Freshers Week Merch for UK Societies and Sports Clubs
By The Velocity Wear Team
Freshers week is recruitment season for every university society and sports club. Stash, the hoodies, tees and quarter zips members wear, is a big part of club identity. A society hoodie on campus is also free advertising for next year's freshers. Here's how to plan it well.
Check your SU's rules
Students' unions often have rules on merchandise, finances and approved suppliers. Some require purchases to go through SU accounts. Many universities protect their crest and name. Check before designing so your order isn't blocked.
What sells
- Heavyweight hoodies with the society name and university city.
- Embroidered crewnecks for a smarter look.
- Varsity-style designs with the founding year.
- Nicknames on the back for sports clubs.
- Quarter zips for committee members.
Timing around term
Freshers want stash early, but new members don't know sizes until they've joined. A common approach: show samples at the freshers fair, open pre-orders for two weeks, then order. Production takes 10 to 15 working days from artwork approval, plus delivery, so stash arrives around week five or six.
Pre-orders protect society funds
Never order speculative stock with society money. Pre-orders mean members pay first. Our minimum is 50 per design with sizes mixed, which most active societies reach.
Sponsors
Local bars, recruiters and businesses sponsor societies. A sponsor logo on the sleeve or back can subsidise stash. Check SU rules on sponsorship, especially alcohol brands.
Design tips
Avoid inside jokes that won't make sense to next year's members if you want to reuse the design. Put the year on the sleeve rather than the front so the core design lasts.
Handover
Committees change every year. Save design files, supplier details and size totals for the next committee. It saves them weeks.
Mistakes to avoid
- 1Using the university crest without permission.
- 2Ordering stock before members pay.
- 3Missing the SU finance process.
- 4No handover to next year's committee.
Quick checklist
- SU rules checked?
- Samples at freshers fair?
- Pre-orders open and closed?
- Sponsor approved?
- Files saved for handover?
Designs that last beyond one year
Societies benefit from a core design that stays the same for several years, with the year added on the sleeve. Members from different years then look like one society, and leftover stock stays usable. Save special designs for tours, anniversaries and big events.
Sports clubs and BUCS fixtures
University sports clubs competing in BUCS fixtures often have kit requirements for playing, handled by specialist suppliers. Stash like hoodies and tees sits alongside it. A matching hoodie for travel to away fixtures makes a club look organised and proud.
Nicknames and personalisation
Sports clubs love nicknames on the back of stash. Keep them appropriate: stash is worn around campus, at open days and sometimes at graduation. Committees should approve nicknames before sending the list.
Pricing for students
Students watch budgets closely. Keep stash affordable and transparent about any margin going into society funds. A mid-weight hoodie with a single decoration keeps prices manageable. Check totals on the calculator and add only what's needed.
Collection and distribution
Ask for stash to be bagged by name. Distribute at a social or training session so members can check sizes and names immediately. Record any issues quickly so they can be resolved while the committee still has the order details to hand.
Get started
See custom hoodies, varsity hoodie design tips, and the calculator for prices in pounds.
