FAQs
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Short answers to the questions families ask us most, sorted by topic. Every number here matches our policy pages, and each answer links to the page with the full rules. Cannot find your question? Email support@teecrate.shop and we will reply within 24 hours on business days.
Packing the crate
Our store works a little differently from most birthday shirt shops: you shop for the whole crew in one go, and the cart is called the crate. These answers explain how that works, from the first shirt you pick to the moment you check out.
What does “pack the crate” mean?
It is how we shop for a birthday. You start with the birthday kid’s shirt, then add each person in the crew, like Mama, Dad, Grandma, a big sister or a cousin, each with their own size. The crate is our name for the cart. You see how many shirts are inside and the total before you check out.
Is each family shirt a separate item?
Yes, and we show it openly. Every shirt is its own line in the crate with its own size and price next to it, so you can check each person before paying. Nothing is added for you, and nothing is hidden in a dropdown.
Do the grown-up shirts match the kid’s shirt?
They are made to go together. The Matching Number Candle Grown-Up Tee carries the same number candle idea as the kid’s Number Candle tee, with the age you pick. The Birthday Crew Role Tee says who you are, like Mama or Grandpa, with “Birthday Boy”, “Birthday Girl” or “Birthday Kid” wording. See Grown-Up Crew Tees.
Can I order shirts for a whole daycare class or a big party?
Yes. Add as many shirts as you need through the normal checkout; each one keeps its own size line. If you have a long list, email it to us first and we will help you match products and sizes. There is no separate bulk price.
Ages and designs
The number on the cake is our front door. Each age from 1 to 10 has its own shelf, and the first birthday and half birthday have a section of their own. Here is what you will find on those shelves and what you will never find there.
Which ages do you make shirts for?
Every age from 1 to 10 has its own shelf, plus half birthdays. Tap a number candle on the homepage to see the designs for that age.
Do you have shirts for older kids, like 8 or 9?
Yes. The Number Candle Birthday Kid Tee and the Name & Age Birthday Kid Tee let you choose any age from 1 to 10, and come in youth sizes up to YXL. There is also the Number Candle Kids Raglan Tee for ages 2 to 10, the Lucky Seven tank top for age 7 and the Double Digits tee for age 10.
Do you print cartoon or licensed characters?
No. Every design is our own, and we never print cartoon characters, licensed characters, logos, or team and school names. Our designs use things every party has, like candles, balloons, ice cream scoops and banners.
Are your designs split into boys and girls?
No. You choose the shirt by age and by person, not by boy or girl. Where wording matters, such as on the grown-up role tees, you can pick “Birthday Boy”, “Birthday Girl” or “Birthday Kid”.
Personalised shirts
Personalised shirts are the ones where you type a name. They are a small part of the store, and they come with one big rule: we print exactly what you type. Read these answers before you order a name shirt, especially if the name has more than one common spelling.
Which shirts can I personalise?
Three: the Name & Age Birthday Kid Tee (a name up to 12 letters plus the age), the Cake Smash Name Baby Bodysuit (a name up to 10 letters) and the Sibling Name & Role Kids Tee (a name up to 12 letters plus the role).
Will you send me a proof before printing?
No. We print exactly what you type, and we do not send a proof or mockup first. The live preview on the product page shows how the layout looks, but the spelling check is yours. Please read the name twice before adding it to the crate.
I spelled the name wrong. Can you fix it?
Yes, if you email us within 24 hours of ordering with your order number and the correct spelling. After 24 hours the shirt may already be in production, so we cannot promise a change. See Cancel or Change an Order.
Can I add the party date?
On the Name & Age Birthday Kid Tee you can tick an optional add-on to print the party date on the back for $5. It is only charged if you choose it.
Can I put a team name or a character’s name on a shirt?
No. Names should be a person’s name or nickname. If an order asks for a brand, team, school or character name, we will contact you and cancel that item with a full refund.
Sizes
A birthday crew can easily need four different size systems at once: months for a baby, T sizes for a toddler, youth letters for an older sibling and adult letters for the grown-ups. The Size Guide has the long version; these are the short answers we give most often.
Should I pick 24M or 2T?
24M is cut for a baby who is still in diapers, with room in the seat. 2T is a toddler cut that is a little longer and slimmer. If the birthday kid is turning two and still in diapers, 24M is usually the easier fit; if they are out of diapers, 2T. Our Size Guide explains every size system.
Should I size up?
Many parents choose the bigger size when a child is between sizes, so the shirt still fits on party day and for a while after. It is your call; if the size is wrong, you can exchange it within 60 days of delivery.
Which adult sizes do you have?
Every grown-up shirt comes in S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL. Sizes 2XL and 3XL cost $2 more, and 4XL and 5XL cost $4 more.
Where are the garment measurements?
Each product page shows the sizes that style comes in. If you need a measurement for a specific style before ordering, email us and we will tell you what we have for that style.
I am buying as a gift and do not know the size. What should I do?
Ask a parent if you can, quietly, so the surprise stays a surprise. If you cannot ask, go by the child’s age and pick the bigger size if unsure, because a slightly big birthday shirt still works on party day and a small one does not. For grown-ups, ask what size they usually wear in a regular tee. The family can exchange any size within 60 days of delivery, with a free return label.
Shipping and party timing
Birthday shirts have a deadline that other shirts do not: the party. We would rather give you our real numbers and let you plan than promise a date we do not control. These answers use the same numbers as our shipping page.
Where do you ship?
To the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand only. Shipping is free to all four, with no minimum order. Orders ship from the USA.
How long does it take?
Orders take 1-3 business days to prepare, then 7-14 business days in transit. Details are on Shipping & Delivery.
How early should I order for a party?
In the slowest case, preparation and transit add up to about 17 business days, roughly three and a half weeks. Order at least that long before the party. This is arithmetic from our timings, not a guarantee; if the party is sooner, email us before you order.
Can I pay for faster shipping?
No. We offer one free shipping option for every order, and paying more would not make the shirts get made faster anyway, because preparation takes its own 1-3 business days. If you have a tight date, email us before ordering with the party date and the destination country, and we will tell you honestly whether it is likely to arrive in time.
Will I get a tracking number?
When shipping details are available for your order, we email them to you. You can also check your order status on our Order Tracking page.
Do I pay customs duties or taxes?
For Canada, Australia and New Zealand, duties and import taxes depend on the destination country’s rules. If you are unsure, email us before ordering.
Returns, refunds and changes
Kids grow, plans change and sometimes a size is just wrong. Our return rules are simple and the same for every item in the store, including personalised shirts. The full process is on the returns page and the money side is on the refund page.
Can I return a shirt?
Yes. You have 60 days from delivery to return anything, for any reason, including personalised shirts. Email us with your order number and which shirts are coming back, and we send you a free return label. You can also swap a size or colour as an exchange. See the Returns & Exchanges Policy.
Who pays for return postage?
We do. Even if you just changed your mind, we email you a free return label.
When will I get my refund?
Within 7 days of receiving your return, to your original payment method. The Refund Policy has the details.
Can I get store credit instead?
Yes, just ask. Store credit never expires.
How do I cancel an order?
Email support@teecrate.shop within 24 hours of ordering with your order number. Within that window you get a full refund.
A shirt arrived damaged or wrong. What now?
Email us your order number and a photo of the problem, and tell us whether you want a replacement, an exchange or a refund. We reply within 24 hours on business days.
Care and the cake
Birthday shirts live a hard life: frosting, juice, grass and the occasional dive into a ball pit. A little care helps the print last for the next family photo.
How should I wash a printed birthday shirt?
For any printed shirt, washing inside out in cold water and hanging it to dry is the gentlest way to look after the print. If a style has its own care notes, they are on its product page.
What should my baby wear for a cake smash?
Many parents use one clean outfit for photos first and an easy outfit for the cake. A bodysuit that comes off quickly is a good choice for the messy part. Rinse frosting off in cold water before it dries.
Payments and your account
The last few questions are about paying, taxes, your details and how to reach us when none of the answers above fit.
How can I pay?
The payment options available are shown at checkout. See Payment Methods.
Do you charge sales tax?
We do not add sales tax at checkout. The price you see in the crate, with free shipping, is what you pay us.
Do you keep my details?
We keep only what we need to make and send your order. Read the Privacy Policy to learn more, or email us with “Privacy” in the subject to ask about your data.
How do I contact you?
By email at support@teecrate.shop. We reply within 24 hours on business days. The Contact Us page has a checklist of what to include.