If branding is so important how can a small business with no advertising budget reap the benefits? Easily, say marketing experts. “One of the best branding tools is something you can give away. Your customers are your best reference and if you provide them with a t-shirt, sweat-shirt, or cap with your company’s logo to wear they will give you free advertisement,” says Allen Thea, owner of a promotional clothing supplier.

Small businesses normally do not have money put aside for large advertising campaigns. This makes it hard for them to become branded because the whole ‘branding concept’ is dependent upon your logo being seen by masses of consumers.

Promotional clothing experts have stepped in with an inexpensive branding idea that is garnering huge success for the small business owner. T-shirts with the company’s logo can be given to customers as a free gift with purchase or a thank you gift. Whenever the customer wears the t-shirt your business receives continuing advertising benefits.

Large corporations spend millions of dollars on branding efforts. You can get the same results for your small business using promotional clothing. Promotional clothing companies have a wide range of t-shirt styles and colors available to choose from. Their sales people will work to help you find the perfect t-shirt design for your business.

How well do printed t-shirts and promotional clothing work to brand businesses? Recent marketing studies have found them to be hugely successful. Almost 100 percent of customers given a free t-shirt will wear the t-shirt at least once; over 80 percent will wear the t-shirt over 5 times. Each of these times means more advertising potential for your business.

© Image by Adrian Gtz, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Wed, 25 Jul 2012 19:40:57 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/756/1/Promotional_Clothing_Promotes_Brands%21.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1081/1/Stains_on_Promotional_Clothing_Have_Got_to_Go%21.html When you wear promotional clothing day after day there’s a good chance it will end up stained. The stains may be caused by sweat, spilled food or drink, or leaning up against something dirty. It always seems like some people are simply stain prone. Put a brand new t-shirt or polo shirt on some people and you can just about guarantee it will be stained within a couple of hours.

Since work clothing should look professional, it’s important to stay ahead of the stains. There are products on the market that ‘lift’ stains from the fabric, but they can get expensive. You can turn to some tried and true methods instead that were passed down through the generations.

One of the most popular home stain remedy relies on baking soda. A paste is made of baking soda and water and then applied to the stain. Let the paste dry and then wash the piece of clothing in cold water. However, this may or may not work on light stains.

An interesting suggestion for removing the dingy appearance from printed t-shirts is to soak them overnight in 240mL of white distilled vinegar added to a pot of water. Then wash the clothes in cool water. This method will brighten colors by removing soap residue.

A mistake people make with stains is rubbing the stain which only makes it set deeper. It’s better to just dab the area and then wash the apparel as soon as possible. Washing practices should be gentle. The water should not be warmer than about 60 degrees Centigrade. Using hotter water mostly wastes energy.

In addition, don’t overstuff the washer. Clothes don’t get as much washing action when the washer is so full that soap may not reach all areas of the clothes. (The same principle applies to the dryer. When it’s too full, the clothes will not dry properly.)

Of course, at some point you will need to declare defeat and buy yourself some new clothes! In the meantime, declare war on clothing spots and go to work looking professional and un-stained.

© Image by Diogo Barros , www.sxc.hu/]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:43:01 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1081/1/Stains_on_Promotional_Clothing_Have_Got_to_Go%21.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/801/2/Printed_T-Shirts_Turned_Into_Uniforms.html Employees who are required to follow a dress code are more professional looking than those who are allowed the freedom to dress however they wish. Even if employees are attempting to look professional when wearing their own clothes to work the outfits often appear sloppy.

Uniforms for your small business will allow your employees to look professional, be identifiable to customers, and generate advertising revenue. The uniform does not require pants, a suit coat, and tie and the look can be accomplished with a simple, affordable tee shirt or polo shirt with the company’s logo.

A cotton tee shirt or polo shirt with a company logo lets customers identify who works where. When a customer enters the business the staff will seem more knowledgeable and more put together. This feeling of reassurance is the first thing that will strike customers as they enter the business and, with quality follow up service, it will also be their lasting impression.

Small businesses have several options when it comes to implementing uniforms. The most popular is the cotton t-shirt. This is the most cost-effective choice. Printed t-shirts are comfortable, come in many colors, and are durable – all qualities to look for in a uniform tee shirt.

Another fashionable option, a little dressier option, is the polo shirt. This style of shirt has the same benefits as the tee shirt. It is made of cotton, it is durable, comes in a wide range of colors, and is comfortable. Polo shirts are often worn by front office and sales floor staff while tee shirts are worn by other workers whose jobs involve manual labor.

It is essential for a small business to work with a reputable promotional clothing distributer when purchasing tee shirts or polo shirts. A professional distributer will ensure the quality of the cloth, be up to date on the current styles and colors, and have advice on logo placement. He will also be able to make the most cost effective deals. Remember, a great deal is not so great if the shirt falls apart the first time you wash it!(c) Image by Banjo Ari, www.xc.hu/ ]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:44:44 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/801/2/Printed_T-Shirts_Turned_Into_Uniforms.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/788/1/Budget_Friendly_Promotional_Clothing.html 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/ ]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:37:36 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/788/1/Budget_Friendly_Promotional_Clothing.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/983/1/Follow_the_Rules_of_Promotional_Clothing_Giveaways.html It’s easy to order hundreds of t-shirts with printed logos for a charity event, but it’s important to give some thought to your fund raising campaign before placing the order. Though promotional clothing speaks for itself, there are some things you need to keep in mind to make sure your promotional clothing choices are good decisions.

For example, when ordering t-shirts you need to choose comfortable full-cut styles that won’t fit too tight if you want to appeal to a broad group of people of all ages and sizes. You are not going to get older women interested in tiny t-shirts with spaghetti straps. On the other hand, younger men and women want stylish t-shirts with v-neck lines and interesting logos. Joggers like wearing sleeveless t-shirts in the warm months. Men usually don’t want to wear pastel colors while women shy away from dull looking brown shirts.

In other words, you need to choose the promotional clothing or printed t-shirts that fit the type of person you are targeting. Are you hoping to attract teenagers, young adults, women or men or both? If you choose the wrong clothing style, the people getting the t-shirts won’t wear them regularly which is the whole point of giving away promotional clothing. Logo clothing hidden away in drawers is not serving any purpose. You want your customers wearing the shirts and displaying your logo and company name as a form of advertising.

When planning your promotional giveaways, don’t forget to consider the type of people you want to attract. Your clothing choices should be appropriate to the target market. Once you define your target market, it is much easier to choose the best promotional clothing for the event. And knowledgeable event organizers will also include a few sizes and styles to appeal to those who are not included in the target market but participate in the charity event anyway. And don’t forget to create a visually appealing logo that people can easily recognize!

© Image by Ashley Flood, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:35:25 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/983/1/Follow_the_Rules_of_Promotional_Clothing_Giveaways.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1076/3/Firefighters_Get_T-Shirts_and_Fit_at_the_Same_Time.html Firefighters have a more physical job than most of us realize. They have to stay fit at all times to perform what may be grueling tasks like running up 5 flights of stairs at top speed or carrying a person who is unconscious. Even picking up the fire hose is strenuous because of the weight, which is why you often see multiple firefighters working the hose. Since there job requires working around high heat and flames, they were special clothing most of the time which is fire retardant but hot and heavy. Once the fire is under control, the jackets come off and they cool down in printed t-shirts that have their fire unit’s station name and number.

A clothing company in Dallas, TX named Chrome Axe Apparel makes firefighter inspired clothing for men and women and serves a niche market. Recently they announced the company is partnering with The Survival Race to promote firefighter fitness. This is an excellent example of how businesses can partner together to build their businesses while also acting in a socially responsible manner. Chrome Axe Apparel will produce promotional clothing for The Survival Race event participants while The Survival Race offers money off on Chrome Axe Apparel to participating firefighters.

The Survival Race is a company sponsoring the Original Family-Focused 5K Obstacle Course & Mud Run in various locations throughout the year. Though the events are geared towards the public to fight obesity, it is hoped that firefighters will join in and use the events as a chance to improve fitness. Since the events include a race and obstacle course, they fit right in with typical firefighter training.

Promotional clothing can help build businesses and promote events – at the same time. All it takes is some creative thinking and a few partnerships and your business is sure to grow.

© Image by Steve Barnes, www.sxc.hu/]]> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:09:52 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1076/3/Firefighters_Get_T-Shirts_and_Fit_at_the_Same_Time.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1075/2/Sleeveless_T-Shirts_for_Modest_Volleyball_Player_Uniforms.html The 2012 London Olympic committee recently changed the rules for women’s beach volleyball uniforms. Of course, the volleyball player’s idea of a uniform is a little different from most because a 2-piece bathing suit is competition apparel in warm weather, while tight fitting bodysuits are worn in colder weather. However, the new rule change means that athletes from places other than Brazil, Europe and the United States may decide to compete in the future. It’s quite possible new entrant countries may have more restrictive cultures that don’t allow their athletes to wear bikinis but may allow more modest uniforms.

The new athletic rules allow the volleyball teams to wear shorts that come to about an inch above the knee and sleeved or sleeveless shirts. It would not be surprising if we see volleyball competitors wearing printed t-shirts at a future Olympics. The rule change for the London Olympics is not new. The rules were first changed for the Beijing Olympics. Up until that time though, the women athletes have worn bikinis since 1996.

The skimpiness of the bikinis is cause for concern for some viewers of the games on television, but there’s a good reason why the bathing suits are brief. The suits are less likely to collect sand and cause skin chafing. For this reason, many of the female athletes have already said they have no intention of changing to the uniforms that cover more of the body. In addition, the bikinis allow a freedom of movement which is important in such an active sport. If you have ever watched an Olympic volleyball game, it’s easy to understand why the women want to wear 2-piece suits. The t-shirts make ideal cover-ups though once the game is over.

© Image by Abby Lowell, www.sxc.hu/]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:49:35 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1075/2/Sleeveless_T-Shirts_for_Modest_Volleyball_Player_Uniforms.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/807/2/Hoodies_Earn_a_Place_in_School_Fashion.html One of the biggest fashion accessories for the past two years has been the hoodie, a sweatshirt with a hood. This year the hoodie has become a standard part of many school uniforms.

When schools began placing orders for school uniforms last spring promotional clothing distributers were surprised at the inclusion of hoodies as optional wear. In addition to the standard polo shirt and khakis many schools are allowing students to wear a hoodie during chilly months instead of a sweater, if they choose.

This nod toward fashion is a well chosen move to bring acceptance to school uniforms in the public school arena. The traditional hoodie is very trendy with all students and is worn to school over uniforms and then placed in a locker or thrown around the shoulders. With a school uniform hoodie schools are legalizing the ‘look’ and allowing hoodies to be worn during the school day.

The basic school hoodie is a cotton, one color sweatshirt with the school’s logo front and center. Variations are available but the idea is to keep the hoodie as traditional as possible while still giving the students a bit a freedom with their uniform choices.

In addition to providing hoodies as a part of school uniforms, hoodies are also being supplied as a part of sportswear. A large majority of schools are offering hoodies to sporting groups as a part of their uniform. For example, cheerleaders are offered the option of buying a team hoodie when they purchase their uniform. This is also true for other sports such as golf, tennis, baseball, football, and more.

Hoodies can be sold by the school at pep rallies or for fund raisers. School pride can be improved with a hot fashion item that everyone wants to wear. To choose the right hoodie for your school it is important to work with a professional promotional clothing distributor.

© Image by (Name Hidden), www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:23:22 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/807/2/Hoodies_Earn_a_Place_in_School_Fashion.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/627/2/Popularity_of_School_Uniforms_Growing_in_USA.html The popularity of school uniforms continues to grow in the USA. Unlike European schools, uniforms have mostly been standard dress in the USA in private schools for many years. Increasingly public schools are adopting school uniforms as a way to control the type of clothing worn by children in addition to conveying proper standards of behavior. Around the world, school uniforms have been worn by public school children for decades, but this is a recently growing trend in the USA. As children, especially teens, push proper standards of dress, schools are tackling the problem by adopting uniforms.

For example, the Board of Education in Bridgeport, Connecticut voted to adopt the wearing of uniforms as a requirement for public school children in their district. This was enthusiastically endorsed by the parents who have been pushing for such a policy for a long time. One parent, Jeanette Estrella said, “I truly feel this bold positive change is what we need at these challenging times. Uniforms will prepare our students for the real world. When they dress accordingly they will act accordingly.”

Children have worn promotional clothing to athletic events in order to show team support. But school uniforms have a much more serious intent in mind. Parents and school officials believe that school uniforms will increase school respect, create a less distracting classroom environment, and increase safety. In addition, uniforms put an end to students showing up wearing baggy jeans, tight shirts, and sexy styles. As for safety, any student not wearing a uniform will be easily identifiable as not belonging in the school.

This trend towards the use of uniforms to instill more order and discipline in the schools is expected to grow. The uniforms normally consist of plain shirts and navy or tan pants but some schools simply limit the clothing to a specific set of styles. For example, a school may require a logo shirt but allow jeans or slacks. Schools adopting uniforms require a school logo to be imprinted on the shirt. The policy was not only approved by parents, but by students also. Wearing uniforms reduces the interest young people have in out-doing each other by wearing inappropriate and trendy clothing. As many students have already discovered, mornings are much simpler to handle when you know exactly what you will be wearing that day.

(c ) Image by www.hortongroup.com, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:23:20 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/627/2/Popularity_of_School_Uniforms_Growing_in_USA.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/947/1/Give-Away_T-Shirts_and_Build_New_Business.html How can a marketing campaign succeed when you ‘give it away’? The newest trends in marketing are freebies – giving something away in order to draw in potential customers. Promotional clothing can help business owners take this marketing strategy one step farther with excellent branding.

First, it is important to note that the most successful branding item is the basic cotton t-shirt. It may come as a surprise to many business owners that what was once considered a work shirt, and never worn in public, is now the hottest fashion item. However, many successful companies have achieved their success by hitting on a sizzling t-shirt branding idea.

It is easy to think of the t-shirts you see every day that advertise a variety of products and businesses. Each of these t-shirts is a walking billboard for the company. And, many of the people wearing the t-shirts received them as a free give-away. Computer companies’ premiere new products with free t-shirt give-aways, energy drinks pour free tees onto the market, and the same strategy can work for any small business.

The first step in creating exciting printed t-shirts is choosing the right tees. They should be durable and match the clientele the business hopes to attract. Color choice is also important. Many businesses utilize color that coordinates with their products or another aspect of their organization.

Next, the logo must be memorable. The best logos are easy to read and include three to four colors. The wording should be short. Many small business owners do not have a logo and can work with their promotional clothing dealer to design a great product.

Once the tee is designed the business owner must decide how to get the shirt to the public. Free-giveaways in the store, charity events, gift bags, and many more avenues exist for getting the product to the potentialcustomer. Remember, giving away a great tee will give you big returns!

© Image by Martin Orozco, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:56:59 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/947/1/Give-Away_T-Shirts_and_Build_New_Business.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/900/3/T-Shirts_Raise_Awareness_of_Any_Cause.html T-shirt fundraisers are an awesome way to raise cash for your school or your organization. Everybody loves t-shirts, they are useful and comfortable, and they offer you a good profit margin.

Not only will your customers love your printed t-shirts – you will too! T-shirt fundraisers are easy to run. You can choose a theme that supports your club or have your school’s logo screened or embroidered onto the tees.

Your fundraiser will bring needed attentiveness to your group. For example, this time of year many schools are gearing up to celebrate Earth Day. They run t-shirt fundraisers to support their Earth Day activities. The t-shirts they offer will have a nature theme supporting this event.

T-shirt fundraisers can easily be expanded to include other cotton logo items such as sweat shirts, hoodies, and pullovers. The reasonable price point for these items benefits you and the customer. Customers get a great value on fantastic and trendy tees. They may also get to choose from t-shirts and other items they would not have access to without the fundraiser.

The price point, though reasonable, is still high enough to give each seller in your organization high individual profits. This means sellers do not have to have huge sales to help the group make a profit.

Many t-shirt fundraising companies run fundraisers from a catalog or online site. This set up is very popular because it allows for out of town sales.

You may find, as many schools and organizations do, that t-shirt fundraisers are so successful they become an annual event. Make sure to order extra promotional clothingto keep on hand for sales throughout the year.

Whether you are looking to raise awareness of a certain cause, promote your group or school, or just need a good fun way to earn some money a t-shirt fundraiser is a great answer.

(c) Image by Barun Patro, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:15:25 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/900/3/T-Shirts_Raise_Awareness_of_Any_Cause.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1084/1/Charity_Volunteers_Appreciate_Printed_T-Shirts.html T-shirts have long been used by large donor based organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and Habitat for Humanity and the Cancer Society. Now, local, grass roots organizations are promoting themselves and thanking their volunteers with high quality cotton t-shirts. Promotional clothing sales have promoted and brought national recognition to many grass-roots charities while also raising money specifically for the charity. In the meantime, organizations giving the clothing to volunteers promote loyalty and a sense of teamwork which is important for volunteers.

Promotional t-shirt salespeople will need to work side by side with charitable organizations when they are implementing new programs. Volunteers will need training on how to order shirts they plan on selling, assist with developing an eye-catching design, and advise on a price point. Volunteers can benefit from professional tips on making sales.

Many grass roots organizations may not have a logo. Shirt salespeople can assist in helping the company design a logo if this service is offered. 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/]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:15:14 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1084/1/Charity_Volunteers_Appreciate_Printed_T-Shirts.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1082/1/Polo_Shirts_Suit_Casual_Dress_at_Work.html Dressing up for work may still be popular in very large cities, but more and more large corporations are implementing business casual dress policies. This new outlook on work fashion can be found in banks, offices, schools, and even your lawyer’s office.

One impetus in this current trend in casual corporate wear can be traced to the retail branding craze that’s gone viral. Branding, or getting your name in the public eye by any means possible, often includes add a company’s name and logo to printed t-shirts and polo shirts. These shirts were originally given away to current and potential customers at special events. Wearing the clothing turned them into ‘walking billboards’ for the company.

Business owners soon realized how smart employees would look if they wore these same logo t-shirts and polo shirts as a work uniform. Big box electronics companies and small local businesses both benefited by dressing their employees in homogenous, simple, and casual uniform shirts and have received kudos. Customers immediately recognize salespeople when they enter a store if they are dressed in the store’s t-shirt.

What has been so successful in the retail and service industry is now making its way to corporate offices. Many corporations and organizations are providing employees with logo t-shirts and polo shirts to wear as a part of a casual business look. At some places of business these shirts are only allowed on ‘casual Friday’ while others allow casual apparel throughout the week as long as it meets certain standards and includes the company t-shirt.

Where the move to a logo t-shirt uniform was immediately seen as a positive effort in the retail and service industry markets it was looked on with trepidation in the corporate world. The fear was that people would not recognize the professionalism and expertise of someone wearing a casual polo shirt.

These fears have proven wrong in a huge way. Most corporations that have integrated a business casual policy have found that they identify even better with clients. They claim that their casual dress has broken down walls and makes clients feel more comfortable, more trusting, and more eager to be open and honest.

© Image by Laura Leavell, www.sxc.hu/]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:50:02 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1082/1/Polo_Shirts_Suit_Casual_Dress_at_Work.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/854/3/Choosing_Budget_Friendly_Promotional_Tees.html A great way to promote a business or non-profit organization is with a promotional t-shirt. Promotional clothing t-shirts are budget friendly, simple, and an effective marketing strategy utilized successfully by many businesses, both small and large, across the world.

When choosing the perfect t-shirt to promote your business you must look at several different factors. Promotional expert Karen Jacobsen urges her clients to consider cost, composition, cut, and color. While this might not sound like typical characteristics that describe a tee, Jacobsen uses these 4 concepts to help focus customers.

“There are numerous t-shirts designs available. I could pull over one hundred from our stock right now. But, that wouldn’t do you any good and would only confuse a client,” states Jacobsen. Instead, her strategy is to meet with the client and determine what types of t-shirts best fit his or her needs. After this meeting she will show the client a selection of designs and styles.

The first question Jacobsen asks her clients is the hardest. She has to know what their budget is before she can even begin thinking about what printed t-shirts will work for the business. “It’s the hardest question in the t-shirt business, just get it out there and get it over with,” she advises.

After the tough budget question is answered the selling process becomes fun. Jacobsen loves to work with clients to determine the design of the tees. What she deems the composition is the fabric of the t-shirt. In her opinion this should always be cotton for its durable characteristics and style. She sums this up by asking clients, “Do you really want to give your clients polyester?”

The cut of a t-shirt has traditionally been a simple one style fits all. Today, numerous styles are available. Clients can choose from baggy or slim t-shirts, boat necks or v-necks, Henley tees, and more. As for color? According to Jacobsen, there are no limits – brilliant oranges sit next to subtle beiges on store shelves. And don’t forget, warns Jacobsen, “the all time favorite is still the basic white tee.”

© Image by Adrian Gtz, www/sxc.hu/ ]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:50:49 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/854/3/Choosing_Budget_Friendly_Promotional_Tees.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/367/1/Ethical_Fashion_in_T-Shirts.html When most people think of high fashion, they do not envision printed t-shirts and other casual clothing. But some in the fashion industry are introducing t-shirts into their clothing lines that are not only fashionable for day and evening, but also environmentally safe. Shirts made from organic cotton and decorated with natural dyes are becoming more popular as consumers learn more about manufacturing practices.

“Conventional cotton farming kills 20,000 people a year through pesticide poisoning. Organic cotton farming not only saved lives but helped improve work conditions and increase incomes in developing countries, “ said designer Katherine Hamnett, who only uses organic materials. Other designers have also decided to include organic clothing in their new lines.

Even at fashion landmark salons like Pret-A-Porter located in Paris and has a reputation for showcasing new trends in fashion,organic t-shirts are showing up. “Absolutely everyone is making T-shirts nowadays. You can wear them anywhere with anything nowadays, at work or at night, like jeans -- and they allow people to express themselves,” said Guillaume Salmon, a spokesman for Colette concept store.

But making t-shirts using organic materials is not the only factor that makes the clothing trendy. Many shirts have peaceful slogans printed on them, unique designs from local artists, and other artwork. People who buy this clothing are looking for original pieces that no one else will be wearing. Even old political slogans are beginning to be used on printed t-shirts and other clothing. “What's strange is that many of these slogans are 25 years old but even more topical today," said Hamnett.

Whether this trend will continue or not is yet to be seen, but as more consumers become interested in helping save the environment, organic clothing may become a mainstay in high, middle, and low end fashion.

(c)Image y Steve Woods, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:07:15 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/367/1/Ethical_Fashion_in_T-Shirts.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/784/1/T-Shirts_Work_Hard_for_Your_Business.html When buying promotional clothing it is important to remember that hundreds, possibly thousands of people, will see the choices you make. T-shirts and polo shirts have the potential to continue promoting your business long after they are given to the customer.

With this in mind there are many things to consider when purchasing promotional clothing. You must look at different material, different price ranges, and what will fit your advertising budget. A promotional clothing distributer can help answer these questions and guide you in the right direction as you make your decisions.

Polli Will of Shreveport, Louisiana is an advertising executive that advisees her clients on the use of promotional clothing for maximizing profits. When interviewed by a promotional clothing website she explained her theories on choosing the best promotional clothing items.

“The first thing to consider is your geographic location. If I am working with someone locally we know we have warm or hot weather about 80 percent of the year. Anything constricting or heavy would be uncomfortable. But, in some areas clothing may be more seasonal and present company owners with more options,” says Will.

Price and quality are extremely important, according to Will. As price increases so does quality. However, in the end a high quality garment will last longer, be more durable, and look better. High quality garments are necessary for front office staff and high profile employees and customers. Buy the best quality your budget can afford.

“Don’t forget that fashion makes a difference,” urges Will. She says that fashion changes seasonally and colors and styles may be different from year to year. If your company’s goal is to increase profits or branding and you are using t-shirts for advertising, fashion is extremely important.

Lastly, Will encourages all business owners to consider eco-friendly products. Many promotional tee shirt and polo shirt companies are now offering eco friendly cotton products. This is great for the environment and tells your customers that you care about more than just the next sale!

© Image by Daniel Jaeger Vendruscolo, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:02:44 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/784/1/T-Shirts_Work_Hard_for_Your_Business.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1080/4/Add_Some_Embroidery_and_Turn_Your_T-Shirt_Vintage.html Embroidered shirts make great work wear when the embroidery is used to present a business logo or name. Embroidery added to a polo shirt is classy looking and promotes the business brand. Embroidery today is done by machine, so it’s easy to order as many affordable shirts as needed and have them in stock quickly.

Embroidery is making a comeback though in the fashion world, but not how you might imagine. One of the latest trends is retrofitting clothing and that means embroidery is bound to take center stage. Retrofitted clothes is clothing that appears to be old when it’s actually new. People like the ‘used look’ due to nostalgia for the ‘good old days’ or simply because they like the distressed look.

Retrofitted clothing includes any new apparel that has been made to look old by adding some vintage adornments or creating a distressed look. A common method for making new clothing look old is printing on the shirt using reduced pressure so the logo or picture looks worn by time. T-shirt printing can be used to recreate vintage logos or designs, while embroidery is used to make old clothing look more fashionable.

If you have old clothes that you want to revive because you just can’t let go of them, the best way to do so is by adding printing, embroidery or embellishments. The same is true if you want new clothes that look old. Retrofitting done right will make the clothing look classical and as authentic as the really old t-shirts that are so soft and comfortable from many wearings and washings. The best feature of retrofitting clothing is that there’s something for everyone. It can be used as promotional wear, for fund raising or as work clothing where vintage clothing fits the workplace theme. Of course, you may just want to wear it…well…because you like it. If so, you’re not alone judging by the rapidly growing popularity of this fashion trend.

© Image by Adrian Gtz, www.sxc.hu/]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2012 01:36:35 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1080/4/Add_Some_Embroidery_and_Turn_Your_T-Shirt_Vintage.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1079/2/New_2012_Olympic_Team_Uniforms_Unveiled.html The 2012 Summer Olympic games are almost ready to start, and the parade of athletic uniforms just might make you believe you’re at a fashion show instead of a sports event. There’s a good reason too. The well known British fashion designer Stella McCartney joined Adidas to create a sleek high fashion look for the Team GB Olympic uniforms. The days of baggy uniforms are clearly in the history books.

Ms. McCartney was quoted as saying, “The first place to start on a project like this is to look at the Union flag. For me it’s one of the most beautiful flags in the world and it was important for me to stay true to that iconic design but also to modernise it and present it in a contemporary way. Ultimately, we wanted the athletes to feel like a team and be proud with the identity we created.” The uniforms incorporate the red, white and blue of the flag in contemporary subtle designs. Ms. McCartney designed uniforms for both the Paralympics and Olympic games.

Stella McCartney is not the only fashion icon busy designing chic Olympic uniforms. Ralph Lauren designed the uniforms for Olympic Team USA to wear at the London 2012 Olympic closing ceremony. The men and women’s uniforms are mostly white with red, white and blue silk belts. The women will also wear a red, white and blue silk neck scarf. The USA team will also wear some selected apparel from the Ralph Lauren Village collection when not competing. The pieces include mesh polo shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops and tunics and most of the clothing will be navy blue with red accents.

There will be plenty of printed t-shirts and regular polo shirts worn by all the teams from around the world while at the Olympics. The comfortable clothing will be ideal for the summer games. But as you watch the games, don’t forget to check out the fashionable uniforms too.

© Image by Alessandro Paiva, www.sxc.hu/]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:23:31 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1079/2/New_2012_Olympic_Team_Uniforms_Unveiled.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1078/3/Promotional_Tees_Through_the_Last_Decades.html Promotional clothing is not a new concept. It’s been used by businesses, charities and people for many decades for various purposes. Businesses use printed t-shirts to advertise their business in general or new products or services. Charities print their logos on shirts with the name of a cause to raise money. People, however, wear them for an unlimited number of reasons.

Think about the t-shirts in your closets. There are probably a few new ones, but there are also bound to be some ragged ones you just can’t seem to let go of for sentimental reasons. Dig deep in the drawers, and there’s a good chance you take a walk down memory lane through the last few decades.

Just about anywhere people go, they manage to buy themselves or someone in their family a promotional t-shirt. Who has been to the Hard Rock Café and not purchased a t-shirt? The restaurant and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened in 1971 in London and now is found around the world. People wear the t-shirts as symbols of exactly how cool they really are

The power of promotional clothing shouldn’t be underestimated. Sometimes though, people choose promotional clothing because they have a clear message. At some unknown time over the last 20 years, someone started selling shirts that said, “I went shopping and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.” That spawned a t-shirt revolution and the shirt started showing up everywhere. Gripe…gripe…gripe…but all in fun!

There are other popular printed t-shirts in history. Remember the Frankie Says Relax t-shirt in the 80’s? Some thought it really meant relax but it turns out that it meant something more sophisticated in the bedroom, if you get the meaning. Frankie Goes to Hollywood was a British dance group, and the catchphrase made for a great printed t-shirt.

Through the decades, some promotional clothing has stood out from the crowd. You may just be the next person who wears a new phrase or picture and it will go into the t-shirt hall of fame.

© Image by BPeter, www.sxc.hu/]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:02:20 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1078/3/Promotional_Tees_Through_the_Last_Decades.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1077/2/NBA_Considers_Wearing_Corporate_Ads_on_Uniforms.html Wearing the name of the sports team or team member’s name and number on uniforms is common practice in some sports but not all. Now the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) is considering adding corporate logos to basketball uniforms, and that has started a discussion on whether such advertising is appropriate in the sports world. Many think it is a good idea because the players shoot baskets in front of thousands of event fans and millions of television viewers, and there seems to be no harm done. For non-professional teams, wearing sponsor ads on uniforms is even a way of saying thank-you for being a funder.

Soccer players have been wearing uniform ads for many years. With the NBA considering adding the logos to basketball uniforms, it’s probably just a matter of time before the same issues arises in baseball, basketball, hockey, car racing, golf and a host of other sports.

Sports purists may not be supportive of the practice of professionals wearing ads on uniforms. However, the reality is that big-name sports require a tremendous amount of financial support. Wearing promotional clothing will help raise money for both the team and the corporate advertiser. The WNBA (Women’s NBA) has been wearing promotional clothing uniforms for years in order to generate revenue. The WBNA uniforms have sported patches for companies like LifeLock, Foxwoods Casino, Bing and others. There is big money in wearing corporate ads so it’s not surprising that the NBA is considering sponsorships.

The reason the corporations want to advertise on team clothing is due to the fact that promotional clothing is a successful advertising venue. Putting a logo on a uniform means the viewers see the corporate name for hours. Promotional clothing is known to be a successful business builder, and in these days of rising costs, paying for logos on uniforms is just too hard to resist. It’s better to play with a logo on the uniform than not play at all.

© Image by Alexander Kalina, www.sxc.hu/]]> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:33:56 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1077/2/NBA_Considers_Wearing_Corporate_Ads_on_Uniforms.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/551/2/School_Uniforms_Getting_Bigger_And_Bigger.html With the unfortunate rise in childhood obesity, there are many children who are unable to fit into their school uniforms. To meet this new demand, school uniforms are being expanded to above-average adult sizes to meet soaring levels of childhood obesity.

Due to this new phenomenon, high street chains are extending its 'generous fit' range because many pupils can no longer squeeze into traditional-sized clothes. Previously, the largest size available was a 16. That size is considered to be large in even adult circles.

Dresses will now go up to size 18, which is larger than the average among grown-up Britons. A size 18 woman typically has a 42in bust, a 34in waist and a 44in hip.

Bhs started its generous fit range six years ago, to provide a fuller cut around the chest, waist, hip and thighs'. They were trying to meet the increasing demand of larger clothing for children and their school uniforms.

According to Rachele Hayman, buying director of children’s wear, 'We are visiting schools all the time and we are always coming across boys and girls at sizes that are basically obese.'

Bhs is one of a number of major retailers to increase the size of children's clothes. Statistics are now stating that one in four 11 to 15-year-olds are now classified as overweight or obese.

John Lewis now sells blazers up to a 48in chest and trousers up to a 40in waist. There is a growing demand for the larger clothing. M&S also expanded its sizes and Gap has brought in 'plus' sizes for casual clothes.

Dr Colin Waine, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: 'It is sad that things have been allowed to get to this state. Children at this sort of size are at serious risk of developing Type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease.'

(c) mzacha, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:18:08 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/551/2/School_Uniforms_Getting_Bigger_And_Bigger.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/848/1/Promotional_T-shirts_Beat_Out_Promo_Jackets.html 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/ ]]> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:58:28 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/848/1/Promotional_T-shirts_Beat_Out_Promo_Jackets.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/826/1/Quality_Counts_with_Promotional_Clothing.html It wasn't that long ago that promotional clothing items were limited to a very few choices. If a small business was lucky it could choose between t-shirts or sweatshirts in black, white, or grey and have their logo added using a 2 color process.

Today, promotional clothing offers clients premium services and a wide selection of items. Most promotional clothing distributers operate at the same level as retail suppliers. Clothing items include t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, polo shirts, hoodies and more. And, advanced silk screening process allow for a remarkable 6 color technique to achieve true to life logo transfers.

Why has the market grown? There are 2 main reasons the promotional clothing market has expanded during the last decade. Corporate branding and school uniforms have both contributed to the massive influx of promotional t-shirts and other clothing items on the market today.

Corporate branding became a buzz word in the late 1990’s. It basically means that the more consumers see a company’s logo the more likely they are to associate that company with a service or product. Currently many different items are branded, including brands of computers, investment services, and even celebrities.

Promotional t-shirts contribute to corporate branding by turning consumers into walking billboards. Giving away free promotional tees has become one of the cheapest and most efficient forms of advertising in the 21st century.

The school uniform market is also making its mark on the promotional clothing industry. In an effort to control behavior and improve academics many USA public schools are implementing new school uniform policies. Public school uniform policies are less strict than private school policies and often include t-shirts and polo shirts with the school name and mascot.

Promotional clothing companies that have an existing contract with schools for athletic wear or for fundraising purposes will have an instant inroad when the school institutes a school uniform policy.

The promotional clothing market is predicted to see continued growth well into the next decade. As the economy encourages more competition between businesses branding efforts will increase. And, the success of school uniforms looks to be a keeper!

© Image by Stephen Davies, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:31:18 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/826/1/Quality_Counts_with_Promotional_Clothing.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/879/2/Is_a_School_Uniform_Necessary%3F.html Parents, administrators, students, and others involved in education have differing opinions on school uniforms. Some people think school uniforms serve a great purpose. Others feel that they should be outlawed. There are different schools of thought for the pros and the cons.

Pro school uniform advocates usually state rising grades, self-esteem, better behavior, less gang influence, fewer discipline referrals, and fewer cliques when describing the positives. There is data to back up each of these statements.

Schools who implement school uniforms immediately see big changes, primarily in behavior. Schools with a large gang population or a history of gangs see fewer signs of gangs in and around the school. Gang colors disappear. In addition, fights and verbal attacks are reduced. This is backed up by an amazing reduction in discipline referrals.

School uniforms also let a person express their personality. This is hard for some parents to grasp at first. When a student is keeping up with fashion, they are spending so much time trying to ‘look perfect’ and ‘fit in’ with the right clique they lose who they really are. A school uniform gives students the opportunity to discover their individual talents.

Self-esteem improves because of these positive school uniform influences. It cannot be stressed enough: Once a student is no longer in competition to be the best dressed or the worst dressed or the ‘punkest’, amazing things begin to happen. When students discover themselves their self-esteem increases and they are open to new educational experiences.

It follows that grades will improve. For many administrators, improved grades are the most important benefit. Gary Pauls is a high school principal. His district began implementing school uniforms 7 years ago in hopes of improving grades and student behavior. He recently commented on the policy. “For me it’s the grades. We have the lowest income students, but we have the 3rd highest state scores. This is the first time this has happened. We go from being 12th to 3rd. School uniforms played a big part in making this happen. And I don’t discount the way the kids behave. The kids aren’t out of class as much if they have it together.”

© Image by Sam LeVan, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Sat, 24 Mar 2012 19:45:16 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/879/2/Is_a_School_Uniform_Necessary%3F.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1074/3/Ask_Yourself_Some_Questions_as_You_Put_on_Your_Printed_T-Shirts.html The way Ms. Reed gets her message across to students and consumers is by asking questions to make people think carefully about their clothes. The interesting thing about her questions is that answering them with printed t-shirts or polo shirts in mind proves this type of clothing can satisfy even environmentally aware fashionistas.

One of the questions she asks is: Can I wear this item with other wardrobe pieces? T-Shirts and polo shirts can be worn with many different pieces including pants, shorts, skirts, overalls and so on. Another question is: Will I wear this piece of clothing again? Once again, t-shirts and polo shirts are a good choice because most people wear them over and over again until there are signs of wear. In fact, most people have favorite t-shirts they wear until holes appear.

That leads to another question: Will the fibers last and are they recyclable? Most t-shirts and polo shirts are made out of cotton or cotton blends and the fibers are durable. And as more people become aware of the importance of recycling, they are donating their clothes to charities for resale or use in other ways. Ms. Reed asks other questions too, but her ultimate goal is to promote clothing labeling that is more transparent about the supply chain leading to the production of the clothing piece.

© Billy Alexander at www.sxc.hu/]]> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:12:14 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1074/3/Ask_Yourself_Some_Questions_as_You_Put_on_Your_Printed_T-Shirts.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/996/4/Fast_Fashion_Hurts_the_Environment.html Cheap fashion is not fashion that is necessarily inexpensive or bargain priced. It is copy cat fashion intended to be worn a few times and then discarded. It’s amazing this kind of fashion has appeared given the interest in preserving natural resources, but throw away fashion is becoming more popular all the time. Many critics in the fashion world are interested in reversing the trend now before the appetite for cheap fashion grows too large.

Cheap fashion (different from inexpensive fashion)is worn by consumers who regularly shop clothing stores and those who are simply looking for a bargain in the form of clothing such as the popular printed T-shirts seen everyday. Many clothing items are discarded within a year while some clothing pieces are recycled. The highest consumer statistics for fast fashion are for women in their early thirties who are interested in fashion per se without worrying about the environmental consequences.

Fast fashion is much more than a buzz word. It refers to a culture which does not penalize consumer fashion waste. Instead the consumers are encouraged to buy disposal fashion and then discard the same items while purchasing replacement clothing.

Fast fashion, also called value fashion, is clothing which is not intended to last for years without regular use. Garment prices have fallen an average of 10% over the last 5 years, yet consumer retail clothing purchases have risen steadily. This has made for interesting marketing studies because fast fashion is made with cloth of cheap fibre quality and garment finishing. In addition, the cost of fast fashion is so inexpensive that many consumers will not consider paying more simply for the sake of durability.

Fast fashion has managed to escape a lot of criticism to date, but that is changing. Defra, the environmental department, has been studying the impact of materials discarded in landfills. The throw away fashions account for more than three million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The general consensus among consumers though is that fast fashion has seen its day and a new term has been coined for long use wear which is “investment dressing”. The magazine “Harper’s Bazaar” published an article which promotes buying fashion wear that will last longer than one or two wearings.

The winds of change are blowing in the fashion world. There is now a measurement of unit called the EDU or economic damage unit. The EDU measure is a fashion term for assessing the damage textile materials do to the environment. In addition, the London College of Fashion has created the Centre for Sustainable Fashion. These are just two indications of changing times.

But there are other economic reasons for the slow demise of fast fashion. Labour costs have increased significantly adding to the cost of producing cheap clothing. Cheap fibres like polyester and cotton are produced in countries where petroleum and rainfall has declined driving prices up. Air costs have increased significantly also so new shipments of clothing from other countries cost more.

The bottom line is that clothing like the one-night t-shirt is quickly becoming passé. Instead consumers are looking for quality embroidered polo-shirts, trousers and other fashion at affordable prices that are also long lasting.

(c)Banjo Ari ,www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:29:47 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/996/4/Fast_Fashion_Hurts_the_Environment.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/989/3/Tees_are_THE_Fashion_Wear_.html Did you know that tees rule the fashion world?! That’s right. Just think about it a moment. When you are lounging around the house, what do you wear? When it’s time for a little outdoor recreation, what is the best clothing choice? If you decide it’s time for a night on the town, it’s the minimalist strappy t-shirt that looks great under those new see-through blouses. You can layer with tees, wear tees under vests or just wear a tee all by itself. In fact, t-shirts are the perfect clothing piece for most situations.

Today you don’t have to settle for plain tees. T-shirt printing has become quite fashionable. Once printing was focused on shouting out a charity name or promoting a cause, but printed t-shirts can now serve as fashion pieces. Flowers, artwork and trendy designs are just some of the types of printing you see on t-shirts. Promotional clothing doesn’t just promote where you work or an important cause. Printing choices can tell the world the mood you’re in or reflect your style. The plain minimal t-shirt can be jazzed up or left alone. You can transform it into daywear or nightwear. In fact, some people sleep every night in a t-shirt.

The simple t-shirt goes with just about anything you can imagine too. Need something to wear with your leather skirt? Try a printed t-shirt and turn that cold leather into a hot outfit. Have a busy ruffled skirt? A plain printed tee is the perfect accompaniment.

Yes…it’s a fact that tees actually are the rulers of the fashion world. So next time you are checking your closet for something to wear, just remember to give your tees the respect they are due.(c) Image by Marek Bernat, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:28:27 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/989/3/Tees_are_THE_Fashion_Wear_.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/966/3/Promotional_Clothing_for_the_Job_after_the_Job.html That man or woman on the way home from work may actually be on the way to work. Confused? Millions of people in countries around the world are working two jobs in order to make ends meet. In many households, one wage earner is either unemployed or underemployed but the bills keep coming.

That’s why you will spot people like Derex Rutledge putting on his Target department store promotional clothing after he gets off work from his day job at a hospital. Rutledge works 9 to 9 every day and is grateful to have the 2 jobs because his wife lost hers in real estate. It’s a story that plays out over and over again as people try to keep things going. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that 6.5 million people are working 2 jobs and make up 4.7 percent of the workforce. Another telling statistic is that one out of twelve people over the age of 65 in the UK are working in order to make ends meet. With 823,000 pensioners working you are likely to meet one of them wearing retail logo bearing printed t-shirts working in many of the businesses around the country.

There is a segment of the workforce in that are attempting to stay even or even get ahead during the recession by taking on a second job or a job that provides supplement income. Though the willingness to work extra hours is laudable, the work schedules also create stress in lives and families. It’s hard to fit in time with family when you are gone over 12 to 16 hours a day or work 6 and 7 days a week. Some workers have to work late into the night too making it even more difficult to see the kids. And these people never have any spare time or time to themselves.

©Image by Colin Adamson, www.sxc.hu/ ]]> Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:06:43 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/966/3/Promotional_Clothing_for_the_Job_after_the_Job.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1073/1/Promoting_Kale_on_T-Shirts_.html Why would a giant corporation worry about a small business? It has to do with trademarks. The Chick-fil-A slogan, around which its entire marketing campaign has been built, is “Eat Mor Chikin” with a play on words through intentional misspelling. Muller-Moore, on the other hand, has been selling t-shirts that say, “Eat More Kale” and that disturbs Chik-fil-A. The chicken restaurant chain wants Muller-Moore to stop selling a href="http://www.clothes2order.com/">printed t-shirts with that particular slogan because it infringes on a trademark.

Chik-fil-A has filed a protest letter with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Surprising to many, the patent office has issued a preliminary injunction against Muller-Moore saying that people would confuse his kale slogan with the chicken slogan. Muller-Moore has 6 months to respond.

Muller-Moore has taken on a bit of a folk hero status because of his efforts to fight a giant corporation. How this case will turn out is anyone’s guess at this point, but Muller-Moore has a lot at stake. He has applied for a national trademark on the Eat More Kale slogan. Companies will spend a lot of money defending their trademarks and brands because people associate them with the business. Though a slogan on promotional clothing may not seem like something deserving of such attention, trademarks are legally protected. Should Muller-Moore lose his efforts to lift the injunction, it’s quite possible his trademark application will be denied.

© Image by Rana Majumder, www.sxc.hu/]]> Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:45:05 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1073/1/Promoting_Kale_on_T-Shirts_.html http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1071/1/Textile_Designer_May_Produce_Uniforms_of_the_Future.html Uniforms consisting of pants and embroidered polo shirts are made from fabrics that are comfortable to wear year round. The clothing industry is always in a state of flux though because new designers enter the market all the time. Fabrics used today with regularity may not be the fabrics used down the road.

Spoonflower and Robert Kaufman Fabrics know that young designers don’t think in terms of traditional designs and are developing new fabric concepts with regularity. That’s why the company is always looking for new ideas and encouraging innovation in fabric desing.

To give amateur textile designers an opportunity to showcase their new surface designs, Spponflower and Robert Kaufman Fabrics is holding a competition called the Fabric8 Contest. Textile designers from around the world can submit one fabric design for judging. Eight amateur textile designers will be chosen out of a pool of 100 semifinalists to create a fabric collection based on the original fabric submission. The winner will be chosen from the eight. The original submission deadline is April 24, 2012 and the winner will be announced in June.

Spoonflower is a fabric company that enables people to design and print custom fabric designs. Customers can also sell their designs. The company is internet based and represents the new generation of designers having only started in 2008. It has experienced incredible success and has already launched the careers of a number of fabric designers. Robert Kaufman Fabrics is a well established fabric company recognized on a global basis.

It’s hard to say what kinds of fabrics will be used in promotional clothing 20 years from now. But if Spoonflower and Robert Kaufman Fabrics have anything to say about it, they will be ones you can’t imagine right now.

© Image by Billy Alexander, www.sxc.hu/]]> Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:56:16 +0100 http://www.clothes2order.com/read_news/1071/1/Textile_Designer_May_Produce_Uniforms_of_the_Future.html