How to Order Family Reunion Shirts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ordering family reunion shirts involves four steps: finalizing the design, setting up the store, sharing the link with family members, and setting a deadline. Here is the full process from design file preparation through delivery, including a simple order form template for families that want to manage the order centrally rather than through self-ordering.

Step 1: Prepare Your Design File

The design file is the starting point. What to prepare before opening the store:

• File format: Vector files (SVG or EPS) print the sharpest results at any size. High-resolution PNG files at 300 DPI are the most common alternative. Avoid low-resolution JPEGs, which appear pixelated when printed at full-shirt scale.
• Background color: For designs on a colored shirt, remove the background from the design file. Use a transparent background PNG so the design sits on the shirt color without a white or colored box around it.
• Design dimensions: A full-front print typically covers an area of about 12 inches wide by 14 inches tall. A left-chest logo placement is typically 4 inches wide by 4 inches tall. Size your design file to the intended print area at 300 DPI.
• Color accuracy: What you see on screen may differ slightly from the printed result due to monitor calibration and the shift between digital and physical color. The most reliable approach is to proof one shirt before ordering for the full group.

Step 2: Set Up Your Store

Once the design file is ready, setting up the store takes about 15 to 30 minutes:

1. Create a Bear Grips Pro Shops account at shops.beargrips.com (free tier or VIP subscription).
2. Open a new store and give it a name that makes sense for your family: "The Johnson Family Reunion 2025" or "[Family Name] Shop."
3. Add products. Choose the shirt style, color, and size range. Upload your design file and position it on the product mockup.
4. Set the price. Choose a retail price for each item. If family members are paying their own way, price with a $10 vendor margin above the base cost (e.g., $29.88 for a tee that costs $19.88 base) or set the price at cost and absorb the margin yourself if you are covering the shirts as a gift.
5. Preview the store and confirm the design looks correct across all products.
6. Copy the store link to share with the family.

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Step 3: Share the Link and Set a Deadline

The shared store link is the core of the no-coordination ordering model. What makes it work:

• Share early. Open the store and share the link at least 3 to 4 weeks before the reunion. This gives the whole family enough time to order without urgency or reminder chasing.
• Set a firm deadline. "The store closes on [date]" is the single most important message to include with the link. Without a deadline, orders trickle in indefinitely and some family members will miss the shipping window. Make the deadline 10 to 14 days before the reunion to allow production and shipping time.
• Share through the right channel. Family group chat, email, or both. For large extended families where not everyone is in the same group chat, a direct message to each family branch organizer is more reliable than a single post that gets buried.
• Send one reminder. A reminder 3 to 5 days before the deadline catches the procrastinators. More than one reminder creates annoyance. The deadline message does most of the work.

Order Form Template for Central Coordination

For families that want to collect all orders centrally and place one order to a single address, a simple order form handles the process. Here is a template you can adapt as a Google Form or shared spreadsheet:

Field	Notes
First Name	Required
Last Name	Required
Shirt Style	List the styles available (Tee, Polo, Hoodie)
Size	S / M / L / XL / 2XL / 3XL / Youth S/M/L
Quantity	Usually 1, sometimes 2 for households
Payment Confirmed	Yes/No (if collecting payment)
Shipping Address	Only if shipping to multiple addresses

Set a form submission deadline that gives you 2 to 3 days to compile the final order before placing it through the store. This gives buffer to handle late submissions and any order questions before committing the full purchase.

Step 4: Track the Order and Delivery

After the deadline passes and orders are placed, the production and shipping window runs 3 to 5 business days for printing and 2 to 5 additional days for shipping. Tracking information is provided for each order.

For the shared store model where each family member self-ordered:

• Each person receives their own tracking information to their email.
• You do not need to track individual shipments unless a family member reports a problem.
• Most orders arrive within 5 to 10 days of placement. No action required on the organizer's end once orders are placed.

For central orders shipped to one address:

• One tracking number for the full shipment.
• Schedule distribution at the reunion or before the event date.
• Allow a buffer day or two between expected delivery and the reunion date in case of shipping delays.

See our bulk order guide for additional coordination tips for large groups, and our main guide for product details and pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make custom family reunion shirts?

Prepare a design file (vector or high-resolution PNG), open a store at Bear Grips Pro Shops, upload the design, set a retail price, and share the store link with the family. Each person orders their own size and gets their shirt shipped directly. No minimum, no setup fee.

What is a family reunion t-shirt order form?

A simple form that collects each family member's name, shirt style, size, and payment confirmation for a central order. Works as a Google Form or spreadsheet. Best for groups that want to place one central order to a single address rather than self-ordering via a store link.

How early should I order family reunion shirts?

Order at least 10 to 14 days before the reunion. Open the store 3 to 4 weeks early to give the family time to order. Set a firm deadline 10 to 14 days before the event. Production takes 3 to 5 business days. Shipping adds 2 to 5 more days.

Can I order family reunion shirts without knowing the final headcount?

Yes. Use the shared store link model. Open the store and share the link. Each family member orders their own when they confirm attendance. No minimum means there is no commitment to a specific quantity upfront. The store stays open until your deadline.