Advice for promotional tshirts
Advice For Promotional Tshirts
How to Buy the Best T Shirt for Your Promotion
There are many factors to consider when deciding on a t-shirt for your next promotion. When making your decision, choose a shirt that is going to best represent the culture of your company and brand message. Ultimately the #1 concern is that the shirt is worn by the masses.
We work with all major brand manufacturers for sourcing t-shirts. We can screen print a wide range of apparel. Keep in mind that we can compress only 100% cotton tees.
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How to Best Utilize an Insert Card
The insert card is the visual that you see when the shirt is compressed. It is a 100# gloss coated paper that is die cut into the compressed shape of your choice. Most shapes use 1 full color digitally printed insert card. It is placed on top of the compressed t-shirt and shrink wrapped. The insert card is the piece that 1st and with the most impact conveys your message to the recipient.
You don’t have to print the same artwork on the insert card as you do on the shirt. Since the insert card is digitally printed, there are no set-up charges. *Quick Tip- For budget conscious projects, we recommend printing a simple image on the shirt and a full color more complex graphic on the insert card. This is a great way to really capitalize on the WOW factor of the compressed t-shirt without breaking the bank.
When deciding what to put on your insert card you must consider what your purpose of the compressed t-shirt is. Let’s take a look at some popular insert card uses. Please note you are not limited to these uses.
1.) Promoting your business/company as a whole- This is a broad use and works for most all venues. Think about what you are printing on the insert card. The shape will determine printable space so consider how much you want to print on the insert card. You can tie the insert card to your event theme (if you have one) or choose a more basic look and vibe that mirrors your company culture. No matter what, you want the product to link back to you when the recipient gets it home. Remember to include your company contact whether it’s just your web address or complete information.
2.) Promoting a New Product- In this case, you want the new product to stand out. Sometimes a custom shape is used to really make the new product recognizable. Other times, it is sufficient to place an image and product name with information on the insert card.
3.) Promoting a New Brand Logo- If your company is re-branding it is important to make it known as quickly and smoothly as possible to the public. The insert card is a great place to start. By printing the new brand logo on the insert card, you allow the recipient to instantly connect your company with the new graphic you want to be associated with.
We have stock images for the insert card that are readily available to use with your company information. Or we can send you blank templates to create your insert card from scratch.
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How to Buy the Shirt That is Best for Your Promotion
There are many factors to consider when deciding on a t-shirt for your next promotion. When making your decision, choose a shirt that is going to best represent the culture of your company and brand message. Ultimately the #1 concern is that the shirt is worn by the masses.
We work with all major brand manufacturers for sourcing t-shirts. We can screen print a wide range of apparel. Keep in mind that we can compress only 100% cotton tees.
Here are some points to think about when choosing your t-shirt:
1.) Brand – Selecting a quality brand that you can trust is essential- Hanes, Gildan, Fruit of the Loom, Alternative Apparel, American Apparel, Anvil, Port & Company, Monster, Jerzees, & District Threads are just a few brands that we use. These brands have dependable stock, an assortment of colors, and quality control. It comes down to personal preference when deciding between them.
2.) Style - Knowing who your target audience is will help you decide what style to use. We can supply unisex, ring spun, fashion fit, women’s cut, youth, and long-sleeve shirts. You can even mix styles as long as your artwork remains the same on the shirts.
3.) Print - When selecting your tee it is important to decide what the role of the artwork printed on it will be. You want a shirt that is going to compliment your artwork and give it some pop. Sometimes the artwork will dictate what shirt you print on. For instance, digitally printed shirts used for complex images are printed on either white or light colored shirts.
4.) Color - Most brands offer an array of shirt colors ranging from the basic red to a pigment dyed or ringer tee. Some shirt colors are based on specific PMS colors, so if you want to match your company logo PMS to that of the shirt, it can often be done. This helps further brand your order and message.
5.) Cost - Budget is always a factor. Your most cost effective route is our stock white shirt. This is a basic 5.4oz heavyweight that is commonly used for promotions and is always a safe choice.
Once you have determined the tee you can move forward to putting together a promotion that will work for your company.
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How to Care for Your T-Shirt
1.) Unwrap the shrink wrap and pull the shirt open.
2.) Wash the shirt in cold water and dry it on low heat. We compress only 100% cotton t-shirts therefore the shirts wrinkles should come out in 1-2 washes.
3.) Wear it!! Have fun with your new t-shirt….
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How to Pick Your Size Breakdown
In a perfect giveaway you would know each shirt size to guarantee it fits every individual. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When buying in bulk for the masses it is a good idea to consider the shirt type you are ordering and the audience you are giving to.
Adult Unisex Shirts (the most commonly ordered shirt) - These are cut to fit adult men. Standard brands/styles include- Gildan 5000, Hanes 5280, Fruit of the Loom 3930. When ordering these shirts for any ladies, order a size down.
Ringspun Shirts These have a fashion fit cut. They are still unisex but slightly less boxy. The fine jersey cotton is super soft and light weight.
Ladies Cut Shirts - Shirts labeled “L” for ladies are tapered for a more fitted shirt.
Youth Shirts - These shirts have the same cut as the unisex shirts but on a smaller scale. They fit kids up to late teens running XS-XL.
Based on orders that have been placed with us, here is a general percentage size breakdown. These are guidelines and not instructions on how to order. You must always consider who your target audience is when placing your order.
S- 5%
M- 15%
L- 40%
XL- 35%
XXL- 5%To calculate your quantity by size, multiply the percentage by the total quantity (5% = 0.05).
For instance, for 1000 units you would order 50S, 150M, 400L, 350XL, 50XXL.
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How to Select the Right Product for Your Giveaway
There are 5 questions to ask your self when selecting a product for your company or personal giveaway.
1.) Who is your audience? Choose a product that speaks to your target recipient. A printed piggy bank may work for a bank give away but not necessarily for a baseball game.
2.) What is your budget? Consider if you can afford to give an item to each individual or if one high profile giveaway will suit your check book. Be careful about what you choose though, don’t just purchase 5,000 pens at a great price- remember who your audience is.
3.) What is your marketing goal? You may be trying to brand your company, launch a new product, or direct customers to your website. The product you choose needs to clearly reflect this goal.
4.) What is the rate of Return on Investment (ROI)? At trade shows particularly, you have to be careful of giving something away that will attract the masses (i.e. edible goodies that have printed wrappers; the wrapper is quickly peeled off and thrown away with no memory of the company that gave them) with no return. You want a giveaway that is going to turn prospects into customers. People should walk away from your booth knowing who the giveaway was from, and alternatively you should gain information too. Create a drawing for a free new computer giveaway or collect business cards in exchange for a printed compressed tee shirt.
5.) Is the giveaway memorable? Consider all the above points when choosing your product give away but most importantly make the product something that will be remembered by your target audience. You want the recipients of your product to go home and connect the product you gave them to your company and your marketing message. To accomplish this select something that has sustainability and value.
Visit our Compressed Tee Shape Gallery for more inspiration,
or Request a Quote.
Anatomy of a Compressed T Shirt
Each basic Compressed T-Shirt includes: a 100% cotton t-shirt comprssed into one of hundreds of optional shapes, an insert card (like a postcard) that is die-cut to the same shape of your selected comprssed shirt shape and then wrapped in shrink wrap ready to be handed out during your promotion.
Helpful Tips for Your T Shirt Size Breakdown
In a perfect giveaway you would know each shirt size to guarantee it fits every individual. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When buying in bulk for the masses it is a good idea to consider the shirt type you are ordering and the audience you are giving to.
Based on orders that have been placed with us, here is a general percentage size breakdown.
NOTE: These are guidelines and not instructions on how to order.
To calculate your quantity by size, multiply the percentage by the total quantity (5% = 0.05).
For instance, for 1000 units you would order 50 Smalls, 150 Mediums, 400 Large, 350 X Large , and 50 Double X Large T Shirts.