Every season, we help debate programs come up with fun, practical merch that feels meaningful to students—not just another T-shirt or giveaway. Below are three recent projects that show what different teams and tournaments are doing right now. Hopefully this sparks some ideas as you plan your next event. If you want a deeper dive, check out our full Speech & Debate merch guide here.

Note: School names have been removed or fictionalized to protect client privacy. Designs are based on real recent projects.

1. Tie-Dye Team Building Shirts

Product: White tees and crewnecks
Decoration: Bold black front print
Use Case: Team-building activity + spirit wear

One program wanted something a little more interactive for the start of the season, so they ordered simple white tees and crewnecks with a bold black logo. Students then used them for a team tie-dye day, giving each shirt a unique look while keeping the branding consistent.

Why it works:

• White garments + black imprint = perfect canvas for dye
• Super low stress for coaches—students do the creative work
• Results in spirit wear the kids actually want to wear
• Works with small or large teams; minimal extra cost

This was one of our favorite early-season projects because it doubles as merch and a bonding activity.

2. Tumbler Speaker Awards

Product: Stainless steel insulated tumblers
Shape: 30 oz travel mug (Stanley-style silhouette)
Decoration: Laser engraving or one-color print

A regional tournament wanted something more memorable than traditional plaques for their speaker awards. They chose insulated stainless-steel tumblers and personalized the side with speaker award levels—1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

Why it works:

• Students use them year-round (unlike award certificates)
• Large print area for tournament branding
• Premium feel at a reasonable price point
• Looks great in photos when winners hold them up

A well-designed tumbler instantly feels like a real achievement, and it’s something students keep long after the season ends.

3. Custom Challenge Coins for Elimination Rounds

Product: Double-sided metal challenge coin
Decoration: Relief + color fill
Use Case: Tournament prize for teams reaching outrounds

One invitational tournament created a custom challenge coin inspired by military and scouting traditions. Every team that reached elimination rounds received a coin as a keepsake and symbol of advancement.

Why it works:

• Small, collectible, and display-worthy
• Creates a sense of prestige and tradition
• Affordable at mid-range quantities
• Students love trading and collecting them

Challenge coins have become one of the fastest-growing items in the debate world—especially for invitational tournaments looking for something distinctive but still budget-friendly.

Planning merch for your team or tournament?

Check out our full Speech & Debate merch guide for curated ideas, timelines, and inspiration.

FAQ: Speech & Debate Merch & Tournament Swag

How long does custom debate merch take to produce?

Most apparel and gifts take 7–12 business days after artwork approval. Items like enamel pins or challenge coins take 3–5 weeks. Rush options are available on many products if you're on a tight timeline.

What quantities do debate teams usually order?

Teams typically order 24–72 pieces of apparel and 100–300 items for tournament giveaways. Awards items like tumblers or coins follow fixed quantities per division (e.g., Top 20 speakers, elimination rounds, etc.).

What are the most popular debate merch items right now?

Some consistent favorites include:

• Crewnecks & hoodies
• Tournament tees
• Challenge coins
• Stickers and badge packs
• Tote bags
• Stainless-steel bottles and tumblers
• Staff/volunteer shirts

Premium awards (like engraved tumblers) are increasingly popular because students keep them long-term.

Can you help with design if we don’t have artwork?

Absolutely. We can take a mascot, sketch, rough idea, or even AI-generated art and turn it into clean, print-ready artwork. We also size everything correctly for your print method (e.g., 12” max back print on tees).

Do you ship directly to tournaments or schools?

Yes. We ship to campuses, tournament host sites, hotels, and coaches’ offices. If needed, we can split shipments and help make tournament-day distribution easier.

What budget should we expect?

Here are a few examples of popular items:

• Tees: $8–14
• Crewnecks/Hoodies: $18–35
• Tumblers: $12–25
• Challenge Coins: $6–10
• Stickers: Under $1 each

We can work within student-friendly budgets and offer options at multiple price points.

What are the best items for tournament awards?

Popular award items include:

• Engraved stainless-steel tumblers
• Custom challenge coins
• Medals
• Premium pins
• Small curated gift sets
• Traditional plaques for larger events

Tumblers and coins tend to be the most memorable and photo-worthy.

Can you handle small orders?

Yes. Most apparel starts at 12 or 24 pieces, and many premium items (like engraved tumblers) can be ordered in very small quantities for awards.