Marketing Guide to the Top 5 Promotional Giveaways

Posted on October 16, 2014 by admin

It is clear that promotional giveaways possess no small impact if you’re looking for the easiest way to advertise your business or organization to people.

Spotlight Apparel can customize virtually any of our promotional products with an organizations name or logo. From Coffee Mugs to Calendars and everything in between, we have your business’ promotional needs covered. All of our digitizing & artwork is professionally designed by our In-House Art Department allowing us to create the perfect design for you.

Check out our online catalog to take a look at all of the products that we can do for you.

Top 5 Promotional Giveaways

1. Bags

Totes have the highest belief average per unit at 5,983 opinions each. This number is significantly higher than that of composing instruments–number two. Totes are used to work also to carry belongings on the bus, to the shore. Ultimately, men and women for carrying everything from their lunches to their own sons’ and daughters’ diapers us totes. There’s no weather limitation concerning when bags can be taken. 53 percent of the people who receive a free bag feel less unfavorable about the advertiser who gave it to them according to the Advertising Specialty Institute.

2. Writing Instruments

Pencils really are a favored giveaway for all reasons. They are utilized continuously, even at the site that is giving them away. They’re modest. Their size means they’re uncomplicated to carry around. And pens often move through accidental acquisition from one person to another. How many times have you walked off using a pen from eatery or a buddy’s house? Pencils are taken so frequently that banks, post offices and grocery stores put them on a chain to keep them within the building. Many Americans never buy a pen because they get so many free ones. Giveaway pencils get an average of 3,134 impressions each.

3. Caps

Caps are an American trend, worn by women and men equally for multiple purposes. They’re worn year-round except for in the most inclement weather, making them a good choice in virtually any climate. Another attribute of giveaway caps is the fact that they are multi-generational. Individuals of all ages from kids to senior adults love to wear them. These factors fire at giveaway caps to the 3rd area in the very best in average impressions. One cap will showcase your logo an average of 2,999 times.

4. Outerwear

Outerwear giveaways include jackets, windbreakers, sweatshirts and hoodies. These are often given at restaurants, trade show booths or summer occasions in promotional drawings. Similar to t-shirts, outerwear attire is worn offering your business’s message to the public an average of 2,288 times per item. If you give away merely a couple of pieces a year since clothing has a long term wear cycle, the feelings multiply exponentially.

5. Logo T Shirts

There is not any question that Americans love to wear t-shirts with their preferred businesses’ logos to them. Tees are comfort wear when people go out and that they use in the weekends. Since t shirts are worn around plenty of individuals, your advertising gets play. The Advertising Specialty Institute states that t shirts get seen an average for each one given away.

Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. of Jacksonville Florida for all your promotional giveaways.

Cool Ways to Create Custom Designed Hoodies

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

If you would like custom designed hoodies for a sports team or company, be sure to visit Spotlight Apparel for ideas and cool ways to design your own hoodie.

The art of screen printing uses woven mesh fitted over a frame and ink blocks to neatly and easily apply images onto fabric to create sharp, polished looking apparel. As a result, custom t shirt can be created for just about any occasion. Custom designed hoodies for your recreational sports league, custom work shirts for your employees or cool customized t-shirts for going-away presents or some other occasion are a great way to brand your team or company.

But why stick with just regular old t-shirts when screen printing services offer a wide variety of apparel? Custom designed hoodies, in particular, are an excellent choice of apparel to have screen printed, for a number of reasons. They last longer and they’re more likely to be worn and seen, which means people will get more use out of them. The biggest advantage of custom designed hoodies is that you can do more innovative designs on them than would be possible on a t-shirt.

Cool Ways to Create Custom Designed Hoodies

Here are a few cool design ideas you can use to make awesome custom designed hoodies.

Use the Sleeve.

One cool way some people design their custom designed hoodies is to add text or images to the sleeve. A short phrase or saying would look great on the sleeve. Imagine, for example, a sports team putting a tough phrase like, “No Retreat” on the left sleeve and “No Surrender” on the right.

Use the Hood.

If you have a small logo or symbol that you’d like to add to the design of your customized hoodies, why not put it on the hood? Printing on hoods is pretty uncommon, so it’s sure to attract a lot of approving attention.

Use Every Part of the Hoodie For One Fluid Design.

Some innovative designers have even gone so far as to use the entire hoodie as part of one fluid design to make almost a mini costume. It takes a lot of imagination to be able to come up with such an intricate design, but these customized hoodies are pretty amazing, to say the least. To get an idea of what this might look like; check out some of the customized hoodies that Marvel has come out with, that look like their characters’ costumes.

Customized hoodies may cost a slightly more to make, but it’s as the old adage goes: “You get what you pay for.” Not only will people get more use out of them, but you’ll be able to make a much more dynamic, exciting design on them than you would be able to on a t-shirt.

Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. of Jacksonville Florida for all your custom designed hoodies.

T-Shirt Marketing Power

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

T-Shirt Marketing Power

T-Shirt Marketing – When it comes to marketing, a lot of entrepreneurs focus only on swinging for the fences and hitting a home run. This usually ends up in a lot of expensive, often ineffective, marketing efforts such as TV commercials and magazine ads.
While these types of marketing endeavors are sometimes called for, a smart entrepreneur will know that the biggest solution isn’t always the best one. In today’s ad-choked media environment, sometimes simpler, more direct marketing yields the best results. Here’s a simple exercise to illustrate T-Shirt marketing power. Next time you’re at the mall, take a moment to look around at what everybody is wearing. Count how many shirts you see with brands like Nike, Adidas, GAP and other popular bands on TV and movies.

You’ve just been marketed to—many times over with T-shirt marketing.

At the end of the day, you and your employees have got to wear clothes, so why not put them to work marketing your product or service? It’s an easy win for your company, and in some instances, such as at networking events and conferences, corporate clothing will help you stand out in a sea of suits. I’ll give you some examples to show you what I mean.

Walking Advertisements

For example, at a conference with roughly two thousand attendees, if four of people from your company each wore a t-shirt with a huge corporate logo on the back, they would really stand out. So much so, in fact, that many people would think there were at least twenty of them walking around because they would see the logos amid the masses of suit jackets.

Also start ups have even been known to pay people to wear their T-shirts and walk around the venue, which instantly builds a brand army.

Organizers of fundraising races hand out T-shirts branded with the charity and sponsors of the event. Runners proudly wear these shirts and are free, walking billboards for these brands.

Why do companies do this? Simple. It’s cheap, effective and creates a tribe of devoted fans and employees who become brand ambassadors everywhere they go in the community. It’s a small investment for more business.

Conversation Starters

When people think of branded clothing, they sometimes think of corporate polo shirts. But that doesn’t have to be the case. You can be creative with your clothing, but the most important thing is to create conversation.

For some brands, this has to do with being part of a tribe. For instance, when someone wears a sports team hat, they get stopped all the time by people who want to talk about the team. By simply wearing a branded hat, you can attract big fans of the brand that want to talk. That’s powerful marketing.

But you don’t have to be a big, classic brand for this to work. Every time you wear branded clothing, someone comments or asks questions about your company.

Talent Magnet

Most companies will tell you that their biggest challenges are creating revenue and recruiting talent. Besides helping market your brand to potential customers, branded clothing gives you the added benefit attracting talent.

Working Overtime

You can even put your clothing to work while you’re not wearing. While building a business, place a branded jacket on the outside of chairs so it would be seen while sitting down. On planes, fold it in such a way that the logo stands out even when placed in overhead bins. You have to be relentless in getting your name out to prospects.

The point is simple, every opportunity is a marketing opportunity if you’re paying attention and thinking outside the box. And some of the best marketing opportunities are cheap, easy, and fun. So, start dressing in your brand today.

T-Shirts marketing power works. T shirts have plenty of great uses, and we’re sure there are even more we haven’t thought of. Where else have you seen custom shirts? Spotlight Apparel, Inc. is a locally owned and operated company creating custom made T-shirts for over 35 years, in Jacksonville, Florida. We are dedicated to creating a unique look for any event.

Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. of Jacksonville Florida for all your custom t-shirts.

Four Great Uses for Personalized T Shirts

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

Four Great Uses for Personalized T Shirts

There was a time when personalized T shirts only seemed to appear in sports contexts, but those days are long gone. Today, cheap custom T shirt printing is widely available, making it a favorite option for teams and organizations of all kinds. Here are our five favorite uses for personalized T shirts.

Charity Runs

Before stepping out to walk or run in memory or honor of a loved one, many race participants make a call to their custom T shirt printer to order team shirts that show their reason for running. By wearing the face or favorite quotation from your inspiration for donating, you can not only motivate yourself, but show your love and appreciation to spectators and other racers.

Small Business Advertising

Billboards are expensive, and commercials aren’t cheap either. Custom made personalized Tshirts, however, have a much higher ROI, especially when they’re worn not only by your team, but by happy customers. Put your logo and information on T shirts for wearable advertising that makes an appearance all over town!

Family Vacations and Reunions

In case that family resemblance isn’t enough to let strangers know you’re a unit, custom T shirts can be perfect for getting the message across. Whether it’s for safety on a family trip to a crowded amusement park or for a little reunion solidarity, custom shirts are a great way to let people know that you come as a package.

Class Bonding

Being a high school senior is an experience in and of itself, and there’s no better way to show class pride than to order custom shirts. They don’t just make great fundraising pieces, but they let students wear their school spirit proudly!

Personalized T shirts have plenty of great uses, and we’re sure there are even more we haven’t thought of. Where else have you seen custom shirts? Spotlight Apparel, Inc. is a locally owned and operated company creating custom made T-shirts for over 35 years, in Jacksonville, Florida. We are dedicated to creating a unique look for any event.

Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. of Jacksonville Florida for all your custom t-shirts.

Custom T-Shirts For Your Next Company Event

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

Custom t-shirts for your next company event – It’s never too early to start planning your next company or employee appreciation event! When you’re planning an event like this, the greatest challenge is coming up with a new idea. After all, company appreciation events don’t happen every day, and you want to leave a lasting impression. Custom t-shirts are a great way to say thank you!

A great idea to make this year’s appreciation event more memorable is custom t-shirts. Give t-shirts to your team to celebrate meeting a goal, the launch of a big project, or the end of the year. T-shirts and company apparel are always a big hit, and we think your team will love them, too!

Custom T-Shirts For Casual Work Days

Custom t-shirts are a practical appreciation gift. Employees will wear their shirts on casual days, and when they go out to lunch, advertising for your company! T-shirts serve as both an item of company pride and promote your culture in the community. You can create a custom t-shirt for any occasion. Our In-House Art Department can create designs to accommodate any and all events and celebrations. If you don’t have the perfect design, we can create one for you! Customize your t-shirts with your organization’s logo and a few lines of personalization to make a truly unique team shirt.

People Love T-Shirts For Gifts

Make it a memorable gift. Get employees’ shirt sizes ahead of time, so you can give each employee their shirt on the day of your event. When presenting custom t-shirts to your team, make it look beautiful and fun! Roll each t-shirt and tie with ribbon, package in a gift bag with other promotional items. Carefully consider the presentation so your shirts leave a lasting impression of appreciation!

Make Wearing a Company T-Shirt Fun

Encourage your employees to wear their shirts. After your appreciation event is over and gone, continue to engage your team by selecting days to wear their custom shirts. Celebrate many of the recognition holidays with a team casual day. Enter employees in a raffle when they wear their shirt on a casual day. Asking for employees to submit pictures of themselves wearing the shirts in interesting locations is another great promotional idea. Make the team shirts part of your culture for long lasting fun and engagement!

Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. of Jacksonville Florida for all your custom t-shirts.

Screen Printing For Summer Festivals and Events

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

Screen printing for summer festivals and events – The short sleeve season is here and it will bring screen printing for summer festivals and events to a new level in the form of promotional t-shirts all across the country.

Selling T-shirts at festivals can be a fun way to make part-time income or a full-time living. At Spotlight Apparel you’ll be involved in the entire T-shirt making process, from design through production, and get to hang out at various cultural or music festivals while making money.

Screen Printing For Summer Festivals and Events – Spotlight Apparel

Festival Merchandising

The festival season is upon us and screen printing companies throughout the country are preparing for the short sleeve season and an influx of orders for festival merchandising and printed t-shirts. Promotional t-shirts as merchandising can be a great way for festival organisers to keep the party going well after the tents are taken down with their satisfied attendees wearing their printed t-shirts out of the gates with an “I was there” sort of pride.

Picture This…

You’re walking into a really cool house party in your super awesome [insert festival name] printed t-shirt and you hear that really cool song by [insert cool hipster band name] that reminds of you said festival and then you see someone else with the wristband from the same super cool awesome festival. No words will be needed, just a look paying tribute to your shared experience at the super awesome mega cool festival. And then they will probably say, “that is an awesome t-shirt, wish I had got one”.

Screen Printing Options

Screen printing for summer festivals and events is a popular choice for promotional t-shirts and festival merchandise because it is cost effective in large quantities and bulk orders. The best screen printing designs are simple yet effective and can include a number of colors, although it should be noted that the price will increase as the number of colors in your design do. Having said that, you don’t want to compromise on the quality of your t-shirt design because nobody will buy it and as a result there will be no knowing looks or shared experience conversations across the house party.

The process of creating an awesome product is often a complicated and detailed journey. Our goal here at Spotlight Apparel is to make that process as easy and quick as possible. Have a look at our process below to get an idea of how we produce the quality screen prints that your company or organization desires.

Our Process

We begin with product selection where you choose the product type, style and quality suited to your specific event. We can print from your artwork or you can submit your concept to the Spotlight Apparel design department. Our trained professional designer can take your idea and develop it into a dynamic composition that is sure to impress. We will first send you a preview of how your art will look.

Once the art is submitted to you, you may approve the design for print, or you may give us a few revisions to enhance and refine the design to your liking. Once the design is approved, the art is taken to the screen department and that is where your shirt is inked.

The standard turn-around time for screen printing for summer festivals and events is around 5-7 business days. Our goal is to turn your order around as quickly as possible while still maintaining a high standard of quality.

Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. of Jacksonville Florida for all your screen printing for summer festivals and events.

Opening a Restaurant

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

Thinking of opening a restaurant?

The unfortunate news is, the food is only about 20% of the restaurant success equation. Yes, the food needs to be fabulous. But, you must remember, restaurants are businesses first and foremost and food is merely the product for sale.

After opening a restaurant, you’re going to want to leave your guests feeling welcome and eager to come back. The service and food quality are obvious ways to do this, but giving a little something extra to customers will show them that you really care about them and their business.

Branded Apparel and T Shirts

Whether you’re a small family owned restaurant or a large chain restaurant with multiple locations, there’s no doubt that your brand important. Customer’s love to purchase t shirts and hats with your branded logo. Also don’t forget about custom clothing and accessories for your staff. They give a professional consistent look across your entire brand.

Comfortable and quality are the necessary ingredients for great custom restaurant uniforms, tshirts or hats. Restaurants and hospitality organizations know that when custom restaurant uniforms are done right, they make a great first impression when you are opening a restaurant.

Cups Runneth Over

A couple of essential items to open a restaurant is drinkware and custom printed menus. They should follow your custom theme to get everyone in the team spirit. Items that they can use in the restaurant and then take home will help keep the memories alive. Flyer/buffet kits are great, too when opening a restaurant. Patrons can also use the stadium cups, plates and utensils while there and then bring the flying disc home to the kids

Fun Stuff

Of course, no grand opening promotion would be complete without a whole load of fun giveaways. If your theme is sports related, think mini footballs for wannabe quarterbacks, nuts for the sports nuts, shot glasses on beads, LED badges and, even a hula skirt for your beverage. More expensive items, such as a hard side cooler should also be available to win as a door prize. Like we said, think fun.

Sign Here

In the end, despite all the giveaways on the day you are opening a restaurant, of course you want your customers to pay the check. Give patrons themed pens to sign their bills and also to take away in their purses or jacket pockets. Then, when someone asks them to jot down great eateries, they can use the pens to recommend your restaurant as one of their favorites.

Company Apparel – Why It’s a Smart Investment

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

3 Reasons Why You Need Company Apparel

1. Pride

In the same way that many of us wear logoed clothing to show pride in our school or team, company apparel similarly expresses that you are proud to be a part of your organization. Branded company apparel communicates pride and confidence to customers, prospects, vendors, and anyone with whom you interact. Just as importantly, it engenders pride among employees: An employee is more likely to feel and demonstrate pride when they see their co workers doing the same.

2. Credibility

In the 21st century, where new companies are launched every day, credibility is as important as ever. For example, if you are meeting with prospective customers who may not be familiar with your company, a company apparel item as simple as a dress shirt, screen printed t-shirt or jacket with your embroidered logo makes your company more real and tangible in their minds. That’s not to say a company shirt is sufficient to establish credibility, but it plays a big part in helping to make an impression.

3. Branding

In the same way that your products, services, and marketing activities shape your company brand, your company apparel can also reinforce the image you want to convey. Whether you are going for “innovative”, “fun”, “dependable”, or “prestigious”, the type of apparel items you choose, and how you embellish them, can compliment your brand messaging. Furthermore, when employees are donned in embroidered company-branded apparel, they are more likely to be aware that they are representing the company and behave in a way that is consistent with the company’s values.

Did you know that putting a logo on company apparel could be so powerful? It’s important to understand the effects that your branded apparel can have, so you will select items that are the best fit for your business.

There are many types of company apparel to choose from, and a variety of ways to embellish them. So, how do you create custom apparel that’s right for you? We can help you choose your new business apparel.

With our Company Apparel and additional Clothing & Accessories, we can help you look good while facing your day. Whether you’re looking for embroidered shirts for your staff or you’re trying to get embroidered jackets for your sports team, it’s easy to get your company or team logo embroidered on our Corporate and Casual apparel.

Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. of Jacksonville Florida for all your company apparel.

Screen Printing History

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Spotlight Apparel

Screen Printing History – How old is this printing technique?

Silk screen printing may be the oldest and most practical printing technique dating back to ancient times. There are hypotheses that silk screen printing’s origins started in China at least the 12 century B.C. when silk began to be produced there. Silk printing may have originated not far from the Mediterranean Sea between Mesopotamia and Phoenicia according to available historical facts.

There are a number of archeological finds and historical studies that indicate that the Phoenicians found a way to reproduce patterns on fabrics using techniques uncommon to those used today.

Human Hair Stencils Advance Screen Printing

However, they can be credited with pioneering a system of image duplication by using stamps to reproduce simple patterns. The method was later improved in Japan to a printmaking technique that created sharp-edged images using a stencil and a porous fabric, known as screen printing, or serigraphy. The Japanese used simple stencils which were glued onto a screen made of human hair that was stretched over a wooden frame.

Screen Printing Improved During The Middle Ages

This printing technique was then further improved throughout the Middle Ages and became widespread in Europe. The screen printing process that we know of today emerged in the early 1900s when a man from Manchester, England, Samuel Simon, received a patent for using a silk screen fabric as a printing screen. Another first in screen printing history. Simon patented this process of printing through a silk screen, which guaranteed a higher tensile strength and better size stability. Simon’s process also used rubber blades, or squeegees, to push the ink through the screen which is still used today. The invention was coined the term silk screen printing.

War Brings Screen Printing To America

It was not until the First World War that screen printing took off in America. The process was used for printing flags and banners. The use of photographic stencils at this time made the process more versatile and encouraged wide-spread use. The actual use of silk for screens was discontinued in the mid-1940s during the Second World War because of its use in the war effort. Since then a polyester material has been used for the screen mesh and other improvements have been made in the presses, inks, and chemicals used. Otherwise the same basic screen printing process patented by Simon is still used today.

The Latest Screen Printing Technology

Spotlight Apparel continues the contribute to screen printing history by using state of the art automated equipment. This has kept us on the cutting edge of silk screen printing technology. Our current capabilities include high density printing of up to 8 colors. We emphasizes strict quality standards during all stages of screen print production. From design work from our in-house art department to screen prep, to job set-up, all the way through to final product inspection, control processes are in place to maintain high levels of quality in all areas.

Spotlight Apparel offers custom screen printing for a variety of products. These include screen printed t-shirts, hats, sweaters, jackets, bags, pants, blankets, towels, and just about every apparel product that you can think of. Be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. for all your screen printing, embroidery and promotional products.

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

Posted on April 23, 2014 by admin

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day With Eco Friendly Products

Seems like everyone is going green these days and you certainly are no exception. To celebrate your eco-mindedness and let the community know about it, you can host an eco-awareness event.

We just celebrated Earth Day on April 22, but any day is a good day to honor and respect our planet. Of course, you’ll need plenty of giveaways that are “eco-friendly,” so the products not only have eco-friendly material, but also promote activities which keep our Earth green.

These giveaways will also attract attendance and raise awareness.

Pre-Awareness Mailing

First, find a unique item to send to 500 community members beforehand, alerting them to the place, date and time of the event. Biodegradable highlighters, or an eco-friendly memo pad, for example, clearly say “green,” and you can invite the community to grow along with your company and services. You can also send out a press kit made of 100% recyclable material to let the press know you’re planting the seeds of change with your new sustainability practices.

Carry-Alls

At the event, provide something attendees can carry goodies in, such as a wide array of organic and recyclable totes and duffels.

In The Bag

Such goodies can include “green” items like notepads, a perpetual calendar frame, or eco core golf balls. A solar powered pedometer or Eco Non-Woven Tote, made from 80% recycled post consumer plastic bottles is a unique, premium quality, reusable green product! Don’t just think about the materials items are made from, however. Keep in mind that products that keep batteries or other items out of landfills and protect Mother Earth in other ways might qualify too.

Wear Your Pride

Spotlight Apparel offers custom screen printing for a variety of products. These include screen printed t-shirts, hats, sweaters, jackets, bags, pants, blankets, towels, and just about every apparel product that you can think of. We can print from a 1 to 8 color design with a minimum order of only 12 pieces for a single color print. All of our digitizing & embroidery work is done by our In-House Art Department allowing us to create the perfect design for you.

Raffle

At the event, be sure to hold a raffle where winners will receive higher-end items. The proceeds can go to local Jacksonville environmental nonprofits, like St. John’s Riverkeeper. Helping a local a environmental nonprofit will create goodwill and send a positive message from you. Raffle participants, too, will feel good about doing their part for a good cause.

So remember to celebrate Earth Day every day!

For more great ideas be sure to contact Spotlight Apparel, Inc. for all your screen printing, embroidery and promotional products.