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Try Customily for freeSummer may be winding down, but for ecommerce sellers, one of the biggest sales opportunities of the year is just heating up: Back to School.
Whether it’s kindergartners getting ready for their first day, college students decking out their dorms, or teachers preparing their classrooms, everyone is shopping. In fact, U.S. shoppers spent over $135 billion on back-to-school and back-to-college purchases in 2024, and experts predict that 2025 will see even more.
So, how can you grab a slice of this seasonal goldmine? With personalized products that stand out from the crowd, powered by Customily’s personalization tools and fulfilled through top-tier Print-on-Demand (POD) partners.
Let’s dive into the bestselling, school-ready products you can design, personalize, and start selling today!
🎒 Must-Have Back-to-School Products to Sell (With Automatic Print-on-Demand Fulfillment)
🎒 Personalized Backpacks / Tote Bags / Gym Bags
JetPrint’s Custom Clear Backpack
Perfect for schools with safety policies or events that require transparency, JetPrint’s clear backpack combines utility and compliance with personalized flair. Add custom graphics, labels, or tags to make each one distinct. The reinforced straps and sturdy build keep it reliable all year long.
JetPrint’s Custom Clear Tote Bag
JetPrint’s clear tote is a sleek, functional alternative to the traditional backpack. Great for teachers, administrators, or students who want easy visibility and quick access. Personalization options include initials, colorful trims, or motivational messages, making it a stylish school-day staple.
Printify’s Backpack
Printify’s customizable backpacks are spacious, sturdy, and designed for all-day use. With multiple compartments and durable materials, they’re perfect for books, tech, and supplies. And thanks to Customily’s live preview capabilities, your customers can see exactly what they’re getting before they buy, making every order feel personal and trustworthy.
Printful’s All-Over Print Gym Bag
Whether it’s for gym class or after-school sports, Printful’s gym bag is a lightweight, practical option that doesn’t skimp on style. It features ample space and a drawstring design that makes it easy to carry. Personalization options allow you to cater to school teams, PE classes, or fitness-minded students.
📈 Why it sells:
When it comes to school essentials, carrying gear is non-negotiable — and that’s what makes backpacks, tote bags, and gym bags perennial bestsellers. Every student needs a reliable way to transport books, lunch, and supplies, while teachers and parents also appreciate spacious carryalls for their day-to-day needs.
But what transforms these basics into top-performing products is personalization. Adding names, icons, colors, or patterns turns functional bags into fun, identity-driven accessories. Personalized bags reduce loss (a huge win for parents), increase emotional value, and make school prep feel exciting.
From first graders to college seniors, everyone wants a bag that feels like theirs, and that’s exactly what Customily helps you deliver.
🖊️ Personalized Accessory Pouch / Pencil Case
Printify’s Accessory Pouch
This versatile pouch is perfect for pencils, chargers, or hygiene items, and Printify’s high-quality printing ensures every design pops. Whether personalized with a name or themed design, it’s a great bundle item that adds functional value and style to any backpack setup.
ShineOn’s Fabric Zippered Pouch
Soft, practical, and printed in rich detail, ShineOn’s accessory pouch offers a fun way to stay organized. Great for makeup, tech cables, or school supplies, it’s especially popular among high school and college shoppers who want gear that’s as cute as it is functional.
📈 Why it sells:
Accessory pouches are a versatile, everyday essential that students use year-round, not just in the classroom. Whether holding pens, highlighters, chargers, or personal items, these compact organizers add both style and function to any school bag. What makes them such strong sellers is their broad appeal across age groups: younger kids love themed designs with their names, while teens and college students prefer sleek, aesthetic styles that reflect their personality.
They’re also lightweight, affordable, and easy to bundle with notebooks or backpacks, making them a popular add-on item that increases cart value without adding complexity to fulfillment. Personalized, practical, and portable — it’s a win on every level.
💧 Personalized Water Bottle / Tumbler
Gooten’s CamelBak Eddy® Water Bottles With Magnetic Top
This premium CamelBak bottle brings brand-name quality and dependable function, with a wide surface area perfect for Customily’s personalization tools. Leak-proof, easy to clean, and designed for daily use, it’s ideal for students who want something sleek, sporty, and durable.
Gooten’s CamelBak Eddy+ Kids Tritan™ Renew Bottles
Sized down for younger hands but built with the same top-tier performance, this kid-friendly CamelBak is BPA-free and ultra-durable. Add names, icons, or bold colors to help kids keep track of their water bottles while standing out in the lunchroom or on the playground.
Printify’s 20oz Insulated Bottle
Printify’s insulated bottles are built to keep drinks cold (or hot!) for hours, making them ideal for students who need hydration that lasts through recess, lunch, and after-school activities. With customizable surfaces, these bottles can feature names, mascots, or fun designs, helping students avoid mix-ups and keep their gear uniquely theirs.
ShineOn’s Pinnacle 40oz Tumbler
ShineOn’s tumblers are sleek, durable, and perfect for busy students or parents on the move. The double-wall design helps maintain temperature, while the personalized exterior turns every sip into a statement. It’s a great option for teens, teachers, or college kids who love staying stylish and hydrated.
📈 Why it sells:
Hydration is essential, and in schools, it's also personal. Parents are always looking for durable, reusable water bottles that won’t get lost or mixed up, and students love showing off unique styles.
Personalized drinkware, like stainless steel bottles and tumblers, offers both function and flair. Whether it’s a name, favorite color, or character, custom drinkware stands out in a crowded lunchroom and reduces the chance of loss or confusion. For teens and teachers, sleek tumblers add daily value while reinforcing your brand’s style. Plus, they’re reusable, eco-conscious, and highly giftable — making them perfect for back-to-school shoppers.
✏️ Personalized Notebook / Journal
Printful’s Spiral Notebook
Printful’s spiral notebook features a smooth, high-quality cover ready for full-color personalization. It’s an ideal canvas for names, patterns, and themes, and makes an excellent add-on for bundles. Pair it with a matching pouch or tote for a cohesive school set.
With sturdy coils and lined pages, ShineOn’s spiral notebooks are a daily school essential. The customizable cover makes it stand out — think inspiring quotes, names, or teacher gifts. Whether used for class notes or journaling, this notebook is a smart and sentimental seller.
📈 Why it sells:
Notebooks, planners, and journals are core school tools, but personalization turns them into statements of personality and intent. Students love seeing their name on the cover of a spiral notebook or choosing accessories that match their style. Parents often buy these items as thoughtful back-to-school gifts or bundle them into full supply kits.
Teachers appreciate useful, customized gear too, especially when it comes with inspiring messages or classroom themes. Stationery is also lightweight, affordable, and easy to produce, making it a low-barrier, high-margin product to add to your catalog.
🍱 Personalized LunchBox
Completeful’s LunchBox
Completeful’s lunch box is equal parts cute and practical. With insulated lining and easy-to-carry handles, it’s a great option for preschool through middle school. The customizable exterior makes it an exciting product for kids, and a great solution for parents tired of writing names in marker.
Printify’s Bento Lunch Box
This practical, soft-sided lunch box keeps meals fresh while offering ample space for snacks and drinks. Its compact shape and secure zipper make it a parent-approved essential. Add playful designs or a child’s name to make lunchtime even more special — and prevent accidental swaps at school.
📈 Why it sells:
Lunch boxes are a daily-use essential for students of all ages, and personalization takes them to the next level. Parents are always looking for ways to make lunchtime easier and more organized, and a custom lunch box with a child’s name, favorite character, or bold design is both fun and functional. It helps prevent lost or mixed-up items at school and gives kids something they’re excited to use every day.
For preschoolers and elementary students, especially, a personalized lunch box adds a sense of ownership and routine. Plus, with durable insulation and easy-to-clean surfaces, these are high-utility items that parents can rely on, making them a smart, high-demand product to add to your store.
💻 Personalized Laptop Sleeve
Printify’s Laptop Sleeve
For middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college students, protecting tech is a must. Printify’s laptop sleeves combine a sleek fit with padded protection, plus a full-print surface perfect for custom artwork or monograms. They’re ideal for commuters, remote learners, or anyone bringing their tech on the go.\
📈 Why it sells:
As digital learning becomes the norm, a laptop sleeve is no longer optional — it’s essential protection for every student carrying tech to and from school. Whether it’s a middle schooler with a Chromebook or a college student with a MacBook, a personalized laptop sleeve offers both practicality and personality.
Buyers love being able to add names, initials, or aesthetic designs that reflect their style or school spirit. It also helps distinguish devices in crowded classrooms or dorms, reducing the chance of confusion or loss. Lightweight, padded, and easy to carry, laptop sleeves are a high-perceived-value item that blends style with everyday utility, making them a reliable addition to any back-to-school collection.
💰 Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Back-to-School Rush
Here’s what makes this season a golden opportunity:
- Massive Spending: In 2024, U.S. households spent an average of $890 per student on back-to-school. That includes supplies, tech, clothing, and more, and personalization is a growing part of that spend.
- High Emotional Engagement: This isn’t just shopping — it’s a milestone moment. Parents want memorable, meaningful items for their kids, and personalized products hit the mark.
- Recurring Purchases: Many shoppers stock up again throughout the year, especially teachers, clubs, and sports teams. Nail the first impression, and they’ll come back for more.
- Gifting Potential: Grandparents, godparents, and family friends often buy back-to-school gifts. Personalization adds that extra “wow” factor that makes your products ideal for gifting.
- Easy Differentiation: In a sea of generic school supplies, custom products set your store apart, especially with Customily’s live personalization preview, which builds trust and excitement at checkout.
🚀 How to Get Started
- Choose Your Products
Browse our integrated POD partners (like Printify, JetPrint, and Printed Simply) inside Customily and pick your favorite back-to-school products. - Add Personalization
Use Customily’s design studio to create smart templates with text, images, monograms, or full-color artwork. - Launch & Promote
Publish to your ecommerce store, share on social, and tap into the back-to-school excitement.
🎯 Final Bell: Your Back-to-School Bestseller Starts Now
There’s still time to capture the season — but not much. Start setting up your personalized product lineup today and give your customers something their kids (and classrooms) will love!
💡 Extra Tip: Remember that with Customily, you don’t need to start from scratch. Our library of ready-to-use design templates is packed with back-to-school themes you can apply to POD products instantly. Simply choose your item, add the template, publish to your store, and start selling personalized gear in minutes.
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