A complete idiots guide to decorating garments

Over the next few blog entries we will discuss different ways to print on products and wearables, but I thought I would give my readers a brief guide to the options out there and a few pros and cons of each to start.

EMBROIDERY:
Pros
- works well with heavier weight garments
- very durable so it won't easily wear over time.

Cons
- does not work well on light weight garments
- logo reproduction is not 100% accurate

SCREEN PRINTING:
Pros
- produces vivid colors
- quick turnaround time

Cons
- multiple colors require multiple screens- can get very pricey
- Inks are not always environmentally friendly

GARMENT-PRINTING:
Pros
- photo-realistic images without the use of screens
- works well on whites and light colored garments

Cons
- colors are not as vibrant
- slower process compared to screen printing

SUBLIMATION:
Pros
- achieves and all over print
- using digital technology so each shirt can be different

Cons
- requires 100% polyester garments
- requires lighter colors

How to Increase Profit Margins Step 2!

I will only say this once!! DO NOT COMPROMISE ON PRICE!

When distributors lack confidence in their products they immediately lower the price, which ultimately effects their bottom line. This comes out of fear of loosing the sale. Everyone figures that some money is better than none. Especially in this economy we have to keep every sale that we have in our hands. But truthfully maybe the sale should be lost if the profit margins cannot be maintained. The problem is when the owner has the mind of a salesman, you need to keep your businessman hat on and not put on your sales hat. It takes time to realize that the bottom line is more important then the top line.

Still Using a Wall Calender?

Well your customers are! With the latest Blackberry's, iPhones, and other smart phones the battle has certainly been on with the traditional date keeper. Although many business men and women are keeping their schedules with smart phones or other electronic devices the traditional desk or wall calender is not quite as extinct as some would like to think. There is a calender is just about every kitchen in the country and best of all for distributors calender orders tend to represent a lot of recurring business this time of the year.

So despite the fact that most of us are toting around our lives in the palm of our hands print calenders remain a lucrative and profitable item. Part of the attractiveness of such a product lies in the ingenuity and innovation that companies are applying to traditional calenders. Ironically, the reach of traditional print calenders seems to extend even further than that of digital calenders. No longer restricted to the desk or wall, print calenders can be found on magnets and just about anything you can think of. Calenders are also used in conjunction with other promotional products- such as notepads, phone books, coupons, folders, or informational packets. Calenders are a great way to get your name out there and keep it out there- because people keep them all year long, so your company name and contact information is in front of your potential customers for 365 days a year!

Neckwear- who knew?

With the ever changing economy it's more important than ever to look the part and look professional and nothing says professional like a necktie sporting your corporate logo or corporate colors. Ties give the wearer the ability to be fashionable, professional with subtle branding. Sometimes a T-shirt or a polo shirt is not enough- sometimes you need something with an impact that says fine clothing and class. Unlike tradition garments neck wear decoration is not limited to one small location. Instead neck wear can feature logos and corporate colors in a beautiful subtle pattern. These patterns can emulate famous brands turning logos into attractive pattens that end users are excited about wearing. For a winning co-ed corporation promotion, I would suggest a branded silk tie for men and a silk scarf for women. Neck wear allows employees to be uniform without wearing standardized uniforms. Neck wear is easy to wear in the summer or the winter and is convenient and comfortable for all.

Small Business's, who normally have a small budget for advertising, ofter resort to unconventional methods to promote themselves. There are two most common types of advertising that small business's use and I will discuss them both.

The first is cross promotion. This is leveraging the success or popularity of another business for your own good. In a cross promotion you work with another business to increase sales for both companies. For example, you may offer free print work to any customer who buys a monthly subscription of your product. Or you could offer a free movie ticket to someone who purchases your product. Either way you are working with another company to promote sales. Associating with a business that is already popular and successful is the best way to go, because this can successfully raise the reputation of your company. It can be difficult to establish a rapport as a new business, but by working with someone who is already well known can do a great deal for your business. Had anyone ever heard of Dr. Phil or Dr. Oz until they started working with Oprah, heck no! So find the Oprah of businesses and work with them, your business should skyrocket!

Bags meet high fashion

Bags are trendier in 2009 then ever before, with high end retail brands such as Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada appearing as a style statement on the arms of everyone from toddlers, like Suri Cruise, tweens, like Miley Cyrus, teens like Selena Gomez, and high paid actresses, like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz they are clearly making a statement.

When a woman is carring a fashion forward bag it sets a tone, it mean's look at me, I am a force to be recokened with. Remember the more fashionable and trendy the bag is, the longer a person will hold onto it.

Fashionable bags are available in a range of price points. From affordable hand woven and non woven bags to high end leather products, bags used as a fashion accessory can can fit a multiple of promotions.

Bags are the number two promotional product (next to shirts) and represent about 12% of the promotional industries revenue. Bags are great because people use and reuse them over a long period of time and they offer a large space in which a logo or brand name that has constant visability.

The most important thing about bags is to offer diversity in your promotional bags. Think about your audience, think about weather a reusable grocery bag will be best or will a leather bag that screams trendy be better. Decorating techniques are very important when selling bags for promotions. When you have a nice looking bag, it's important to decorate it in a subtle, trendy, yet sharp looking way that the user will want to use it over and over again.