Letting students design your school’s merch can be a powerful way to boost engagement, increase buy-in, and create a sense of ownership—but it comes with a tension: fun vs. brand consistency.

The Case for Student-Designed Merch

Done right, student input leads to real results:

• Higher sales from peer-designed products
• Increased school pride and participation
• Designs that reflect what students actually want to wear

Running a merch design contest can also double as a marketing campaign—create hype, show off past winners, and offer a prize like a free sweatshirt or store credit.

But Guard the Brand

Not every student design should go to print. Set clear guidelines from the start:

• Use school-approved colors, fonts, and logos
• Align with school values, motto, or Scripture themes
• Offer templates or guardrails so designs stay on-brand

You can also split your merch into categories—like core brand (staff, uniforms, traditional items) and student series (seasonal, limited drops, or spirit week exclusives). This gives room for creativity without diluting your identity.

Need help structuring your merch lineup or brand guidelines? Our post on Creating a Christian School Spirit Store That Reflects Your Values is a great place to start.

Want support running a student merch contest that actually works? <