If you’re anything like me, you probably have a dresser drawer full of company branded t-shirts. These are shirts you seldom wear or don’t even bother to fold. The only reason why you haven’t thrown them away is that you forgot they existed in the first place. Besides, they come in handy once or twice a year. Spring cleaning maybe.
It doesn’t have to be like that. There is a better way!
It is entirely possible to design company branded t-shirts your employees will want to wear, and it’s not as difficult as you think. This article will lay out some tips you can use to make sure your employees love and WEAR their awesome company swag.
Before Brand Your Company T-Shirt
It’s a company shirt, so the logo is the most important part, right? Wrong. A quality shirt starts with fit, size, and softness. These three things need taking into account before thinking about the logo.
Do you know those shirts that make you look like the sail of a sailboat? Yeah, that’s what we want to avoid. The style is outdated, and people won’t wear clothes that don’t offer flattering fits. Slim fitting t-shirts should taper toward the bottom. This small detail goes a long way in making your shirt fit well, instead of looking like a sail.
The most important part of your apparel is fabric. A soft t-shirt fabric feels much better than a shirt that won’t stretch and is scratchy. Even better, softer shirts tend to get better as you wash them, which makes them feel better the longer you wear them. Choose high quality, soft fabric if you want your employees to add your shirt to their rotation.
Lastly, there is size. Let’s remember that t-shirts are not one-size-fits-all items. You’ll need to order enough sizes to fit the entirety of your team. And while some companies provide decent unisex options, we highly recommend opting for men’s and women’s options.
When it comes to company swag, a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. There’s no better time to express to your company how much you value them than by choosing quality from the start. The best team in the world deserves the best shirts in the world.
And don’t forget to order extras! There might be new additions to the company team, such as interns or volunteers.
Your Branded Logo
A company’s logo should be a strong statement of who that company is and what it stands for. As a standalone image, a company’s logo conveys an incredible amount of information. A bold gazelle sends a different message compared to a castle on a hill, or a ship against a sunset.
You should work with an experienced, professional logo designer to ensure your company’s logo embodies the purest representation of your company values. A powerful symbol speaks volumes without speaking at all.
Sometimes, a logo itself says enough, but when you need to apply a typeface, the typeface you choose can say as much about your company as your logo. Are you an elegant font or strong block letters? Is your message displayed in two strong colors or an array of hues? Utilizing professional designers to create unique designs is a great way to make sure your company t-shirts look great and send the right message.
The Why for Company Branded T-Shirts
It is important to know why you are making the shirts and what message you want to send. Sometimes, a simple company logo is best. But if your company culture is intertwined with the annual chili cook-off, celebrate the occasion with a shirt!
What is most important is that the design comes off looking professional, elegant, and cohesive. That your employees know why they’re are getting their shirts and that the quality makes them proud to have your company’s name across their chest.
Print Your Company T-Shirts Right the First Time
Sure, you can iron on a logo. It might even last until dinner, but that’s not the message you want to send with a company-branded t-shirt.
It is important to know the different styles of customization and how they’ll feel on the finished product. Cheaper printing methods feel cheap to the wearer. It isn’t comfortable to feel a logo against your skin or to see the corners peeling away.
Think about your favorite shirts. Can you feel the logo on the outside or the softness of the fabric? Your shirts should be worn with pride, and that means quality is key.
Sweat the Small Stuff
Have you ever worn a shirt with a scratchy inseam? A shirt with a tag that flips out? Those kinds of details are sure to relegate your company shirt to the donation box. It doesn’t matter how much care you put into designing the logo on the front.
Try printing the shirt with softer tags, or printing directly onto the back of the shirt. There are a lot of ways to prevent those little discomforts that make your shirt a second choice.
Thoughtful Details
Part of sweating the small stuff can be applying small details to your shirts that aren’t easy to notice. These details will show your employees the level of care and thoughtfulness you put into designing their shirts. It rewards them slowly over multiple wears.
A personalized message on the tag or a sneaky printed message on a hem or a sleeve can make an employee feel like they are part of something they can be proud of, that others might not notice.
A Proud Employee will Wear Their Company Branded T-Shirts
Your employees should be as proud to wear your company shirts as they are to be on the company payroll. Taking time to ensure quality design and quality crafting will go a long way toward making shirts people want to wear.