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Think3’s Guide to Choosing the Right Branded Apparel

 

Branded apparel is one of the most sought-after promotional items. Almost anyone in any industry can make use of a new apparel item, making it a great component for your promotional merchandise strategy. Apparel has the potential to generate multiple impressions of your brand for many years to come.  

 

USE 

When choosing what apparel items to source, think about your audience. Are they active and would prefer more athletic-friendly materials designed for moisture-wicking and sun protection? Are they more practical and would like a good, quality t-shirt or sweatshirt? Are they interested in a more business casual item they could wear to home or office like a fleece vest? Knowing what your audience wants will make your promotional items more valuable to them and increase the likelihood that they will use it over and over. It is also an extension of your brand so choose items that are complimentary to the brand essence (i.e., rugged, outdoorsy, corporate, whimsical, etc.). The goal of promotional merchandise is to promote your company and also to be a value to your customer! 

 

QUALITY 

Let’s talk quality. When making the decision to invest in branded apparel, it is very important that you don’t just choose the lowest cost item. Lower cost items generally have lower quality materials that aren’t always comfortable and may not hold up well after a few washes. The last thing you want is for your logo design to be peeling or faded or for it to end up in the trash after a couple of uses. There are a variety of fabrics used in apparel items. Below illustrates some of the most common fabrics, their characteristics and common uses: 

 

MATERIAL 
CHARACTERISTICS 
USE 
100% Cotton 
 breathable, comfortable, cost-effective  t-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts 
Cotton-Poly Blend 
 comfortable, durable, less shrinking  fleece vests, t-shirts, hoodies, office wear 
Polyester 
 moisture wicking, long-lasting  fleece jacket, fleece vest, polo shirts, sportswear 

 

COLOR 

Choosing the right colors for your promotional apparel involves using a few tactics. One of the most common is to choose colors that complement your company’s brand and logo or artwork.

Tip: Many companies have branding guidelines that can direct the use of logos on various apparel items. Another tactic is to choose a color that is neutral like, white, black or gray, and would go with most logos. Also keep in mind the industry. For example, if the industry is construction or environmental, a white t-shirt may not be a good color to choose due to the nature of the job and being exposed to elements. Bright and neon colors while attention grabbing, may not be attractive for the every-day use. Again, the goal is for apparel to be valuable to the customer and to be used over and over again.  

 

DECORATION 

When decorating an apparel item with a logo or artwork there are a few different methods used. The first and most common is screen printing. Screen printing is a method where a screen is custom designed to the artwork of choice and t-shirt paint is then applied via that screen to imprint the design. This method is very cost-effective and long-lasting, resulting in vibrant colors. It is a method that takes longer and is often used for larger orders. Another common decoration method is heat-transfer. This is a method where a design is printed on transfer paper and is then imprinted onto an apparel item via a heat press. Heat transfer is good for smaller orders and for orders with more complex color designs or photography-based designs. Embroidery is one of the most traditional methods often used in the promotional apparel industry. This method is where a digital artwork file is converted to an embroidery stitch file and then embroidered onto an apparel item with a machine. It works best on thicker fabrics like jackets, vests, hats, or backpacks. An embroidered logo tends to last longer and leaves a professional and sophisticated look. 

 

LOCATION 

Most apparel items have multiple imprint location opportunities. This allows for more exposure and creativity in how your brand or artwork is reflected. Front, back, sleeve, and pocket are all common imprint locations. You can also pair logos, slogans and artwork all on the same apparel item by making use of different locations. For example, a logo can be printed front-left chest and the slogan can be printed larger on the back. Get creative but remember not to clutter apparel with artwork. Too much artwork will detract attention and confuse the branding. 

 

Promotional apparel is a fantastic component to be added to any marketing strategy for internal campaigns, product launches, brand awareness, and other marketing campaigns. Here at Think3 we have a team of professionals who are experienced in sourcing and helping clients design their promotional apparel merchandise. Feel free to browse our online store here and reach out any any time for assistance in designing your apparel strategy!  

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10 Ways to Infuse Your Unique Flavor into a Consistent Brand Across Social Platforms 

In the digital realm where social media has taken over a huge portion of marketing and advertising, success lies not just in having a brand account for users to search, but in crafting a plethora of reliable content that resonates simultaneously and uniquely, across all platforms. I’ve mentioned before that your brand is more than just a logo; it’s something that should linger in the minds of your audience.

Here are ten heartfelt ways to infuse your personal touch and maintain harmonious brand identity across the diverse landscape of social media:

1. Create a Brand Style Guide:

Lay down the law—brand law, that is! A style guide is your brand’s rulebook and the holy grail for design and aesthetics. From colors to fonts, tone of voice and types of imagery, it keeps everyone on the same page.

What to think about:

Develop a rulebook that echoes your brand’s personality – from the colors that make your heart sing to the tone of voice that feels authentically you. Authenticity is important, as viewers can tell when something is forced.

 

2. Visual Cohesion Is Key:

Whether it’s your logo, graphics, or images, keep them in sync across all platforms. A consistent visual builds an easily recognizable identity and brand personality. Give your brand a signature look that stands out in the crowd, creating an easy way to differentiate yourself from competitors.

What to think about:

Let your visuals tell a story that’s uniquely yours. Whether it’s your logo, graphics, or images, inject your personal flair to create a visual identity that stands out.

 

3. Craft a Unified Brand Voice:

What does your brand sound like when it speaks? Is it formal, casual, or a mix of both? Is it knowledgeable, friendly, sarcastic, or loud? Define your brand’s voice and stick to it. Whether it’s an Instagram, X, or Facebook post, your brand should have a consistent tone that resonates with your audience.

What to think about:

Define your brand’s voice as if it’s having a conversation with a dear friend. Be it formal, casual, or a bit of both – let it act as its own person and use that tone to create its genuine self.

 

4. Maintain a Content Calendar:

Ever heard the saying, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative”? Yeah, me neither. That’s because in the social world, planning is the first rule of thumb. Plan your content ahead of time, keeping in mind the overarching theme and messaging. Set up a strategy for the entire year and plan content around that. This will be your roadmap for your brand’s journey through social media.

What to think about:

Plan your content with an overarching theme that aligns with your brand essence. Think of holidays and campaigns you can work around and use your content calendar to paint your thoughts and aspirations to create a well-rounded, compelling journey for your audience into a social strategy that keeps them engaged with your brand.

 

5. Adapt, Don’t Transform:

While each platform has its unique quirks, don’t reinvent the wheel every time you post. Adapt your content strategy to fit the platform but maintain that core brand essence. Think of it as speaking the local language while keeping the global vibe alive so anyone from any country visiting can tell it’s you.

What to think about:

As you tailor your content for each platform, make sure you are still using the same tone of voice and brand elements. Though the content might be different, it should still look and appear the same if in a lineup.

 

6. Engage Your Team:

Your brand is a team effort! Ensure that everyone involved in creating and sharing content is on the same wavelength. Having regular team meetings, updates, and brainstorming sessions can help maintain brand vision. This is especially useful when multiple parties are working on different aspects of the brand.

What to think about:

Remember that your brand is a collaborative effort. Use these regular team meetings to not just discuss what is on the agenda but also as moments to share inspirations and ideas that are all essential elements of your brand’s voice and identity.

 

7. Monitor and Adjust:

When it comes to social, it is important to always keep an eye on analytics and audience feedback. If certain types of posts or content perform exceptionally well, understand why that is. What about it resonated with the fans? Same for if a post performs poorly. Learn from the data and adjust your strategy accordingly.

What to think about:

Analytics are not just about numbers, but thinking about and understanding the reasoning behind the content your brand creates. Don’t take posts not performing to heart. Opinions are subjective! Use the insights to inform future posts.

 

8. Educate Your Team:

Make sure that your team understands the importance of consistency. If needed, provide training sessions or workshops on the brand guidelines and the rationale behind them. Make it part of the onboarding process for new hires. When everyone is on the same page when it comes to the brand’s identity and voice, the chances of maintaining a harmonious brand image skyrocket.

What to think about:

Brands are built from the inside out. When educating your team, share not just guidelines but the soul behind them. Make every workshop a chance to allow everyone to contribute to your brand. Let them ask questions and see what new and out of the box ideas can come from these sessions.

 

9. Stay Agile:

Marketing has always been ever-changing, but the pace at which social media evolves can be instantaneous. So, in the back of your mind you need to always be ready to adapt your strategy based on emerging trends, algorithm changes, or shifts in your audience’s preferences. Being agile when these come about ensures that your brand remains relevant and fresh.

What to think about:

Allow your brand to adapt gracefully to change and remember to hop on trends when they are happening, waiting too long can backfire if you decide to adopt the trend once the hype is over. Move around your content if needed to fit in trending content when appropriate.

 

10. Encourage User-Generated Content:

Let your audience be part of the brand story! Encourage user-generated content (UGC) that aligns with your brand values. Not only does this promote a sense of community, but it also adds authenticity to your brand’s narrative. Remember trust is everything when it comes to social media.

What to think about:

Your audience is not just a group of spectators; they’re potential co-authors of your brand story. Encourage user-generated content that reflects their journey with your brand, but make sure to vet out those whose content you choose to use. While UGC can help build brand trust, picking the wrong content creator to share can hinder it as well.

 

Remember, building and maintaining a unique, consistent brand presence is an ongoing process. It’s not about conformity; it’s about creating a brand identity that resonates authentically with your audience across all social platforms. Ready to infuse your brand with personal flair? Contact us at Think3 Marketing for assistance in shaping your brand identity and creating a lasting impact on your audience. Embrace the journey to social success with a brand that is not just fitting into a mold!