The school bells are about to ring, and the excitement of a fresh academic year is in the air. As students and parents gear up for the back-to-school rush, you have a golden opportunity to capitalize on this annual shopping frenzy.
Whether you’re an established merchant looking to expand your product line or a budding business owner seeking the perfect niche, our curated list of back-to-school bestsellers is your ticket to success. From custom-printed backpacks to apparel, stationery, and more, we’ve handpicked 15 must-have items for the back-to-school season, complete with free designs to customize.
When does back-to-school shopping begin?
August is the official back-to-school month, so your wallet, shopping list, or online store should be ready.
54% of back-to-school shoppers start looking for school essentials and convenient deals in the last two weeks of July.
If your online store plans to participate in this seasonal sales event, make sure your products, designs, and deals are ready for the early shoppers.
Quick tip
Stay on top of your sales campaigns with our marketing calendar, featuring all key dates and events throughout the year.
How big is back-to-school spending?
This year, back-to-school spending in the United States will generate sales of over $81 billion. That’s a lot of money to spend on school-related essentials.
20% of parents will start their shopping in late July, and 23% – in early August. The most sought-after items include:
- electronics and computer equipment
- clothing and accessories
- shoes
- school supplies
While brick-and-mortar stores still play a significant role in back-to-school shopping, the digital landscape is rapidly expanding its territory. In 2024, 34.9% of all back-to-school purchases are expected to happen online – a notable increase from 31.5% just three years ago.
This means there are many people looking for amazing deals in online stores like yours!
If you’d like to launch your own back-to-school campaign, check out our article on back-to-school marketing ideas. It offers insightful methods and effective strategies for your back-to-school promotions to attract customers and increase your sales.
Make it happen today!
Top 15 product bestsellers for the back-to-school Season
Now, it’s time to stock your eCommerce store with the hottest back-to-school items. We’ve curated a list of 15 must-have products that are popular and highly customizable in just a few clicks.
From classroom essentials to trendy accessories, these goodies are sure to catch the eye of students and parents alike.
Matte canvas
More than just decor – our custom matte canvas is the perfect whiteboard for dreams and aspirations. Think inspirational quotes, milestone memories, or artistic representations of future goals, these durable prints can transform a dorm room or study space into a personal sanctuary of motivation and cherished moments.
Youth short sleeve tee
An eternal wardrobe staple, these comfortable tees are more than just clothing – they’re wearable expressions of love and support. Parents can send their kids off to school or college with heartfelt messages, inside jokes, or words of encouragement printed right on the fabric. It’s like a warm hug they can wear all day, every day.
Softcover journal (with inside prints)
Help students stay organized and inspired with these customizable journals. Printing on the inside pages allows you to create unique planners, study guides, or creative notebooks that stand out from standard school supplies.
Laptop sleeve
Help protect valuable tech with beautifully printed custom laptop sleeves. Perfect for students of all ages, they offer both functionality and fashion, making them a must-have accessory for the modern classroom.
Youth heavy blend hooded sweatshirt
Cozy and durable, our hoodies are perfect for chilly mornings and long study sessions. Hoodies are always in vogue, whether in a classroom or hanging out with friends after school. Customize with funny words, trendy mushrooms, veggie prints, or motivational quotes to keep students warm, inspired, and entertained.
Stainless steel water bottle, standard lid
Whether it’s tea or coffee in the morning or homemade orange juice for lunch, these stainless steel water bottles are the perfect choice for students and teachers. They’re designed to keep the drinks hot – or cold – for longer.
LED gaming mouse pad, wireless charging
Elevate any study and gaming setup with our high-tech LED gaming mouse pad. Featuring a smooth surface for precise movements and beautiful prints, vibrant RGB lighting, and a stable anti-slip base, it’s perfect for both intense study sessions and gaming marathons.
Plus, 15W wireless charging keeps the devices powered up and ready to go!
Kiss-cut vinyl decals
These vinyl decals are perfect for personalizing and organizing school supplies. The precise kiss-cut technique allows for intricate designs and ensures the decals adhere smoothly and durably to any surface.
Crafted with high-quality materials by our expert Print Providers, these stickers stay vivid for the entire school year.
Unisex casual shoulder backpack
A practical backpack becomes a fashion statement with a personalized touch – your amazing designs. Provide an option to add their name or initials, upload a gorgeous pattern, or go meme-crazy to make it their own.
Youth midweight tee
Midweight tees are an all-season favorite. With a broad spectrum of colors and the latest in direct-to-garment printing, these shirts offer exceptional color and print clarity, making them perfect for custom school logos or creative student designs.
adidas® unisex sport t-shirt
Featuring moisture-wicking fabric, these t-shirts can be customized using high-quality direct-to-film printing that locks in color and detail for a professional look. Ideal for sports teams or physical education apparel. Oh, and did you notice it’s Adidas? Youth loves sporting cool brands, and what’s cooler than Adidas?
Mouse pad with wrist rest
Enhance study setups with mouse pads designed for comfort and durability. The high-definition printing ensures every design is sharp and vivid, complementing any desk setup while providing ergonomic support.
Unisex heavy faded tee
These tees provide a unique vintage look with each wash. Take advantage of high-quality direct-to-garment printing to offer designs that maintain their look and feel, perfect for creating a nostalgic yet stylish school wardrobe.
Kid’s jersey tank top
This sporty tank top is perfect for warm weather and active kids. Add a fun design, a team logo, confidence-boosting messages, or fun family sayings to make it a summer favorite.
Unisex midweight softstyle fleece crewneck sweatshirt
Softstyle fleece offers ultimate comfort with a premium feel. The advanced printing options available with our Print Providers guarantee that your designs stay vibrant wash after wash, making it a cozy addition to any student’s (and parent’s) wardrobe.
Save time and increase your sales with free designs
If you’d like to start creating your own back-to-school collection, we have a wide selection of free designs. All of them are originally created by our team of designers, so you don’t need to worry about copyright risks.
Use these designs as is or customize them to fit the needs of your target audience. Although simple, all of them are print-ready, making them ideal for t-shirts, hoodies, backpacks, or anything else.
But that’s not all. Our Product Creator now has a free graphics library full of colorful designs that will fit different niches and audiences. When designing your products, click the Graphics tab, pick your favorites, and customize to perfection.
If you want to learn how to make your own designs from scratch, hire a freelancer, or explore websites with ready-made designs, our recent article on creating your first design will guide you from start to finish.
With Printify, anyone can get an A+ in sales
Whether you want to sell back-to-school goods or design them for yourself, Printify has all the tools, features, and guidelines you need for the perfect back-to-school season.
With the biggest product Catalog on the market, we have something to suit everyone’s tastes and needs. Finding your next back-to-school must-have or bestseller is as easy as singing your ABCs.
When it comes to personalization, our free and intuitive Product Creator remains undisputed. Anyone can easily design and create one-of-a-kind products that outclass the competition.
Pick your back-to-school essentials and start designing with Printify!
