Branded corporate apparel can be one of the most important components of building a positive and effective brand image. As an inexpensive option for advertising, a tool to establish employee unity, and a way to help your customers view your brand positively, corporate apparel can also help your business to run more efficiently, and professionally. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the benefits of choosing corporate apparel for your business, how selecting the right style can positively affect your business image, and will give you some tips on how to use corporate apparel to stand out from your competitors.
Benefits of Branded Corporate Apparel
Branded corporate apparel can have an array of benefits for both your business, and your employees – from creating trust, and respect among employees, to developing a reliable, and professional image. Ahead, you’ll find 3 ways that branded corporate apparel can improve, not only the company itself, but your brand image as well.
- Unity & Identification
Branded corporate apparel can help build a teamwork mindset among employees. Wearing the same thing as every other staff member, can help employees to identify as part of a team. For example, say you work at a technology store. All of the employees wear a blue shirt with a yellow logo. When on the sales floor, this not only makes other employees easy to identify (for workers and customers), but also helps to build camaraderie among employees who see another person who is dressed like them. - Authority & Image
Companies that utilize corporate apparel are often regarded as more professional as those who don’t. Employees that wear uniforms come across as more knowledgeable, and many customers consider them to be experts in their field. The more professional, and knowledgeable your employees appear, the higher your brand is regarded. Of course, hiring actual experts also helps, but in the example of the tech store, who would you be more likely to approach – a smart-casual dressed woman in khakis, and a polo shirt with a lanyard, or one in jeans and a v-neck t-shirt? Details like these are important in establishing authority with your customers and differentiating between your business and others. - Professional Attitude
The act of putting on a uniform (or any designated work apparel) helps employees to get in the right head space. For example, if you work in an office, and you allow your employees to come to work in sweatpants. Although no one sees them but the other workers in your office, wearing lounge clothes into a professional setting can make it difficult for employees to distinguish between home and work.
Although it’s important to feel comfortable in what we wear to the office each day, feeling overly comfortable can have a negative impact on productivity and professionalism. When workers put on their designated work attire, it actually mentally prepares them for the work day ahead. This professional attitude in turn creates a better image for your business, and improves the way employees interact with customers, and each other.
Examples of Popular Branded Corporate Apparel
Variety of Corporate Apparel Styles For All Businesses
There are a wide variety of styles, and fabrics to choose from when selecting the right look for your company’s corporate apparel. Gone are the days when work uniforms had to be uncomfortable and boring. Just like crafting the right ad, choosing the right style of corporate apparel can impact the way customers view your brand. Let’s take that technology store we mentioned at the beginning of this post for example again. When you imagine that store, what style of shirt are the employees wearing? What fabric is it? Are the colours muted, or bright? You may have pictured the employees in a polo shirt, that has a thick, substantial fabric, and bright colours. Those three factors have been strategically chosen by the brand to convey a specific message to their customers. A message that emphasizes professionalism, quality, and authority. Now, imagine that same tech store with employees in bright yellow cotton T-shirts. Not quite the same effect, right?
Make an Impact And Stand Out From The Crowd
You’ve settled on the style of apparel that matches your brand’s values. But, there are still important decisions to be made, in terms of details, that can set your business apart from other brands.
- Logo Placement
While the typical breast pocket logo may be the right choice for many brand, you have other options as to where you can place your brand name. For example, if you’ve chosen a t-shirt, and you have a simple text only logo, you may find it effective to place it across the back of the shirt. Our team of experts at Addictive Design can help you choose the most appropriate place for your logo, and might even suggest out-of-the-box ideas you may not have considered. - Processing
This refers to the way your logo, and any other desired text, is applied to your apparel. Popular options include:
Appliqué. This is when your logo is cut out and stitched on top of a shirt, or pants, resulting in a eye-catching, raised effect. This technique is commonly used by brands, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, and is a great option for more professional styles of shirts, such as polos.
Transfer Printing. Straightforward and simple, transfer printing involves printing your logo on a sheet of vinyl or wax paper, and then heat sealing your logo onto the chosen piece of apparel. This provides a more classic look, and is used by many brands as a simple way to get their brand name seen.
Screen Printing. The most common, and versatile way to brand a shirt, this option is great for more casual work attire, like cotton t-shirts.
How We Can Help With Your Branded Corporate Apparel
Corporate apparel, though simple, can benefit your business in more ways than you might have thought. Choosing the right style and design plays an important role in letting customers know your business values. If you’d like to find out more about how branded corporate apparel can positively affect your business, or for more information on what services we offer, contact us!
