A Community Giveback Initiative by DARE Print & Sign Co.

About ImprintED

ImprintED was born from a simple belief: every student group deserves quality custom apparel, regardless of budget. As a program of DARE Print & Sign Co., we’ve made it our mission to support K-12 schools throughout Cañon City and Fremont County, Colorado through quarterly apparel donations and fundraising partnerships that keep money circulating in our local economy.

What started as occasional donations to local schools has grown into a structured program that serves dozens of student organizations each year—from academic clubs and athletic teams to leadership groups and faculty appreciation initiatives. Working in close partnership with Cañon City Schools District Liaison Miles Tuttle, we’ve built a program that reaches every corner of the district.

Why a Shirt Matters More Than You Think

Psychologist Abraham Maslow identified belonging as one of humanity’s core needs—right after safety and shelter. Before students can thrive academically, before teachers can lead effectively, they need to feel like they’re part of something. Custom apparel is one of the most accessible and powerful tools for creating that connection.

Program Coordinator Kenny Haferkamp learned this principle during ten years of service in the United States Marine Corps, where the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor appears on everything from uniforms to coffee mugs—not as decoration, but as identity. That same principle showed up years later when he provided 1,000 free practice shirts annually to youth soccer players. Kids didn’t just wear them to practice. They wore them everywhere—to school, to the store, to family gatherings. For players from families facing economic hardship, it was often one of the nicest shirts they owned. And because every player had one, there was no stigma attached to wearing it.

ImprintED applies this same understanding to schools. When a student puts on a shirt representing their club, team, or school, they’re making a visible declaration: I belong here. When a new teacher receives a custom shirt on their first day, the message is immediate: you’re one of us. These aren’t just shirts—they’re tools for building identity, connection, and community.

Our Approach

We’ve structured ImprintED to maximize impact while ensuring fairness across all participating schools:

Quarterly Donations at Scale
Each quarter, two schools are selected to receive 75 custom shirts each—150 shirts per quarter flowing directly into Cañon City Schools. District Liaison Miles Tuttle coordinates the selection process to ensure every school has equal opportunity to participate.
New Teacher & Staff Welcome Program
Every new teacher and classified staff member joining the district receives a free custom t-shirt. School HR departments send new hires a private link to submit their size and school information, and we handle the rest.
No Strings Attached
Our donations come with zero branding requirements. No sponsor logos, no advertising—just quality custom apparel designed specifically for your students and staff.
Local Production
Every order is produced in-house at our Cañon City facility using state-of-the-art DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing technology. This allows us to deliver vibrant, full-color designs on a wide range of garment types.
Added Value Through Hanes4Education
We’ve registered with the Hanes4Education rebate program, which means schools receive an additional $0.10 per garment rebate check directly from Hanes when we use their brands—at absolutely no cost to anyone.

Why Local Matters

When schools work with ImprintED, they’re not just getting custom apparel—they’re investing in their own community. Every dollar spent with DARE Print & Sign Co. stays in Fremont County, supporting local jobs and contributing to the economic health of Cañon City.

We’re not a national chain or an online-only operation. We’re your neighbors at 710 Main Street in downtown Cañon City, and we take pride in being part of the community we serve. When you have questions, you talk directly to Kenny or Erica—not a call center.

Looking Ahead

ImprintED continues to grow as we explore new ways to support local education. Our future plans include expanding product offerings to bags and accessories, creating student mentorship opportunities in graphic design, partnering with art classes for student-designed apparel, and eventually extending our reach to other schools in Fremont County, Colorado.

We believe that supporting education is one of the most meaningful investments a local business can make. The students wearing ImprintED apparel today are tomorrow’s community leaders, business owners, and neighbors. We’re proud to play a small part in their journey.

Get In Touch

Ready to learn more about ImprintED or interested in how your school can participate? Contact Program Coordinator Kenny Haferkamp at kenny@dareprint.com or call (719) 881-0098. We’re always happy to discuss how we can support your students and staff.

DARE Print & Sign Co.
710 Main Street
Cañon City, CO 81212