Sustainable Innovation: Print on Demand at the University of St Andrews Shop

At the University of St Andrews Shop, we are always exploring ways to offer high-quality merchandise while reducing environmental impact. One of the ways we do this is through our print on demand service, powered by Teemill.

Rethinking How Clothing Is Made

Teemill began as a small initiative with a big ambition: to help redesign the clothing industry and reduce waste. Traditional clothing production often relies on large manufacturing runs, which can lead to excess stock and unused garments. Print on demand offers a different approach.

With this model, items are only produced when they are ordered. This helps reduce unnecessary manufacturing and prevents surplus products from being created in the first place.

A Circular Approach

At the heart of Teemill’s approach is the idea of a circular economy. Instead of the traditional “make, use, dispose” model, the goal is to design products so that materials can be reused and remade.

Teemill garments are made using natural materials and renewable energy, and the system is designed so that products can eventually be returned and recycled into new clothing. Creating this model required new technology and new ways of thinking about how apparel is produced.

Print on Demand at St Andrews

Through our print on demand service, members of the St Andrews community can order specially designed garments that are produced only when needed. This helps us offer a wider range of designs while reducing the environmental impact associated with large inventories.

At the same time, our philosophy remains the same: we aim to create clothing that lasts. Whether purchased in-store or through our print on demand service, St Andrews merchandise is designed to be something people hold on to — a reminder of their time, experiences, and connection to the University.

Ideas That Inspire Change

Discussions about sustainability and the circular economy are becoming increasingly important across industries. In a widely shared talk, Teemill’s founder Mart Drake-Knight explores how rethinking waste and production can help reshape the fashion industry. His talk, “Dear Mr. Bin Man”, highlights how new ideas, technology, and entrepreneurship can help address environmental challenges.

The central message is simple: many of the systems that create waste today were designed that way — which means they can also be redesigned for a better future.

Thoughtful Merchandising for the Future

By working with Teemill, the University of St Andrews Shop is able to explore innovative ways of producing merchandise while staying true to our core principle: offering garments that are high quality, meaningful, and made to be kept.

A St Andrews T-shirt or sweatshirt is often more than clothing. It is a reminder of time spent in a remarkable place — something many people keep for years to come.

And when clothing is designed to be both sustainable and lasting, it supports a future where the memories we hold onto do not come at the expense of the planet