Summer is one of the biggest selling seasons of the year, and back-to-school essentials are where the money’s at.
From backpacks and notebooks to erasers and fresh clothes, families are spending an average of $858 per household on school supplies. The best part? Most of that back-to-school shopping happens online.
These 18 back-to-school essentials cover everything students need – plus free designs to help your store sell faster this season.
Key takeaways
- By early June, 26% of K-12 and college shoppers have already started buying back-to-school essentials. By July, that number jumps to 67%.
- US families spend an average of $858 per household on back-to-school supplies, and online stores are the top shopping destination.
- Pencil cases, backpacks, custom tees, and notebooks are all trending print-on-demand products that sell across elementary, middle, high, and college levels.
- Printify’s free Product Creator lets you design unique back-to-school essentials fast, with no experience required.
- With the right timing, products, and designs, your store can earn straight A’s this back-to-school shopping season.
When does back-to-school shopping begin?
Shopping for back-to-school essentials starts well before the first day of class. 67% of K-12 and college shoppers start in early July, while 26% begin even earlier – by June.
The motivation is largely economic:
- 91% of shoppers expect prices for back-to-school essentials to be higher due to tariffs.
- 82% plan to shop back-to-school deals during July sales events – like Amazon Prime Day – to offset those costs.
- Gen Z shoppers are buying especially early to lock in the apparel and footwear styles and sizes they want before stock runs low.
- Families want their back-to-school basics sorted before the new school year approaches.
For print-on-demand sellers, that window makes all the difference. If you’re stocking notebooks, grade-specific tees, lunch boxes, or other school supplies, your store needs to be ready for back-to-school sales in June – not August.
The earlier you’re set up with personalized back-to-school essentials, the more of that early demand you can meet.
How big is back-to-school spending?
School season means serious spending. In 2026, total sales for back-to-school essentials will reach $85.42 billion, growing at 3.3% year over year.
US families with school-age children spend an average of $858 per household on essential back-to-school supplies – and that’s just K-12.
Here’s where that budget actually goes, according to the Prosper Insights and Analytics survey:
Category | Average spend | % of families |
|---|---|---|
Electronics and laptops | $442 | 67% |
Clothing and accessories | $263 | 95% |
Shoes | $187 | 91% |
School supplies (pencils, erasers, binders, sticky notes, and more) | $152 | 95% |
College students spend even more to prepare, averaging $1,326 per household. This covers college-ruled notebooks, textbooks, dorm basics, and everything in between.
The good news for print-on-demand sellers: 54.8% of K-12 shoppers and 47.6% of college shoppers buy back-to-school essentials online, ahead of department and discount stores.
So before schedules fill up, make sure to get your listings in front of families actively looking to shop back-to-school deals.
18 Best-selling back-to-school essentials for your store
Stock your store with custom back-to-school supplies that students, parents, and teachers actually want. From elementary school must-haves to college dorm-ready gear, this back-to-school essentials list covers every grade.
Pencil case
Custom pencil cases are a back-to-school essential for students at any level. This polyester pouch keeps your pens, erasers, colored pencils, permanent markers, glue sticks, paper clips, and other writing tools organized with a secure zipper. Plus, it’s compact enough to slip into any backpack.
Matte canvas
A custom matte canvas turns a dorm wall, bedroom, or classroom corner into something worth looking at. Add motivational quotes for study sessions or a vision board to help students focus on assignments and keep track of their progress through the school year.
Youth short-sleeve tee
Need clothes that’ll last all day? Soft, lightweight, and easy to customize, this Bella + Canvas tee is a back-to-school staple for elementary and middle-school children. Print trending graphics, school mascots, or matching designs for clubs, teams, or school groups.
Softcover journal (with inside prints)
This custom softcover journal is a must-have back-to-school accessory for high school and college students. Print subject dividers, to-do lists, or daily schedules inside to help them stay organized while learning. Add a custom cover that makes it easy to spot among a pile of textbooks and binders.
Laptop sleeve
A back-to-school essential for carrying a laptop, this custom neoprene sleeve is great foreverything from middle school Chromebooks to college gaming rigs. Print an abstract pattern or hand-drawn illustration, or allow personalization so every student gets a sleeve that’s entirely their own.
Youth heavy blend hooded sweatshirt
This Gildan hoodie is built for the school run, the bus stop, and everything in between. Available in 16 colors and five sizes, it’s a reliable back-to-school staple for elementary and middle school students. Add school spirit graphics, fun inside jokes, or matching designs for teams and clubs.
Stainless steel water bottle, standard lid
A practical back-to-school essential for students and teachers alike, this stainless steel bottle keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12. Customize with a name, mascot, or photo to make it easy to grab among other school supplies.
LED gaming mouse pad, wireless charging
This LED gaming mouse pad works for note-taking, scrolling, and gaming without skipping a beat. The smooth polyester surface gives you room to spread out your sticky notes, writing tools, and other study materials. Plus, the built-in wireless charging panel keeps devices topped up between classes.
Kiss-cut vinyl decals
Custom kiss-cut vinyl decals are a fun, low-cost back-to-school accessory that students can use to personalize their laptops, lockers, binders, water bottles, and spiral notebooks. Water-, scratch-, and UV-resistant, with a removable adhesive that leaves no residue, they stay vibrant for the whole school year.
Unisex casual shoulder backpack
Students love upgrading to a new backpack, and our canvas shoulder bag is made for the long haul. With six compartments, there’s enough room for binders, colored pencils, lunch boxes, art supplies, and all the other college or high school supplies that somehow multiply by week two.
Youth midweight tee
This Comfort Colors tee holds up through the whole academic year – soft enough for everyday learning in class, yet durable for the schoolyard. Print graphics like space, animals, and dinosaurs to give parents an easy back-to-school outfit that kids will love wearing.
Unisex fleece hoodie
This adidas® fleece hoodie is the kind of high school supply that works just as well for note-taking in a chilly classroom as it does for after-school hangouts. Add a custom graphic on the front or back, and let the contrast adidas® logo on the sleeve do the rest.
Mouse pad with wrist rest
Set students up for success with this custom mouse pad. With a Memory Foam™ wrist rest and a removable neoprene print insert, this back-to-school essential is perfect for long study sessions in front of a screen.
Unisex heavy faded tee
This AS Colour faded tee is an essential back-to-school pick for high schoolers, college students, and teachers who want something with a bit more character. Made from 100% carded cotton, custom artwork pops on the soft, faded fabric – ideal for the classroom and the weekend.
Kid’s jersey tank top
Light, breathable, and made for movement, this Bella + Canvas tank top is a reliable elementary school supply for gym class, recess, and casual days. Available in five colors and three sizes, customize it with team shades or bold graphics to keep younger kids cool and confident all year.
Unisex midweight softstyle fleece crewneck sweatshirt
This Gildan crewneck is the kind of back-to-school essential that gets worn all school year – from the first chilly day in September through finals season. Available in 16 colors and seven sizes, it works for high schoolers, college students, and teachers alike.
Youth joggers (AOP)
From PE class to lounging, these all-over print youth joggers are a practical back-to-school essential. They’re lightweight, stretchy, and printed seam-to-seam. Two side pockets keep small everyday essentials within reach, and five sizes (XS-XL) mean they suit a wide age range.
Mesh sneakers
A must-have back-to-school supply for college commutes, high school halls, and everything in between, these custom mesh sneakers are built for all-day comfort. The EVA shock-absorbing sole and memory foam insole handle the long days between first class and after-school plans.
Skip the design work with Printify’s free back-to-school designs
No time to create designs from scratch? Printify’s free t-shirt designs are 100% original and copyright-safe. They’re ready to print on any back-to-school essential, from spiral notebooks and backpacks to pencil cases. First-time sellers can go from blank product to live listing in minutes.
The Product Creator also gives you access to a growing library of ready-made graphics and an AI image generator, so you can build something entirely your own without starting from a blank canvas.
New to designing? Our guide on creating your first design walks you through the basics. And once you’re ready, Printify handles printing, packing, and shipping while you focus on your store.
Create A+ back-to-school supplies with Printify
Ready to launch your own line of back-to-school essentials? With the largest Product Catalog in Print on Demand and some of the lowest prices around, Printify gives sellers everything they need to stock a store with products that students, parents, and teachers actually want.
Think custom notebooks, school apparel, and everyday back-to-school supplies for elementary school kids, middle and high schoolers, and college students alike.
Just sign up for free, pick your products, add your designs, and let us handle fulfillment. Get your store ready before the school year approaches – and keep selling long after the final bell.
