On a weekly or monthly basis, groups are coming forward with different needs. Take a school's cheerleading team, for example, and how they most likely go about getting their shirts. Typically teams need them very quickly, and screenprinting often is not an option for price-sensitive orders with a deadline of less than two weeks.

Styles such as long-sleeved, short-sleeved and sleeveless T-shirts, sweatshirts, and bookbags are all found in school stores... in addition to books. Many direct to garment printers have the capability to print these items as well, further increasing the possibilities within the market apparel printing.

In addition to what's sold in a school bookstore-that which might be considered "optional" decorated apparel there's also the matter of school uniforms, mostly decorated, in use by private and parochial schools nationwide and, in a growing trend, by more public schools than ever before.

There are different reasons why schools would be interested in a dress code or uniforms. One reason is the growing socio-economic concern in schools, in that the kids who come from the more affluent families have access to a style of dress that other kids don't. And you know we all use our bodies to demonstrate who we are and what we're about. In adolescence that can be very difficult so uniforms do level the playing field for kids. The discussion in schools should not be around what someone has, but rather what they can do apparel printing.

In a study com taken with National Association of Elementary School Principals, more than one in five principals from public schools surveyed either have a uniform policy in place, are currently writing one or have one on their agenda for discussion. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education reported only three percent of all public schools had mandatory uniform policies. Today, with three of the nation's largest public school districts (New York, Philadelphia and Chicago) along with many in rural areas implementing mandatory dress codes-combined with a growing population of an estimated six million private-school uniform wearers-the nationwide demand in this category has become huge.

Many kids' wardrobes consist of decorated school apparel of one sort or another. Younger children in private schools often stock up on the latest in white oxford shirts, plaid skirts and khaki chinos. In addition to these, however, is the opportunity for a complete range of more casual and sports-oriented apparel-either screen printed or decorated via digital transfer-which is just as much part of the uniform program as the more formal duds. Many schools try to offer a twist in the designs every year. Spirit and event-related T-shirts that come out from time to time, many of which are adorned with direct to apparel printing.