About Expressions Tea Towels

For 27 years, Expressions has been turning children's artwork into cherished keepsakes and raising millions of dollars for schools across Australia. We're a small Australian team with a big heart and we genuinely love what we do.

OUR STORY

The business behind Australia's most loved tea towel fundraiser.

In 1998 I tested the concept with our first 2 schools and it was a hit, so in 1999 the business was born from my kitchen table. I founded Expressions Australia with two goals in mind, create something genuinely meaningful and build a business that worked around family life.

Having worked in school fundraising for several years, I knew of the need for vital community fundraising projects. So many products were based around food and throwaway products, plus schools were running multiple fundraisers every term and co-ordinators were looking for ideas that would be supported by families. So I saw an opportunity to create something lasting and Expressions was born. Tea towels featuring compilations of children's drawings, part cherished keepsake, part yearbook, part fundraiser.

The response was immediate and 27 years on, some of those very first school kids are now bringing home tea towels featuring the artwork of their own children. From big city schools to tiny remote communities, it’s become a tradition Australia wide.

OUR TEAM

Working mums who really get it.

Our small, close-knit team is made up of working mums with real committee and volunteer experience. We know the juggle, we appreciate the time you give and we're here to make your fundraiser as simple and enjoyable as possible. When you call us, you're speaking to someone who truly knows and loves this business.

MEET EMMA

I understand what it takes to run a great fundraiser.

I’m Emma McNeilly, the director of Expressions Australia, a proud mum of three and a passionate advocate for supporting small business. I built this business from the ground up while raising my family and the values I started with are still at the heart of everything we do today – quality, service, sustainability and genuine care.

I operate Expressions with a commitment to my team, the products and have a deep respect for the people who keep school communities running through their quiet, often unpaid, contribution.

I’ve worked in fundraising for over 29 years and have served as a volunteer on many committees myself, at every age and stage - playgroup, kindergarten, sporting clubs and P&C. Because of this I have a rich understanding of the very important and far-reaching world of community fundraising from both sides of the fence.

In 2026, Expressions won Best Specialised Small Business against entries from every corner of Australia at the Small Business Champion Awards. I also won Gold in the Small Business of the Year category at the 2026 Women Changing the World Global Awards. Expressions have also won multiple awards for Best Customer Service over many years and been named Best Eco-Friendly Fundraiser two years running. We've appeared on televison and been featured in national print and digital media, not to seek the spotlight, but because the business, the feel-good nature of our products and my team genuinely earned it.

I built Expressions to be a positive business that benefitted everyone it touched. Twenty-seven years later, I'm proud to say it really does. It’s easy for volunteers, everything’s provided, the kids love seeing their artwork in print, the parents adore the products and your group raises funds – everyone wins with Expressions 😊

OUR COMMITMENT

Good for schools. Good for families. Good for the planet.

We're proud of what we make and how we make it. We hold ourselves to a higher standard.

• For communities: We make fundraising simple so that the volunteers who power school communities can focus on what matters. Our kits, systems and support reduce the administrative burden for the people who put their hands up to run the projects.
• For the families and children who receive them: At the end of every project is a family opening a package and a child seeing their own drawing on something real. Our tea towels capture a moment in time, the faces of classmates, the name of a favourite teacher. These are the memories that end up in kitchen drawers and keepsake boxes, pulled out years later and smiled over.
• For the environment: Every product we make is designed to be loved and to last, not to be thrown away. We manufacture certified organic products and are committed to sustainable practices across our entire operation.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Call us on 1300 855 509 or click below to get started today.

We'd love to help you run an easy, enjoyable and profitable fundraiser for your school or community group. Our friendly team will support you from first sketch to final delivery.

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FAQs

What is the minimum order for a tea towel fundraiser?

There’s a minimum of 40 tea towels per design. Please note for designs with 250+ drawings there is a minimum order of 100 units.The good news? There are no upfront costs, you’ll only pay after your products are delivered. It's simple, risk-free fundraising that works for schools of all sizes.

Can we do individual designs for each student?

Yes, we offer both group and individual artwork options for all our products.

Do you supply everything we need?

Absolutely! Pens, drawing cards, easy instructions, online ordering, marketing materials, tea towel folding, parent order bags, it’s all included.

Are your products printed in Australia?

Yes! All our tea towels, aprons and tote bags are designed and printed right here in Australia and we ship to every corner of the country.

Do you offer fundraising support or resources?

Definitely. From Coordinator Guides to marketing kits, we're with you all the way.

What makes Expressions Tea Towels different?

We combine quality, creativity and community impact. Our fundraising products are made with care and our team is dedicated to helping make every project a success.

Are Expressions products eco-friendly?

Yes! We use eco-friendly inks, offer organic cotton and ensure our products meet certifications like Oeko-Tex 100 and GOTS.

Can we personalise our designs?

Absolutely. The creative posibilities are endless, small and large groups of portraits or handprints look fantastic, as do commemorative designs. Artwork can be as imaginative or straightforward as you like, let our team help you create something truly unique and memorable.

How do we start our fundraiser?

Head to our Get Started page or call us. We’ll walk you through every step!