Ordering matching shirts for your church group

A practical checklist for youth groups, mission teams, choirs and fun-day helpers: choosing a design, collecting sizes, timings and copyright.

Matching shirts make a group easy to spot, help visitors find a helper, and give a team a sense of belonging. A little planning saves a lot of last-minute swaps.

1. Decide what the shirts are for

• Identification (camps, trips, fun days): choose a bright colour that stands out.
• Team spirit (choirs, worship teams, youth groups): choose a slogan that the whole group is happy to wear.
• Mission or service: choose a message that will make sense to the people you're serving.

2. Choose the words — and check copyright

• Bible verses: translations have different rules. The World English Bible, which we quote on this site, is in the public domain. Most modern translations allow some quotation but set their own conditions, so check the publisher's permissions page before printing a verse in a particular version.
• King James Version: in the United Kingdom the right to print the Authorised (King James) Version belongs to the Crown and is licensed to particular publishers, so permission rules apply in the UK even though it's public domain in most other countries.
• Song lyrics are usually protected by copyright. If you're printing your own shirts, use your own words or get permission.
• Logos: only use your church's logo with the church's agreement, and never use other organisations' logos or characters.

If you buy ready-made shirts on Amazon.co.uk, the seller is responsible for the design — but it's still worth avoiding designs that copy famous logos.

3. Pick one listing and one colour

Colours vary between sellers and fabrics: one shop's navy may not match another's. For a truly matching set, order everyone's shirts from the same listing in the same colour.

4. Collect sizes early

• Use a simple sign-up sheet with name, size and cut (men's, women's, unisex or children's).
• Share the size chart from the listing, and point people to our sizing guide.
• If you can, buy one sample shirt first so people can try it on.
• For children, ask parents for sizes rather than guessing from age.

5. Allow time

Check the delivery estimate on the listing for every size you need — some sizes may ship separately. Leave time for swaps before your event.

6. Money and paperwork

Decide in advance who pays, and keep a simple record of who has paid and who has received a shirt. If shirts are part of a fundraiser, be clear with supporters about where the money goes.

7. Safeguarding

Think carefully before printing names on children's shirts that will be worn in public, and follow your church's safeguarding policy.

8. Look after them

Share our guide to caring for printed T-shirts so the shirts last until next year's trip.

Last updated 4 October 2026.