Branded T- Shirt... Promotionally Yours, Sheri Breaux - Halo Branded Solutions

Rewearable or Unbearable?

Posted: 20 Apr 2016 11:50 AM PDT

Sir Paul McCartney Wants a Brooklyn Nets T-Shirt courtesy of the NBA.

How to create branded apparel they’ll love.

There is no other promotional giveaway that gets an audience going like apparel, especially t-shirts. It doesn’t matter who you are when the t-shirts come out at an event, WE ALL WANT ONE. (Don’t believe me? Here is a video of Paul McCartney trying to get a Brooklyn Nets t-shirt.)

And with an 89% rate of recall with consumers and an estimated 2,450 impressions in their lifetimes shirts are popular among advertisers, too. But how can you ensure your branded apparel keeps getting impressions instead of ending up in the bottom drawer, or worse yet, in a landfill?

With that in mind, we came up with this handy diagram of the three main components of a perfect promotional t-shirt.

This graphic is based off of the old “Good, fast or cheap. Pick two.” Venn diagram with an apparel twist. Basically this states that if you’re not a global brand that recipients identify with as part of their own personal identity, then you’re going to have to step up your garment quality and put some serious thought into the design.

Be aware of what your style choice says about your brand.

Choosing the Right Garment

• Don’t try to save on the budget with apparel. As a giveaway this isn’t a purchase most brands can do well on the cheap.
• Do think quality not quantity. Giving to fewer recipients who will appreciate your gift and will wear it on a regular basis is far better than handing out gear that is only worn when they mow the yard… unless that was your goal.
• Do consider an apparel style and weight appropriate for your audience, event and brand. Be aware of what your apparel choice says about you, be sure to make it a message you want to convey.
• Do use a retail brand. If your budget permits, using a brand of apparel your audience knows and trusts will increase the perceived value of the garment and your brand.
  

The perfect branded t-shirt (if your audience is me)

Using the Right Imprint & Design

• Don’t design it yourself. Unless you have an art degree, this is one of those projects best left to the professionals.
• Don’t make it all about you. Unless you have a brand that recipients  don’t mind being a walking billboard for, you’re going to have to do something more than just print your logo.
• Do sponsor an event (co-branding). By sponsoring an event that your audience cares about you can gain credibility with that audience.
• Do speak to your audience – It’s all about getting them to wear the garment over and over again. Messaging that is clever, graphics that impress and subtle branding will go a long way in winning your way into their wardrobe.

Don’t try to do it on your own. The best way to insure that you have the perfect design, imprint and apparel style for your next promotion is to work with a HALO Account Executive. They have the know-how and experience to help you reach your branded apparel goals.