Clothes2Order.com News

Promotional Clothing Polo Shirts for Golfers

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:04:53 +0100

The sport of golf has a long-standing association with a unique fashion style. In the early years of the sport players prided themselves on their �uniforms� - at least what golfers considered to be a uniform. Wearing the right fashion seems as important as using the right golf clubs. Sometimes players even spend as much on clothes as they do their equipment!

While today�s golfers do not follow stringent rules from the past, they are still adhering to a specific style of fashion. Most golf clubs require golfers to wear a collared shirt of some kind, nice pants or shorts, (not jeans), and golfing shoes. This code has lead to the popularity of the polo shirt in golfing circles because the polo shirt looks nice and is roomy so players can swing away. Some golfers wear nice printed t-shirts too.

Businesses hoping to break into a new client market sometimes decide to start with the country club and golfing set. Usually adverse to telemarketers and other forms of direct advertising, golfers like a free thing as much as the next person.

How can a business break into this elite group? Easy! By using promotional clothing like polo shirts a company can get the attention of golfers. A business can easily work with a promotional clothing distributer to create an appealing polo shirt embroidered with his company logo. The shirt can be given away to golfers at golf clubs or to country club members many of which ARE golfers.

You can plan to have your polo shirts added to gift bags for golf tournaments and other special club events. Golf clubs are always holding special events like silent auctions and new member welcome paryird for example. By donating polo shirts to the club you can ensure your shirts will become a regular marketing tool on the golf course.

Of course, the golfers are not going to just wear those shirts on the golf course. They will be wearing them off the course too! That means your company logo will be seen everywhere!

� Image by Robert Taylor, www.sxc.hu/

Consumers Demand Great Online Customer Service

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:09:33 +0100

Most shoppers already understand the great values that can be found when buying items such as uniforms or promotional clothing online. One of the most common ways to pay for online sales is through PayPal. The PayPal company did a study to determine how more people could be convinced to use online retailers more frequently for their purchases.

Though the internet is considered to be a great shopping venue which can save consumers time and money, some people experience online problems. The PayPal study learned that many consumers have now gone beyond just looking for the best price and also want good customer service even when buying online. In fact, because the internet excludes human interaction, customer service must often reach a higher level simply to compensate for service worries.

So what did PayPal find people expect from internet customer service? They want a website that will load quickly, is easy to manoeuvre, and offers excellent customer service after the sale has been completed. They also want their purchases to be delivered quickly.

PayPal is a preferred payment venue and is offered on over 120,000 European online retail sites. A PayPal spokesperson made the following comment: "We see our e-tailer customers grasping the opportunity to bring back customers for repeat purchases with better after sales service and shopping experience. This, combined with secure payment options, creates real brand loyalty online and is contributing to increased sales."

Online shoppers want a pleasant and rapid buying event when purchasing online. They expressed frustration with check-out procedures that are too long and complex. Consumers also expect to be able to get customer service even after the sale has been completed. In other words, just because a sale is being made online does not mean that customer service options can decline.

Today's Corporate Uniform

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:17:40 +0100

From the small business to the large corporation, the goal is to win the trust of customers. How is this possible in a competitive economy? Many business owners are finding success with the new corporate uniform, a pulled together a professional look featuring basics from promotional clothing.

Promotional clothing basics, such as the cotton t-shirt and the polo shirt, are quickly becoming a staple around the globe. These clothing items are fresh, look great with a corporate or business logo, and offer a company a clean, professional image.

Instilling a corporate uniform is making a difference for many companies. For example, a cotton t-shirt with the company logo worn by all employees immediately identifies the employees, brands the company, and gives the employees a unified and qualified appearance.

Jim Hunt, owner of a large grocery store chain, ensures that all of his employees wear the �company uniform�. �We want our customers to recognize our employees the minute the walk in our store. A shopper can go to any of our 47 stores and see employees wearing the same thing,� explained Hunt.

Hunt�s company first began using t-shirts for floor staff to present a unified image and make the staff recognizable. When they realized the success this offered the business they added other options for office workers. The entire range now includes polo shirts and even aprons for deli and meat department workers.

Many business owners use promotional clothing as a protective measure for their employees. Workers in certain situations cannot have fabric that falls around their body and close fitting printed t-shirts with the company logo are provided by the company for safety reasons. New technology allows business owners to provide employees with clothing that protects them from a large variety of situations that include heat, cold, and fire.

Whatever the reason, a well-dressed staff is a enhancement for any business. The new corporate uniform is a must!

� Image by (Name Hidden), www.sxc.hu/

Buying High Quality Uniforms...Knock Out the Knock Offs

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:41:42 +0100

When you purchase inexpensive clothes, you don't want cheap quality�just cheap pricing. There are plenty of online companies selling inexpensive clothes for work and play that offer great service and maintain quality in the construction of their clothes. But you have to shop carefully for those printed t-shirts and designer dresses to insure you are choosing a company that is offering value and not just trying to take your money.

This can be an expensive lesson to learn, because it's tempting to buy what are called "knock-offs". Knock-offs are cheap copies of designer clothing that are frequently sold online. The copies are often so good they are virtually indistinguishable as a fake by sight. But after one wearing, the truth is often revealed. Low quality fake clothing will literally come apart at the seams.

In the garment industry, online retail sales are growing rapidly even through tough economic times. But the buyer needs to be aware that using a reliable company for your clothing purchases is important. Getting something cheap can get expensive when early replacement is necessary due to poor workmanship. Buying inexpensive high quality clothing like uniforms for work is critical for people on a budget. The uniforms need to be functional and enduring as the wearer completes job duties, but uniforms often need replacing more often than other types of clothing. Finding reliable sources of inexpensive clothing can save a lot of money while making shopping simple.

As the cost of everything continues to rise, it is great to find quality inexpensive clothing. But when quality is too poor to make the clothes practical, they are not such a great bargain. So let the buyer beware of knock-offs and low quality clothing. By choosing the company which has been in business for many years and offers quality at a low price, you are able buy the clothes you need at a price you can afford.

(c)Image by Daniel Jaeger Vendruscolo, www.sxc.hu/

Faith Based Retailers Rely on Printed T-Shirts for Sales

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:03:02 +0100

Faith based retailers sell everything from Bibles and crosses to music and medals, but they also sell clothes and lots of them. In fact, in the U.S. in many of the faith based stores, which is another term for stores selling Christian themed items, it is clothes that account for most of their sales. In a store that opened in Knoxville, Tennessee in the States, the main products offered for sale include jeans, leather purses and dresses.

A mainstay of most faith based retailers has always been printed t-shirts. That hasn�t changed. You can buy t-shirts around the world that are printed with Bible quotes and catchy sayings. It�s a way to spread the Word without actually preaching. That�s one reason why the printed t-shirts are so popular.

But now retailers are taking their clothing merchandise to the next level and offering mostly promotional clothing instead of mainly the accoutrements of faith. Not so long ago, when you walked into a faith based store you could count on seeing mostly statues, book markers and gift items. Now you may see well stocked shelves containing Christian promotional clothing and themed t-shirts and accessories. Of course, you can also expect to pay a hefty price for specialty clothing sold in brick-and-mortar stores. You can find better deals online and even custom order your printed items. Still, the new trend in faith based retailing is worth noting. This is not something happening in just the U.S. It is a trend spreading globally. Faith based retail operations of all kinds are learning how to combine business and religion in new ways that appeal to consumers. And it is not just Christians wearing religious themed clothes either. Modern day Jews, Muslims and Buddhists are wearing clothing that quietly proclaim their faith. Promotional clothing offers a great way to let the world know your beliefs whatever they may be..

c) Image by (Name Hidden), www.sxc.hu/

Hoodies and the Fashionistas

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:54:46 +0100

Hooded sweatshirts are one of the most popular fashion items for today�s youth. And, they are also popular with men and women in their 20�s, 30�s, 40�s, and even in their 50�s! The classic cotton hoodie is a comfortable and versatile fashion piece that can be worn again and again � daily during certain seasons.

Branding with tee shirts has become extremely popular. Companies and small businesses are using promotional clothing to get their name in the public eye. They give away these tee shirts with their logo to clients and potential customers in the hopes that they will wear them and become walking billboards.

The concept of branding with hooded sweatshirts is similar but with increased results. Cotton hoodies with a business logo can be handed out to customers or at events. Because hoodies are the current fashion must have item chances are very high the people receiving the hoodie will wear it more than once. Hoodies are more valuable to the consumer than a tee shirt and can be worn several days in a row where a tee shirt can only be worn once in public before it must be washed. The hoodie, as a jacket, is more versatile and this versatility adds to its branding potential.

Purchasing hooded sweatshirts for your small business or company is very easy. Promotional clothing distributers who carry promotional printed t-shirts carry a wide range of items including hoodies. They can work to help create the best look for your business, including where to place the logo and color choices.

Once the hoodie has been made it is important to get it into the hands of the right customers � customers who will wear it and come into contact with other people who will be interested in your products and services. The best place to start is your customer base, a readymade list of willing and knowledge advocates. Next, attend trade shows, fundraisers, tournaments, and other events where members of your target market can be found. This will allow you to reach an ever widening circle of potential clients.

So, step up from tee shirts to hoodies for the fall and winter season. A tee shirt will only be covered up in the cooler months and will get zero branding time. The hoodie will be worn inside and outside, day after day, for extreme branding!

� Image by Karen Andrews,www.sxc.hu/

Promotional T-Shirts Make You the Go-To Brand

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:48:55 +0100

You see them everywhere. Employees of large and small businesses wear them. Customers of these same businesses are also becoming big fans. How can you get your customers interested in your business and increase your brand recognition with promotional clothing?

Promotional t-shirts are one of the most productive and successful ways to achieve brand recognition � to have potential customers recognize you as a go-to source for anything from plumbing to beauty needs. T-shirts can easily be embroidered or silk screened with the name of the company, the company logo, or a catchy phrase.

Consider Sloppy Joe�s in Key West, Florida. The t-shirts from this bar are one of the state�s biggest tourist souvenirs because Sloppy Joe�s was one of author Ernest Hemingway�s hangouts. The popularity of the shirts has made the bar world famous and a must see place on your list if you are in the area.

It is not difficult to begin a promotional clothing program for your business. You can start with just your company name or include a logo if you have one. Logos can also be developed at affordable prices and have multiple uses.

Whether you choose to use your company name or logo the image must be saved as a .jpeg file. This is the way it will be sent to the vendor providing the shirts. You may work with a salesman online or over the phone.

When placing your order look for high quality cotton that is durable and comfortable. Not only will it give your employees a polished look it will be comfortable for customers who wish to purchase and wear one.

Promotional <printed t-shirts are considered to be free advertising. You have a small output when first purchasing the t-shirt but that amount is usually nothing compared to increased business due to brand exposure.

� Image by Ervin Bacik, www.sxc.hu/

T-Shirts are a Sign of the Times

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:59:41 +0100

T-shirts are favourite clothing from country to country, but in some cases the simple t-shirt is used for other purposes. T-shirts have hit a new stride in fashion and are just as likely to be seen on the catwalk as they are to be seen at sports events or while operating the remote at home in front of the television. T-shirts are made to be tight or loose, informal or semi-formal, fashionable or simple. But there are also printed t-shirts and they can carry a big message.

T-shirts are a sign of the times, but they also can literally become a sign like in billboard. Imprinted t-shirts can announce where you work, what you enjoy doing, your favourite cause, or simply be fun or flirty. One of the interesting facts about t-shirts is that the images change with the times. Whatever is most popular in politics, charity work, or recreational activities is often first proclaimed on t-shirts. Put a politician�s face on a t-shirt and he or she soon becomes recognizable by the masses.

T-shirts are inter-generational too. Grandmothers as well as grandchildren wear t-shirts. Men and women wear t-shirts. Infants and teenagers wear t-shirts.

In some cultures the t-shirt is strictly for leisure. More formal polo-shirts may be in order for work. In countries like India, there is additional importance placed on the choice of shirts to wear. In India, business shirts are almost always expected to be formal even if colorful. The Indian business shirt is made in a variety of materials, colors and styling. But when the business shirt comes off, it is the popular t-shirt that is worn to be trendy.

T-shirts have turned out to be so popular in global cultures they are now made for all kinds of weather and needs. That is why you can get short-sleeved, long sleeved and even sleeveless t-shirts.

Of course, one reason why charities choose promotional shirts for fund raising is a matter of economics. T-shirts and polo-shirts are affordable clothing. The message on printed or embroidered shirts is simply a bonus.

Promotional Clothing and Shipping Costs - Keeping the Retailer Honest

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:52:36 +0100

Do you let the cost of shipping stop you from buying online? Retailers selling online deal every day with the high cost of shipping on a regular basis and know it�s just part of doing business. They want to keep prices as low as possible for customers, but the constantly fluctuating prices of oil and gas have created a real dilemma when it comes to keeping control of expenses and being able to continue giving customers value for their money. Shipping costs can easily exceed the cost of the product itself in some cases. On many orders, the shipping costs increase the order total by as much as 30% or more.

Customers shopping online for clothes are looking for bargains. That�s the joy of the internet � the ability to find the best prices. For example, when shopping for printed t-shirts for company employees browsers are looking for very competitive product prices and reasonable shipping charges. The typical online bsuiness consumers are using the internet as a means of cutting expenses. They have made it clear they expect competitive rates on both the product prices and the price of delivery.

Some companies are offering free or reduced delivery charges for orders as a marketing tool. In fact, there are clothing companies providing free delivery for global shipping in addition to free shipping on domestic sales. This can have a significant impact on the bottom line. To stay competitive some companies believe they must now offer this shipping bargain, but as a result, must cut costs in other areas.

Shipping costs become a real issue during the holiday season. A customer can go through the entire online purchasing process with a good idea of how much he or she has spent before looking at the final invoice. Then the shipping gets added on and the order total seems to almost double in some cases. Since marketing is often about "feelings" and reactions, this process does nothing to promote the image of the business. One of the most important steps a company can take to prevent these negative customer responses is to make sure the online company is upfront and very clear about shipping policies and rates. Online retailers should always be honest with their customers

New Business with New Promotional Clothing

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:43:04 +0100

Beginnings can be fun and exciting but they can also be stressful. Opening a new business is all three. Small business owners are thrilled to be living their dream and opening their own business. However, there is always a bit of fear that something may go wrong.

To protect a business and secure its future the successful businessperson will turn to marketing. Through advertising and other methods he or she will draw people into the business and up the revenue. However, how successful could a business be if promotions started on day one?

A new trend in marketing is aggressively promoting a new business before it even opens. Business owners are utilizing successful marketing strategies before their businesses open to get their name in the public eye.

One of the most popular methods of �pre-promoting� is the promotional t-shirt. The business owner will create a great t-shirt with the company logo. The owner will wear it, he will give printed t-shirts to his friends and family to wear, and he will offer free give-aways at various events.

An enterprising owner who pre-promotes his company using t-shirts and promotional clothing is setting himself up for success. Every t-shirt is like a walking billboard seen by hundreds of people.

It is important to choose the right t-shirt for a pre-promotion campaign. Remember, this is a potential customer�s first look at the business. The t-shirt must be made from high quality cotton. This is one area where skimping is not allowed. High quality cotton looks the best and presents the best image to the public � it holds color well, it holds its shape, it looks great.

The business�s logo must be displayed on the t-shirt. A prominently displayed logo will be more successful than a small logo over the breast pocket. The logo and color combination of the shirt are important. Business owners may choose to consult with their professional clothing distributer to find the most eye-pleasing color combinations.

Promotional clothing can give today�s new business owners the perfect start. Name recognition before the doors even open sounds like a lofty goal but the new trend of pre-promoting is changing the game. Send out flyers, create a newsletter, develop an email list, and above all wear a t-shirt while preparing to open the doors to your dream.

� Image by Adrian Gtz, www.sxc.hu/

Cheap School Uniforms the Trend

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:10:06 +0100

With school now in progress, the supermarkets are selling school uniforms to parents already financially strapped. The recession and recovery has not been easy for anyone and joblessness and underemployment has left households struggling to make ends meet. Now parents are asked to buy school uniforms, supplies and books because schools cannot afford to supply these items.

One of the best places to find inexpensive clothing is online if your children wear t-shirts or polo shirts to school. High quality sweaters and sweatshirts can be purchased also.

Of course, some schools wear more elaborate uniforms. In Scotland, students wear cotton and wool clothing. But many schools have chosen to simplify their uniforms in the interest of cost. Overall the price of school clothing has dropped by 21 percent in the last 6 years. Along with the price drop has come a drop in quality too. That�s just another reason why it makes sense to buy clothing parts of the uniforms online where significant savings can be found without sacrificing quality.

The UK school uniform market is quite large but sales have been declining over the past few years. The sales decline is not due to parents buying fewer clothes. It is the result of falling prices. Many of the school uniforms are manufactured in Bangladesh and China where labor rates are quite low. Some parents don�t mind the low quality as long as the clothes last the school term, but many parents demand more quality. They don�t want their children running around with holes in their clothes which requires buying new shirts, skirts and trousers throughout the year. By shopping online when possible, you can buy inexpensive high quality clothing and have it shipped right to your home. The convenience is hard to beat and explains why internet retailing continues to increase each year.

� Image by Julien Tromeur, www.sxc.hu

Sustainable Green Eco Organic Ethical Printed T-Shirts?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:32:40 +0100

Sustainable? Green? Eco-fashion? Ethical? Fair labor? Organic?

What do all of these words have in common? They represent a fashion trend that is gaining speed but not as rapidly as some would like. The widening set of terms applied to fashion that is environmentally sound and people friendly is only serving to confuse people at this point. The confusion arises because it�s not clear if the terms are used interchangeably or if each stands on its own.

Copenhagen recently held a sustainable fashion conference at the end of 1010. The purpose of the conference was to introduce clothing that is eco friendly. The problem is that there is not a specific definition established for sustainable or eco-friendly or even ethical in the fashion world. Your sustainable printed t-shirts may have involved the use of different standards than the �green� t-shirts purchased elsewhere.

The word �sustainable� is particularly tricky. While eco-friendly can generally be defined as reducing the carbon footprint on the earth, sustainable can have a much broader interpretation. It may mean fashion or fashion items used over and over again or it may mean using locally produced materials or it might be defined in a way very similar to �green� meaning as little pollution as possible is produced and as few natural resources as necessary are used.

In the end, the important point at this stage is to be aware of wasteful use of resources. You can purchase organic printed t-shirts or embroidered shirts for promotional clothing. Until the fashion world can specifically define all of the terms used in the industry, consumers can only do their best to make wise buying decisions. Wise decisions are buying products that are manufactured with idea of making the least impact possible on the environment.

(c)Image by Adrian Gtz, www.sxc.hu/

Budget Friendly Promotional Clothing

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:37:36 +0100

In today�s economy advertising is important. Unfortunately, many small businesses do not have large advertising budgets and cannot launch a large advertising campaign. This has led to creative ways to advertise � among them the use of promotional clothing such as tee shirts and polo shirts.

Why are tee shirts and polo shirts so successful in advertising a business? Almost everyone wears a tee shirt. Moreover, if they do not wear tees chances are they do wear polo or golf shirts. The high visibility of these shirts makes them the perfect advertising vehicle for any business.

When choosing a promotional tee shirt or polo shirt the first thing to look for is quality. You will want to purchase the best you can afford and the best that fits your advertising budget. Higher quality tee shirts and polo shirts last longer and wear better. If the tees or polos are to be worn by the staff an investment in high quality materials is essential.

Tee shirts and polo shirts can have a company�s logo embroidered or screen- printed on the fabric. This is an important part of the design and a lot of thought should go into choosing the colors of the shirt, the logo design, and the style of the shirt. If a shirt is out of style or unattractive no one will wear it and all advertising efforts will fail.

For companies advertising to a more affluent market there are other promotional clothing items that can be included as part of their ad campaign. For example, a high-end consumer based company might see more success with jackets and golf shirts than with tee shirts. In addition, embroidered shirts might be a better option for this client than screen-printing and meet the company�s high standards.

Even in a slow economy a business cannot slow down. Small or large, a business must advertise to survive and thrive. Promotional clothing is creative and cost effective � a lifeline in today�s business world.

� Photo by Margarit Ralev, www.sc.hu/

Eco-Friendly Cotton

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:54:16 +0100

In today�s economy many consumers are looking to go green not only at the gas pump, in the grocery store, or at home. They are taking their environmental concerns a step further and �shopping green for clothing�. Buyers are looking for organically grown cotton clothing and accessories and this applies to all types of garments including embroidered shirts and uniforms.

Retailers report that the sales of organically grown cotton garments has increased substantially over the last 5 years. Bill Lands, an organic cotton farmer was interviewed by a garment industry magazine and asked to voice his opinions on the rise in popularity of organically grown cotton garments. Lands stated that although he had been growing cotton organically for over 20 years he is only now beginning to see a return on his product.

�Organically grown cotton clothing has been around for a while but was primarily available only in specialty boutiques. That really limited its availability to the average person. You might see some Earth Day shirts that were 100 percent organic in department stores but to get an organic wardrobe you would have to shop at a boutique in a large city.�

According to Lands this specialization of the product limited his profit margin. It actually turned many farmers away from organic farming. Fortunately, the tide has now turned and as people become more educated about environmental concerns they are looking for organically grown labels in their clothing. �I am only just now, maybe in last 2 years, seeing a real profit on my cotton from our farm. We made a commitment to grow organic and have stood behind that commitment but it has been hard.�

Lands is glad the organic market is now seeing such success. �We are sure happy we are seeing a profit but we are happier to see consumers make informed decisions when they buy their clothing. We decided to go organic in response to what we saw happening to the environment 20 years ago. We couldn�t be happier that people are now supporting the environment by buying organic.�

Give Promotional T-shirts to Volunteers

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:41:03 +0100

Promotional t-shirts are popping up everywhere. They are used by large and small businesses for branding and department identification, in schools as a part of school uniforms, and in many other promotional ways. A new and exciting market is also emerging � t-shirts for volunteers and to promote volunteer organizations.

T-shirts have long been available for large donor based organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and Habitat for Humanity. Now, local, grass roots organizations are promoting themselves and thanking their volunteers with high quality cotton t-shirts.

Promotional clothing companies have an open market with volunteer organizations. It is important to keep the message and mission of the organization in mind when you approach a member for a sale. Hard sells do not work with these organizations. You can discuss how t-shirt sales have promoted and brought national recognition to many grass-roots charities while raising money specifically for the charity.

Promotional t-shirt salespeople will need to work side by side with charitable organizations while implementing a new program. Volunteers will need training on how to order, determine an eye-catching design, and set a price point. They will also benefit from tips on making sales.

Many grass roots organizations may not have a logo. You can assist in helping the company design a logo if your company offers this service. If not, the charity can outsource the design to a local artist for a minimal price. Their logo will be used for much more than printed t-shirts.

Using t-shirts to promote grass roots charities is a boon to both promotional t-shirt companies and charitable organizations. There is no single way that has proven more successful in the quest for name recognition that developing a popular, must-have tee.

Charitable organizations will want to offer their volunteers and contributors high quality. Be sure to encourage organizations to consider the durability and comfort of 100 percent cotton t-shirts.

� Image by Daniel Jaeger Vendruscolo, www.sxc.hu/

The Perfectly Fitting T-Shirt

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:01:00 +0100

Ever wonder how clothing like polo shirts and uniforms are actually fitted to the human body? Actually, the fitting of fashion is not a one-step process. It�s a multi-step process. Clothes for adults are made to fit through a series of fitting session on real models. The cuts and seams are tweaked until the garment fits the person�s particular size so it takes a number of these sessions.

Multiple fitting sessions may work fine for adults, but fitting children is another story. Infants and children don�t make particularly good models during the tedious fitting process and multiple fitting sessions can be stressful for all involved. For this reason, Alvanon has developed a new fitting mannequin that mimics human shapes and movements so that clothing can be sized without the use of live models aged from new born to 16 years old.

The mannequins were unveiled at the Textile Institute�s Centenary Conference November 2010 in Manchester. Now the company also creates avatars and can create precise measurements reflecting a variety of human body shapes. The high tech mannequins are made out of memory foam covering a skeleton. The arms are jointed making it easy to put clothes on or take them off. The entire structure is wrapped in fusible cotton fabric.

The foam in the mannequin is designed to mimic the way skin would act when you put clothes on. Slip on printed t-shirts for example, and the sewers are able to make adjustments as necessary. This is a much better way to make children�s clothing as opposed to asking babies, children or teens to handle multiple fittings.

The consumer gets benefit too. Mannequins such as the high tech Alvanon ones will lead to more consistent sizing of clothes. Anyone who shops for children�s clothes knows that sizing variations are common in different brands.

� Image by Benjamin Earwicker, www.sxc.hu/

Calling All Super Bowl XLVI Lovers - Time for Printed T-Shirts

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:16:31 +0100

For Super Bowl lovers around the world, it�s time to put on printed t-shirts. The Super Bowl XLVI is going to be played soon and this is a game that inspires passion. If you don�t know what the Super Bowl is then you are probably not an American because it�s the most anticipated sports game in the country each year.

On Sunday, 5-February-2012, the Patriots and Giants will compete in the championship football game. This is when the fans go crazy buying promotional clothing that touts their favourite team. You will see t-shirts, caps, jackets, socks and jerseys in addition to the many accessories like the cheesehead.

Cheesehead? You read right! The Packers fans wear plastic wedges of cheese on their heads to show support. The cheese represents one of the state�s main industries which is cheese production. But most people are willing to settle for t-shirts with their team logo and name printed on it.

Of course, like many logos you are only allowed to buy clothing that is officially licensed. The National Football League (NFL) has 90 licensees that have been given permission to sell clothing and accessories carrying any of the NFL team logos or words like �Super Bowl�. Unfortunately, unscrupulous t-shirt silk screeners will infringe on the license and go ahead and print the logos and use the words anyway. The sellers are not legitimate businesses many times and are selling the t-shirts out of the back of their pickup trucks. That forces the NFL to go to court to stop the license infringement.

The NFL tag for the Super Bowl XLVI clothing is a hologram. It has a spiraling football on it and the NFL logo shield in the middle. When you move the hologram, the football looks like it is spinning. The hologram makes it easier for customers to know they are getting a licensed product. If the hologram looks grainy then the clothing is knock-ff.

If you enjoy wearing promotional clothing that shows support for your team, be sure you don�t infringe on a license. But there�s nothing stopping you from cheering your team on no matter where you live.

� Image by Matt Lozoya, www.sxc.hu/

Using Promotional Shirts is Right!

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:01:26 +0100

How can your business benefit from the use of promotional t-shirts? Marketing executives report that cotton t-shirts are one of the most cost effective advertising and branding tools. They have been around for years but have recently exploded onto the worldwide stage as a means of advertising for small and large businesses.

Why are cotton printed t-shirts popular as an advertising vehicle? Steven Gooch has perhaps the best answer to this often-asked question. He states, �A promotional t-shirt and a promotional coffee mug will cost the business owner close to the same amount. What he has to consider is which will get seen more - the mug that sits on a desk or in a cabinet or the t-shirt with the business logo worn in public and seen by hundreds of potential customers?�

The advertising potential of embroidered shirts is huge. An eye-catching logo placed on the t-shirt�s front, the back, or along the sleeve is perfect for marketing any type of business or service. The trick is placing the logo where it will have greatest visibility. For example, a billiard player may have a sponsor�s logo on the left sleeve of his shirt because that is where television cameras will focus during games.

Not many businesses can expect their logo t-shirts to appear on national television but utmost visibility is still important. An eye-catching logo will immediately draw a person�s attention. It will be stored in their memory and used in the future. Every encounter is an opportunity to promote a business.

�I work with many small businessmen in my community. They all go into our first meeting with the �coffee mug and pen� mindset of two decades ago. Even young business owners. It is my job to show them how a switch to the right promotional item, for close to the same price, can make huge changes for their business,� stated Gooch.

� Image by Dimitri Castrique, www.sxc.hu/

Bright Colours Reflect Hopes for the Economy

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:39:36 +0100

Colour can speak to anyone no matter what nationality or gender or age the person may be. Color is an international language that is used in clothing such as printed t-shirts to create an image or send a message or to generate excitement or to get people�s attention. Colours are happily changed from season to season in the fashion industry in order to inspire people and keep people interested in buying new clothes. Colour changes are used as a marketing tool and sales generator in other words. Consumers talk about �this year�s colours� and that means the marketing campaign has been successful.

In 2011 the new colours for summer and spring are expected to be vibrant to help celebrate the ending of the recession. New colours will be introduced that blend basic colours in a way that creates nuances and colour palettes. Some of the colours seem to take on their own personality when a sheen is added making a shimmery contrast. Other colours are simply brighter versions of traditional summer and spring colours such as lemon yellow and fuchsia red.

The new colours expected to be seen in the next fashion season include a sophisticated blue, an intense red, a vibrant green, a tangy lemon and a citrus green. Colours will be used in t-shirt printing that will enhance any logo or design in an unforgettable manner. In the fashion world, colours in all clothing from polo shirts to dresses are used to create exciting new garments. Designers can have the most fun with the summer and spring shades too when compared to traditional colours used in the fall and winter. Recreating the bright colours of nature in new ways is inspirational for both designers and consumers. You can expect to see shades that are bright, fun and trendy as the new season fashions hit the stores.

Online Promotional Clothing Here to Stay

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:29:53 +0100

You don't need to brand hop when shopping for promotional clothing or printed t-shirts because you can find them online quite easily. In fact, a high quality t-shirt online retailer will carry many well-known brands anyway so you can stick with the brand you most appreciate.

But there are some people who shop for specific brands for other kinds of clothing and have for years. They are now discovering those brands have moved from their regular stores and really don't know how to go about finding them again. It's a sign of the struggles the fashion industry and department stores are facing as a result o the poor economy. One of the big advantages of online shopping is the fact you don't have to drive all over town wasting expensive gas or time. But finding specific brands today in department stores may take effort like this, because designer brands are on the move.

Much of this moving is due to designer brands needing to prop up sales as a result of the recession. Brands are moving from store to store and their fans are having a difficult time staying caught up on their current locations.

What is really interesting to note though is the fact that upscale brands are down scaling. Will brand loyal customers move with the designer lines? That is the big question. Unlike work promotional clothing where quality and price are the most important qualities, fashion customers are looking for additional qualities like styling and particular fabrics.

(c)Image by Daniel Jaeger Vendruscolo, www.sxc.hu/

T-Shirt Lyrics

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:32:12 +0100

People around the world have a love affair with the simple t-shirt. It was first a symbol used by teenagers to express their individuality. Anything could be printed on the t-shirt such as sayings, symbols, or pictures of rock stars. T-shirt printing became a way to turn clothing into a political, social, or philosophical medium. Sometimes the message goes too far and offends others, but the very ability to rock the establishment was what made t-shirts so appealing to youthful wearers in the first place.

Is it any surprise there are many songs with the word �t-shirts� in them? The t-shirt is now worn by everyone from babies to middle aged women to wealthy moguls. So it�s only natural t-shirts would be included in popular songs.

The t-shirts in many songs are symbols of love gained or lost. For example, Destiny�s Child sings a song named�appropriately ..T Shirt. It is about lovers who are separated and the woman wears her boyfriend�s t-shirt as a reminder of him. In the song �You Belong With Me� by popular Taylor Swift, the girl in the song wears t-shirts that are symbolic of her laid-back unpretentious style. Shontelle sings a song called �T Shirt� also. In the song a couple has broken up. The woman wears her ex-boyfriend�s t-shirt to comfort herself. There are other songs too that have t-shirts in the lyrics.

As you can tell, t-shirts send messages, comfort lovers, present a particular style, and all the while make a practical contribution to any wardrobe. You may not want to croon about t-shirts but you will always want to have a collection of them in your drawers or closet. Some middle-aged people even have held on to t-shirts from their teenage years. Tucked away in drawers they are printed with pictures of Woodstock, the younger Rolling Stones, and the Beatles. The question is: Does that make t-shirts collectible art too?

� Image by Josh Klute, www.sxc.hu/

Printed T-Shirts Go Back to the Future!

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:57:14 +0100

Vintage cotton t-shirts are sizzling! The trendiest tees on the fashion runways the last couple of seasons were vintage, or retro, t-shirts. Retro cuts, vintage fabrics, and old school graphics are now finding their way to promotional t-shirts.

The latest styles of promotional tees look to the past � but ensure that your logo will be front and center. Vintage printed t-shirts are simple with eye-catching appeal. Moreover, best of all, they are soft and hard-wearing � sure to be enjoyed for many years!

The basic vintage tee style is the �concert t-shirt�. This tee is reminiscent of the old Eagles t-shirt you might remember from high school � really well broken in � but very durable. The shirts are 100 percent cotton and very lightweight. A unique weave gives the shirts their vintage appeal. Several styles, including crew and v-necks, give many options for logo placement.

Tie-dye is back with a vengeance. It is vintage and it is better than ever before. Tie-dye is perfect for a wide variety of marketing campaigns and has the potential to reach both the young and older audiences. Tie-dye vintage tees are not printed � each 100 percent cotton tee is dyed to obtain its own individual look. No two shirts are alike.

Think pink! And orange, and lime green, and dozens of other bright neon colors from the 1980�s. Think t-shirts from decades ago and you have the right vintage era. Bright colors draw immediate attention and are some of the most popular sellers across the country. Buy blank t-shirts and you get a blank canvas for a business logo which can be placed on the front, the back, or on a sleeve. These make excellent promotional clothing. In addition, the neon shirts, in ringspun cotton jersey, come in both crew necks and v-necks.

Take your next marketing campaign on a trip back to the future with vintage tees. The right look can equal enormous results for your business.

� Image by (Name Hidden), www.sxc.hu/

Embroidered Shirts Stitch Up Sales

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:40:14 +0100

Staying competitive in today�s marketplace isn�t always easy. You can�t just wait for customers to come to you. You have to let them know you exist and are ready to help meet their needs. That�s why it�s so important to raise your business profile in as many ways as possible. One of those ways is the use of promotional clothing.

Promotional clothing turns your employees into walking and working marketers because anyone who sees the business name or logo embroidered or printed on the shirt knows you are serious about staying competitive. Logo bearing shirts promote brand recognition and isn�t that what marketing is really all about? Employees wearing shirts and caps that carry the business name are able to promote your business anywhere they go and no matter what time of day it is. You get more and longer marketing exposure.

Of course, your staff will appreciate the fact that promotional clothing like printed t-shirts and polo shirts are comfortable too. And embroidered shirts look stylish in addition to being comfortable and you get extra credit for providing your employees work wear that makes life a little nicer.

Embroidered clothing is reasonably priced also. This is a marketing tool that doesn�t cost you an arm and a leg like billboard advertising or newspaper ads. And since your employees are wearing the promotional clothing while working, your advertising goes right to the target market or those most likely to use the company products and services.

Keeping ahead of the competitive curve means not missing out on any chance to promote your business. Your logo and business name should appear on marketing material, invoices, website, client gifts and clothing. The more exposure your company name and logo gets, the more likely you are to attract new customers.

� Image by Maxime Perron Caissy, www.sxc.hu/

Promotional Clothing for Zumba!

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:50:44 +0100

You may only think of promotional clothing as being ordinary shirts with the inevitable embroidery or printed logo. But promotional clothing also includes fun t-shirts and sweatshirts perfect for dancing and exercising. For example, t-shirts with the word �Zumba� are showing up around the globe from London to Miami.<>What�s Zumba? It�s a dance/exercise that blends aerobics and dance into a calorie burning routine. It was created by celebrity fitness trainer Alberto �Beto� Perez in Columbia. Now Zumba is a trademarked name for a dance based class that has elements of interval training, cardio, resistance training, salsa, meringue, hip-hop, flamenco, tango, and belly dancing. It is an energetic routine that is sure to burn calories while also giving participants a chance to enjoy learning some dance steps. People in Zumba classes smile a lot because it�s a fun way to exercise that makes people feel as if they are truly accomplishing something.

Zumba even has a slogan. It goes like this: Ditch the workout. Join the Party!� And that is why Zumba has been embraced by so many who were bored with the old routines of light weights and riding the elliptical machines. A class full of people wearing Zumba printed t-shirts is fun to watch. The exercisers claim that Zumba doesn�t feel like exercising at all. But despite the carefree atmosphere, Zumba classes offer serious exercise routines that work the whole body and provide cardio.

Zumba continues to grow in popularity and people who are fans of this style of exercising say it spoils you. That�s because Zumba is so much fun they say, that you don�t want to return to exercising without some dance and music. And the really good news is that Zumba has helped thousands of people lose weight who have had problems losing weight just through dieting or traditional exercise routines. Zumba, it seems, is here to stay because it has already been around almost 20 years and still going strong.

� Image by Rainer Topf, www.sxc.hu/

Why Businesses Buy Promotional Clothing

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 01:09:51 +0100

Promotional clothing occupies a huge niche in the garment industry. Businesses and schools, governments and tourist attractions all want to advertise with their logo on a t-shirt. Because the focus of promotional clothing is on generating more revenue it is unlikely this lucrative business will take a hit from the current recession.

Let�s take a look at why businesses buy promotional clothing. Promotional clothing serves three main purposes for a company. First, it gives employees a professional look. Employees will look unified. First impressions do matter and businesses that present themselves well will have a higher chance of succeeding and beating out their competition.

Secondly, promotional clothing is an essential factor in branding. Businesses want their company to be the one everybody thinks of when they need a particular service. If Joe�s Plumbing has a unique t-shirt/logo design that is worn by all employees people will see the logo and recall the business when they need a plumber. Employees rarely go straight to work or straight home. When they stop to get gas, drop by the mall, or buy groceries with a company t-shirt on they will be attracting potential customers.

Lastly, promotional clothing can be sold or given to customers. A goal of companies whose employees wear promotional t-shirts should be to get their customers to wear their t-shirts. And they will, if the logo is interesting or trendy. Many skateboard companies have found that they get the best advertising when their customers wear their clothing. In many cases they will give free printed t-shirts with their logo away because they know it will result in free advertising.

A great way to approach new clients interested in promotional clothing is to lay out the facts. Let them know the advantages of creating a line of promotional clothing for their business. Once business owners understand that promotional clothing serves an actual purpose in promoting their business they will be loyal clients.

Free Promotional Clothing? Maybe. Maybe Not.

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:50:19 +0100

Free t-shirts for all! That�s the kind of hype you often see being used as a customer enticement. Everyone loves something free, but how much of that promotional clothing is stuffed in consumer drawers at home never to see daylight? You spent business profits on the clothing believing it will be an ideal advertising strategy, but you don�t get much benefit from clothing never worn. It�s important to have a plan before buying hundreds of t-shirts or caps to give away in order to get the most benefits for the money spent.

Promotional clothing like printed t-shirts does make a great advertising tool, but you want to spend your money wisely. The goal is to get the shirts into the hands of the people most likely to wear them so your business name and logo gets exposure. How do you do that? It�s easy! Treat your promotional clothing purchase like a major marketing strategy decision. You need to identify the specific market niche that will appreciate and wear the clothing and then target that group of people. You also want to screen the people in some way before handing or mailing them a free t-shirt.

For example, if you decide to give away printed t-shirts, attach the gift to a product purchase. Your current customers are most likely to wear your free gift. To attract new customers, offer a free t-shirt to anyone making a minimum purchase. You could also offer a free t-shirt to anyone who makes a referral that turns into a paying customer. Even if you decide to give free t-shirts away at a vendor show, you still need to get something in return like contact information.

Free t-shirts for all may sound great, but it is not always a good idea when trying to contain costs. Let a professional designer create an appealing logo or design your own logo, choose affordable quality clothing and then develop a specific strategy for attracting customers who will actually wear the clothing.

� Image by Chris Scott, www.sxc.hu/

Promotional T-shirts Just Beat Out Promo Jackets

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:58:28 +0100

The second most popular promotional clothing item, according to surveys from hundreds of promotional clothing distributers, is the embroidered jacket. Selling at a high rate � just behind the always high selling promotional cotton t-shirt � embroidered jackets are the perfect way for a business to promote their brand and get the word out about their services and products.

Within the embroidered jacket category is a variety of jacket choices. A range of different styles gives promotional clothing salespeople and business owners flexibility to tailor their needs directly to their clientele and their geographical location.

The new kid on the block � the most popular jacket choice in the tween, teen, and 20-45 age group - is the hoodie. The hoodie is a brushed cotton jacket that has a hood sewn on to the neck. A drawstring is attached to the hood. Hoodies were first seen in the college world with school logos. Businesses can place their logo across the center front of the hoodie, over the left breast, or across the back just like how it is done on embroidered shirts.

Almost as popular as the hoodie in both fashion and promotional clothing circles is the fleece jacket. The fleece jacket became popular as a promotional clothing item 10 years ago and they are now available in fitted versions for cyclists or climbers, loose versions for teens, vest styles, and even hoodie styles. Logos are typically placed on fleece jackets� left sides.

Whichever style a business chooses for their promoting purposes, it is the job of the promotional clothing salesperson to ensure a quality product is produced. Promotional clothing salespeople have a wealth of experience concerning color choice, logo placement, fabric choice, and more and should never hesitate to offer their opinions to business owners. A quality finished product equals high sales and satisfied customers.

� Image by Aravinth Chandrasekaran, www.sxc.hu/

If Hollywood Can Do It: Promotional Tees and Gift Bags

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:57:10 +0100

Distributingprinted t-shirts in gift bags is a fabulous way to promote a business or introduce a product into the market. This type of marketing makes a targeted market aware of the service and product being offered and it will stay with people � the simple fact that they have a cool tee to wear will give the brand longevity.

It has become trendy for Hollywood to provide gift bags, or �swag bags�, at movie premiers and other big events and parties. These bags include everything from free spa treatments to clothes and makeup. Local businesses can take a cue from this successful Hollywood marketing strategy and provide gift bags of their own at community events.

A goody bag with a promotional t-shirt will always trump a flyer. The logo tee is undoubtedly the longest lasting freebie available. The tee gives the business free advertising every time it is worn � for years to come!

Promotional t-shirts have become fashionable and collectable. To get noticed the shirt must include a unique logo with eye-catching design and text. The t-shirt should be made from high quality cotton.

T-shirts offer a huge canvas for creating. However, businesses are advised to keep it to a minimum. Artwork and text can be placed on the front or back of the tee and up the sleeves. Some advent-garde logos wrap around the waist. Open spaces with no artwork draw attention to the logo.

While most promotional t-shirts for gift bags include a business name and logo it is really the buzz words or text line that will make the tee a winner. By creating a cool tagline a t-shirt can instantly become a �must-have� accessory for the season.

Local businesses will discover many community events at which they can distribute gift bags containing their tees. In addition, they can have a supply of gift bags ready for customers or newcomers. With a great t-shirt, a cool tagline, and an awesome gift bag a business is set for success.

� Image by Jenny W., www.sxc.hu/

School Uniforms are Equalizers

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:54:44 +0100

School uniforms around the world vary but they all have the same goal. Uniforms put students on an equal basis so they concentrate on their studies rather than fashion. You can�t look at students in uniforms and tell where the children grew up or how wealthy their parents may be. You also have students who don�t have to worry about whether they own the latest trendy styles that can be quite expensive.

In Europe and the Latin American countries, uniforms are standard wear in many schools. In America, school uniforms are not standard though there is a trend towards requiring uniforms in public schools. Private schools in the U.S. have been requiring school uniforms for many years � especially the parochial schools.

Printed t-shirts have played an instrumental role in getting American public schools to move towards school uniforms. T-shirts are affordable and come in a variety of colors. Some schools choose polo shirts which look a little dressier. On either shirt style, the name of the school can easily be printed or embroidered. At one point khaki pants and skirts were required but many schools now allow jeans to be worn as long as the jeans are a particular style.

When a school is trying to decide whether to institute a uniform policy, there are often strong opinions expressed. Some parents and teachers believe uniforms stifle individuality. But in today�s environment of materialism, there are often stronger arguments for adopting uniforms that are simple. But in most cases, the t-shirt will play an important role. They are durable on the playground, easily replaced, and practical for active children.

� Image by Guillermo Ossa, www.sxc.hu/

Oil Prices Impact Clothing Shipping Prices

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:44:02 +0100

Retailers selling online have to deal with the high cost of shipping on a regular basis. But fluctuating prices of oil and gas have created a real dilemma when it comes to keeping control of expenses and being able to continue giving customers value for their money. Many times shipping costs exceed the cost of the product itself at the worst and increase the order total by 30% or more at the best.

Customers shopping online for clothes such as printed t-shirts printed t-shirts are looking for very competitive product prices. The online consumers are using the internet as a means of cutting expenses on necessary household items. They have made it clear they expect competitive rates on both the product prices and the price of delivery.

Some companies are offering free delivery for orders as a marketing tool. In fact, there are clothing companies providing free delivery for global shipping in addition to free shipping on domestic sales. This can have a significant impact on the bottom line. To stay competitive some companies believe they must now offer this shipping bargain, but as a result, must cut costs in other areas.