A local charity order with inland delivery needs
The client was a community fundraising committee in Howick organising a one-day event for schools, volunteers and local supporters. They needed shirts for the main crew plus tote bags for prize packs and raffle sales, all printed in time for a weekend programme inland where there is no room for late changes.
The brief was practical from the start. They wanted a simple, readable design that would work on a mix of black and white garments, hold up through repeated wear, and still look tidy under bright afternoon sun. Because the event relied on volunteers, we also had to keep the order easy to issue in sizes and easy to count on the day.
- Event location: Howick, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
- Items supplied: cause T-shirts and tote bags
- Use: fundraiser staff, volunteers and sale items
- Delivery method: courier from Umbilo, Durban
Artwork checking before any screens were made
The artwork arrived as a mix of logo files and text notes, so our first job was to clean it up and check that every detail would print clearly. We redrew the artwork into vector format, checked the line thickness, and adjusted the spacing on the sponsor names so nothing would blur once exposed onto screen. That step matters on event work because a small spelling issue or soft edge can delay the whole job.
Once the artwork was approved, we prepared the colour separation and film output in-house. For the shirts we set up one bold print colour that would stand out on both light and dark garments, while the tote bags carried a simpler version for better day to day use. This kept the print clean and kept setup costs under control for a mixed order.
- Artwork service used: vector redrawing and colour separation
- Output prepared: film positives for screen exposure
- Print approach: single-colour artwork for clear, fast printing
- Proofing: checked before screens were stretched
Screen making and production for a mixed run
Screen Spectrum produced the stencil and screen making in-house, which meant we could move straight from approved artwork into production without waiting on an outside supplier. The screens were stretched, coated with emulsion, exposed, washed out and touched up in our Umbilo workshop. After that we checked registration and ran test prints before the full run started.
The order included different garment types, so the print settings had to suit both cotton tees and woven tote bags. The shirt run was sized for a volunteer group with spare stock for late additions, while the bags were set aside for fundraising sales. We also packed the order so the client could hand out items in neat batches when the team arrived in Howick. It sounds simple, but that kind of sorting saves a lot of time on event week.
- Screen services used: stretching, reclaiming, emulsion coating and exposure
- Quality control: washout, touch-up, registration and test printing
- Packaging: sorted by size and use
- Production base: Umbilo, Durban
Timeline and order size that suited the deadline
The full job ran over two weeks from artwork check to dispatch. Week one was reserved for artwork cleanup, separation and screen preparation. Week two covered printing, drying, packing and courier handover. That timeline gave enough breathing room for one round of approval and left time for a final count before dispatch.
The client needed a dependable turnaround because the event was inland and there was no practical way to recover a missed delivery at short notice. We kept them updated at each stage so they knew exactly when the order would leave Durban and when it should arrive in Howick. No guesswork, no last-minute panic, just a clean run from start to finish.
- Week 1: artwork checking and screen prep
- Week 2: printing, drying, packing and dispatch
- Coverage: enough stock for staff and sales
- Delivery: courier to Howick from Durban
What the client received on event day
By the time the event started, the shirts were ready for the crew and the tote bags were packed for fundraising use. The print held a neat edge on every piece, which helped the organisers present a consistent look across volunteers, ticket sellers and helpers at the registration table. That matters at a public event because people notice whether a team looks organised even before the programme begins.
The client reported that the sizes were easy to hand out and the bags sold well because they were practical after the event too. The order also arrived with enough margin for a few extra hands who joined later in the week. For us, that is a good result: items that do the job on the day and still make sense afterwards.
- Result: uniform look for volunteers and sellers
- Garment use: shirts for staff, tote bags for fundraising
- After-use value: bags suitable for shopping and school items
- Final check: packed and counted before courier release
Why this sort of job works well for inland events
Fundraiser printing often looks straightforward, but inland events bring their own pressure. If a town is a few hours from Durban, the order has to leave on time and the print needs to be consistent because there may not be room for replacement stock. Our in-house setup helps with that because artwork, screen making and production all happen under one roof.
If we were doing the same project again, we would keep the same process: simple artwork, one strong print colour, clear size labelling and a packed dispatch list for the organisers. For mixed event orders this approach keeps costs sensible and makes the handover much easier for a volunteer team. It also handles KZN conditions well, from coastal humidity in Durban to dry inland delivery routes.
- Best practice: keep the design simple and readable
- Operational advantage: one team handles the full job
- Dispatch benefit: clearer counts and fewer packing errors
- Repeatable for schools, clubs and community groups
Key facts
| Project | Howick fundraiser tees and tote bags |
|---|---|
| Client type | Community fundraising committee |
| Town | Howick, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands |
| Printed items | T-shirts and tote bags |
| Timeline | 2 weeks from artwork check to courier dispatch |
| Production | In-house screen making, test printing and packing in Umbilo, Durban |
