Ber Months Are Coming: Can Your T-Shirt Supplier Keep Up?

You might be thinking it’s too early to worry about December. But in the Philippines, the ‘Ber’ months start in September—**and they don’t ease in. They sprint. If your business relies on t-shirt suppliers for events, uniforms, merch drops, or corporate giveaways, the ‘Ber’ months are crunch time. And not every supplier is built to handle it.

Before you find yourself scrambling for shirts in the middle of peak season, let’s talk logistics, timelines, and the little details that can break or make your final quarter.

What Makes the ‘Ber’ Months So Intense for Shirt Suppliers?

If you’re new to ordering in bulk, here’s what typically happens from September to December in the Philippines:

• More events: As soon as September hits, schools start planning fairs, reunions, and sports events. Companies begin mapping out holiday activities. Barangays prepare for fiestas. That’s a lot of custom shirts needed across sectors.
• Corporate orders flood in: By October, HR teams begin placing orders for employee giveaways, client gifts, and staff uniforms for year-end events. The volume grows rapidly, especially for large organizations with high-volume needs.
• Online sellers double down: Q4 is a make-or-break season for e-commerce. Many small apparel businesses schedule their biggest drops during this time, aiming to catch early shoppers and 12.12 buyers.
• Printing shops reach full capacity: As demand rises, the production timeline stretches. Smaller operations juggle too many orders, while large ones start filtering out low-priority or late clients.

In short, your supplier is suddenly dealing with a flood of orders—not just yours. If they’re not prepared, you could easily fall to the bottom of their list.

Signs Your Current T-Shirt Supplier Might Struggle

Not all suppliers can scale for peak season. Before the chaos kicks in, evaluate your current partner. These are the red flags to watch for:

1. They take more than 48 hours to reply during regular weeks

If you already find yourself waiting days for a response when business is calm, it’s not a great sign. During the Ber months, responsiveness becomes even more important. Questions about stock availability, delivery schedules, or last-minute changes can’t wait.

A slow response now often turns into silence later—because your vendor may simply be overwhelmed. Responsiveness isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity for time-sensitive bulk orders.

2. They don’t give you lead times—they just say “kaya ‘yan”

Confidence is great, but vague promises won’t cut it when you have deadlines. If your supplier doesn’t provide estimated delivery dates or production timelines, that’s a red flag. You want someone who can back up their yes with a plan.

Ber month orders require transparency. A good partner will tell you when they can start your order, how long printing will take, and when you can expect to receive it—ideally, in writing.

3. They rely on limited manpower or manual systems

Many small shirt suppliers run lean operations, often family-run or dependent on just a few people. While this makes them flexible and personal, it also means they’re vulnerable to burnout or delays if they receive too many orders at once.

If they don’t use any system to track orders, schedule production, or manage stock, you might end up with a delayed delivery, misprinted design, or the wrong shirt sizes. Manual processes are fine until five clients place urgent bulk orders in one week.

4. They don’t require or offer contracts for bulk orders

Verbal agreements are still common, especially in smaller businesses. But during high-pressure seasons, misunderstandings happen more often. If your supplier doesn’t offer any form of order confirmation, service agreement, or invoice with clear terms, you’re leaving too much to chance.

Written agreements help ensure accountability. They also make it easier to resolve disputes or errors without damaging the relationship.

The Cost of Being Unprepared for Ber Month T-Shirt Orders

Waiting too long to order or choosing an unprepared partner during the Ber months comes with real risks:

• Rush fees: When your supplier is already overloaded, they might charge extra to prioritize your order. You’re paying more just to stay on schedule.
• Delayed deliveries: You could end up receiving your shirts after your event. At that point, even a discount won’t fix the problem.
• Quality drops: Overworked suppliers may rush production or outsource without proper checks, leading to uneven prints, wrong sizes, or subpar fabric.
• Emergency supplier switching: If things fall apart, you might need to find a new vendor last minute. That usually means paying more, getting fewer options, and accepting less-than-ideal quality.

If your business depends on making a great impression—especially for startups or client-facing teams—mistakes like these can hurt your brand.

How to Check if Your Shirt Supplier Is Ready for Q4

Before you send that PO, do a little digging. These signs can help you gauge whether your supplier is ready for the Ber month surge:

✅ Do they share their cutoff dates?

Reputable suppliers plan ahead. They’ll inform clients of order cutoff dates for guaranteed delivery before key events or holidays. Some will even post announcements on social media or notify you via email.

If your supplier hasn’t mentioned any deadlines by September, that might indicate they’re operating on a reactive (not proactive) schedule.

✅ Can they accommodate repeat orders or reprints?

Sometimes you realize you need 30 more shirts a week after delivery. A dependable supplier either produces extra stock up front or reserves a reprint slot. Ask them about their process for additional orders—and how fast they can fulfill them.

Suppliers with a good inventory system and printing capacity will usually say yes with confidence.

✅ Do they work with third-party couriers—or handle their own logistics?

Ber months mean holiday traffic and shipping delays. If your supplier uses external couriers (LBC, J&T, etc.), ask how they factor delivery lead times into their schedule. Some vendors even offer same-day delivery options within Metro Manila or arrange for batch shipping to save time.

Those who handle their own logistics often have more control over delivery schedules—a big plus during holiday season.

✅ Are they transparent about their printing capacity?

You don’t need to know how many DTG machines they own, but they should be able to explain their workflow. Can they do 500 shirts in one week? How do they handle multiple clients? What’s their average lead time?

Suppliers who understand their own capacity are better at managing expectations.

✅ Do they ask for an early downpayment or deposit?

At first glance, this might seem like a red flag—but it’s often a sign that your supplier is planning ahead. They’re reserving your production slot, ordering materials early, and securing your place in the queue.

It also shows they’re serious about the transaction—and expect the same from you.

What You Can Do Now to Prepare with Your Shirt Supplier Before the Rush

If you’re reading this before September, good. You still have time to set things in motion. Here’s how to avoid the usual Ber month stress:

1. Finalize your designs and shirt specs early

It’s not enough to say you want “black shirts with a logo.” Confirm the fabric type (cotton? polyblend?), neckline (crew? V-neck?), and print method (screen print? heat press?).

The more details you finalize now, the smoother production will be. It also prevents miscommunication and back-and-forth that eats up valuable time.

2. Book your order before September

Some vendors offer early bird pricing or preferred slots to clients who book in advance. Even if you don’t pay in full, reserving your place early can save you stress—and help your supplier plan better.

This also gives you time to review samples and request changes.

3. Order extra shirts

Mistakes happen. Staff members show up last minute. A few shirts get misplaced. If you have a little room in your budget, it’s safer to add 10% more than your estimated quantity.

Reordering in December is harder. Stock runs out fast, and many suppliers prioritize new clients over small add-ons.

4. Clarify deadlines

Don’t just say, “We need it soon.” Share your actual event date, when you plan to distribute the shirts, and if you need time to pack or transport them. This helps your supplier reverse-engineer the best production timeline.

Being clear also helps if you’re coordinating with other vendors (logistics, event planners, etc.).

5. Have a backup plan

Even the best suppliers can face delays—weather issues, equipment failure, courier problems. Keep a list of alternative vendors or ask your primary supplier if they have a partner they trust.

A little preparation goes a long way in Q4.

Don’t Wait for December Chaos—Plan Ahead with the Right T-Shirt Partner

Many teams only start looking for help when the Christmas playlist hits the malls. But by that point, you’re already fighting for space in your supplier’s calendar.

The Ber months come with high demand, tighter schedules, and less room for error. You don’t have to switch vendors, but you do need to make sure they can keep up.

Evaluate early, communicate clearly, and lock in your orders before the rush. Because in the Philippines, the holiday season doesn’t wait for anyone. And neither should you.