| Printed T-Shirts can provide one of the most cost | | | | suits the emphasis of your campaign and will appeal |
| effective ways of promoting your company or brand | | | | to your target market. Ask your supplier for advice |
| but how do you ensure you get it right? | | | | on what's available and for their recommendations. |
| In the Beginning | | | | Think Ink |
| From humble origins as an under-garment, the T-Shirt | | | | Screen-printing is still the most common form of print |
| or Tee has gone on to become one of the most | | | | for large volume promotional T-shirts but there are |
| widely recognised and commonly worn pieces of | | | | other forms of branding such as Heatseal Transfers, |
| clothing in the world. | | | | CAD-CUT Vinyl, DTG (Direct to Garment - digital |
| Printed T-Shirts have been used in a promotional | | | | print) etc that can be used for smaller quantities or |
| sense since the late 1940's & early 1950's and have | | | | specialised branding requirements. |
| helped promote brands, companies, characters and | | | | Think early on about how large you want your text, |
| individuals in a way that makes a statement about | | | | logo or image to be printed and in what position - this |
| both the wearer and their personal affiliations - a | | | | will be influenced to some extent by the perceptions |
| branded Tee tells the world, this is me, this is what I | | | | of the target market but also by what is possible for |
| like, believe in or support. | | | | the printer. Again, take advice and be prepared to |
| Nowadays, the popularity of printed T-Shirts isn't in | | | | amend your requirements slightly - after all, it's in the |
| question but using them in a promotional campaign still | | | | best interests of the supplier to ensure you get a |
| requires some thought to help ensure success. | | | | good result, so if they say something's not possible |
| Visibility is key - you want to deliver your message | | | | or not recommended then they probably have a |
| to as many people as possible for as long as possible. | | | | good reason. |
| In the case of promotional clothing, this is achieved | | | | All Packed |
| by providing a garment that a recipient will choose to | | | | Promotional T-shirts are often supplied packed loose |
| wear repeatedly and that will last them long enough | | | | into boxes, so they can be handed out at events or |
| to offer a good return on your investment. | | | | exhibitions but maybe you would prefer to have |
| Quality & Style | | | | yours folded and packed in plastic bags or inserted |
| People choose which clothing they wear based on a | | | | into postal tubes for distribution by mail. |
| variety of factors but an important one is touch | | | | Whatever your requirements, tell your supplier early |
| (how good a garment feels when it's worn) and in | | | | on, so they know what you have in mind and can |
| this regard there's a world of difference between a | | | | quote you for the various options. |
| cheap T-Shirt and one that is good quality but | | | | Plan it Right - Get it Right |
| inexpensive. | | | | In many cases, a promotional campaign will be a |
| The former will end up sitting unworn at the bottom | | | | time-critical event, possibly tied in with other |
| of a drawer for the next three years, whilst the | | | | important events, so it's a good idea to plan as far in |
| latter will be out there proclaiming your message to | | | | advance as possible. Don't leave things until the last |
| the world and working its promotional socks off (not | | | | minute! |
| that I'm advocating promotional socks - that's for | | | | Screen-printing garments is still a fairly labour intensive |
| another article). | | | | process and printing multi-colour images takes time |
| At the very least you should choose a T-shirt in a | | | | and there are certain processes that cannot be |
| reasonable weight of good quality Cotton - say 160 - | | | | rushed without the danger of misprinting. |
| 180gsm (Grams per Square Metre) - this will help with | | | | Try to allow at least 6 to 8 weeks for a new |
| the printing and encourage the recipient to wear the | | | | project - this will afford you enough time to talk with |
| garment more often. Whilst there are cheaper, lighter | | | | your supplier, choose a suitable T-Shirt, obtain a |
| weights available they just tend to feel what they | | | | quote and make a decision in good time for the |
| are 'cheap'! | | | | supplier to print them and make delivery. |
| Try also to choose a style, fit and colour of Tee that | | | | |