Action Steps on Buying Corporate Apparel and Promotional Clothing
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research business promotion clothing companies online

Embroidered clothing like golf shirts, dress shirts and jackets are some of the most common forms of company apparel. Logo clothing and shirts usually feature the company logo and provide a unified look when worn by your staff. Company shirts and jackets also help reinforce the company dress code policy.

I recommend: The Queensboro Shirt Company has been making custom corporate apparel for years. It has a wide variety of shirt options and offers both embroidery and digital printing of your logo. Ace Logo Wear is another resource for work shirts and promotional apparel. It offers dress shirts and golf shirts to keep your staff looking professional.

Look to companies that produce specialized corporate apparel

If polo shirts and tees won't cut it, find specialized corporate apparel makers. For some businesses full uniforms are on the menu, while others may require elegant, tailored attire. Whatever your business attire needs, there is a corporate attire company to meet them.

I recommend: Corporate Apparel Unlimited provides a wide selection of industry specific coveralls, safety wear and scrubs, and can apply your logo with embroidery, screen printing or heat transfer. If your company requires a uniform but elegant look for your employees, contact TwinHill Corporate Apparel. It specializes in high end, tailored separates for women and men.

Don't forget corporate accessories to compliment your corporate attire

Use name tags, hats, badges or lanyards to identify employees. Instead of desk name plates, opt for engraved name tags or badges for each employee. Name tags keep departments or teams well-organized as well as enhance security in the workplace.

I recommend: Naag Tag offers engraved and custom name tags for corporate apparel. It can add job titles as well as color company logos to give your name tags a professional appearance. Peruse the wide range of hats offered by Company Casuals. Learn more about the importance of name tags and how they improve workplace communication and performance in an article from The Side Road.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Corporate apparel doesn't have to rule the workplace every day. Don't forget about how fun Casual Friday can be!

Guide to Corporate Apparel

Reward customers and build brand awareness with wearable promos

By Paula Andruss, Freelance writer

1. The style and quality of the item accurately reflects your company image.
2. It's appropriate for your clients or target audience.
3. It's durable enough to keep your message out there in style.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Basic T-shirts and caps as logo apparel

There's no doubt that T-shirts and caps are two of the most popular promotional items available. If you're new to the corporate apparel game or want something that won't break the bank, T-shirts or caps may be a good starting point.

I recommend: LogoSportswear.com offers one of the widest selections of all promotional clothing, including T-shirts and caps and other screen-printed and embroidered clothing. Gimmees.com also offers a good selection of basic T-shirt and cap styles. Find specialists in T-shirts and caps on Business.com.

Choose brand names for custom apparel

Align yourself with well-known clothing manufacturers to add caché to your promotional apparel. It may up the price, but the item will make a real statement.

I recommend: Major supplier Sweet Promotional Products sells custom screen-printed and embroidered clothing from Adidas, Champion, Columbia Sportswear, American Apparel, Fruit of the Loom and a host of name brands. Top brands at ePromos.com include Nike, Hanes and Devon & Jones. Find brand-name promotional outerwear and polo shirts at Business.com.

Go upscale with promotional clothing

If your business caters to a high-income clientele, consider splurging on memorable items that reflect the quality of your services and products.

I recommend: Compleat.com offers a range of high-quality corporate apparel, such as jackets, robes and sportswear.

Footwear can be corporate apparel, too

Flips-flops or slippers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of promotional clothing, but a pair of cozy shoes could be just the thing to give your company name a step up.

I recommend: PromoGeek.com provides a number of up-to-date styles of slip-ons and slippers as custom apparel.

Don't forget the little ones

Putting your company logo on clothing worn by kids and babies can boost your visibility with the young crowd and with their parents.

I recommend: AdcoMarketing.com and ePromos.com offer dozens of of screen-printed or embroidered clothing for youngsters. For T-shirts, onesies and other gear for infants and toddlers, try Sweet Promotional Products.

Choose a reputable supplier of promotional clothing

There are more than 20,000 promotional products distributors in the United States, some more reliable than others. Look for a promotional product supplier certified as a master advertising specialist (MAS) or certified advertising specialist (CAS) to ensure you're dealing with a reliable organization.

I recommend: Search the Promotional Products Association International database for a corporate apparel supplier with a MAS or CAS certification.

Ask for samples of corporate apparel

Placing a major order based on what you see on a Web site could lead to unwanted surprises. Ask suppliers to send you free samples of corporate apparel so you can get a better idea of the quality and colors of the merchandise.

I recommend: Most major suppliers, such as Branders.com, offer free samples.

Get your promotional clothing fast

When you need promotional clothing fast, look for a supplier that offers quick turnarounds.

I recommend: 4Imprint.com offers 24-hour service on a selection of corporate apparel, including your one-color imprint (but not embroidered clothing).

Submit artwork for best treatment of your logo apparel

Finding a great deal on T-shirts or caps is only part of the solution for effective promotional clothing. Your screen-printed or embroidered artwork or logo must stand out in order to effectively brand your company. Most suppliers provide detailed information on artwork submission, and some offer design services to help you create your artwork.

I recommend: Review the artwork submission requirements for suppliers, such as APromotionalOutlet.com. LogoSportswear.com has a huge library of clip art you can use in your designs. Stitch America The Embroidery Superstore offers a library of more than 40,000 stock designs customers can use for screen-printed or embroidered clothing.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  With millions of items out there, it can be tough to set your corporate apparel apart. But skillful use of color, patterns and your own unique logo can go a long way to create the right design for you.
• •  Research apparel trends and keep tabs on what items are popular.
• •  Make it relate to your brand. Wacky flip-flops are fun and will get you noticed, but if your business deals with serious issues, such as investments or health care, consider something that's a better fit for your profession.
• •  Avoid price hikes and delays by purchasing items before or after the end of the year, when suppliers are swamped with holiday orders. Remember, custom embroidered clothing takes more time.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Reward hardworking employees with company apparel

Use custom company apparel and embroidered clothing for giveaways and rewards within the office. Hold weekly drawings with prizes or give logo clothing to team members that meet sales goals.

I recommend: Motivators.com has lots of inexpensive and eco-friendly gifts and rewards for employees, including hats, pins and bags. Branders sells bracelets and logo clothing that are great giveaways for loyal employees.

Outfit employees in promotional clothing at trade shows and events

Promote your company at trade shows and on sales calls with business promotion clothing for employees. Choose promotional clothing with eye-catching graphics and colors that prominently displays your logo; this will draw attention to your company.

I recommend: Buy promotional apparel from All Star Logo, whose high quality embroidery will make your team look professional. Check out Forte Promo for custom logo clothing to promote your company at trade shows.

Make corporate apparel part of the company dress code

Making the most of corporate apparel still requires your employees to be dressed appropriately for the workplace environment. Establish a dress code and maintain professionalism by providing corporate wear that is suitable for all employees. Employees should be comfortable and able to express their own style within reason, while still looking professional and representing your business with class.

I recommend: Corporate Apparel Inc. provides a wide range of casual and dress apparel for both men and women to fit most office and workplace settings. Opt for unisex corporate clothing like the styles offered by Big Front Uniforms to avoid instances of inappropriate dress.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Allow suggestions from employees for new styles of corporate apparel or revisions to the dress code so that everyone's voice can be heard.
• •  Boost office moral with more than just corporate attire. Order promotional umbrellas, bags and active wear for your employees as well.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Embroidered logo

It's essential that all corporate apparel be embroidered with a company logo; an embroidered logo is fashioned out of colored-thread needlework and is of much higher quality than other logo printing techniques.

I recommend: See several examples of embroidered logos at Tradeshowexhibitor.com.

Specialized apparel

There are many kinds of specialized corporate apparel available for businesses in which the traditional polo shirt is not appropriate or relevant; find more suitable apparel for your business, everything from safety gear to sportswear.

I recommend: Look through the wide selection of specialized corporate wear at Corporate Apparel Unlimited to see some great examples of what is out there.

Uniforms

Providing employees with corporate apparel in the form of uniforms might be appropriate for your business, establishing a sense of unity and professionalism within the establishment.

I recommend: Learn more about all the different kinds of uniforms available by browsing through the Uniform Connection.

Promotional clothing

Promotional corporate apparel bearing a company logo is given as a free gift to potential customers at trade shows, important clients or valuable employees. They should be of high-quality to reflect the quality of your business.

I recommend: Read more about the benefits of using corporate apparel as a promotional item at Personalized Corporate Apparel.

Corporate outerwear

Corporate outerwear includes articles of clothing like windshirt pullovers, windbreakers, fleece jackets or even winter jackets, and can mean more advertising for your business as outerwear is worn day after day, depending on the weather.

I recommend: Find out why buying corporate outerwear should be considered for your business at Printable Promotions.

Corporate accessories

Employees and customers might prefer corporate accessories that can either be additions to an outfit or simply useful items to show company pride, such as hats, lanyards, briefcases and tote bags.

I recommend: Have a look at all the possibilities in unique corporate accessories by visiting Working Person's Store.