Start a Coach-Teacher Staff Merch Shop for Your School

A coach-teacher staff merch shop is the simplest school side-program to launch. Thirty minutes from sign-up to a live shop link shared in the staff Slack and the school parent newsletter. No inventory carrying cost, no upfront design fees, no per-piece setup. Every order prints and ships to the buyer direct. Profit lands in the school account immediately. Here is the working playbook for the AD, the principal, or the booster club president setting this up for the first time.

Step 1: Pick the Right Plan

Plan	Monthly	Live products	Best for
Free	$0	3 products	Test the model, single-sport pilot
Self-Service VIP	$59/mo	200 products	Full coach-teacher staff plus parent community
Done-For-You VIP	$109/mo	250 products	School wants the work done for them: design, layout, mockups, pricing

Step 2: Upload Your School Mark

• Format: PNG with transparent background (for print) or vector (preferred for embroidery).
• Resolution: 300 DPI minimum for print.
• Variants: upload primary mark plus a one-color version for darker garments.
• Color modes: RGB for digital preview, CMYK or PMS for embroidery thread matching.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Step 3: List the Starter Pieces

Recommended opening lineup of 6-8 pieces:

1. Embroidered performance polo (school mark on chest).
2. Soft hoodie (school mark on chest, sport optional on back).
3. Premium cotton tee (school mark on chest).
4. Performance tee for PE staff (school mark on chest).
5. Embroidered hat (school mark on front).
6. Womens performance polo (school mark on chest).
7. Womens premium cotton tee (school mark on chest).
8. Optional: Champion crewneck for senior staff and AD gifts.

Step 4: Set Retail Pricing

Working zone for K-12 school shops:

• Tees: $30-$36 retail.
• Polos: $42-$48 retail.
• Hoodies: $58-$68 retail.
• Hats: $30-$36 retail.

School staff discount code (10-15%) optional. Profit per piece typically lands $8-$25 depending on item.

Step 5: Share the Shop Link

1. Email all staff: brief intro to the shop, staff issue plan, and self-purchase discount code.
2. Post in the school parent newsletter under "Support Our Athletic Programs."
3. Pin to the athletic department social channels.
4. Add to email signatures of the AD and the principal.
5. Display the link as a QR code on lobby and gym signage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the school need a separate bank account for shop revenue?

Recommended but not required. Most schools route shop revenue through the booster club or the school activity fund.

How long does it take to launch?

Free plan launches in about 30 minutes from sign-up. DFY VIP launches in 7-10 business days once design files are received.

Can the school have a private staff-only shop and a public parent shop?

Yes. Two product collections under one account: staff issue (admin only access) and public-facing (open to all).