contents 4 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN ORDERING COMPANY APPAREL ARE YOUR BUSINESS UNIFORMS BORING? 5 AWESOME WAYS YOUR COMPANY CAN USE CUSTOM SWEATSHIRTS GO GREEN WITH ORGANIC UNIFORMS FOR YOUR BUSINESS 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PRINTING SHIRTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS 7 WAYS TO SPICE UP YOUR COMPANY'S WORK CLOTHES ARE YOUR COMPANY T-SHIRTS PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS? 7 REASONS STAFF UNIFORMS SHOULD BE CHOSEN BY YOUR EMPLOYEES 3 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 2. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
CHOOSING CUSTOM EMBROIDERED SHIRTS FOR YOUR STAFF UNIFORMS With today's technology, specialized software is able to translate artwork files into embroidered stitches. Embroidery has many specialties, some including: superior quality lettering, gradient, textured, puff, and applique. Whether its artsy embroidered textures, whimsical block lettering or traditional applique, embroidered uniforms look sharp, impress, and payoff. Logos can raise the cost of embroidered uniforms, but the power of branding is well known to marketers. An easily recognizable logo may be all that is needed on a uniform. Not only will workers be immediately identifiable to customers, but employees can also instantly recognize each other when working in crowded conditions. When considering fabrics for the uniforms, select colors that either match or compliment the logo. For best results, the thread colors should contrast or standout against the background fabric. If the logo is simple and bold, select a vibrant color to set it off. Likewise, white or other light colors will help a more intricate design stand out. If text will be used, be sure not to choose a fabric color that will make it difficult to read. Another thing to think about when designing an embroidered uniform and choosing colors, is whether the color scheme has widespread, common associations. Certain color combinations could trigger associations to sports teams, brands or even political affiliations, which could be detrimental if unintentional. Also consider what type of fiber will be used. Embroidered designs can look very different when sewn onto cotton, bamboo, polyester or nylon fabric. And finally, keep in mind the overall purpose of the uniform. It is easy to get carried away in the creative flow and lose sight of the obvious. For example, the company logo may look fabulously, classy on black nylon, but it may not be practical for a crew working outdoors in hot climates. Humor aside; remember to exercise common sense when ordering embroidered uniforms. Of course, our embroidery team is fantastic and ready to respond to your needs regarding design choices, thread options, pricing or any other questions you may have. ARE YOUR BUSINESS UNIFORMS BORING? Business uniforms are an important element for any company to consider. The clothing pieces that employees wear put a public face on the company. Any business with a storefront or regular customer contact such as a boutique, bar, or restaurant, should be especially conscious of how the uniforms are impacting business. Here are some signs that can indicate boring uniforms that need a little spicing up: - The employees blend into the customers with attire that doesn't stand out - The employees blend into the environment with attire that closely matches the surrounding environment - The attire doesn't send a clear message about the company 3. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
Ideally, good business uniforms will stand out in both the business location itself and the real world as a whole. Employees must be easy to spot at work so customers know who to reach out to. However, really great uniforms also offer a little extra advertising if employees wear them to run errands after work. Bland uniforms can get a little extra kick with some of these suggestions. Change Things up Often While an identifiable design will help give a company a clear-cut image, using the exact same uniform year-round can get boring. Consider ordering new polos every quarter to keep things fresh. By including the same logo and basic design on the shirts, these business uniforms can maintain their identity. Employees can get in on the action of changing things up by suggesting new colors or promotional images for each new line. There are lots of ways that changing up the look of a business uniform can further the image of the company. For example, the polos could depict seasonal colors, promote holiday events, or announce upcoming product launches. Use Uniforms as a Conversation Starter Business uniforms that have a casual appearance, such as tee shirts, are ideal for catchy phrases. Try including text that asks a question and gets customers involved directly with employees. Printing half of a joke or a fun trivia question on the shirt will get people talking. Provide employees with several shirts so they can change things up from time to time or even wear a different shirt each day of the week. Supplying employees with several options in their business uniforms will give them a fun way to customize their business look while also giving customers a reason to come back and see what's new. Include Eye-Catching Imagery Simple polos may be professional, but they're also boring. Liven up business uniforms with some great imagery that furthers the image of the company. Consider revamping the company logo to design something that's brighter and more engaging. Add pictures or stylized graphics of major promotional items such as a diner's special dish or software company's latest product. Keep in mind that eye-catching uniforms act as a kind of walking billboard both inside the store and out. Business uniforms can utilize sleek embroidered logos, colorful screen printing, and other customization options for a truly one-of-a-kind look. Uniforms can be customized with aprons and hats as well as traditional shirts for extra impact. Use Colors Wisely Neutrals are great for the office, but they're not interesting for customer contact positions. To keep uniforms from becoming too boring, choose colors that have more impact. Teal will naturally draw the eye and evoke images of tropical escapes while sandy beige is something the eye will just slide past. Go for the brighter choice while still selecting a hue that reflects the company's style. While the employee uniforms and store front environment should be coordinated to a certain extent, they shouldn't use the exact same color scheme. Bright red shirts are great until they're set amid red shelving or walls. Choose uniforms that will contrast with the environment instead so the staff is always easy to spot. Using boring employee uniforms is an easy trap to fall into, but it's also a very easy problem to fix. Order a new stock of brighter, more interesting shirts, hats, and other accessories and the company will be on the way to a brighter future in no time. 4. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
5 AWESOME WAYS YOUR COMPANY CAN USE CUSTOM SWEATSHIRTS Custom made tees are a classic choice for company promotion, but there are lots of compelling reasons to look beyond the traditional t-shirt to some cozier options. Custom sweatshirts are a great promotional tool that can be used in many different ways. There are several events where a promotional item like this will be perfectly suited. Consider the following options for promotional sweatshirts. 1. Holiday Gifts Show appreciation for employees this holiday season with custom sweatshirts. This is a comfortable, casual accessory that will get plenty of home use. With a creative design and promotional print, this piece of apparel will spread the word about the company everywhere it's worn. While promotional apparel is often used as a tool for connecting with customers, it's just as effective on employees. In fact, staff members are better equipped than anyone to answer questions and promote the company's products and services to curious individuals who are intrigued by the flashy design or witty slogan on the shirt. 2. Team or Group Sponsorship Getting involved in the community is the perfect way to increase exposure for a local company. Consider sponsoring an intramural sports team, club, or other local group. The company is then well-placed to provide participants with custom sweatshirts. Use a design that promotes both the organization or group in question, and the company as a sponsor. In fall and winter months, sweatshirts will get lots of stage time. A tee might be lost beneath jackets and hoodies, but the warmth of a sweatshirt will keep it on top where it can be seen. Recipients will wear the shirts to show pride in their group while the company's sponsorship logo gets to tag along. 3. Company Picnics Company picnics held in the summer months can be swelteringly hot and uncomfortable. Outdoor venues are more difficult to book in these peak months as well. Spring and fall are a much better time for outdoor events. In climates where these seasons get a little crisp and chilly, custom sweatshirts are the perfect solution. The promotional sweatshirts will give employees a sense of unity throughout the event, and encourage a casual laid-back environment that may be very different from the formality of the office. Encourage staff members to get to know one another outside of work and build stronger connections that will later transfer to the workplace with fun picnics and other casual events. 4. Outdoor Events Check the community calendar for outdoor events in cooler months. Companies can often rent a table or booth at fairs and carnivals. This is a great opportunity for handing out custom sweatshirts. Provide one for prospects that fill out a contact form, hold a raffle for the sweatshirts, or include one with merchandise purchases of a certain value of more. Custom sweatshirts can even be sold as the product themselves, whether you're in the apparel industry or not. Attendees at outdoor events often realize a few hours too late that they may not have dressed warmly enough. 5. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
Custom sweatshirts provide the solution they're looking for, while benefiting the company as well. 5. Trade Shows and Conferences Trade shows and conferences are well known for providing lots of swag. Attendees will have an abundance of pens, note pads, and even tee shirts to take home at the end of the day. Custom sweatshirts are less common, however. The comfortable warmth of a sweatshirt will get immediate wear in cool weather. The superior quality of this kind of product ensures that it will make it into the closet for plenty of future use as well. Custom sweatshirts are a powerful promotional tool that's sure to foster a connection. Choose an eye-catching color and design so others will spot these shirts with interest as well. Including a web address and company name are all that's needed to bring new, curious traffic in with this promotional item. GO GREEN WITH ORGANIC UNIFORMS FOR YOUR BUSINESS Overall awareness of the declining state of the global environment has led to many important eco-friendly movements, such as an increase in organic food production and sales. Moreover, more people are seeking to purchase products that are recyclable or made from recycled products. However, there is another important element to reducing our global carbon footprint and that is the impact of crops used for the production of fabric and the manufacturing of this fabric, especially when it comes to mass-produced items such as uniforms and apparel. About Organic Crops One excellent example of organic fiber crops is organic cotton. Organic cotton is much like traditional cotton crops but the entire growing process focuses on reducing the environmental impact of the crop. Few or little pesticides are used and any products utilized in the growth or harvesting process are certified organic. Genetically engineered seed is forbidden in the growth of organic cotton and the entire process focus on soil health. While organic cotton is still an emerging product, it currently represents about 0.76 percent of all cotton grown around the world. Any progress is good progress, however, as traditional cotton accounts for approximately 25 percent of all pesticides used around the world, its concentrated on less than 3 percent of the total area. Once grown and harvested, organic crops are then made into fabric. However, fewer dyes, chemicals and water are used to create the apparel item in the organic fabric process. Organic Apparel and Uniforms While many people are becoming increasingly aware of organic cotton and other organic fibers as a clothing choice, one area with enormous growth potential is the uniform and apparel industry. According to IBS World, uniform manufacturing earns approximately $907 million dollars each year. Now imagine if even half of those uniforms were made using organic fabric and what that could mean in terms of reducing the industry s carbon footprint. However, companies interested in purchasing organic uniforms and apparel for their employees are finding more and 6. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
more options as both awareness and organic apparel production increases. Benefits of Organic Uniforms Beyond being environmentally friendly, companies will find that there are several other benefits to organic apparel and uniforms. For one thing, since the fabric is processed without harsh chemicals and dyes, the fabric is usually gentler for those with sensitive skin. Some traditional fabric even contains traces of formaldehyde, which is not present in organic fabric or fiber. For many employees in the health care industry as well as other industries where exposure to health or safety issues are a constant problem, offering organic uniforms may seem like a small but important step towards demonstrating the importance of employee health and safety in the workplace. Another concern for many business owners is the labor involved in the production of uniforms and other apparel. However, certified organic uniforms must be produced under the 2010 Global Organic Textile Standard, which means that workers must have humane and safe working conditions, fair wages and that workers have collective bargaining rights. Why It Works Organic uniforms also add a wise marketing touch for many companies, which can note the use of organic uniforms on marketing material about the company s strides towards eco-friendly actions and overall environmental vision. Organic fabric is usually available in a multitude of neutral colors and styles and is a sturdy, durable fabric, which makes it an ideal choice for uniforms of all kinds. In addition, organic uniforms launder easily with soap and water, which reduces the overall impact of harsh soaps and chemicals necessary to dry clean or wash other delicate fabrics. Organic fabric uniforms make sense for businesses in several ways. Organic fiber crops reduce the use of pesticides used around the world as well as chemicals and dyes utilized during processing. In addition, organic uniforms are gentler for employees skin and are easy to care for. The use of organic uniforms indicates to employees and customers alike that the environment is important to a company, which also represents a positive marketing opportunity. Moreover, let us face it; doing good for the earth is worthwhile for all of us and generations still to come. 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PRINTING SHIRTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS There s a gazillion different t-shirts you can have printed for your business. If you are considering a custom order, think about the following 10 items to help narrow down exactly what will best meet your needs: 1. Purpose. Is this a giveaway shirt to promote your business? Will the tee be worn by employees as a uniform? Will the tees be sold as retail items? The purpose of the garment is a determining factor for a number decisions down the line including garment and how much you want to spend. 2. Audience. Will men, women, or both be wearing these shirts? Are they under 18? Over 40? The demographic of the person wearing the shirt will influence decisions from the type of art to the color of the t-shirt. 7. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
3. Image. What image should the t-shirt convey? Contemporary and clean? Wild and fun? The superficial message communicated by the t-shirt should represent your business and the kind of products you offer. 4. Brand. How and how much of your specific brand should be represented on the t-shirt? The size and placement of your brand identity depends on the amount of name recognition appropriate for the goal of the garment. 5. Garment. Is durability your number one concern for the custom t-shirts? Perhaps sustainability is your number one priority. Selecting a fabric is the foundation of the actual t-shirt printing process. 6. Timeline. Is the t-shirt for a specific event? Is that event less than a week away? Some print processes take longer than others and may need more lead time. This is an important factor when considering a custom t-shirt order for your business. 7. Quality. Will these shirts be worn in situations involving a lot of wear and tear? Will the printed tees be washed frequently? Some weaves are stronger than others and this is definitely a factor you will want to consider. 8. Art. Are you an artist? Do you have an artist to work with? Perhaps simple typesetting is all you need to have done. Each shop will have some guidelines for art submission. 9. Cost. Do you have only a small allotment for your printed t-shirts or is the sky the limit? Each step of having t-shirts printed will have a good, better, and best option. 10. Repeat. Is this a one-time special order or do you envision ordering more of the same or similar tees in the future? In most instances you can save money by ordering larger quanties. A little pre-planning can help you save a lot of money! Whew! Seem like a lot of factors to consider? Get in touch with a customer service rep right away to help simplify the process and make it easy to get the perfect t-shirts printed for your business. 7 WAYS TO SPICE UP YOUR COMPANY'S WORK CLOTHES Maybe you re tired of having your employees' uniforms blend in and look like other companies, or you simply feel your work attire lacks pizazz. In any case, jazzing up your company s work attire can be easy, fun, and even cost effective. Below are a few ideas that your business may benefit from when considering how to spice up company s business attire. 1. Create a Customized Logo. Maybe your company has had the same logo for a long period of time. Or perhaps your company offers several locations of your business and all of the logos are the same. Whatever the case may be, consider changing up the logo for your particular business location and jazz up the overall look of your work clothing. Using a software program like Photoshop or Illustrator can help you create a customized logo that fits your company s personality. Simply changing the logo design and colors, or adding a slogan can add a positive change to your company uniforms, make them a lot more interesting, and add some excitement for your employees. 2. Mix Up Styles. If your employees have been wearing the same T-shirts for years, consider switching them over to a Polo style or button up shirt. A button up Polo shirt can still look casual, but with the additional collar, it can add a professionalism 8. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
look and sharpness. Having your logo embroidered or screen printed can also add to your professional looking uniform. During the winter season, why not add a customized zip-up hoodie or jacket to your work wardrobe for a nice and clean look. Or if your business is very casual, consider getting embroidered caps or hats for workers to wear on certain days of the week. This can change the style of the work clothes for variety of reasons. Use your imagination, and talk to a screen printing expert about any questions you have. 3. Consider Color. Nothing adds a little spice more than introducing a new color to your company uniforms. If your employees' business attire has always been black or white, why not consider adding a little glamor with some relevant colors. Adding some colors can change the entire look of your company s uniform. Start out by thinking about colors that are in your logo before deciding. Is there some red or orange? What about yellow? Take one of those colors and change the color of the shirt to match. The logo will really pop, and the brighter shade will jazz up the work clothes as well as the work environment! 4. Make It Personal. Your employees don't have to feel like they re one of many; help them see that they can stand out, too! They are a valued part of a team, so express their individuality through their work clothes by having their uniforms monogrammed or personalized. Embroidery can be a wonderful thing when done right. A good start can be by adding a monogrammed name of your employee to the front of a polo shirt or on a pocket. You can also consider adding a job title or place of residence underneath the name. Embroidering "Joe Black, Head Waiter" on a waiter's shirt will add spice as well as work pride. 5. Consider The Weather. Lots of companies offer the same shirts for their employees year-round. If winter comes around and workers are stuck in a short sleeved Polo, they may not be as happy or productive at work. Think about complementing your work attire with the seasons to add variety and comfort for your employees. Long sleeved T-shirts or polos are comfortable, especially when cotton is used in conjunction with embroidery or screen print. Sweatshirts with the company name on them and/or logo can also be provided during the cooler months. Your employees that work outdoors can wear logo printed beanies or toboggans that will keep them warm and advertise at the same time! 6. Add Customized Accessories. If your work clothes include the use of items such as aprons or small towels, make sure they are properly customized. Match the colors of these items to colors in your logo or your employees' shirts, and add embroidery or screen printing to these smaller items to pull it all together and add something extra. If your employees have been wearing those plain black or brown aprons for years, it's time to do something new. Even simply adding an embroidered name or logo to an apron can really add pizazz. 7. Consider Fun Fridays. On Fun Fridays, have special shirts your employees can wear that are more casual than their usual attire. They can be printed with a special or advertising campaign your company is running, or you can include a funny slogan or picture. This allows you to add brand awareness as well as let your employees out of the norm for extra uniform fun! ARE YOUR COMPANY T-SHIRTS PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS? 9. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
T-shirts may be considered an old-school type of garment, but they can offer many benefits when it comes to promoting your business. Whether you ve realized it or not, clothing makes a statement, and a t-shirt worn in a crowded environment such as a restaurant, university campus, sports stadium or community event can add personality to your brand; and even generate valuable business. Effective t-shirt marketing, however, requires use of effective business t-shirt printing techniques. INTUITIVE WORD ORDER Using intuitive word order is a recommended practice, and it means printing text the same way that people naturally read it. English speakers naturally read left- to-right and top-to-bottom, so when getting ready to print your t-shirts remember to implement this important element. Also important to consider is the type you use. Type should be arranged in logical, standard sentence order. Far too many businesses place the most important words in the middle, trusting large type to make the reader process them first. This seldom works, as it produces a garbled message. COMPUTER-DESIGNED LOGOS AND TEXT Silk-screening and web-based t-shirt printing have made making t-shirts easy and inexpensive - even with a small budget. Keep in mind however; streamlining the process too much can work against you. Unless a professional artist has created it, hand-drawn logos and text can look unprofessional, and may even send the wrong message. Consider seeking professional advice or services before submitting your artwork. It can be difficult to get a second chance to make another first impression. SIMPLE CONTACT INFO The goal of t-shirt promotion and marketing should be to increase brand awareness and generate publicity for the organization. In order for that to work, you should make it as easy as possible for the potential customer to contact the business. Simple contact information allows them to quickly jot down a phone number or URL (maybe even scan a QR code). Dashes (rather than dots) should be used to separate the phone number digits, a tactic that will help a potential customer remember the numbers with a short glance. Also remember that short URLs are easier to remember than longer ones. LARGE, CLEAR TEXT A final common mistake organizations frequently make when printing their organizational t-shirts is using small text and/or difficult-to-read fonts. Potential customers, including those with less-than-perfect vision, need to be able to read the shirt at a distance. Simple serif fonts, such as variants of Times New Roman, are easy to read; though sans-serif fonts may also work if they are large enough. When printing on the back of the t-shirt, make sure your vital information is at least two inches (5.1 cm) high. A little attention to some small detail can go a long way in using a t-shirt to promote your business. These simple points can be the key to making a printed tee truly effective in supporting your brand. 7 REASONS STAFF UNIFORMS SHOULD BE CHOSEN BY YOUR EMPLOYEES 10. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
Staff uniforms can be great branding tools, especially when keeping the business looking clean and professional. In companies with a physical storefront, this is especially important. Diners should be able to spot their waitress, and shoppers want to know who to ask for assistance. While it may be a given that uniforms are in order, there's no reason that the selection should be left to only management. Getting employees involved in the process is beneficial for many reasons. 1. Comfortable Garments Many employees associate uniforms with feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. When management works with them on the clothing selections, this potential issue can be easily avoided. Staff uniforms should look professional, but they don't need to cause discomfort. There are many different fabrics available today that can help make uniforms comfortable. In additional to physical comfort, it's also important for employees to feel emotionally comfortable with the uniform. Some members of the staff may not feel comfortable in shorts, while others may sweat too much or get self-conscious in a long-sleeved shirt. Talk with your staff members to find out what comfort options they would like to see associated with their uniforms. 2. The Right Fit Fit is essential with staff uniforms. Set some guidelines for how the uniform needs to fit, and then work with the employees to find garments that will be appropriate for their body types. Don't allow baggy shirts or sagging pants, but rather work to determine the cut and style that will look most professional for your staff members. If you re unsure of the guidelines when fitting your employees, talk to a decorator expert they ll be sure to get you started off on the right foot. 3. Creative Designs A creative design is important for staff uniforms, not only for the comfort of the staff, but for the marketing mission of the company. The shirts that are chosen should stand out for their particular business. A look that mimics the competitors too closely can be a disaster. Talking to the staff is a great way to channel some extra creativity. They have a lot of first hand contact with the customers and may have a better feel for what will connect with them best. A casual clientele may love tees with a humorous design, while upscale customers may feel more comfortable with polos or button down shirts on the staff. Get your staff members involved in the design, and lots of bright innovative designs may pop up! 4. Flattering Colors There may be a certain color scheme that works best for the company's marketing efforts, but this usually comes with a bit of flexibility. If the logo is red, white, and blue, any of these colors will be appropriate, and the shade of the hue can probably be altered a bit. Some employees may feel more strongly about one color than another. If several employees can't stand wearing red, this is an important consideration and it may be worth to choose another color, rather than force the staff into something they don't enjoy wearing. Probe for details, and it may surface that red blends in too much with the store, making this a poor choice for many reasons. 5. Functional Wardrobe It can be difficult for management to properly assess all the activities that the staff undertakes on a given day. The best way to determine what the uniforms need to hold up is just to ask. Open conversations with employees may reveal that black aprons might be a poor choice because they'll show the flour stains from the bakery. Likewise, white could be a disaster in a coffee shop where spills are dark-colored. Getting this type of feedback from your staff members will ensure happy and productive employees. 11. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles
6. A Sense of Pride Staff uniforms should be a point of pride. When the staff has helped to design them, they're more likely to have a sense of pride in what they're wearing every day. When employees feel proud of their appearance, they'll naturally go the extra mile to look professional and maximize productivity. 7. Team Unity When the staff and management work together toward the same goal, a powerful sense of unity can emerge. Working together on the design can also help to build relationships between individual employees. Wearing the same clothing is only the first step in creating a strong team. Designing the staff uniforms together from step one is a great way to promote cooperation. Employees are an invaluable resource for all kinds of company decisions. Staff uniforms are an especially important concern that will affect everyone. Getting every staff member involved is a great way to increase the company's chances for success! 12. Best of CoRPORATE Apparel Articles