We’ve written before about the benefits of a good t-shirt campaign. Using t-shirts as a custom promo item is one of the best ways to boost a business’s audience and highlight the great things that you’re doing. While those articles have been popular, we get plenty of requests asking what’s the best type of t-shirt to use. Is it best to buy a high quantity of low-quality t-shirts, and promote the message to as many potential customers as possible? Or, will my business be better suited to take preference of placing quality above quantity? Should I focus on just a few premium t-shirts of premium materials?
Because we receive these types of questions so often, we decided to write an article that articulates the advantages of both options, and when best to apply each different strategy to boost your custom print campaign.
Spread the message
Probably the most popular option when it comes to deciding what custom t-shirt promo idea is buying as many cheap shirts as possible. It’s not hard to see why, as the advantages are pretty obvious. The more t-shirts that can be bought, the more that ends up in the hands of potential customers, and your custom design can be seen by a greater number of people. Having your logo and a clear message on these t-shirts can spread the word about your business and create brand recognition with relatively low costs.
One drawback of having a large number of lower-quality t-shirts is distribution. While a premium t-shirt could be used for competitions or have a bunch available at a business event, having massive quantities of cheaper shirts might be harder to budge. It can be tempting to see the bulk discounts available and presume that’ll be the best return on your investment. It’s always best to have a solid plan on how these t-shirts will be distributed once they’ve been purchased.
Events, whether sporting, business, or anything else, can be a great place to distribute your promo material
The Premium Feel
It might seem counterintuitive to opt for more expensive t-shirts for a promo marketing campaign. After all, the sole purpose of these custom print shirts is to expand a business’s audience, it’s not for a fashion show! Actually, there are some clever tactics that can be used that can allow for a few premium shirts to have a better ROI than bulk buying the cheaper alternative.
It might be that the message of your business can be spread by the use of a social media competition that accompanies your print campaign. You can give away a premium shirt as a freebie to one lucky winner who shares and likes your post, for instance. Audiences will be more tempted to enter if it’s to win a premium cotton shirt rather than a cheap and nasty polyester one.
Marketing in a print promo campaign can extend beyond the t-shirt’s message. What we mean by that is elements of a high-quality shirt can get people talking positively about your business. If the material is of a high standard, sub-consciously consumers will be impressed and feel that in the future your business will have something to offer. A cheap and nasty t-shirt that falls apart after a week will detract potential customers from buying your products or services, no matter how many you distribute. This can go further. Everyone these days loves a company that is doing its best for the environment. A carbon positive business often equates to a profit-positive brand. That’s why investing a little more in environmentally friendly t-shirts can be a win for the planet and a win for your business. We might be a little bias but we think Purpose Printery’s ‘Allmade’ Unisex Tri-Blend Tee can really have people talking about your business in a positive light. They’re made out of plastic bottles that can help promote your business as strongly as any marketing message! We have lots of different options for t-shirts. From vibrant colors to the full cotton experience, we have you covered. Check out our full t-shirt collection to see which one’s best for your business needs.
Lights, camera, action! Purpose Printery has some blockbuster t-shirts for sale
So, what’s best?
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to picking between quality over quantity for promo campaigns. The most important thing to consider when starting your print marketing campaign is to consider the audience you’re targeting and the channels of distribution. If you want to target a specific demographic, e.g. college students, you could just opt for the cheaper option. This will allow you to get your message across to as many people as possible, and really create a strong marketing buzz in that area. Likewise, higher quality tee’s will be better if intertwined with a social media campaign, or if you want to promote your business in other ways, such as its dedication to only using the highest quality materials, or its responsibility to the planet.
Buying from a B Corp helps protect our planet… and is a useful marketing strategy
One important consideration regardless of whether you opt for bulk-buying cheap shirts or selecting just a few premium ones is the design. Neither option will bring much luck if the design isn’t up to scratch. It’s crucial that the colors are vibrant, your logo is clear and easy to read, and any text is an appropriate font and size. At Purpose Printetry we can do the hard work for you. One of our experts can help with the design and guide you along the way.
Buying from Purpose Printery can be a big win for your business when it comes to getting the most out of your print promo campaign. We print on demand (POD) so we will only order the number of t-shirts you need. No need to bulk buy, and having a big warehouse full of unsold merch simply isn’t required. Like with buying ecologically sustainable promo items, buying from a B Corp can also be a useful marketing tool. Because B Corps put the environment, employee welfare, and community growth above profit, by purchasing from a B Corp (like us) you’re telling the world that your business is also one that cares for the world around it.
Curious about some of the awesome community projects we’re a part of? Check out our ‘about us’ to find out more. At Purpose Printery, we sell more than just the best t-shirts. From business cards to X-Stands, we have all the custom print needs of any business. Check out our full store to see how we can help take your business to the next level.
Let us know if we can help you with your promo print campaign by dropping us a message, and one of our experts will be happy to help.
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