orders are picked up right at your church, so there is no per-person shipping to sort out.
Timeline to plan around
Production takes about 10 business days from proof approval. Plan your close date and your distribution Sunday backward from there. If something is urgent, rush orders are ready in 5 business days for an extra 25%.
Quick checklist
- A clear goal and a goal amount
- One or two designs
- A close date and a pickup date
- Three announcements: launch, midpoint, last call
Ready to set one up? Start a free church fundraiser store.