Ordering custom hair bows for a school, team or fundraiser comes down to a handful of decisions: who approves the design, when you need the bows in hand, how many you need of each design, which bow style and clip, your colors and your artwork. Get those together before you request a quote and the whole process moves faster, from mockup to sample to finished bows.
We've been making hair bows since 2008, and custom orders for schools, cheer and dance teams, PTO/PTA groups, booster clubs and businesses are some of our favorite projects. You don't need to design anything yourself. Our team will help with that part. This checklist covers everything else, so your order doesn't get stuck waiting on a missing detail.
Your custom hair bow order checklist
Have these ready when you fill out the quote form:
- One point person. The person who collects everyone's feedback and gives the final written approval.
- Your organization's name, spelled and capitalized exactly how it should appear.
- How the bows will be used: everyday school spirit, cheer, dance, a fundraiser, a school store, resale or a specific event.
- Your in-hand date. The day the bows need to be in your hands, not just the event date.
- Quantity for each design. Our minimum is 12 bows per design.
- Bow style and size: classic, cheer, longtail or streamer.
- Attachment: alligator clip, Pony-O or headband, depending on how the bows will be worn.
- Color references: official school colors, a brand guide or a clear photo of the uniform.
- Artwork: your logo, mascot or the exact wording you want.
- Who else has to sign off, like a coach, principal or athletic director.
- How you'll pay: upfront, after a fundraiser presale or with an approved school purchase order.
Still deciding on something? That's completely fine. Pick the closest option on the form and tell us in the notes what you'd like help with.
1. Start with your in-hand date
Work backward from the day the bows need to be delivered and sorted. Our standard turnaround is about 4–6 weeks once your order is finalized.
The time it takes to settle on colors, gather committee feedback or chase down a signature happens before that clock starts, and so does a mailed physical sample if you request one. For a game, competition, spirit week, homecoming or holiday event, give yourself a cushion instead of counting on the bows arriving the day before.
Put it on the form like this: "We need the bows in hand by [date] so we can hand them out before [event]."
2. Figure out how many you need of each design
The minimum is 12 bows per design. A "design" is one combination of artwork and layout, so a different logo, mascot, wording or ribbon layout counts as a separate design with its own 12-bow minimum.
Before offering a bunch of options, make sure each one can realistically reach 12. Smaller teams usually do best with one great design. Larger schools and presale fundraisers can handle more choices, since one of our school fundraisers offered 8 designs and sold more than 700 bows. Just remember that every extra option splits your orders a little more.
Quick quantity check
- One design, 30 bows: you're good.
- Two designs, 18 bows each: both meet the minimum.
- Three designs, 8 bows each: none of them meet the minimum.
Running a preorder fundraiser? Collect orders first and send us final quantities after your sales window closes. Our step-by-step school hair bow fundraiser guide walks through the whole presale, or you can see how our hair bow fundraisers work.
3. Pick the bow style for how it will be worn
Think about the hairstyle, the age group and the activity, not just what looks cutest in the mockup.
- Classic bow (4.5", 5.5" or 6.5"): Our most versatile style, perfect for everyday school spirit, fundraisers and school stores. The 4.5" comes on a double-prong alligator clip partially lined with coordinating ribbon. The 5.5" and 6.5" sizes come on a large alligator clip with teeth for a bolder look.
- Cheer bow (6"): The big, game-day bow. It comes on a large alligator clip with teeth, and a Pony-O is available if you'd rather tie it into a ponytail.
- Longtail bow: Longer tails give you more room for wording and a fun spirit look. It comes on a double-prong alligator clip.
- Streamer: Ponytail ribbons for teams that want movement without a traditional bow shape.
Pony-O elastics are available on cheer bows or any other style by request. Satin elastic headbands are available by request on 4.5" bows. If the bows are part of a uniform, check with your coach on the required size, colors and attachment before you approve anything. We're always happy to make a suggestion, but your coach or organization makes the uniform rules. For more on how each attachment holds, see our guide to choosing the right hair bow clip.
4. Send a real color reference
Color names alone can be tricky. Navy, royal, hunter, emerald, yellow and gold can all mean pretty different shades depending on who you ask. With 196 ribbon colors to choose from, a good reference helps us get yours right.
Send the best one you have:
- An official brand guide or PMS color
- A link to the uniform or spirit wear you're matching
- A clear uniform photo taken in natural light
- The logo file from your school's website
Ribbon, thread, printed ink and screens all show color a little differently, so we'll match the closest available ribbon. Please don't treat what you see on your phone as an exact screen-to-ribbon match.
5. Get your logo, mascot or wording ready
Send the clearest original file you can get. PNG, JPG and PDF all work, and vector artwork is even better if you have it. If your school office, coach or designer has the original file, ask for it instead of sending a small screenshot. No logo? For embroidered bows, we can put together a few text design options for you to choose from.
Before you send artwork, double-check that:
- Your organization has permission to use the logo, mascot or trademark.
- The school or team name is spelled and capitalized correctly.
- Any dates, years or initials are final.
- You know which parts of the design can't be changed.
Very fine lines and tiny details sometimes need to be simplified for embroidery. On printed ribbon, your logo repeats down the ribbon and turns as it's tied into loops and tails. So even though every logo looks upright in the flat layout, some will sit at an angle on the finished bow. That's normal and part of the look.
6. Choose printed or embroidered
- Printed ribbon is best for detailed, multicolor or repeating artwork and full-ribbon patterns.
- Embroidery is best for a single stitched logo, mascot, initials or short wording with a classic, raised finish.
- Not sure? Pick the closest one and ask. Once we see your file, we'll let you know whether it should be printed, embroidered or adjusted.
7. Request your quote
Use our custom bow quote form to choose your style, size, attachment, colors and quantity and see an instant estimate. We'll confirm your final quote, artwork details and lead time, usually within one business day. The form takes one design per quote, so if you have more than one design, send a separate quote for each using the same organization and contact info.
Then email your artwork to hello@thehairbowcompany.com with the same name and organization you used on the form, so we can match it to your request. Want to see per-bow pricing first? It's posted on our custom hair bows page.
8. Review your mockup, pay your invoice, then approve your sample
Here's what happens after you request a quote:
- Digital mockup. We create a mockup so you can see your design before you order. Fundraisers can use these mockups to promote their presale.
- Invoice. Once the details are confirmed, we send an invoice.
- Sample approval. We make a physical sample of your bow and email you a photo to approve. If you'd like the sample mailed to you, you can request that on the quote form, where you'll see the current fee and timing.
- Production. Nothing goes into production until we have your written approval. Tracking is provided once your order ships.
Before you reply "approved," check:
- Organization name, initials and spelling
- Logo or mascot artwork
- Ribbon, thread and print colors
- Printed logo size and how it turns through the loops
- Embroidery size and placement
- Bow style and size
- Clip, Pony-O or headband
- Quantity for that design
- Shipping address and in-hand date
Have your point person gather everyone's feedback into one reply. Separate emails from five committee members tend to contradict each other and slow things down.
9. Know your payment options
- Standard and fundraiser orders: Payment is due before production begins.
- Schools: NET 15 or NET 30 terms are available with an approved purchase order.
- W-9: Just ask, and we'll send one with your order details.
Fundraisers can use their digital mockups during the presale, but the final order still needs to meet the 12-bow minimum for each design and be paid before production starts.
Copy-and-paste order summary
Paste this into the notes on the quote form or into your artwork email:
Organization:
Point person and approver:
How the bows will be used:
In-hand date:
Quantity for this design:
Bow style and size:
Attachment:
Ribbon color reference:
Logo, mascot or wording:
Printed or embroidered:
Payment method or school PO:
Coach or organization requirements:
Ready to start your custom bows?
We've sold more than 2 million bows since 2008, and helping schools and teams show their spirit is one of the best parts of what we do. Gather your checklist, then build your custom bow quote. If you're stuck on a decision, choose the closest option and tell us what you need help with. We'll take it from there.
Custom hair bow ordering FAQs
What is the minimum order for custom hair bows?
Our minimum is 12 bows per design. Each different logo, wording or layout counts as its own design and needs to reach 12 on its own.
How long do custom hair bows take?
Standard turnaround is about 4–6 weeks after your order is finalized. Design changes, approvals and a mailed physical sample all happen before that, so leave extra time if you have an event date.
Can I see my custom bow before the full order is made?
Yes. You'll get a digital mockup before you order, and once you order, we email a photo of your physical sample for approval. You can also request a mailed sample. Nothing goes into production without your written approval.
What file should I send for my logo?
Send the clearest original file you have. PNG, JPG and PDF all work, and vector files are preferred when available. Avoid screenshots if you can get the original.
Should I choose printed or embroidered custom bows?
Printed ribbon is best for detailed, multicolor or repeating designs. Embroidery is best for a single logo, initials or short text with a stitched, raised look. We'll recommend the best method once we see your artwork.
Which clip should a cheer team choose?
Cheer bows come standard on a large alligator clip with teeth. If your team would rather tie the bow right into the ponytail, a Pony-O is available by request. Confirm the attachment with your coach before approving your sample.
Can a school pay with a purchase order?
Yes. Schools can get NET 15 or NET 30 terms with an approved purchase order, and we'll provide a W-9 on request.