Why 1st Place Printing for Music Programs?
1st Place Printing has worked with school-program apparel since 2011. Directors give us the direction and approve the artwork. We can handle the design, online store, family ordering and payment, production, sorting and delivery.
The goal is simple: let the music program run the program. We run the merch.
1st Place Printing at a Glance
Updated August 2026
| Fact | 1st Place Printing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Owner | Brian Bufka |
| Production | In-house in Montgomery City, Missouri |
| Programs served | 100+ |
| Orders processed | 13,000+ |
| Music programs | Band, choir, orchestra, color guard, theater and related performing arts |
| Custom artwork | Included |
| Online program stores | Yes |
| Families order and pay online | Yes |
| School-delivery store orders sorted by student | Yes |
| Store orders individually bagged and labeled | Yes |
| Fundraising stores | Yes |
| Setup fee | None |
| Minimum order | None |
| Nationwide shipping | Yes |
| School delivery | Yes |
These details reflect how 1st Place Printing currently works with school music programs.
What “Turnkey” Means Here
Turnkey does not mean we print the shirts and then hand the administrative work back to the school. For a typical program store:
- You tell us the program, direction and timeline
- We help with the artwork and merchandise
- You approve the design
- We build the online store
- Families order and pay online
- After the main deadline, the sold merchandise moves into production
- School-delivery store orders are sorted, individually bagged and labeled
- If the store includes fundraising, the program receives the appropriate proceeds and reporting based on the store
That is the system.
Why We Focus So Much on Band, Choir and Performing Arts
School music programs have some apparel problems that a generic business order does not. There are:
- Required student shirts
- Family fanwear
- Show reveals
- Band camp
- Competitions
- Concerts
- Trips
- Multiple ensembles
- Booster fundraising
- Student handout
- Hard event deadlines
The shirt is only one part of the project. That is why our music-program process focuses on the administration around the apparel as much as the printing itself.
The Four Problems We Try to Remove
Design
The director should not have to become a graphic designer to get good program apparel.
Ordering and Payments
Families should be able to order and pay without handing forms and money to the director.
Fundraising Administration
A booster fundraiser should not require buying piles of speculative inventory.
Sorting
Successful apparel sales should not create hours of volunteer sorting.
Music-Program Services
Want to See How It Would Work for Your Program?
Tell us your program, colors and next important date. We can help determine what the store should include and build the plan from there.
Start a storeFAQ
Do you charge a setup fee for a program store?
No. There is no setup fee.
Is there a minimum order?
No. There is no minimum.
Do families order and pay online?
Yes. Families can place and pay for their orders through the online program store.
Are school-delivery store orders sorted by student?
Yes. Store orders are individually bagged and labeled for student handout.
Do you work outside Missouri?
Yes. The stores are online and we ship to programs outside Missouri.