I don’t know about you, but puff ink prints bring to mind the era-defining bold neon designs of the 80s and 90s. And then there are all the iconic moments that are inked into my memory in Day-Glo colors.

You know, 80s athletic fashion, early Madonna, Jane Fonda’s record smashing workout videos, Valley Girl, and that one John Travolta aerobics scene in the film Perfect. Phew!

Like other vintage trends, puff ink printing is making a strong comeback as one of the boldest screen printing techniques, and we’re here for it. At fancysweetstx, we’re stoked to change up the designs on our customized t-shirts and sweatshirts with puff ink.

About Plastisol Ink: Widely used in garment printing because it’s easy to clean, doesn’t dry on the screen, and can appear opaque on dark garments.

The technique involves adding a puff base or puff additive to regular plastisol ink that, when heat-treated, swells to create a raised, textured effect that is soft and rubbery to the touch.

We love that our puff ink printed designs elevate even the most pared down creative designs into unique apparel.

As we walk you through the pros and cons of screen printing with puff ink, we’ll discuss:

• What makes it an incredibly versatile special effect ink
• Why you have to factor in color loss when printing with puff ink
• How it compares against other screen printing inks
• Tips for getting the most out of your puff printed garments

The Pros of Using Puff Ink for Screen Printing

In a world that offers endless personalized products, puff ink is a fantastic way to make a statement and stand out.

Did You Know: 80 percent of consumers are more likely to buy from a company that provides a tailored experience.

Let's take a deeper look into some pros of screen printing with puff ink:

1 - Gives Designs a 3D, Textured Appearance

One of the biggest advantages of using puff ink is that it can add depth and dimension to your designs, which enhances their visibility and impact.

How do you make a simple single color design visually stand out? 

The raised texture of the ink creates a tactile quality that really makes designs pop, especially when it comes to tone-on-tone creations like our Ohio Pink Pigment Dyed Sweatshirt.

It looks and somewhat feels like an embroidery or a clothing patch, without the additional labor.

That it gives dimension to outlines or tone-on-tone prints is probably our fave aspect of puff printing and the one we apply most in our puff printing designs.

"Buy this!

I have many items from fancysweetstx but this is my favorite! Perfect material and color! Buy it. You won’t regret it."
— Anonymous, Verified Buyer, United States

2 - Works Well With a Range of Effects and Inks

Puff ink printing is like that friendly kid on the playground who jives with all the others. 

It combines well with standard screen printing inks to achieve a multidimensional look to your design. These standard inks can be traditional Pantone colors, consist of fading halftones, or be made of specialty inks like metallic inks.

To do this, puff ink is printed right next to the standard inks. You just let us know which portion of the design you want to be puff ink and we'll be sure there is enough space and substance to the print.

The combination of two types of ink creates a memorable look to your clothing that your customers will love.

3 - More Versatile Than High-Density Printing

Puff ink printing and high-density printing are the only screen printing special effects that create a visibly raised design. It’s therefore important to understand how they compare.

Compared to high-density printing, puff ink printing is:

• More versatile as it works well on cotton, polyester and fabric blends whereas high-density ink requires sturdy cotton and cotton-based fabrics to withstand its multiple heat curing stages
• Less labor intensive as it requires one or a maximum of two coats, while high-density printing may require additional applications to achieve the same height 
• Cheaper because it uses fewer layers of ink and is less labor intensive than high-density ink
• More flexible color-wise since it can create multicolored designs and halftones; high-density printing is ideal for limited solid colors per garment

So, if you’re looking for a high impact, custom design option that’s affordable and versatile, puff ink printing is the way to go.

4 - Creates Outstanding Multicolor Designs

Puff ink really does it all because not only is it great for monochromatic designs like our 16153 Genova Puff Crew Sweatshirt, it’s also fantastic for elevating a multicolor design.

Puff ink can make one color pop out from the rest, helping to direct the eye to the most important element of your design.

Cons to Consider When Screen Printing With Puff Ink

Like all t-shirt printing techniques, screen printing with puff ink has its challenges, especially because it’s a specialty ink that requires special considerations regarding mesh count and design detail.

Here are four cons to keep in mind when screen printing with puff ink:

1 - Poses Challenges for Exact Color Matching 

For better branding, you might need to match your custom print to the exact Pantone colors on your brand’s logo or artwork. Here you’ll run into one of the major limitations of puff ink printing.

Puff printed colors appear more washed out or muted than the original plastisol ink. 

Remember, to achieve a puff print, the printing ink or pigment have to be mixed with a puff additive. When the ink expands, the color has a tendency to lighten up a shade or two.

This isn’t ideal for brand logos. 

There’s a way around this that requires screen printing expertise and lots of sample tests. 

So when you reach out to us for a puff print design, be sure to let us know how precise we need to be with color matching on your puff design.

2 - Blurs Out Fine Detailed Work and Image Prints

Fine detailed prints and detailed geometric designs easily get lost in the puff.

Puff ink prints swell in all directions, upwards and outwards. If the lines of your design are fine as well as too close together, they’ll get swallowed up as the ink cures and expands.

For example, puff printing works beautifully for our Vintage 16153 Genova Fireworks Shirt, despite the fine lines of the fireworks. The lines aren’t close together, plus the charm of the design comes from the overlapping edges of the fireworks.

Bold lines and large design elements show up better with puff ink, which exaggerates their boldness. That’s why at fancysweetstx we lean heavily on block text in our puff ink designs.

The sweet spot is a line weight of one point (0.35 mm) or greater. For design detailing, halftone dots should be no finer than 20 lpi (lines per inch).

A compromise that your printer may offer is to reduce the height that the puff grows to, but calibrating this relies heavily on their expertise.

3 - Not Ideal for Photo Based Prints

Say you wanted custom souvenir shirts printed with a photo of the Mona Lisa or, better yet, North Dakota’s giant birds on the Enchanted Highway, puff printing would not work.

For photo realistic prints to look crisp, they need to be printed using a high mesh count screen. Conversely, for you to deposit enough ink on the fabric for puff ink printing, you need a lower mesh count screen. 

Mesh count refers to the number of threads that cross each other per square inch of the screen.

Puff ink printing isn’t ideal for photo based designs since the low mesh count used wouldn’t allow for details.

As we mentioned previously, tiny details that are close together get blurred out by puff ink.

4 - High Initial Set Up Cost

Puff printing often costs more than regular printing and may be even more expensive for small custom orders.

Puff ink printing falls under specialty screen printing services. It requires an extra ingredient, the foaming agent, coupled with the expertise to understand how to manipulate the ink vs. puff agent ratio to suit each design. 

For this reason, printers will often attach an add-on cost to puff printing services and it’s worth confirming before you go ahead.

Understanding these potential challenges can help you make an informed decision about when and how to use puff ink for your clothing customization. With proper technique and knowledge, printers can achieve striking statement pieces. 

Which Ink Is Right for You? 

We’ve looked at the many pros and few cons of puff ink, but how does it measure up against other types of screen printing ink? 

In the table below, we compare puff ink to other types of screen printing ink to help you determine which is the best fit.

fancysweetstx’s Expert Tips on Puff Ink

At fancysweetstx, we strive to be the best in the custom screen printing industry. And that includes ensuring our customers get the most out of their puff ink printed garments.

This attention to detail allows us to create both bold, chunky designs like our Pburg Script Puff Sweatshirt and light, quirky designs like our Vintage 16153 Genova Fireworks Shirt.

"So Comfy!

It is so comfortable and the color is great!"
— Anonymous, Verified Buyer, United States

But you have to do your part too to ensure your puff print works for you.

Proper laundry care is crucial to keep that puff print looking crisp:

• Wash inside out with cold water.
• Avoid tumble drying and hang dry instead.
• Don’t iron the print.

Is Puff Ink Right for Your Screen Printing Needs?

Screen printing with puff ink is a fantastic way to add texture and dimension to designs, making them stand out. It gives custom printed clothing a bold, yet nostalgic, retro vibe that makes each item memorable.

Using puff ink comes with its own set of challenges, including color loss and difficulty achieving detail. That said, the challenges are far outweighed by the versatility and visual impact of puff prints, especially in the hands of screen printing experts, such as fancysweetstx.

For nearly two decades, we’ve been creating fun Midwestern clothing and accessories, and with each item, we strike a perfect balance between high-quality printing, hometown pride, and fun. After all, our whole mindset is if it looks like fun, then it probably is.

Check out our brand of fun in our collection of Midwestern, vintage puff print merch. 

Related: Read about how we screen print on vintage shirts

Picture vendors in a bustling marketplace, calling out to customers enthusiastically. Does the calling guarantee they'll make a purchase?

Sure, it might attract a few passers-by, but it’s not a sustainable way to build a large customer base.

Likewise, the amount of marketing noise a brand makes doesn’t necessarily attract customers. In fact, the opposite is quite true, bombarding customers with too much advertisement can wear them out.

There’s a subtle yet remarkably effective method of differentiating your brand from the rest which we just so happen to love, it’s called custom branded merch.

In this article, we’re specifically talking about using puff embroidery to push your brand to the forefront.

Puff embroidery is an upgraded version of flat embroidery, normally used to brand merchandise. What differentiates the puffed version is its visual impact. It results in three-dimensional logos, illustrations, and patterns.

While it's most popular on hats, you can integrate this technique into just about any of your offerings, whether t-shirts, uniforms, and sweatshirts.

The table below provides additional information differentiating between puff embroidery and flat embroidery.

We’re here on a mission—to demonstrate how puff embroidery is effective at telling your brand’s story.

Get ready to explore the following topics:

• Why puff embroidery is popular nowadays
• How this technique can benefit your brand
• The remarkable designs you can achieve
• Some challenges of using puff embroidery

Just as puff embroidered designs stand out on fabric, so will your brand stand out when you embrace this strategy.

The Basics: Introducing Puff Embroidery

Puff embroidery is a technique that brings fabric to life using three-dimensional designs, giving you dynamic branding through the power of stitches.

Let’s take a journey back: The business world has always been fiercely competitive, with each brand striving to be memorable to its customers.

This competitiveness led to a desire for creative branding in order to thrive among a sea of competitors.

Luckily, advancements in embroidery technology fulfilled this desire, leading to the popularity of puff embroidery, also known as 3D embroidery.

Businesses saw puff embroidery as an avenue to make their brands stand out, and there, in the midst of flat embroidery designs, the puffed look became a breath of fresh air.

The allure of 3D designs is undeniable. It exudes a premium look that makes brands memorable, and customers have responded well to this trend, propelling it into the limelight.

The three-dimensional look of puff embroidery involves stitching over foam to create a raised effect. This is unlike the two-dimensional flat embroidery, which is stitched without foam and has a traditional flat look.

Puff embroidery is versatile, offering vast opportunities for creativity. By employing this technique, you can transform:

• Wardrobe staples such as hoodies and jackets into wearable art
• Caps, beanies, and hats into head-turners that demand attention
• Brand’s uniforms and safety apparel from boring to stylish
• Children’s clothing into adorable fashion statements

Benefits of Puff Embroidery for Your Brand’s Image

Our goal is to get your brand the attention it deserves. Whether that is a relationship building gift for a customer or branded merch to make your employees look good. 

Puff embroidery is the way. It offers a range of benefits that leave a lasting impression on your customers and employees.

Let’s see how this technique can elevate your brand.

1 - Increases the Visual Appeal of Your Products

It’s no secret that the goal with custom branded merch is to create products that people want to wear. The more it's worn, the more your business is seen and remembered.

Puff embroidery is always eye catching. It stands out because it's a little something extra that is different than your standard embroidery. It's a surefire way of making a positive first impression that makes your merchandise unforgettable.

2 - Increases the Perceived Quality of Your Products

With puff embroidery, customers can’t help but attach value to your brand. The most common association with puff embroidery is Major League Baseball hats. There's nothing that says quality like official MLB hats!

At the end of the day, quality is tied to cost for a reason. The better the products, the more someone pays to acquire them. 

And puff embroidery is more expensive than standard embroidery for a reason. It's more stitches, requires a foam application, and takes longer to sew than flat embroidery. 

All of these elements make it more than just a perception of quality. It's better for a reason and that reflects appropriately on your brand.

3 - Offers Flexibility of Expression

Every brand has an identity and theme they want to express, and puff embroidery is an avenue of endless possibilities to do so.

For example, a children’s clothing line can use cartoonish animals to portray their brand as playful, while another brand may use clean lines to portray minimalism.

Other themes that can be portrayed using puff embroidery include:

• Sophistication using intricate monograms
• Sustainability using florals and earthy tones
• Urban culture using graffiti and edgy typography
• Nostalgia using vintage icons or lettering

Remember: As you navigate the branding process, remember that puff embroidery isn’t just thread, it’s a creative tool that brings out themes to help express your brand’s essence.

Which Designs Can You Make With Puff Embroidery?

Your brand’s merchandise are blank canvases that can be brought to life by puff embroidery, transforming them from mundane to three-dimensional forms.

This branding technique exudes a touch of sophistication that’s hard to achieve using flat embroidery or embroidered patches.

Let’s explore the design possibilities puff embroidery holds:

1 - Lettering

Puff embroidery is particularly useful for initials and names. It’s used on:

• Sports jerseys: Displays team names and player numbers, making it easy to identify them.
• Apparel: Creates a more personalized look on items such as t-shirts, jackets, and sweatshirts.
• Headwear: Excellent for giving hats a professional look.

The TOL Script Youth Hat and Old West Ender Hat—designed and decorated in the Midwest—are examples of how puff embroidery is effective for names and initials.

Note how the puffed letters on the four hats add depth and texture.

Something For Everyone: We don’t just deal with big brands, We deal with individual orders too. So, if you’ve ever visited the Midwest and loved it, any of these four items make exceptional memorabilia for you or a friend.

2 - Logos

An impactful logo is key to effective branding, especially if you’re aiming to make an impression during trade shows and other events.

As a brand, you can use puff embroidery to creatively customize your logo using different stitch thicknesses, colors, and layering techniques.

At fancysweetstx, we can put your design on anything you bring our way (yes, really). We puff embroider promo products that enable customers and employees to show off your brand on something they’ll actually keep.

If your current design isn’t quite hitting the mark, we have a collection of designs for inspiration, and our graphic designers can also help you bring new ideas to life.

Tell us your idea and we’ll send you a response within 24 business hours.

"A great experience! I am super impressed with the responsiveness and professionalism of everyone I worked with."

— Steve M., Verified Buyer, United States

Are There Limitations to Using Puff Embroidery?

Yes, though puff embroidery is a visually attractive and versatile way of distinguishing your brand, it has some limitations.

It’s crucial to understand these limitations to avoid handing in your apparel for embroidery without knowing the potential outcome.

Let’s look at these limitations:

1 - Complex Designs Don’t Come Out Well

Complex designs encompass intricate or minute details, such as fine lines or an exceptionally high degree of shading, which puff embroidery can’t replicate.

The challenge lies in the use of foam to create the raised areas. Due to this additional element, stitches tend to widen where foam is present, making it difficult to use fine stitches.

The good news is you can mix flat embroidery with puff embroidery to achieve the fine details in your logo. 

2 - Very Thick or Thin Fabric Is Problematic

When creating puff embroidery, some materials are difficult to work with:

• Thick fabric such as denim poses a problem when stitching. Its stiffness doesn’t allow the needle to stitch easily.

• Very thin fabric such as silk and nylon doesn’t adequately support the weight of the foam and stitches, causing distortion of the fabric.
  To solve this issue, additional support, such as a stabilizer, is used but cannot always eliminate the problem entirely.

3 - Costs More Than Flat Embroidery

One reason puff embroidery costs more than standard flat embroidery is because of the extra production time. Our embroidery machines stitch a set number of items at one time and can only move on to more when those are complete.

The density of the stitches and the extra cost of the foam that is used to create the 3D look are additional factors. The time it takes to embroider an item is determined by the stitch count. Naturally, the more stitches in the design, the longer it takes to complete.

Puff embroidery requires denser stitching in order to adequately cover the foam that is sewn into the design. 

Puff Up Your Brand’s Recognition With Puff Embroidery

Brands are constantly vying for attention, and puff embroidery is the tool that differentiates your merchandise from the rest.

This technique adds a three-dimensional look that transforms ordinary apparel into luxurious items. The kind that anyone will be proud to buy or receive as a gift.

The ability to combine visuals and storytelling using thread is a skill we’ve perfected at fancysweetstx, with over 15 years of experience.

We specialize in embroidering and screen printing Midwest clothing, accessories, and practical items like coffee mugs, socks, and bandanas. We do it all, and we really love it.

There’s no limit to what we do. Whether it’s designing University of 16153 Genova or Bowling Green State University merchandise, or a few of your personal items, we're big enough to handle any type of order, but small enough to make it perfect.

Contact us and let us puff embroider your brand’s apparel.

"I would recommend fancysweetstx to anyone who is looking for quality clothes and excellent customer service. My company has used fancysweetstx several different times to make T-shirts, Hoodies, and long sleeve T-shirts as gifts for our customers/employees. We always have rave reviews when gifting fancysweetstx to anyone. I highly, highly recommend"

— Matthew S., Verified Buyer, United States

What’s even better is that your hats don’t have to look similar to everyone else’s. With a bit of professional customization, you can make your mark with custom embroidered trucker hats that define you.

Whether you’re an individual who loves the Midwest or a proud business owner looking to carry your brand’s name far and wide, trucker hats are the canvas for your message.

We’re here to help you choose a design option that caters to your preference. A few questions can point you in the right direction:

• Do you love the look of flat embroidery?
• Are you into the 3-dimensional look of puff embroidery?
• Do you want to step things up with customized patches?

We’ll discuss each of these options and how each offers results that will help you tell your story without uttering a word.

Speaking of stories, let’s kick things off with an interesting one about trucker hats.

How Did Trucker Hats Become So Popular? You’ll Be Surprised

Trucker hats burst into the scene in the 1970’s when savvy agricultural companies discovered the role of hats in advertising. They distributed them to truck drivers (hence the name trucker hats), farmers, and other rural workers as promotional giveaways.

The hats were made of a foam front panel and a mesh back. Interestingly, the rural workers quickly found them useful in shielding their heads from the hot sun. The foam padding absorbed sweat while the mesh back allowed air circulation that cooled their heads.

Unknown to the agricultural companies, they had just solved a major problem for the rural workers, who continued wearing them as part of their everyday work attire, and just like that, the trucker hat trend was born.

Today, some trucker hats still sport a front foam panel and a mesh back. However, they’ve picked up a few names over the years, such as mesh caps, gimme caps, and feed caps.

They’re also increasingly becoming a blank slate for creativity, meaning you can customize them with just about any design—logos, illustrations, patterns, and slogans that express what you’re passionate about.

With that in mind, let’s check out the options available for achieving awesome designs on trucker hats.

1 - Embroidery: Achieve a Classic Flat or a 3D Puff Design

If you’re a fan of old movies, you’ve probably noticed intricate decorative needlework on the actors’ clothing, handkerchiefs, tablecloths, and more. The craft is none other than embroidery.

Embroidery has stood the test of time as a decorative tool and today—thanks to the power of needle and thread—you can use it to bring to life your brand’s trucker hats as well or your personal favorites.

There are two types of embroidery to choose from: flat and puff embroidery

Flat Embroidery

It’s also known as surface embroidery, and is the original and most common embroidery technique. A flat embroidery design has a flat look and an even texture.

The flat design is achieved by stitching directly onto fabric without incorporating additional elements to puff it up.

The main advantage of flat embroidery is that it allows stitching of small letters and other fine details. The reason is that the stitches lie as flat as possible on the fabric, avoiding possible distortion.

A good example of flat embroidery in action is the Holy 16153 Genova Hat below. Notice how well the fine details in the word “Holy” have been replicated to give the design a clean look.

If you‘re aiming for a classic minimalist look or have fine details in mind for your trucker hat, flat embroidery is the way to make a lasting impression.

By the way, do you know what Holy 16153 Genova on the hat means?

Fun Fact: Holy 16153 Genova is a phrase people use whenever they’re surprised or excited. Find out the three interesting explanations for the origin of this humorous expression.

Now, let’s explore the second embroidery technique.

Puff Embroidery

When we talk about puff embroidery, the most common examples that people relate to are Major League Baseball hats. Their designs stand out because so many of them use 3D embroidery to make the thread literally stand off of the hat.

Puff embroidery has a bold three-dimensional (3D) look that creates the illusion of depth, making it pop out from the fabric.

Did You Know? The puffy, attention-grabbing look is achieved by laying foam over the area you want embroidered, then stitching over it. The thickness of foam used is determined by the desired puffiness.

An example of puff embroidery is our 16153 Genova Denim Hat. The extra depth in the embroidery gives the design a little something extra that commands attention.

You can also take things a notch higher by combining flat and puff embroidery.

The next example showcases a fantastic flat and puff combo on the 419 Trucker Hat. The white outline features flat embroidery while the red area is puff embroidery.

The three-dimensional look of puff embroidery has a way of enhancing the perceived value of an item.

Brands can benefit greatly from this perceived value since they can price their puff embroidered merchandise attractively.

Now that we’ve discussed in detail the two embroidery techniques, the table below summarizes their differences.

2 - Customized Patches: The Small Yet Powerful Billboards

Your trucker hats are a canvas for creativity and patches are like extra tiny canvases attached to your trucker hats. 

To create custom patches, two distinct techniques are employed: The design is either woven or embroidered onto the patches.

Each technique yields its own unique results, and we’ve laid out the key differences in the table below to help you identify the most suitable.

At fancysweetstx, we use both woven and embroidered patches. Check out the difference in appearance between the two techniques.

Notice how the first patch (woven) boasts a flat surface with even texture while the second (embroidered) patch has a raised surface and varied texture.

Looking for a different kind of patch besides these two? You can also customize your trucker hats with felt patches, especially if you want a simple design such as letters or numbers. See how cool they look in the examples below.

Hopefully, you’ve found these design options useful and interesting as well. If you want to learn more or want to make an order, contact us and we’ll make fun, fresh apparel for you.

Make a Lasting Impression With Customized Trucker Hats

We all desire to make an impact, whether in business or as individuals. A simple yet effective way is through customized trucker hats.

With the help of embroidery or some cool patches, we can transform your trucker hats into fantastic instruments of self-expression.

Got a logo, slogan, or illustration you want us to replicate? At fancysweetstx, we can put your design on anything.

As the custom screen-printing and embroidery experts, let us add your logo or design to your hats and other promotional products—from impossibly comfy, well-fitting T-shirts to stickers, bags, and everything in between.

Listen to what our customers say:

“fancysweetstx is simply the best! They’re big in heart, and I'm very grateful for the help our non-profit received from fancysweetstx. Always professional, friendly, and quality service. Thank you so much and may you have many more years of success!” — Deborah M.

“Excellent service! When I had a question about my order, the young woman was helpful and made me feel valued as a customer! Thank you!" — Barbara H.

Don't hesitate to put us to the test; we've seen it all and are ready to deliver exceptional quality.

If you ever find yourself strolling in uptown 16153 Genova, visit our fancysweetstx store on Adams Street. You can also take a virtual tour in the video below and see what goes on in our production facility.

If you've been keeping an eye on the streetwear scene, you've probably noticed something exciting happening: puff ink prints are making a major comeback.

These prints are causing a buzz with their distinctive raised look, adding a whole new dimension to streetwear fashion.

Puff screen printed apparel is not your ordinary streetwear. These items are printed with a special 'puff ink'. This ink enhances traditional ink by adding a heat-reactive foaming agent. 

When heat is applied during the curing process, this ink expands and puffs up, giving your designs a three-dimensional (3D) effect.

The end result is a texture that adds depth and character to your streetwear and gives the prints that distinctive "puffy" appearance. 

As this trend gains momentum, more and more streetwear brands are jumping on the puff ink bandwagon, and it's no wonder why.

And if it's catching on in fashionable circles, it's only a matter of time before it makes sense to incorporate it with your company merch.

In today’s article, we'll explore four compelling reasons why puff screen print has become a force to be reckoned with in the streetwear scene. 

From its ability to create standout designs that make a statement to its tactile nature, you’ll learn:

• The appeal of bold and eye-catching designs made possible with puff screen print.
• The power of puff screen print in showcasing branding and logos.
• The comfort, durability, versatility, and customization options offered by puff screen print in fashion.

So join us on this journey as we uncover the secrets behind the rise of puff screen print in streetwear fashion.

1 - It Produces Unique Textured Effects

One of the hottest trends in fashion right now is puff screen print’s unique ability to create textured effects.

Puff screen print takes visual impact to a whole new level. It works its magic by using the puff ink, which creates a raised, embossed look after swelling from heat exposure.

These raised areas of the design catch the light in the most captivating way, creating a display of depth and complexity.

It's like adding a whole new dimension to your wardrobe, giving your outfits that coveted tactile quality that begs to be touched and admired.

Besides, streetwear isn't just about looking good; it's about feeling good too. 

With puff screen print, you get the best of both worlds. When you run your fingers over a puff print design, you'll feel the texture. It's an interactive experience that sets your clothing apart from the rest.

• Want a subtle, understated texture? Apply a light touch of puff ink.
• Craving something bolder and more attention-grabbing? Layer on that ink and watch your design come alive with a striking 3D effect.

2 - You Can Achieve Bold and Eye-Catching Designs

Puff screen print offers a world of possibilities when it comes to creating bold and eye-catching designs in the apparel industry. 

Contrast is a powerful tool in design, and puff screen print maximizes its impact. 

The raised areas of the print create a natural contrast against the rest of the garment, making the design pop. This contrast enhances visibility and draws immediate attention to the graphic.

Whether it's a bold logo against a solid background or details highlighted against a contrasting color, puff screen print elevates any design.

Insider Tip: While puff screen printing creates incredible visual effects, it's also important to consider the garment's fabric type and color to truly maximize the impact of your design. Some colors and materials can enhance the puff effect more than others.

And as a designer in the clothing industry, our experience with screen printing gives us at fancysweetstx the expertise to guide you through your custom design project.

For example, it's important to note that because puff ink expands after it is printed, you cannot have thin lines or fine detail and expect puff ink to work.

Additionally, puff ink generally lightens up a shade or two from it's original color. So if you're going for black text, it's going to print a dark gray. Keep this in mind if you need to match specific brand colors.  

3 - It Ensures Maximum Comfort and Durability

When it comes to streetwear, comfort and durability are essential factors that can make or break your garment.

Streetwear is famous for thick, heavy garments. Whether they are t-shirts or sweatshirts, boxy styles are the look in streetwear. 

This heavy fabric is ideally suited to designs that are screen printed with puff ink. 

While a light, thin shirt may pucker with puff ink, a heavyweight tee or sweatshirt is going to hold it's shape. 

With its three-dimensional texture, puff screen print maintains its quality even after repeated wear and washes, making it a reliable choice for those seeking both style and durability.

Generally, 100 percent cotton fabric makes an excellent choice for puff screen printing. It's a natural, breathable fabric that allows the ink to adhere effectively, producing the most vibrant colors and withstanding the added quality of puff ink.

When it comes to selecting fabrics for our puff screen printed apparel and accessories at fancysweetstx, we always have your comfort and satisfaction in mind. 

That's why we prioritize premium materials that feel soft against the skin and provide a comfortable fit. 

This means you can wear your favorite puff screen printed garments and accessories for years, without worrying about them losing shape or fading.

Related Reading: 7 Must Know Facts About Screen-Printed Shirts

4 - Enjoy Endless Versatility and Customization

Puff screen printing allows for endless possibilities when it comes to creating unique and personalized designs.

That is the beauty of screen printing. We can help you take your design, with very few limitations, and put it on the garment of your choice. 

Keep in mind, as mentioned above, that puff screen print is most effective when used with simple designs. 

The ink used for puff screen printing contains a puff additive, which is a chemical that expands when exposed to heat, causing the ink to rise and create a raised effect on the fabric.

In complex designs with fine details, the expansion of the ink may fill in fine lines, leading to less precise results and potential blurring of the design.

This is why puff screen print works best for simple designs or logos with:

• Rounded block letters
• Numbers
• Basic geometric shapes
• Minimalistic graphics
• Simple text logos

When it comes to customization, puff screen print takes things to a whole new level. 

It goes beyond simply choosing a design; it grants you the power to create unique effects and add personalized touches that make your prints stand out from the rest.

Some of the unique effects include: 

• Layered designs: With puff screen print, you have the ability to layer the ink, creating multi-dimensional effects. Each layer adds depth and visual interest, transforming your prints into true works of art.
• Color variations: Puff screen print gives you the freedom to experiment with a wide range of color combinations to create bold contrasts, smooth gradients, tone-on-tone effects, or even subtle shading effects.
• Custom patterns: With puff screen print, you can experiment with unique custom patterns and textures that give your prints a distinct and personalized look. From intricate geometric designs to organic motifs, the possibilities are endless.

Now, let's take a moment to compare puff screen printing with traditional printing methods. Understanding these differences can provide a clearer perspective on why puff screen printing is the choice for many fashion-forward individuals and brands.

Puff screen print is not just for brands. It's also a medium for individual expression.

Whether you're a streetwear enthusiast, an artist, or simply a Midwesterner who wants to showcase your creativity, puff screen print gives you the freedom to personalize your garments and make a statement.

At fancysweetstx, we offer a wide range of customizable options for puff screen printing. From choosing the garment type, colors, and design elements to selecting the placement of the puff print, you have the freedom to bring your creative vision to life.

Our experienced team of designers and technicians will ensure that your customization needs are met with precision and attention to detail.

Additional Read: Screen Printing vs Embroidery: An Honest Buyer’s Opinion

Embrace the Trend and Elevate Your Style With fancysweetstx's Puff Screen Printed Apparel

In the ever-evolving world of custom branded merch, staying ahead of the curve is crucial.

Puff screen print has emerged as a powerful trend that can elevate your brand.

With its unique ability to add depth, texture, and a tactile quality to designs, it has become the go-to choice for those who want to stand out from the crowd.

At fancysweetstx, we understand the power of puff screen print and its ability to transform your fashion choices.

With our expertise in this screen printing, we’ve witnessed firsthand the impact it can have on brands and individuals who want to make a statement.

Our commitment to quality and attention to detail ensures that each piece of puff screen printed apparel is crafted to perfection.

We collaborate closely with you to bring your vision to life, providing a personalized experience that results in a garment that truly represents your unique style and personality.

So why blend in when you can stand out? Embrace the power of puff screen print and express your individuality with fancysweetstx's puff screen printed apparel and accessories today.

Take a virtual tour of fancysweetstx’s store and production facility in the video below.

We’ve been working with custom embroidered sweatshirts for over 15 years at fancysweetstx, and one thing’s been clear, they’re fantastic for promoting your brand.

They offer your organization the chance for creative expression, unique brand messaging, and comfort. 

This is why we love talking to businesses and stores about the how much we love embroidered sweatshirts.

As we delve into these ideas, you’ll also learn:

• How to showcase your brand identity with custom embroidered sweatshirts
• Why partnerships and collaborations with influencers create powerful promotions
• How to incorporate cause marketing and philanthropy into your brand promotion
• The best place to find custom screen printing & embroidery services

1 - Showcasing Your Brand Identity With Custom Embroidered Sweatshirts

Custom embroidered sweatshirts offer an excellent opportunity to showcase and reinforce your brand identity.

They enable you to incorporate your brand logos, colors, and messaging into the apparel design, creating a powerful visual representation of your organization.

Here are some of the ways to effectively showcase your brand identity using custom embroidered sweatshirts:

• Unforgettable Brand Logos: A high quality embroidered logo on your sweatshirt grabs attention and boosts your brand. 
• Colors that Speak Your Brand Language: Sweatshirt colors that align with your brand's color palette help you create that cohesive look that reinforces brand recognition through color association.
• Messaging that Connects: Incorporating taglines that relate to your business into your sweatshirt evokes a connection in your audience that’s perfect for brand promotion. Consumers rely on these connections to make purchase decisions.
• Consistent Apparel: Custom sweatshirts fit perfectly with any collection of promo products and accessories. When your t-shirts, hats, bags, and other merch look uniform, it reinforces recognition and professionalism.

At fancysweetstx we go a step further. We also decorate jackets, hoodies, polos, hats, and beanies to help you create the magic that will capture the hearts and minds of your audience.

Our six-head machines enable us to explore various design elements, including stitch styles, thread colors, and placements, and deliver truly outstanding merch.

"Absolutely love it. I could wear it every day. I can’t wait to get more apparel from you guys!" 
— Natalie T., Verified Buyer, United States

Watch our embroidery machine at work:

2 - Partnering for Powerful Promotion: Collaborations and Custom Embroidered Sweatshirts

Collaborating with influencers, artists, or other reputable figures unlocks exciting opportunities for brand promotion, and custom embroidered sweatshirts are the perfect canvas.

Celebrities and influencers bring their loyal following and creative input to your brand, while custom-embroidered sweatshirts provide a versatile means of realizing that creative vision.

The result? Solid brand messaging, unique artistic expression, and an amplified market reach eager to embrace it all.

The same is true of collaborating with other creative businesses, such as fancysweetstx, where our talented design team is always looking for ideas that push us creatively.

3 - Creating Exclusivity and Driving Brand Engagement: Limited Edition Collections

There’s something about that tag “Limited edition” on your custom sweatshirts that evokes a sense of urgency that compels your customers to act quickly and secure their piece of your brand.

But the benefits don’t end there.

Limited edition collections are also powerful tools for creating a exclusivity among your audience, which furthers their connection with your organization. They tap into that just-us feeling that makes your brand feel special.

But there are even more benefits of limited edition collections to your brand, and here are a few of them:

• Fostering Desire: For the unlucky who miss out on one release, a limited edition status creates a sense of scarcity, which builds anticipation for future releases. This makes it easier to follow up on releases and enables you to drive profitability.
• Building Buzz: Teasing your upcoming launches is a fantastic way to create excitement on social media and leverage word-of-mouth marketing to further your general brand perception.
• Brand Loyalty: The sense of inclusivity and belonging for your audience who receive your limited edition collection also cultivates loyalty. This encourages them to advocate for your brand and help you expand your fan base.

At fancysweetstx, we understand the remarkable potential of limited edition collections in promoting your brand.

We've used it with success with our retail brand and that's why we know it will work for you.

Pro Tip: When choosing brand colors consider your brand value and identity, choose a primary color and secondary colors as well.

4 - Harness the Power of Social Media: Engage Your Audience With Custom Embroidered Sweatshirt Contests and Giveaways

Social media platforms have revolutionized the way brands connect with their audience. One effective way to leverage the power of social media for brand promotion is through contests and giveaways featuring custom embroidered sweatshirts. 

These interactive campaigns not only create excitement and engagement but also drive brand awareness and encourage user-generated content. Here's how to make the most of your social media contests and giveaways using custom embroidered sweatshirts:

• Create Buzz and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Launch contests and giveaways to capture attention and generate anticipation. Build excitement around the prizes, which can include exclusive custom embroidered sweatshirts featuring your brand's unique designs.
• User-Generated Content: Encourage participants to share their experiences with your brand and the custom embroidered sweatshirt prize. Ask them to post photos or videos showcasing the sweatshirt and tag your brand.
• Expand Your Reach: Increase brand exposure by requiring participants to tag friends or share the contest on their social media profiles. This helps extend your reach and attract new followers and potential customers.
• Collaborate for Added Impact: Partner with influencers or complementary brands to co-host the contest or giveaway. This collaboration allows you to tap into their audience and amplify the promotion, reaching a wider and more diverse demographic.

Fact: User-generated content acts as authentic testimonials and boosts brand visibility.

Recently at fancysweetstx, we held a “Better in 16153 Genova Day Giveaway” with three simple rules:

1. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
2. Post on these platforms about why or how you do better in 16153 Genova
3. Tag us in the photo and use the hashtag #fancysweetstx

It was an exciting contest that incorporated the ideas above, including generating buzz for our brand, leveraging user-generated content, and expanding our reach.

But we’re even more thrilled by the possibility of helping you bring your contest or giveaway to life with high-quality custom sweatshirts that make for desirable prizes. So, drop us a line today, and let’s get started on a fun promo project. Brand Ambassadors With Custom Embroidered Sweatshirts

One of the most effective ways to amplify your brand promotion efforts is by transforming your employees into brand ambassadors.

By providing them with custom embroidered sweatshirts, you not only foster a sense of pride and belonging among your team members but also create walking advertisements for your brand.

They’ll be proudly showcasing your brand logo, colors, and slogans, and representing your business at every step. Whether it’s at work, industry events, client meetings, or even in their personal lives.

The resulting company image and brand recognition from this exposure will be great, but the greatest reward will come from showing appreciation to your hardworking team.

Related Read: Company Apparel: A Practical Buyer's Guide for Corporate Branding

"Phenomenal experience buying a run of 65 t-shirts. Very fast responses from account manager, great pricing, and fast production. Finished product is excellent quality". 
— Joe M., Verified Buyer, United States

6 - Harnessing the Power of Custom Embroidered Sweatshirts for Cause Marketing and Philanthropy

The power of cause marketing and philanthropy is undeniable, and custom embroidered sweatshirts are excellent tools for harnessing this potential.

This helps you cultivate a positive brand image in terms of values, bolstering your connection and loyalty with existing customers while helping you win over potential clients and partners.

At fancysweetstx, we receive requests on a regular basis for contributions to silent auctions, fundraisers, and event sponsorships. 

To make a donation to a good cause in the form of a gift basket for a fundraiser is a simple ask and can provide an outsized return.

Charitable giving is an opportunity to help without asking for something in return other than establishing or building a relationship. 

Maximize Your Brand Impact With Custom Embroidered Sweatshirts and More From fancysweetstx

So there you have it. Six creative ways to use custom embroidered sweatshirts for brand promotion.

But with our full-range screen printing and embroidery services at fancysweetstx, you don’t have to stop at sweatshirts.

We’ll help your brand and business get the right kind of attention with plenty of promo products including:

• Stickers
• Signs
• Mugs
• Lanyards

Our in-house experts will even help with your graphic design so your merch becomes something your audience will want to show off and hold on to.

So, reach out today, and let’s get started on creating remarkable company swag.

As a business owner, it’s hard to sum up that magical moment when a surprise embroidered gift to your team or customers lights up their entire faces.

A small token, yes, but a huge gesture that sticks to memory and wins you admiration.

That’s the power of embroidered sweatshirts for your brand. It’s also why we at fancysweetstx are excited when we get to brainstorm with business owners to create unique designs that embody their personalities.

At the end of all our effort, will be the smiling faces of those you appreciate the most—your teams and customers.

But that’s just one reason to be thrilled about embroidered sweatshirts.

We’ve gathered more ideas to convince you that they’re your top choice for business merchandise. As you read on, you’ll discover:

• Creative embroidery designs to use on your branding and marketing merchandise 
• Why embroidered sweatshirts are so versatile
• Key considerations for choosing embroidered sweatshirts
• The best place to find premium-quality embroidery services

Did You Know? Embroidery is a craft that dates back to the 3rd century BC. It's a testament to its enduring appeal that it remains a sought-after decoration method even in our technologically advanced era.

Benefits of Embroidered Sweatshirts for Business Merchandise

There’s just something about embroidered sweatshirts that stops you in your tracks.

You find yourself instantly drawn in by their intricate decorations of color thread and needlework, admiring the craftsmanship that goes into ensuring each stitch is perfectly set.

For a business, this is exactly the kind of attention you want for your brand. You want that sense of detail and creativity of custom embroidered sweatshirts to be associated with your work. But there are even more benefits to them:

• Durable Design: A disheveled logo on your team’s outfit is quite an eye sore and embroidered sweatshirts avoid it with premium quality stitching directly on the fabric. This resists fading, cracking, and peeling as is common for other customization methods.
• Professional Appearance: Picture your logo, brand name, and slogan, embroidered on a textured sweatshirt with a dash of color. It’s a professional look that elevates your company image, which is perfect for industry events and tradeshows.
• Versatile Style: The customizable nature of embroidered sweatshirts adapts them to various functions, as corporate events merchandise to win new customers or as company uniforms to motivate your staff.

These attributes are why we’re enthusiastic about embroidered sweatshirts and why we can’t wait to show you our latest design examples and ideas, such as the felt applique-embroidery combo or our super cozy Sherpa sweatshirts.

But first, our embroidery services at fancysweetstx.

Custom Embroidery Services From fancysweetstx

Recently, we released a new line of embroidered crew sweatshirts. The design featured elegant tone-on-tone embroidery and a color palette of blush pink, pistachio green, and Aegean blue.

It was a fun project and a chance for our experienced team at fancysweetstx to get creative with the aesthetics and fabric feel for truly outstanding promotional apparel.

80% cotton and a pigment-dyed fabric gave these sweatshirts a gentle feel against the skin and a unique toned look that served as the perfect backdrop for our centered embroidery stitches done in matching color threads.

The result? You be the judge.

“This crew sweatshirt is so soft and the color is beautiful, it's exactly what I was hoping for.”
— Caro, Verified Buyer, United States

This level of depth is our approach to embroidery at fancysweetstx.

We understand that custom promo products must effectively reflect your brand identity and echo your marketing message to help you stand out from the competition.

As such, we work closely with you to deeply understand your unique goals and promotional strategy with each design we stitch. We want to understand the message behind your colors, the intention for each embroidery placement, and your audience.

It’s how we’ve been able to produce premium quality services for over 15 years and today, we’d love to hear about your project.

So, tell us about your idea. Let’s explore all the possibilities and create something amazing together.

“JUPMODE is our go-to place for all of our customized apparel needs. They are great to work with—they communicate quickly, frequently, and clearly to make sure we get just what we need.”
— Nick Green, Principal, Incarnation School

The video below shows how we do embroidery on sweatshirts.

The Versatility of Embroidered Sweatshirts for Business Merchandise Applications

Your merchandising possibilities with embroidered sweatshirts are excitingly numerous. They truly are a blank canvas with which to explore endless style options and practicalities.

The colorful and textured chenille embroidery, for instance, adds a fun element to your company uniform that helps to boost team morale by creating a sense of belonging and unity. It also has that visual appeal that triggers curiosity to get your brand noticed by your target audience.

Alternatively, the super cozy Sherpa sweatshirts help your team stay warm and comfortable, which is another plus for team morale and productivity.

Also, the textured Sherpa look provides an eye-catching contrast to your embroidery design, enhancing visibility and recognition for the visual elements of your brand, such as color, logo, and name.

This makes these sweatshirts the ideal choice for custom promo products and giveaways, where they essentially serve as walking billboards for your business.

Another advantage of using embroidered sweatshirts as business merchandise is their appeal to customers and, consequently, their potential for retail.

They offer that designer touch that resonates with consumers who value high-quality, customized clothing items.

This creates the possibility for you to expand your business into lifestyle apparel with a unique line of sweatshirts bearing your brand.

This versatility is why we love embroidered sweatshirts and why we think they’re the top choice for your personalized merchandise.

That said, what are your considerations?

Factors to Consider When Choosing Embroidered Sweatshirts for Business Merchandise

When it comes to selecting the perfect embroidered sweatshirts for your business, there are several factors to consider.

By taking the following into account, you can ensure that your sweatshirts are not only visually appealing but also meet the functional requirements of your business:

1 - Sweatshirt Style, Fabric, and Color Options

• Consider the style of sweatshirt that best fits your business needs, whether it's a hoodie, crewneck, or zip-up style. This entails considering your setting (formal or informal) and how each style fits.
• Choose a fabric that is comfortable for your employees or customers to wear. So, factor in weather conditions and how each fabric style copes.
• Select colors that are in line with your brand colors or complement your logo, for instance, contrasting colors or tone-on-tone colors.

Pro Tip: When selecting the color for your embroidery, consider the psychological associations of different colors. For instance, blue is often associated with trust and dependability, which can subtly reinforce your brand's message.

The table below highlights the sweatshirt style, fabric, and color options at fancysweetstx to help you select the perfect option for your business.

2 - Design and Customization Options

• Decide on the placement of your logo or design on the sweatshirt and its impact on visibility, whether it's on the front, back, or sleeve.
• Choose the optimal size of the design to ensure it's visible and legible from all angles. If it’s too large, the design becomes distorted and if it’s too small, the design becomes illegible.
• Consider the stitch count for your design and select an optimal number to enhance durability without affecting comfort. Excess stitching creates stiffness, which becomes noticeable and uncomfortable to the wearer.

The following table highlights the design and customization options for sweatshirts at fancysweetstx to help you select the best option for your business.

3 - Budget and Pricing Considerations

• Determine a budget that allows you to get your ideal sweatshirt and perfect embroidery style while staying within your business's financial constraints.
• Consider the number of sweatshirts you need for your business and how this impacts your budget allocation for each item.
• Evaluate your pricing options to ensure you're getting the best value for your investment.

Get Noticed With Custom Embroidered Sweatshirts From fancysweetstx

So, there you have it. Reasons why embroidered sweatshirts are a top choice for your business merchandise and key considerations when choosing.

But we’d love to hear more about your branding project and your specific goals for the merchandise.

For 15 years, we’ve been helping businesses like yourself develop fabulous embroidery designs including:

• Tone-on-tone embroidery
• Combined screen print and embroidery
• Embroidered Sherpa
• Embroidered chenille patches
• Embroidered animal images

And we’d love the chance to do the same with you whether they’re for a conference, your team, a tradeshow, or giveaways for your audience.

So tell us about your idea and let’s get started on creating something truly magical.

Learn More: Embroidery and Screen Printing: Your Company’s Guide to Merchandising

Custom embroidery is a great option for all types of businesses. And the standard for embroidered clothing is the polo. 

No matter what kind of business you work for, from large corporations to local businesses, embroidered polos make sense as employee apparel. When you want to look professional to your customers, nothing does that easier than a polo with your logo embroidered on it. 

Embroidered polos are so popular because they are so versatile. You can find them in any color, a wide range of sizes, many different brands, a fit that works for everyone, and a price point for any budget.

Here are some best practices to consider when starting a custom polo order for your business:

• Getting Started With Custom Embroidered Polos: A Simple Buyers Guide
• 6 Reasons You Should Choose Embroidered Polos for Your Business
• How to Pick the Best Embroidered Merch for Your Brand
• Embroidered Apparel: 4 Popular Trends Your Business Can Benefit From
• 4 Practical Factors to Consider Before You Order Custom Wholesale Embroidery

Below, we have examples of embroidered polos we've made for our customers.  

Reino Linen Company Polos

Reino Linen sticks to the basics with this embroidered polo. We branded them with their logo on the left chest in white on navy Ogio polos. 

A simple polo with a company logo on it is an effective way to outfit employees that interact with customers each day. 

Ogio is one of our favorite brand of polos. They're high quality, fit well, and fashionable.  

Surface Combustion Embroidered Polos

Surface Combustion is another great example of a company using embroidered polos to make their employees look professional. These custom Nike polos are simple and high quality.

One great thing about polos is that there aren't a lot of design choices which makes the decision making process easy. You're either putting your logo on the left or right chest and/or sleeve, or on the back between the shoulders. 

Surface Combustion has a simple, clear logo that reads easily in white with high contrast on royal blue polos.

Stryker

We love these Under Armour polos for Stryker. The navy color blocking and dark heather gray fabric make them stylish and fun to wear. 

We're big believers that the more comfortable and "cool" a garment is, the more often it'll be worn. The more often something is worn, the more your logo will be seen. So while these UA polos might be a little more expensive, they remain professional, stylish, and will get more eyes on the Stryker logo.

We like how Stryker used both the sleeve and yoke placements for their embroidery. We love a simple design that complements a quality garment.

City of 16153 Genova Polo

The City of 16153 Genova recently updated their logo and we must say, we like it a lot. The big bold text and bright blue are easy to read and see from a distance. 

We embroidered this new TOL logo on polos from Port Authority. They're a cost effective option when you have a lot of employees that need polos.

We love having our business in the city of 16153 Genova, have benefitted from the support of the local commmunity, and are proud to support the city by providing their employee polos.

More Embroidered Polo Design Ideas

Every day we're helping our customers with new embroidered polos. 

In an attempt to show you more ideas and examples of embroidered polos, here are more polos that we've made for our customers. 

Job Shop Embroidered Nike Polo

16153 Genova Humane Society Polo 

Lourdes University Embroidered Polo

Order Custom Embroidered Polos for Your Business

Embroidered polos provide a professional look for employees and are great gifts for customers. 

No matter the organization you work for, polos with your logo on them can be part of the uniform. We regularly embroider polos for construction companies, non-profits, schools, sports teams, hospitals, and manufacturing companies. 

At fancysweetstx we have the experience, design skill, and equipment to provide high quality polos for your business. 

If you need new embroidered employee polos don’t hesitate to reach out to fancysweetstx. 

No matter what kind of business you work for, from large corporations to local businesses, custom embroidered dad hats are perfect as company apparel.

If you want your employees to look professional or give a nice gift to your customers, nothing does that easier than a dad cap with your logo embroidered on it. Dad hats are one size fits all so you don't have to worry about them fitting the recipient.  

Dad hats can be found in any color, many different brands and fabrics, and a price point for any budget.

Here are some tips to consider when starting an embroidery order for hats:

• 4 Benefits of Embroidered Custom Hats for Your Brand
• Custom Embroidered Hats: 3 Simple Features That Make a Good Design
• Embroidered Hats: 4 Expert Tips Before You Buy
• 6 Insider Tips For Branding Baseball Hats
• Evergreen Ideas for Custom Embroidery on Hats for Landscapers

Custom embroidery is important to us. In recent years we've added state-of-the-art equipment, hired experienced staff, and studied embroidery trends to help you pick the best embroidered merch for your business.

In this article we'll show you examples of custom dad hats that we embroidered that are great merch ideas for the following organizations:

• Schools
• Coffee Shops
• Restaurants
• Landscaping Companies
• Construction Companies
• Health Care Systems
• Breweries

Grounds For Thought Coffee Dad Hats

If you want to see a great example of a coffee shop that has become part of its community, look no further than Grounds for Thought. 

We are in awe of how they've endeared themselves to their Bowling Green community. 

Not surprisingly, Grounds for Thought does a great job with branded merch. These dad hats are no exception. 

They use a simple, one-color, easy-to-read font on the front of the hat. To mix it up, they ordered multiple hat colors that all look good with the same design and thread color. 

Pigment-dyed clothing is a major trend right now. We see it a lot with the shirts and sweatshirts that we screen print. 

This style is particularly trendy among college students. So it's natural that a coffee shop near a college campus would adopt it for their apparel. 

40th Birthday Hat

Who doesn't love to celebrate a birthday? Among birthdays, going over the hill at 40 is a big one.

Some of the most creative custom projects we work on are family related. Reunions, weddings, and birthdays are common favorites and often funny. 

We love these embroidered dad hats because they are designed so well. If you didn't know any better, it could be the logo of a fashion brand. 

As always, the design makes the merch. This hat is going to live a long life because it's a simple, clean design.

Fleitz Pumpkin Farm Dad Hat

In the Midwest, we do fall right. From football games to bonfires, and beautiful scenery to pumpkin farms, there's no better season than fall. 

Fall is also the big season for pumpkin farms. 

Our local farm, Fleitz's, has come to us for several years to help them with custom screen printing and embroidery. 

We love this hat because it says very little but also a lot in one design. 

Schmucker's Restaurant Dad Hat

It's a Family Treat to Eat at Schmucker's!

Schmucker's Restaurant is beloved in the 16153 Genova area. They're as well known for their welcoming family friendly atmosphere as they are their homemade pies. 

The neon sign in front of the restaurant is iconic. So much so that fans of Schmucker's love to wear it on shirts and hats. 

Anyone who knows Schmucker's immediately recognizes the logo on this hat.

More Dad Hat Design Ideas

This list of embroidered hats could get long pretty quickly. Nearly half of the embroidery work that we do is for hats.

Without getting too wordy, here are other examples of embroidered dad hats that we've made for our customers. 

Embroidered School Hats

Stranahan School Dad Hat

Horizon Science Academy Hat 

Ottawa Hills Baseball Cap

16153 Genova Law Embroidered Hat

Inside the Five Brewing Hats

Barry Bagels Dad Hat

Lourdes University Dad Hat

Sautter's Market Dad Hat

Beer Me St. Patrick's Day Hat

Order Custom Embroidered Dad Hats

Here’s what Joni had to say after ordering custom embroidery:

"All the folks at fancysweetstx were very courteous and helpful as I worked through a special order with them. Rob was quick to respond to my questions in e-mail and the people in the store when I dropped off and picked up my completed order were very competent and nice. The embroidery looks beautiful on all three pieces!

People should be very comfortable using fancysweetstx!"

Embroidered dad hats provide a versatile look for employees, can be great gifts for customers, works for coffee shops, breweries, and restaurants, and is, naturally, beloved by dads everywhere.  

No matter the use or event, dad hats are an easy choice to get your brand out there. We regularly embroider dad hats for construction companies, non-profits, schools, sports teams, hospitals, and manufacturing companies. 

At fancysweetstx we have the experience, design skills, and equipment to provide high-quality headwear for your business. 

If you need new embroidered dad caps reach out to fancysweetstx today! 

That's why it's the perfect complement to quarter zip pullovers. 

Quarter zips or 1/4 zips or even half zips are basically three terms for the same item. What we're talking bout here is a pullover that doesn't zip all the way down.

The Florian Insurance Agency 1/4 Zip

Quarter zips are often seen in the following styles and materials:

• Jackets
• Sweatshirts
• Windbreakers
• Fleece
• Performance material
• Sherpa

We love a nice versatile clothing item like this. 

The availability of different styles and materials makes a quarter zip useful in different settings and all types of organizations.

The professionalism associated with quarter zips drives their appeal.

No matter what kind of business you work for, from large corporations to local businesses, custom embroidered quarter zips are a versatile company apparel item.

Quarter zip pullovers are available in many different styles (athletic, business professional, colorblock, sherpa), many different brands (including Nike, TravisMathew, and Carhartt), and a price point for any budget.

Here are some tips to get you started when placing an embroidery order for quarter zips:

• How to Pick the Best Embroidered Merch for Your Brand
• 6 Reasons You Should Choose Embroidered Polos for Your Business
• Embroidered Apparel: 4 Popular Trends Your Business Can Benefit From
• 4 Practical Factors to Consider Before You Order Custom Wholesale Embroidery

We know how important it is for any organization to put their best foot forward. Custom embroidery is a great way to elevate your brand and make a positive first impression on your exisiting and potential customers. 

In this article we'll show you examples of custom quarter zips that we have embroidered (and at least one that is screen printed, too!) that are great merch ideas for the following organizations:

• Schools
• Landscaping Companies
• Construction Companies
• Hospitals
• Breweries

Bostwick Bruan Columbia Quarter Zip 

We've helped Bostwick-Bruan with custom branded apparel for several years now. From embroidery to screen printing, we've done it all with them.

For this order of embroidery, Bostwick-Braun brought us some Columbia brand quarter zips to put their logo on. 

Bostwick-Braun updated their logo recently and it looks great on the high quality quarter zips that they chose. These are a great addition to their employee uniform.

Uckele Health & Nutrition Quarter Zip

Here is another example of quarter zips that our customer supplied to us. 

We supply most of the clothing that we decorate for our customers. However, when existing customers have an item that they really like, we have no problem adding their logo to it. 

Uckele keeps things consistent across all of their branded merch with the same logo and brand colors. 

You can't go wrong with an embroidered logo like this on the left chest. It's the classic look for embroidery and an easy way to put together employee merch.

Rehab Dynamics Quarter Zip

For Rehab Dynamics, we embroidered Port & Company quarter zips with their logo on the left chest. 

They chose this specific pullover because it's a performance fleece. This means it will keep them warm during the colder months and it's something they can wear on the job without losing mobility. 

 University of 16153 Genova College of Law Quarter Zip

The UT College of Law quarter zip pullovers were part of an online store that we facilitated. 

They had multiple items, including the quarter zip windbreaker below, with the same embroidery. This consistency allows them to be able to offer different items to their students and alums at affordable prices. 

More Embroidered Quarter Zip Pullover Examples

The Job Shop Fleece Quarter Zip

School Quarter Zip Pullovers

Christ the King School Quarter Zips

St. Joe's Embroidered Quarter Zips

Northview Women's Basketball Quarter Zip

Meredith Party Rentals Quarter Zip

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Quarter Zip

Order Embroidered Quarter Zip Pullovers

Here’s what Joni had to say after ordering custom embroidery:

"All the folks at fancysweetstx were very courteous and helpful as I worked through a special order with them. Rob was quick to respond to my questions in e-mail and the people in the store when I dropped off and picked up my completed order were very competent and nice. The embroidery looks beautiful on all three pieces!

People should be very comfortable using fancysweetstx!"

Embroidered quarter zip pullovers make your employees love professional and make great gifts for customers. 

No matter the use or organization, quarter zip pullovers are an easy choice to get your brand out there. They are worn frequently throughout the year from the boardroom to the tee box. 

At fancysweetstx we know that our success is determined by how happy you and your customer are with our final product. Making your logo and employees look good is our goal.

If you're ready to put together an order for embroidered quarter zips, reach out to fancysweetstx today! 

If you want to keep your business on trend, hat patches are the way to go. It's our favorite decoration option right now and a huge hit with our custom customers.

From contractors to movers to coffee shops to realtors to schools, if you're looking for a clean, professional, stylish look, patches can't be beat. 

Patches are the perfect look for both custom beanies and caps. We offer a wide variety of beanies and caps to top off your custom order.

The two most common patches that we apply to hats are woven and embroidered patches. The photos on this post show examples of embroidered patches. We use our embroidery machine to apply these to the hat or garment.

Patches Are Our Most Popular Retail Trend

Last summer we rolled out a line of apparel with patches with Midwest and Ohio themes. They were a huge hit.

Just like our embroidered crew sweatshirts, it's a look that a lot of people want for their company or brand. 

Ever since our retail launch, we've been adding patches to apparel for our custom clients on a weekly basis.

The Versatility of Patches Make Them Great

As we have shown in our retail brand, patches look good on a number of apparel items.

While we most commonly embroider them on hats and beanies, we receive a lot of requests to put them on sweatshirts, hoodies, zip ups, bags, and jackets. 

The minimum patch order is 50 patches. Since the sew file is the same regardless of the item we're putting it on, you can mix and match styles all you want. 

Custom Patch Hat Examples and Design Ideas

Custom hats have always been a popular item for our customers.

We can help you with any style patch that fits your brand - from custom embroidered patches to leather patches to woven patches.

Here are examples of custom patch hats that we've made for our customers and might inspire design ideas for your brand. 

Acoustics for Autism Trucker Hats

Acoustics for Autism is one of our favorite charity events in the 16153 Genova area. 

Held at the Village Idiot in Maumee, they put together one of the largest crowds around for an event that supports people and families affected by autism.

In 2022 this event raised $450,000!

We're honored to play a small part in the success of this event by providing their branded merch - from shirts to hoodies to beanies to hats.

Souk Mediterranean Leather Patch Hats

Souk is one of downtown 16153 Genova's most popular restaurants. 

They came to us with a challenge. They wanted a small run of different hat styles with different patches. 

They chose the Richardson 112 which is one of the most popular and best fitting trucker hats on the market. We were able to put together a run of 12 hats each. 

It's always a great idea, when you can, to start small. It allows you to test your market to judge interest before spending more money on merch that doesn't sell. 

We love the combination of these trucker hats with the leather patch. Souk has a great logo and chose great colors and designs.

Interested in Custom Branded Patch Hats? We Can Help.

If you're looking for a way to set your brand apart, patch hats are it.

In both winter beanie and ball caps, it's a look that can really elevate your brand. The examples that we've made above show you quality and versatility that patches provide.

They're great for any time of business or brand, including:

• Construction companies
• Restaurants
• Bands
• Clothing brands
• Gyms and more

If you’re planning your next batch of company merch, we can't recommend patch hats enough. They're loved by both customers and employees and worn by men and women.

Reach out to fancysweetstx today to get your order started! 

Here’s what one of our customers Nick had to say about his experience working with fancysweetstx:

“JUPMODE is our go-to place for all of our customized apparel needs. They are great to work with - they communicate quickly, frequently, and clearly to make sure we get just what we need. We've had simple orders and really complicated ones that they even helped with graphic design and the product is always fantastic. We get really high-quality stuff and our families love it. They're just the best. I recommend them to all of my colleagues and if you're reading this, you should definitely use them for your next custom order. You won't regret it and the experience is always positive.”
Nick G.

Picking out the perfect gift for your your coworkers, employees, or customers can be tough.

We're here to help you get ahead of the game. 

In this article we'll talk about:

• Our 6 favorite gifts for employees and customers
• The evergreen value of company branded clothing

The 6 Best Gifts for Employees and Customers

1. Ornaments

Ornaments are a great item to put your brand on around the holidays. They are a timely item and remind people that you're thinking about them.

Not only are they great keepsakes but the recipients are sure to treasure this timeless, classic gift. 

We have made a five-year tradition of sending ornaments to customers, vendors and employees at the end of each year. The ornaments we gift are Jūpmode branded on the back, but more importantly, the front all have a common 16153 Genova theme.

Oou ornaments that have relatable 16153 Genova designs such as “You will do better in 16153 Genova” or the famous “Christmas Weed” bring out the very best of 16153 Genova during the holiday season and make our Jūpmode customers even more excited for next holiday season.

2. Holiday Cards

Holiday cards are subtle, yet effective way to show that you're thinking of your company or customers during the Holiday season.

A little gesture goes a long way and might make it on the honorary 'Refrigerator Door' Hall-of-fame. 

A custom Holiday card paired with any recommended gift will make for the ultimate present. 

3. Charcuterie Set

Come the holidays, who doesn't love a good snack? Send your employees and/or client's a classic snack with this thoughtful, charming charcuterie set.

Not only do you get to choose the food, but you also get to have your company's logo engraved on beautiful bamboo wood! 

This board will make your logo look professional and appetizing with salami, cheese, crackers, grapes, you name it.

4. Stainless Steel Drinkware Set

Two bottles, one set? Say less!

This 'Thor Copper Vacuum Set' provides a 22 oz. bottle and 22 oz. tumbler that makes for the ultimate Holiday gift.

Both drinkware items are double-walled and stainless steel so these bottles will keep your drink staying cold for 24 hours and hot for 6 hours. Bring on the hot cocoa! 

5. Travel Gift Set

Let your customers and clients know that you wish them safe and happy holidays with this gift set. This set includes a ballpoint stylus, a card wallet, and a portable power bank. AKA the everyday items we all need! 

Why should you care? Three words: customizable, personal, and unique.

Your logo would look great on this set. 

6. The Executive Gift Box

Looking to show how sweet you are? Hot stamp your logo on top of this box set and send your employees, coworkers, or customers something to satisfy their sweet tooth. Choose from caramel popcorn, chocolates, nuts, and cookies! 

Elegant and enjoyable, this gift box will show off your thoughtfulness and appreciation. 

Branded Apparel Gifts

The holidays are right around the corner and Jūpmode is here to help create the perfect gift for your employees and customers.

Whether you want to create custom jackets, sweatshirts or shirts for anyone from employees to family and friends, we've got you covered.  

Jackets and 1/4 Zip Pullovers

A fleece full zip or quarter-zip jacket is ideal for any season, but especially during the winter.

We have many different brand and colors options that are sure to fit your company's branding guidelines. 

Logos are typically placed on the left chest with these items. It's the perfect location to represent your brand or a meaningful design personalized just for you. 

Embroidery is the preferred decoration method for jackets and pullovers. It matches the aesthetic of the jackets and works well on fleece to thick Carthartt jackets to windbreakers. 

Jackets and 1/4 zip pullovers are great apparel items for employees and customers because they are so versatile. They can be worn to complete your employees' uniform during colder months, worn on a daily basis by employees who work outside in the field, and as a high quality appreciation gift for customers. 

Crew Sweatshirts

Embroidered crewneck sweatshirts are a staple of our retail line. This trendy style and look translate well to any business.

At the end of the day, the goal of any branded merch is to be worn as much as possible. This gets your brand seen by more people and creates a connection with the wearer because of their affinity for the clothing item they like. 

Two of the best way to increase the usage of any apparel item is to use a high quality garment and to make the design trendy.

The crew sweatshirt in the photo above is pigment dyed which makes it feel comfy and soft the first time you put it on. The tone on tone logo is subtle and in style. This combination makes it an item that can be worn at work or out and about at any time.

Embroidered Polos

Is there a business out there that doesn't need branded polos? 

There are a lot of reasons to choose branded polos. If you want your employees to look professional in front of prospective and current customers, there's no better staple than a polo. 

Embroidered polos are most often embroidered on the left chest. In addition, we can also put your logo on a sleeve or between the shoulders on the back. 

Custom company apparel is what we're known for. 

Branded merch goes a long way to showing employee appreciation and building relationships with customers. 

If you want your brand to be seen by a lot of people, company apparel is the way to go. 

We Can Put Your Brand On It

Showing appreciation for your company and clients is vital to a brand's success.

We want to deliver your next gift with quality items, speed, and accuracy. 

Have an idea that's not on this list? We can help!

Want more options? We have those too. 

You can count on us for all of your custom needs. If you want to submit your next custom order and learn about our services, get in touch with us today! We would love to work with you. 

But to effectively handle any landscaping task, health and safety must come first. Work may change seasonally, but landscapers use power tools and handle chemicals and other hazardous substances all year long.

For maximum productivity and protection, landscapers must wear proper landscape uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE) that comply with OSHA’s PPE standards.

Besides protection and productivity, appropriate, branded landscaping clothing offers your company multiple benefits. It:

• Freely advertises your brand
• Portrays a high level of professionalism
• Builds a trustworthy reputation for your brand
• Attracts new clients

That’s why it’s essential to know about and invest in the right landscaper clothing and PPE—those that are comfortable, protective, affordable, and OSHA-compliant.

1 - Extreme Heat Landscaping Clothing

When temperatures soar into and above the 90s, working outdoors becomes unbearable. The excess heat from the sun causes sunburns, and its UV radiation can result in wrinkling and premature aging.

Landscapers working in extremely hot areas must wear appropriate gear to protect them from heat-related illnesses and the sun’s harmful radiation.

OSHA provides safety standards for landscapers and anyone else working outdoors in warm climates.

• Cover up your body with loose-fitting, breathable long-sleeve shirts.
• Wear a wide brim hat (not a baseball hat) to protect the ears, eyes, neck, scalp, and forehead.
• Wear UV-absorbent sunglasses that block 99–100% UVA and UVB radiation.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 and above.
• Choose light-colored clothes as they’ll reflect the sun’s light and reduce heat absorption.
• Wear long pants and tuck them into your socks or boots for better mobility.

fancysweetstx’s custom polo shirts are must-have heat gear for every landscaper. They're breathable, lightweight, and made with a polyester-cotton blend that makes them last.

Our polo shirts are also stain-resistant and moisture-wicking to keep you clean, cool, and dry at all times. We can screen-print or embroider your brand’s name, logo, or other text for a professional look.

2 - Winter Weather Landscaping Clothing

Working outdoors for prolonged periods in areas with high winds and low temperatures can cause injuries and cold-related illnesses like frostbite and hypothermia.

OSHA doesn’t have a specific standard for working in cold environments. But it does mandate employers to provide workers with a safe environment free from winter weather-related hazards.

Employers must provide workers with PPE that ensures warmth and protects landscapers from trips, slips, and falls on snow and ice.

OSHA recommends the following winter weather clothing to prevent cold stress:

• Wear at least 3 layers of loose-fitting clothing for maximum insulation: an inner layer made from moisture-wicking fabric, like wool, silk, or polyester, a middle layer of wool fabric for insulation even when you’re wet, and an outer layer of nylon fabric to protect against wind and rain.
• Avoid tight clothing since it reduces blood circulation, preventing blood from reaching extremities.
• Wear insulated, water-resistant coats or jackets to keep you warm and dry.
• Choose hats that cover both your head and ears. They’ll reduce the amount of body heat that leaves through your head.
• Wear insulated, water-resistant gloves and boots to keep your hands and feet protected.
• Carry extra clothing to change into if you get wet on site.

Note: OSHA doesn’t mandate employers to provide workers with ordinary clothing, skin creams, and other items purely used for protection, like raincoats and rubber boots.

However, most employers still give workers branded winter weather clothing like hoodies, jackets, and crew sweatshirts. Such branded apparel not only promotes uniformity but also freely advertises their brand.

Learn More: Construction Uniform: How Your Company Can Benefit From Branded Apparel

3 - High Visibility (Hi-Vis) Landscape Clothing

According to OSHA guidelines, any employee whose job exposes them to public vehicular traffic or construction vehicles and equipment must wear high-visibility (hi-vis) clothing.

The hi-vis clothing must meet the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standards—the nation’s approved standards for designing hi-vis clothing and accessories.

The ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 describes three classes of hi-vis clothing, each rated according to the level of protection it offers. The environment each class is suited to is also listed in a second column, as shown in the table below:

Landscapers must wear a hi-vis garment from one of the three classes depending on their work environment. Most of these garments come in the form of vests, jackets, and shirts, but they’re also available as coveralls, pants, and rainwear.

When designing and manufacturing hi-vis clothing, the ANSI/ISEA 107–2015 recommends taking into account the following considerations:

• The components and materials of the garment must be safe, and not known to affect the wearer negatively in any way.
• Surfaces that are in direct contact with the body must be free from roughness, sharp edges, and projections that could cause irritation or injuries.
• The garment needs to be well-fitting and hard-wearing to withstand constant wear and tear.
• The horizontal retroreflective material must be placed at least 50 mm above the bottom of the hem on long-sleeved and short-sleeved hi-vis clothing.
• Gaps in retroreflective and background materials (for seam allowance or fastenings) must not exceed 50 mm horizontally.
• Hi-vis clothing needs to provide 360° visibility of the wearer from all angles on a horizontal plane.

When it comes to color, the guidelines state that all hi-vis clothing must feature fluorescent colors. Fluorescent colors have a high luminous factor, which makes them easily visible from afar.

Chosen colors should sharply contrast the work environment and be easily detected by the human eye. Such colors include fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, and fluorescent red.

4 - Quality Gloves for Hand Protection

According to the OSHA guidelines for landscape contractors, workers must use appropriate hand protection when handling hazardous substances or working with materials that could cause serious cuts, abrasions, or burns.

Opt for gloves that are durable enough to withstand robust landscaping tasks but also comfortable and flexible enough to be worn frequently without causing discomfort.

Always choose the right glove for the job and know when a glove is unnecessary.

A light, disposable glove, for instance, is appropriate for collecting dirt, but not for handling chemicals. Working with moving machinery, on the other hand, doesn’t require gloves.

Check out the different glove options below and their level of protection, as outlined by OSHA in the Personal Protective Equipment guideline.

Stay Safe and Productive With the Right Landscaping Gear

Well-branded and protective landscaper clothing keeps you safe and makes you look presentable while marketing your landscaping business.

But your safety apparel is only as good as your usage of it—if it’s not worn, it won’t protect you.

fancysweetstx understands the importance of keeping landscapers and construction workers safe. We offer high-quality safety clothing and PPE to ensure you’re protected.

Whether you’re a professional landscaper, a DIY homeowner, or a gardener, our safety work gear will protect you from landscaping-related injuries.

We offer one-of-a-kind custom screen-printing and embroidery services to ensure every piece of clothing is tailor-made to your preference.

Order your custom landscaper clothing and receive a free, no-obligation quote. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for further questions and clarifications.

"I would recommend fancysweetstx for anyone who is looking for quality clothes and excellent customer service."
- Matthew S, fancysweetstx Verified Buyer

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Your amazing team needs to be appreciated every day, but more so on Employee Appreciation Day, which is usually on the first Friday of March every year.

While a verbal “Thank You,” or handwritten notes may be great on this day, your employees will appreciate something more meaningful, practical, and valuable, like tangible company gifts.

They say giving gifts is an art, but just like all creative arts, knowing where to begin can be challenging. 

Ideally, you want to pick gifts that are:

• Useful, personalized, and unique to each employee
• Durable and long-lasting
• Well packaged with some branding for a stylish look
• Budget-friendly

We’ve curated a list of useful Employee Appreciation Day gift ideas to help you get started. There’s an option for everyone, from tiny personalized keychains to oversized long sleeve shirts and hoodies.

1 - Custom Scented Candles

Candles symbolize light and peace of mind, give focus, and help create a cozy atmosphere. Let your employees know how much you appreciate their efforts by giving them personalized luxury scented candles.

There are multiple reasons why custom scented candles make perfect employee appreciation gifts: 

• There are endless options to fit your budget—you don’t need to spend a fortune 
• They’re an excellent marketing strategy—they’ll help spread your brand to outsiders
• They’re loved by all—candles are popular, practical, and easily giftable to anyone
• They double as great promotional merch—when bought in bulk, give out the extras to your clients to promote your brand further

Gifting your employees candles with therapeutic scents like eucalyptus and lavender is also a great way to boost their moods. 

As they burn the candles, the scent will help them calm down and relax. Such scented candles are a common choice for aromatherapy—the use of natural plant extracts to heal and promote health and wellness.

Higher positivity levels in your office will result in greater productivity.

fancysweetstx offers multiple scented candles that can be customized for your brand. Check out a few options below.

2 - Cozy Branded Hoodies and Long Sleeve Shirts

You can never go wrong with long sleeve shirts and hoodies on Employee Appreciation Day. 

They’re both made with warm, soft fabrics that are perfect for the cold month of March as winter comes to an end.

Long sleeve shirts and hoodies are super comfy and never go out of style. Your employees can wear them to the office and outside since they can be paired with just about anything.

Ensure these warm gear have your brand’s logo or slogan screen-printed or embroidered on them. This will increase your brand’s reach and freely advertise it to prospective clients.

You don’t want to skimp on quality when it comes to gifting hoodies and long shirts. Always choose the highest quality company branded apparel that’ll last a lifetime.

Below are a few key factors to consider before purchasing:

• Color: The shirts’ and hoodies' colors should reflect your brand’s signature colors 
• Logo placement: Choose a location that’ll provide maximum visibility to your logo
• Design: Screen-printed or embroidered? Find out which works best for your company
• Fabric: Should be breathable, non-fading, and durable, such as cotton/polyester blend—fancysweetstx’s choice fabric for long sleeve shirts and hoodies

Related Article: Company Apparel: A Practical Buyers Guide for Corporate Branding

3 - Personalized Keychains

Keychains are one of the best budget-friendly Employee Appreciation Day gift ideas.

They’re small, portable, and practical everyday carry items your employees need. 

Everyone has keys of some sort (office keys, car keys, house keys…), and a keychain keeps them safe and organized.

Choose key chains that your employees will appreciate. They should have their names engraved on them and additional tools like cutters and flashlights useful for both home and office use.

fancysweetstx offers multiple options for such keyholders. See some of them below.

4 - Tech Gadgets

Useful, trendy, and high-quality tech swag won’t go unnoticed. 

Your tech-savvy employees will appreciate any form of technology that makes their lives easier in and outside the office.

Luckily, there are multiple inexpensive tech gadgets today. Whether it’s listening to the latest podcast show or blocking outside noise when working, these items will delight your employees without costing you a fortune.

They include: 

• Power Banks: Keeps the phones charged when away from a power source
• Laptop Sleeves: Protects their laptops against knocks and bumps
• Blue Light Blocking Glasses: Help reduce eye strain 
• Wrist Wrests: Provide wrist strain relief when using a computer mouse
• Phone Stands: Holds the phone in place during long videos and conference calls

Check out our entire collection of tech gadgets that’ll make the perfect appreciation gifts for your employees here.

5 - Fun Office Game Sets

Fun games bring employees of all ages together and help them bond, unwind, and relieve stress, in turn improving their productivity.

But apart from being fun, games signal a friendly company culture where people can work hard, and equally play hard. 

Most crucially, it tells your employees that you trust them to manage their time and personal productivity.

Always have a wide variety of games and puzzles to choose from to keep the games interesting and activate your employees’ creative juices. 

Select game sets that are unique to every employee but can still be enjoyed by the rest to initiate team bonding.

Here are some options to consider:

6 - Branded Tumblers

After apparel, the most popular promotional item we make for people is drinkware. From tumblers to coffee mugs to wine glasses, drinkware is a great gift for employees and customers. 

Tumblers, in particular, are on trend right now. 

A lot of the popularity surrounding tumblers is related to the rise in Yeti. While Yeti brand tumblers can be quite expensive, there are many options that have comparable quality.

Our favorite branded merch is easy to gift and gets a lot of usage. 

Tumblers have many beneifts as employee gifts for many reasons:

• Can be used for hot or cold drinks
• Great for in office use or on the go
• Don't require knowing an employees specific size
• Can last years and years

Thoughtful and Practical Gifts Will Make Your Employees Feel Appreciated

When choosing your employees’ gifts for Employee Appreciation Day, ensure they’re thoughtful, practical, and suited to individual employees.

fancysweetstx offers these, and many more unique gifts that’ll leave a footprint on your employees’ hearts. 

All our products are practical, versatile, and creative, ensuring they remain a vital part of your employees’ lives.

Even better, they double as perfect promotional items. So you don’t have to worry about purchasing in bulk as you can always give the rest to buyers, further increasing your brand’s reach and customers’ loyalty.

We’ll customize the gifts according to your specifications through our custom printing and embroidery services to ensure they’re tailor-made to your brand and employees’ needs.

Fill out our custom order form to receive a quick no-obligation quote for your project before we get started. 

If you’d like to know more, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll get back to you in no time.

"fancysweetstx is simply the best…Always professional, friendly, and with great quality and service."

- Deborah M.

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But not all construction work shirts are the same—they differ in price, brand, quality, comfort, and design. 

Remember, your workers’ comfort and protection will determine the success of your project. 

So, only aim for the best construction work shirts, which have the following features: 

• Moisture-wicking properties to improve your workers’ comfort
• High visibility to prevent accidents and injuries
• Well-fitting for proper mobility
• Branded to enhance your company’s visibility

With so many options of construction work shirts available, choosing the best can get overwhelming. 

But with these 5 simple tips, your selection will be as easy as pie.

1 - Choose the Best Workwear Fabric

Unlike regular shirts, construction shirts need to be durable. 

Therefore, you want a hard-wearing fabric that’s:

• Breathable: For air to pass through and help evaporate the moisture, keeping the skin cool
• Moisture-wicking: To keep sweat away from the skin during hot weather
• Soft and comfy: To prevent irritability and let your workers focus on the work at hand
• Stretchy: For more freedom in motion and comfort in tasks requiring walking, bending, or stooping
• Easy-maintenance: So it won’t need much preparation for the next project
• Water-resistant: To keep your workers dry when it rains

Most construction work shirts are made with natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, or a blend of both. 

Natural fabrics like cotton are soft, breathable, and comfortable, but they don’t allow moisture to evaporate quickly. 

On the other hand, synthetic fabrics like polyester are hard-wearing, long-lasting, and wick away moisture, but aren’t breathable.

Since construction work shirts need all these properties, the best fabric is a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. 

See other major differences in the fabrics below.

fancysweetstx’s safety construction shirts are made with a blend of cotton and polyester to produce the most comfortable, high-quality shirts. 

The three safety shirts below are among our best-selling construction work shirts. We use various fabric compositions to suit each customer’s needs.

• Jerzees 29M: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
• Next Level 6210: 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester
• Bayside 5040: 90% Cotton, 10% Polyester

2 - Ensure the Construction Work Shirt Is Well-Fitting

“Fit is everything.”

You hear this phrase a lot in menswear. But in construction clothing, it applies tenfold. 

Construction workers need clothes that give them the freedom to move when working. If they can’t move fast enough to get out of harm’s way because their clothes are too tight or baggy, that becomes a huge safety concern.

And besides their safety and comfort, well-fitting, branded construction shirts benefit your company in many other ways by:

• Displaying a professional image 
• Sending a subtle message that you care about your workers’ dressing
• Freely advertising your brand to prospective clients

3 - Construction Work Shirts Must Be Highly Visible

Your workers must be visible to others at all times when working on a construction site to avoid accidents and injuries. 

To increase their visibility, choose construction shirts with reflective (retro-reflective) tapes. They reflect light back to the workers, alerting other workers and oncoming drivers of their presence. 

These tapes are super helpful, especially in risky environments with dim lights or during night-time road works.

Bad weather conditions like fog and mist also hinder visibility, which can easily result in accidents if your workers work around heavy machines or near the road.

For such conditions, invest in brightly-colored construction shirts for maximum visibility.

Most construction workers wear green or orange safety shirts for daytime visibility. These fluorescent colors are bright and easily noticeable from afar. 

Related Article: Custom Construction Shirts: Safety Green vs Safety Orange

However, ensure that your chosen color contrasts with the surrounding background to let the workers stand out and be easily detected.

• If your construction site is encompassed with greenery, go for orange safety shirts. They’ll contrast with the background and increase your workers’ visibility.
• If your site’s background has heavy machinery and high buildings, green safety shirts are ideal. According to OSHA, all machinery on a construction site must be painted orange, so a fluorescent green provides the perfect contrast.

4 - They Must Comply With the Safety Regulations

Not all PPEs and workwear are designed equally. The US has placed strict measures to ensure all workwear fits its purpose. 

Before purchasing any safety construction shirt, ensure it complies with the current safety guidelines issued by OSHA. OSHA requires all construction workers to be visible at all times, whether they’re interacting with the public, machinery, or oncoming traffic. 

This is done to minimize the occurrence of work-related deaths and accidents, a plan that seems to work because the regulations have drastically reduced work-related injuries and death by 40% since the 1970s.

Below is a summary of the regulations for construction work shirts by OSHA:

• Workers must only wear short or long sleeve shirts. No sleeveless shirts on site.
• During the day, fluorescent-colored shirts must be worn on site, specifically safety yellow or safety orange. The shirt’s color should contrast with the surroundings.
• At night or in poorly lit environments, the shirts must have retro-reflective strips for increased visibility.
• The retro-reflective strips ought to be at least 50 mm wide, form an “X” at the back of the shirt, a continuous strip around the waist, and vertical stripes at the front. 
• The shirts should snugly fit in the sleeves and around the waist to avoid getting stuck on a piece of machinery.

Regarding logo placement on construction work shirts, the safety regulations put in place mandate that your logo must:

• Not block any of the retro-reflective material
• Be small enough to avoid interfering with the shirt’s visibility
• Have a uniform color—multi-colored logos will crowd the shirt’s background color

Observing all these rules on your own is a daunting task that consumes a lot of time. 

Fortunately, at fancysweetstx, we’ve branded lots of construction shirts and learned the nitty-gritty of the industry in the process. 

Our safety shirts meet the ANSI safety regulations to ensure your workers wear industry-approved workwear. Reach out to us, and we’ll handle everything, from design creation to printing or embroidery.

5 - Consider the Climate of Your Workplace

Before purchasing your construction work shirts, ensure you research the climate of your site’s location.

If it’s winter, the temperatures have dropped, and the evenings become less visible, go for shirts with features such as: 

• High-visibility to make your workers more identifiable as the evening approaches
• Long sleeves made with thick fabric for maximum warmth
• Moisture-wicking properties to keep them dry and comfy

If it’s summer, you’ll experience warm, hot and humid weather, so you want to pick lightweight and breathable construction shirts for maximum comfort. A long sleeve shirt made of lightweight fabric is also ideal as it helps to protect your workers’ skin from the scorching summer sun.

Protect Your Workers With the Best Construction Work Shirts

The construction field is a challenging industry that requires maximum protection. Help keep your workers safe with the clothes they wear. 

A construction work shirt is an effective PPE that workers must wear at all times on site. 

The shirt must be highly visible, well-fitting, comply with OSHA safety regulations, and appropriate for the weather. The fabric used must also be durable and of the highest-quality.

fancysweetstx specializes in making custom safety-compliant apparel for construction companies and contractors to protect their workers from work-related injuries. 

We offer the best custom screen-printing and embroidery services for construction shirts and other workwear such as safety vests and hats. 

Get started today with your workers’ construction shirts by filling out our custom quote request form here. 

If you’d love to know more about construction work shirts, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help.

"Faster turnaround on our t-shirt order than expected! I would highly recommend this company to everyone I know!!"
- Patrick P

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It’s easy to get confused considering both options produce high-quality designs, are affordable, and work with various fabrics.

Despite these similarities, embroidery and screen printing have unique advantages. For instance, artwork with effects such as shading is harder to reproduce with embroidery than it is with screen printing.

Here, we’ll discuss three more variations to help you decide between the two decoration methods. As we go over them, you’ll also learn:

• Why embroidery is preferred for professional settings 
• Why screen printing is better for large-size and detailed artwork
• Why colors affect the price of screen printing, but not embroidery
• Where to find high-quality custom screen printing and embroidery services

But first, let’s delve into each option and what makes it popular.

Embroidery - What It Is and How It’s Done

Embroidery is how those intricate threaded logos and bold fonts got onto your embroidered polo or favorite beanie.

It’s a high-tech threading process that involves:

1. Artwork digitization: This step sets up a plan for the stitching machinery with critical details such as thread count and placement.
2. Thread color selection: This step enables visual effects such as simple color changes and highlights.
3. Machine stitching: The embroidery machines create multiple stitches simultaneously to save time. Our machines embroider up to six items in one go.

Advantages of Embroidery

• Versatility: There are various embroidery styles to choose from, including flat and puff embroidery, or patches. This variety makes embroidery a flexible option as different embroidery styles accommodate different fabrics.
  For instance, embroidery patches work well with hats and beanies. Flat and puff embroidery work perfectly with tougher fabrics like denim.
• Durability: Embroidery designs use sturdy polyester threads. These threads withstand bleaching, commercial laundry, and the frequent rubbings of industrial environments. Their durability is why you find embroidery motifs on military uniforms.
• Professional look: Embroidery designs give garments a professional look that communicates experience and quality. It’s why they're featured on corporate and military uniforms to sell a brand and establish rank.
• Cost is independent of colors: The cost of embroidery doesn’t include the number of colors in your design. You’ll get a flat rate for your pallet (up to 15 colors with our machines) and a variable cost of stitch count. This pricing maximizes your freedom to be creative with colors.

Disadvantages of Embroidery

• Unsuited for gradient colors: The subtle color change of one color fading into another is harder to achieve with embroidery threads. They come in distinct colors without in betweeners, which are best for sharp color change designs.
• Unsuited for waterproof garments: Embroidery needles compromise the waterproofing of your garments during stitching. The needles puncture your garment and create openings for water and moisture. Embroidery is still an option if preferred, however, we do recommend screen printing in this situation.
• Unsuited for small text: Embroidery can only scale down so far and remain legible. We recommend a height of at least .25" for embroidery. This make it more visible and produced a better result. Keep this in mind when scaling your logo for a left chest or hat placement.

Screen Printing - What It Is and How It’s Made

Screen printing is a graphics technique involving ink transfer through a mesh screen, graphics, and your garments.

The whole process entails:

1. Designing a mesh screen: A mesh screen is fabricated for each color in your design. This step is why the number of colors you use affects the printing price.
2. Actual printing: The finished mesh screen is placed on a platen with ink on top. A squeegee is then used to push ink through the mesh and onto your garment.
3. Drying: The newly printed garments pass through a dryer to cure the ink and ensure durability before washing.

Advantages of Screen Printing

• Cost-effective for large orders: Bulk orders use one mesh screen on multiple units. This practice limits the cost of making the screens while spreading all costs among the printed units.
• Suitable for light and special garments: Screen printing doesn’t involve impactful needles. It’s therefore applicable to delicate garments like high-visibility jackets and weatherproof coats.
• Suitable for small texts: Screen printing captures greater detail than embroidery. For instance, small texts are hard to embroider without affecting readability, but this isn’t a problem for screen printing.
• Suitable for gradient colors: Screen printing allows you to create detailed images on a screen. This ability enables the printing of complex designs that use gradient colors, such as rainbows and logos that involve gradients and color fades.

  Here’s an example of halftone printing from fancysweetstx:

Disadvantages of Screen Printing

• Garment color and fabric influence ink colors: The dye used to color a shirt and the material the shirt is of can cause the color of a shirt to show through the ink. For instance, if an underbase is not printed on a black shirt the ink will lack opacity or be muted relative to its intended color. A similar concept applies to fabric. Cotton is a natural fiber whereas polyester and rayon are synthetic. These man made materials can results in prints that are not as vibrant. An experienced screen printer learns how to mitigate these issues for their customers. 
• Colors affect the price: Because colors need individual screens, they affect pricing. This cost variation can limit creative freedom if you’re working with a tight budget. Even so, you can mitigate the cost of colors by printing multiple units of the same multi-color design.

Choosing Between Embroidery and Screen Printing

At the end of the day, embroidery and screen printing are excellent options for your garments. They offer stunning finishing and cost-efficiency with large-scale orders.

Even so, consider the following factors when choosing between them.

1 - Consider Your Garment’s Usage

Not all designs fit all applications.

If you’re looking for a high-end look that’s excellent for the front office or marketing events, opt for an embroidered garment.

Embroidery designs use rayon threads that give them a silky sheen. It also gives a natural look that’s typical of premium products and excellent for professional settings. 

Besides, rayon threads are soft on the skin, which is essential for garments that’ll be worn for prolonged periods.

If you’re looking for a casual look for occasions such as team-building exercises or camp or work shirts, use screen-printed garments.

They offer many more design options and are less expensive than embroidered garments. This price factor is especially important for occasional wear with limited useful life (see: on site usage for landscaping and construction).

2 - Consider Your Garment Type

Embroidery is applicable on various garments, including stretchy knit fabric using patches. But it’s preferable for heavier garments such as woven cotton and denim.

Delicate fabrics such as rayon, nylon, or lightweight polyester (used on hi-vis) are less resistant to embroidery needles. These fabrics have thin fibers that can be weighed down or pucker during stitching.

Screen printing doesn’t involve needles. It uses ink and heat curing, which helps to maintain the structure of your garments. As such, screen printing is better for lighter fabrics or special garments.

The following table highlights the best fabrics for embroidery and screen printing projects.

Tell Us About Your Idea

Now that you know more about embroidery and screen printing, you’re better placed to pick between them, and we’d love to help.

Whether you’re looking to create stunning custom designs for your merch or shopping for something more mainstream, our team at fancysweetstx is eager to work with you.

We’ve been at this since 2006, so we know a thing or two about:

• Fast turnaround times
• Quality finishing
• Affordable pricing

"Phenomenal experience buying a run of 65 t-shirts. Very fast responses, great pricing, and fast production. Finished product is of excellent quality.”
- Joe M

Contact us today and let’s get started on your idea.

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Promotional merch is an effective marketing strategy for several reasons:

• Functional and convenient promo items increase customers’ loyalty.
• Unique and practical physical branded items boost your brand’s visibility. 
• It fosters a better relationship with your growing base of consumers.
• It’s a budget-friendly method of advertisement, making it ideal for small businesses just starting out.

Creating promotional merch has never been easier, particularly with companies like fancysweetstx offering quality custom screen printing and embroidery services at affordable prices.

Having branded thousands of pieces of merchandise for small businesses, we can promise that these 6 promotional products are worth checking out.

1 - Custom Stickers

With over 200 options, fancysweetstx’s custom stickers will leave you spoiled for choice. The stickers come in different shapes, sizes, and quantities, so you can select what works best for your brand. 

They’re super versatile, hence they can be applied to your products, packaging, cars, or any other appropriate medium to promote your business.

Besides their versatility, fancysweetstx’s custom stickers are made with white BOPP material with unique features, such as being:

• A durable material, making the stickers last long
• Non-toxic, hence safe for the environment
• Moisture-resistant, meaning the stickers shade water and dry quickly when rained on

Below are some of our top choice stickers ideal for any small business.

2 - Functional Keychains

Keychains are essential everyday carry items. 

They’re also small, lightweight, and portable, making them great gifts for your clients. As they carry them around, your brand gets constantly exposed, eventually widening its reach.

fancysweetstx’s keychains come in different colors, themes, and styles, versatile enough to suit the preference of every client.

Below are a few keychains in our collection:

• Keychain connected to a 3-in-1 charging cable ideal for tech-savvy brands
• Stress reliever keychain for releasing tension from anywhere, whether at home or in the workplace
• Bottle opener keychain offering the dual advantage of a bottle opener and a keychain, making it more valuable
• Mini tape measure keychain that’s perfect for garage use, landscapers, craft rooms, and workshops

Check out our entire collection of keychains here. They come in packs of hundreds, letting you pick the best quantity for your business. We also customize them with your brand’s logo, name, or text, as per your preference.

3 - Reusable Bags

Ohio’s history of promo bags dates back to the 19th century when a newsagent named Jasper Meek released a branded bag that became the earliest modern promotional merch.

Businesses then began printing ads on bags, particularly school bags, and the practice spread and became so successful that people began calling school children “walking billboards.”

Today, promotional bags come in various sizes, shapes, and forms. From tote bags to duffles, these versatile bags can be worn by anyone—male or female, young or old, rich or poor.

Below are some of the promotional bags fancysweetstx offers.

All our bags can be custom branded with your company’s logo, text, or name, and given to your employees or clients as gifts. 

Related: Best Holiday Gifts for Your Company (Custom Gifts)

4 - Custom Lip Balms

Lip balms make excellent promotional merch because they’re an inevitable personal care item for both men and women.

Custom lip balms are popular for several reasons:

• Easy to distribute: You can mail them, give them away at trade shows and expos, or add one to every online purchase your customer makes.
• Practical: Lip balms are used throughout the year.
• Small and compact: Their size makes them easy to carry, as they fit in pockets, purses, and car glove boxes.
• Several customization options: They come in many colors, shapes, and flavors.

fancysweetstx offers 170+ quality lip balms in varying shapes, sizes, and colors, helping you find the best promo lip balm for your brand.

5 - Key Office Supplies

Pens, sticky pads, journals, highlighters, and other office supplies are popular office merch and business gifts for clients and employees. 

Promotional merch serves as a morale booster and a reward to your employees for holding down your growing company.

Meanwhile, gifting your clients handy personalized office items helps to promote brand loyalty and draw prospective clients closer.

The table below shows a couple of fancysweetstx’s office supplies and what makes them great promo items.

6 - Branded Apparel

There’s a reason why fans go ballistic in stadiums when they catch a t-shirt from their favorite players. 

A study shows that 85% of consumers will remember the company's name if it gives them a free shirt or hat. By giving away branded apparel as promotional merch, you’re getting your brand known and remembered.

As a small business, invest in textiles of high quality, great designs, and affordable prices. This gives your brand a good reputation and high rank to compete with other well-known brands.

fancysweetstx offers several popular and practical promotional apparel:

• Work wear: High visibility clothing (Hi-vis), aprons, bodywarmers, caps and hats, corporate wear, and jackets
• Casual summer wear: Shirts, t-shirts, tank tops, polos
• Casual winter wear: Sweatshirts, sweatpants, beanies, long-sleeved shirts and t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, and sweatshirt blankets
• Sportswear: Raglans, field shirts, sports arena shirts, hoodies, socks, and hats.
• Kids and toddlers wear: Onesies, toddler shirts, socks, hats, sweatsuits, beanies, and t-shirts

All our clothes are made with high-quality fabric that can be embroidered or screen printed to suit your brand’s needs.

"My company has used fancysweetstx several times to make t-shirts, hoodies and long sleeve t's as gifts for customers..."
— Matthew S

Bring Your Corporate Promotional Merch Ideas to Life

Promotional items are a surefire way to increase your brand’s reach and attract more clients. 

fancysweetstx offers thousands of practical, durable, and quality promo products that can be custom embroidered or screen printed to fit your brand's logo, text, or name.

We offer the best screen printing services in Ohio, guaranteeing you the best printed promo products. For embroidery, we use the latest embroidery machine that accommodates larger embroidery designs, preventing us from restricting your creativity. 

So, get all the promo merch you need from us without breaking the bank today. Fill in our custom quote request on this page to receive a quick no-obligation project quote.

For further inquiries, reach out to us, and our team of experts will get back to you in no time.

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Any screen printer knows that Pride shirts are a fun challenge. That's because they often include the full colors of the rainbow or the Pride Flag.

We've talked about printing pride clothing quite a bit around here. Not only do we have a full line of Pride apparel and gifts in our retail line, but we are located on Adams Street in 16153 Genova which is known as Pride Way. 

We love printing custom Pride shirts because we believe in equality, unity, and love. 

Here are examples of some of the Pride shirts that we have made for our customers. Check out our previous article on how to print rainbows on shirts to learn more about our decoration techniques for pride clothing. 

Metroparks 16153 Genova Outside Together Shirt

With this design the Metroparks did an excellent job of combining their branding with a message of strength and equality. 

The multicolored leaves and highlighting the words "out together" send a clear message of support for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

University of 16153 Genova Pride Shirt

These U16153 Genova Pride shirts were made for the Sexuality and Gender Alliance at the University of 16153 Genova. This shirt is an example of an item that used multiple methods of decoration to achieve the customer's desired result. 

The left chest print design features a smooth rainbow gradient that we used a transfer to apply to the shirt. The design on the back was a one color print that we screen printed. 

Georgjz419 Rainbow Roll Shirt

Georgjz419 is located just down the street from us on Adams Street. Not only is it cool that we get to print shirts for our neighbors, but this design uses a technique called a rainbow roll or split fountain to achieve a multi-colored rainbow effect on the design.

With this technique, the colors mix and blend on the same screen making each shirt just a little bit different. 

Check out the video below to see how we printed these cool rainbow roll shirts for Georgjz419:

Owens Community College Shirt

Owens Community College went with a retro design on their Pride shirts. 

We printed all of the colors of the rainbow on this shirt without an underbase to give it a faded, well-worn look. The design sends a clear message of inclusion and acceptance for everyone at Owens.  

Unison Health Rainbow Foil Shirt

This shirt for Unison Health goes a different route than the other shirts in this list. The design uses a rainbow foil to show pride. 

To make a shirt like this we first print an adhesive on the shirt. After the shirt is printed, we heat press the foil onto the shirt. It only sticks to the printed adhesive leaving the design like you see above. 

Foil on a shirt pops unlike any ink can. It's a great technique if you want your shirts to stand out. 

Shumaker Pride Tank Top

Shumaker came to us and wanted to use all of the colors of the Pride Flag in their pride tees and tanks. On our last count, that's ten colors. 

Our presses can't print that many colors and it might be cost prohibitive to incur the setup fees for a design like this. So, rather than screen print them, we used transfers to decorate these garments. 

Transfers allow us to affordably make designs with high color counts. We love the way these turned out. 

Check out this article for more information on the difference between heat transfers and screen printing. 

Where to Order Custom Gay Pride Shirts?

We tell people all of the time that making custom t-shirts is more fun when we print fun designs. That's what we love about Pride Shirts. The designs are colorful, vibrant, and creative.

Screen printing rainbows on shirts isn't a simple feat. The more colors on a design, the more difficult it is to print. Over the years, we've perfected our printing techniques to produce the best results for pride clothing. 

This experience and commitment to quality is why our customers come back each year. 

If your business or organization needs custom pride clothing for Pride month or any other occasion, we'd love to help. 

Get in touch with us today to get your order started!

And while there are many effective techniques for gaining publicity, merchandising should be at the top of your list.

Your merchandising approach might include highlighting certain promotional items at an event or handing out samples and other freebies.

Either way, merchandising is crucial if you’re looking to:

• Cultivate your brand
• Improve your customers’ experience
• Compete with other businesses in your sector
• Promote products, services, and events
• Reduce advertising costs
• Gift potential leads
• Drive your sales

One of the best ways to increase your reach is by using branded merchandise.

For instance, branded apparel and accessories, such as hats and bags, provide customers with a way to share their enthusiasm about your company.

All you need is to have your company logo, slogan, or brand message on your merchandise of choice. By selling or gifting the merch, you’ll have your biggest fans acting as brand ambassadors for your products and services.

If you’re interested in adding your logo to apparel and other accessories, your two primary options are embroidery and screen printing.

Today, we’ll discuss what embroidery and screen printing are all about. We’ll also outline how to choose between the two when you decide to merchandise.

Embroidery - What It Is, and Why You Should Do It

Embroidery involves using needles and thread to create a design or pattern on a fabric. An embroidery machine stitches the beautifully colored thread directly into the garment.

Done well, the result is an authentic artwork of logos or monograms that has a natural feel. The process behind embroidering involves:

1. Digitizing the design sent by the client
2. Working out the cost of embroidering by measuring the stitch count
3. Preparing the design for the embroidery machine by selecting the thread colors and selecting placement of the design
4. Running a sew out or test to ensure accuracy of logo or design
5. Proceding with the full production (our machines embroider up to six items at a time)
6. Trimming excess thread and backing, and folding items to prepare for the customer

There are a number of reasons why you might want to brand your merch using embroidery. Chief among these is quality and durability. Embroidery threads are not only strong but also retain their color well and provide a professional look.

Since embroidered designs are stitched onto the fabric, they become one with the merch. The result is a logo or design that’s hard to ruin–you’d have to cut the fabric or bleach it if you really wanted to remove the image.

Additionally, embroidery (when done well) leaves a high-quality finish on the design that looks classy and polished. This appearance comes from the variety of richly colored embroidery threads.

Screen Printing - What It Is, and Why You Should Do It

Screen printing involves layering ink onto apparel with the help of a mesh screen.

Your design is first burned and exposed onto a mesh screen, washed, and then set up on a press. A squeegee-type blade is then used to pass ink through the screen and onto your garment. The ink only slips through the areas where the design is meant to be printed.

It’s entirely possible to print on different areas of a garment. However, costs will increase the more screens and additional colors your design needs, especially since each area will require an additional setup and print process.

This video demonstrates the screen making part of our process:

Screen printing is ideal for large, vivid, and vibrant designs. But more colors mean that multiple screens must be used. In these situations, the process is repeated until the final look is achieved. Individual screens must be made for each color in the design.

Screen printing is great for merch because it’s very versatile. It can accommodate a wide range of materials, including cotton and polyester fabric, and t-shirt and sweatshirt material. 

Additionally, screen printing is quite cost-efficient on long print runs. Since marginal production (per item) times are faster, higher garment volumes can be mass-produced more quickly and cost-effectively for larger orders.

Embroidery vs. Screen Printing - How to Choose

Both embroidery and screen printing have advantages and disadvantages. To best determine which technique is the most suitable for you, it’s worth considering a few parameters:

Desired Design

If you’re looking to feature big and bold designs on your merchandise, screen printing is the way to go. This is because screen printing is more suitable to scaling the size of the design. Embroidery, on the other hand, could require a substantial amount of additional stitches as it increases in size. 

In embroidery, the more stitches you have the more expensive the decoration is. Addtional, a large embroidered area can become very thick and heavy on a garment.

Screen printing allows for very crisp, sharp logos and even photorealistic graphics. If you have a high detail design and small text, screen pritning is going to be the better option. It can also be done on lightweight garments, such as t-shirts and tank tops, without puncturing them or causing them to pucker.

While both screen printing and embroidery produce quality results, embroidery makes for a more substantial decoration, as it uses thread to create more of a three-dimensional look and texture. Additionally, an embroidered design isn’t susceptible to damage from harsh conditions such as heat and is more consistent on different apparel items because the thread is not impacted by the garment color or content.

Apparel Use and Audience

The type of garment you’d like to decorate and the intended audience plays a critical role in deciding whether to go with embroidery or screen printing.

Embroidery is ideal for polos or golf shirts, jackets, baseball-style caps, winter beanies, business shirts, and bags, owing to the stylish and professional message it communicates. 

If you are looking for clothing that is perceived as higher end and elevates the appearance of your employees, think embroidery. This is because embroidery is generally better suited for nicer and more expensive apparel as listed above. 

Meanwhile, screen printing is the better choice if you need a less expensive apparel option or if t-shirts or sweatshirts are your preferred clothing choice. For example, if you have a summer camp for kids or want a fun, easy employee appreciation item, it's best to go with a t-shirt because of cost and versatility. 

Think about the businesses and organizations that you work and interact with around town. There are myriad examples of embroidered and screen printed merchandise for their employees and customers. 

If you have customer facing employees in a professional setting, it's more common that they will be wearing embroidered merchandise. If you have a work crew on a job site that needs to stay cool and safe, but might get dirty, it's a better choice to go with a screen printed safety t-shirt.  

Cost

It’s worth noting that neither embroidery or screen printing will be cheaper than the other for certain. Multiple factors determine which option will be more cost-effective, including:

• Size of the design
• Quality of the garments
• Complexity of the design
• Order quantity

When it comes to embroidery, you’ll get flat-rate costs that don’t depend on how many colors are included in the design (our machiens accommodate up to 15 different thread colors). The determing factor for cost is the number of stitches used to embroider your image or logo.

When it comes to screen printing, the number of colors and print locations you’d like in your design influences the cost as each color requires a new screen. Nonetheless, screen printing may be cheaper compared to embroidery when you’re printing large orders with large logos and designs or have higher quantity orders.

Your Merch Needs Will Guide You

Both embroidery and screen printing have their advantages, so let your merch needs guide your decision. Consider factors such as your budget, the size of your logo design, and even the size of your order before deciding on which method to opt for.

The table below summarizes the key considerations when choosing between embroidery and screen printing.

At the end of the day, you can opt to get a quick, no-obligation project quote for a custom embroidery job or go the custom screen printing route. It all depends on your needs.

Whatever you decide, fancysweetstx has the expertise to make your merch look stunning, as Matthew says:

My company has used fancysweetstx several times to make t-shirts, hoodies, and long sleeved T's as gifts for our customers/employees. We always have rave reviews when gifting fancysweetstx to anyone. Highly, highly recommend!

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OSHA requires employers to ensure their employees work in a safe environment free from hazards that may cause injury or death.

Offering protective and high-visibility work gear is a primary means of ensuring your personnel’s safety.

Today, we’re looking at four simple steps to customize your work gear so you can promote your brand without‌ breaking OSHA rules. We’ll also compare the influence that custom and non-custom work gear have on your brand and employees.

1 - Select Your Work Gear

Custom High-Visibility Safety Vests

When choosing custom high-visibility safety vests, ensure they’re compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standards. This code (recommended by OSHA) sets the guidelines for creating safe and professional high-visibility work gear.

The most crucial characteristic of compliant safety vests is their fluorescent colors. OSHA specifies the following luminous colors as the best options for high visibility safety vests:

• Yellow
• Orange
• Bright red
• Orange-red
• Yellow-green

These colors stand in sharp contrast to the immediate environment. Thanks to their special pigment, they absorb UV light and send it back to an approaching vehicle or worker to maintain the wearer's visibility—even in dim conditions.

Besides helping keep workers safe by making them visible to vehicle drivers and plant operators, custom high-visibility vests provide an excellent opportunity for:

• Personnel identification
• Promoting brand awareness
• Creating a professional image
• Organizing employees into departments

Custom Construction Hi-Vis Work Jackets

Like all hi-vis safety gear, your company’s safety jackets need to conform to OSHA guidelines, which include:

• Affixing 50 mm wide retroreflective strips vertically, around the waist, and with a shoulder-to-waist “X” on the back to enable visibility in dark places
• Ensuring safety work jackets are well-fitting without billowing strips to avoid entanglement in moving machinery
• Protecting workers from fire, chemicals, static electricity, and radiation by making custom safety work jackets from flame-resistant and insulated material
• Ensuring safety work jackets are ‌long or short-sleeved and avoiding sleeveless jackets

Having addressed OSHA’s concerns, the custom construction hi-vis work jacket provides you with an excellent opportunity to promote your business.

For example, you can customize the jacket to include your company logo.

However, while there’s a lot of free space left on the jacket, you need to design your company’s logo so that it’s the right size and doesn’t obscure the jacket’s safety features.

Don’t make the logo too small to be seen either.

According to the ANSI-ISEA-107-2015 (Section 7.2):

• The total surface area covered by custom text and logo on the front and rear of a high-visibility safety jacket shouldn’t exceed 465 cm.sq (72 in.sq)
• Custom text and logo should not create horizontal gaps over 50 mm (1.97 in.) on the retroreflective material of a hi-vis safety jacket

The best places to put your company logo include:

• Chest pocket
• Upper back
• Lower back

Custom Safety Hoodies and Sweatshirts

Keep your personnel comfortable by adding custom hoodies and sweatshirts to their work gear.

Having apparel made from luminous safety colors and soft fluffy material, as with All Mechanical Insulation Inc, will improve professionalism and comfort without compromising safety.

Workers are more likely to wear the safety gear beyond the worksite, further publicizing your custom embroidered company logo.

Protect your crew and promote your brand by choosing from fancysweetstx’s wide range of worksite safety apparel.

Custom Screen Printed Safety T-shirts

Custom Screen Printed Safety T-shirts provide maximum comfort and mobility because of their flexibility and breathability.

You can have them made with built-in UV protection, too, to shield workers from the hot sun.

Custom Hard Hats

Besides their power to make your workers visible and protect them from potential on-site head injuries, custom safety hard hats hold a great opportunity for brand publicity.

Their bright colors, such as orange, yellow, red, or white, provide a unique backdrop for printing your company's name or logo.

These two options stand out in printing your logo onto hard hats:

• Direct printing: Involves printing your logo directly onto the hard hat.
• Decals: Sticking logos onto the hard hat; however, they may fade over time.

As in all work gear customizations, ensure your company information is not so extensive that it defeats the safety gear’s purpose.

Maintain a maximum length and height of 3 inches for the logo and text. The best spot to place your logo and text on a hard hat is in front, above the brim.

The table below will help you compare the effects of custom and non-custom work gear on your brand and employees.

2 - Create Your Design

In creating your design, the contrast between the work gear’s color and your company logo should be your primary consideration.

For example, as safety work gear is fluorescent, a black logo creates a naturally vivid contrast. Its non-reflective nature also makes it the most compliant color to ANSI standards.

Besides the logo and text color, ANSI 107 standards limit the total surface covered by your customizations to 72 square inches.

You can divide the 72-inch quota and spread it across the safety apparel.

You can have your logo and text printed on the work gear‌ by:

• Embroidery
• Heat transfers
• Single-color screen prints in black
• Full-color printing that’s bright and clear

3 - Choose Your Designer

Choosing your designer is a process that involves comparing businesses’ ability to meet your needs at the most competitive price.

Below is a cross-section of the main factors you need to consider before settling on a company that’s best suited for designing your work gear.

Product Range and Availability

You can never overemphasize the convenience of sourcing all your custom safety work gear—including vests, t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, and hats—from a single supplier. It minimizes logistical costs such as shipping and offers other benefits like bulk discounts.

Another critical factor is the custom design options a company offers. For example, does the company do embroidery, color printing, heat transfer, or a combination? Can they supply the actual work gear? Or is customization all they can do?

fancysweetstx designs, produces and supplies specialized, custom printed and embroidered clothing and promo products in bulk.

Some of our flagship products include:

• Safety apparel
• Contractor shirts
• Embroidered hats and beanies
• Embroidered crew sweatshirts

Reliability

First, reliability involves a design company’s dependability and ability to service your order within the agreed timeframe.

Second, reliability refers to the company’s product compliance with the American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107).

Can they show proof of certification on demand?

Did you know? CAN/CSA Z96-02 and EN ISO 20471 are the equivalent safety standards for Canada and Europe.

Affordability

As with your other expenses, the company supplying you with custom work gear should justify its prices.

Therefore, it’s essential to shop for the most affordable and well-suited supplier of custom work gear.

The following video provides handy tips for purchasing hi-vis work gear.

Expert Tip: Choose a shirt with a soft material that will be worn more often than a standard shirt.

4 - Promote Your Brand

• Custom embroidered polo shirts: Offer comfort and confidence and boost company image when meeting current and prospective clients.
• Custom work hats and beanies: Trucker hats protect against the sun’s UV rays, and beanies keep you warm during cold weather.
• Custom logo water bottles and coolers: Keep employees hydrated and make excellent giveaways to current and prospective customers.

You can also contact us for more customized promotional products, such as:

• Lanyards
• Sweatshirt blankets
• Stickers and magnets
• Enamel pins and keychains

Choose Safety and Comfort

At fancysweetstx, we firmly believe that workers are more productive when they’re assured of safety and comfort at the workplace. This is the philosophy behind our success in partnering with other businesses.

For certified work gear such as hi-vis t-shirts, and hats, fill out this form and tell us how we can help you. We’ve got state-of-the-art embroidery, color printing, and heat transfer equipment to create your company's best custom work gear.

Our customers are enjoying a thriving partnership with us.

See for yourself:

Protect and Promote

Providing your crew with certified work gear guarantees workplace safety and gives you peace of mind.

Besides, custom safety gear presents you with an excellent opportunity to promote your business at no extra cost. fancysweetstx will help you optimize safety and brand visibility on every piece of custom work gear you order.

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Imagine your shop and your competitor’s situated right next to each other.

Their business selects the right workwear to outfit its employees while yours doesn’t. The subtle difference in professionalism communicates a more competent and professional look to customers.

Your business needs to ensure its employees look like professionals in the workplace.

Custom embroidery apparel will:

• Highlight your business
• Promote brand awareness
• Raise the bar against rivals
• Make your staff easy to identify

Custom embroidery is popular because it presents a polished, quality look for your employees. 

Even so, it’s crucial to invest in the rigth embroidered apparel to get the best value for your money.

Here are some of the most popular trends your business can benefit from when it comes to embroidery apparel.

1 - Embroidered Polos

You stand to reap enormous benefits when you outfit your employees in embroidered polos.

When it comes to polos, you can go with:

• Name brand polos such as Nike, Adidas, Ogio, Under Armour, Eddie Bauer, and TravisMathew
• Polos made of cotton, polyester, or blended materials

While polos might give off a casual clothing vibe, they’re considerably more presentable than casual t-shirts. Therefore, they’re a great way to make your staff appear more professional.

The table below outlines some of the benefits you’ll reap when you jump onto the embroidered polo trend.

Other important benefits of embroidered polos include making it easy for potential clients to easily recognize your staff when you attend conferences and trade shows.

Good quality polos are valued by employees and customers alike. They not only serve as great customer gifts but provide your employees a sense of unity and belonging to the same team. 

When you look good, you feel good. That good feeling translates to better work. 

2 - Embroidered Crew Sweatshirts Trend

There’s a reason embroidered crew sweatshirts have steadily become popular over time.

Comfortable and oversized sweatshirts are great in all seasons and make for the perfect gift.

Indeed, your business can gift some custom embroidered sweatshirts to its loyal customers to show your appreciation.

But, giving your loyal customers custom-designed crewneck sweatshirts isn’t the only reason they’re popular. It’s also the practical application of this type of apparel.

While many businesses will order custom t-shirts for their employees, a sweatshirt gives them an option for cooler weather and a different look than a standard tee. It's good to have options. Sweatshirts are worn by everyone in any location so they make a very practical apparel item for employees.

Sweatshirts are a popular trend because they’re:

• Comfortable
• Easy-to-care for
• Acceptable in most places

Depending on the day or the kind of look you’d like on your employees, you can pair sweatshirts with jeans or athleisure clothing such as leggings, joggers, tracksuits, or sweatpants.

By embroidering crew sweatshirts for your employees and customers, your business will reap major advertising benefits. Sweatshirts make for good branded advertising items since people find them useful and versatile.

3 - Embroidered Safety Clothing

Embroidered safety clothing can ensure your company meets the safety and visibility standards that keep your employees safe.

Certain types of jobs, such as construction and heavy equipment operations, have specific safety apparel requirements. In these high-risk occupations, being seen can be the difference between experiencing a workplace accident and staying safe.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose apparel whose safety accreditation meets your workers’ needs.

The ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standard identifies three garment or conspicuity classes for high-visibility (hi-vis) safety apparel depending on the:

• Complexity of work environment or background
• Vehicular traffic and speed
• Worker hazards and tasks

Even as you endeavor to protect your employees from unnecessary risk, there are no rules against branding their uniforms or safety apparel.

Embroidering your company’s name or logo on your employees’ hi-vis safety clothing not only gives you an edge over the competition but also:

• Promotes team-building
• Displays professionalism
• Builds trust and credibility
• Instills pride and responsibility
• Serves as a marketing strategy

While branding safety clothing has become popular, you should ensure that you select the colors that stand out the most depending on your work environment.

For example, if your employees are working in a green environment, bright orange apparel will do a better job of standing out. If they’re working in an area with a lot of orange, then lime green apparel is more suitable.

Remember: Safety apparel is only as good as the person wearing it. It’s a good idea to train all your employees on the proper use of their safety apparel, as well as to ensure you:

• Regularly inspect it
• Carefully maintain it
• Properly store it

4 - Embroidered Jackets and Hoodies

Choosing to embroider jackets and hoodies is an excellent move that’s enhanced by the fact that many jacket and hoodie fabrics work better with embroidery than with prints.

Indeed, a good custom embroidery job will leave any dull and plain-looking jacket or hoodie looking chic and cool. You can then promote your business by embroidering your brand’s logo or slogan to get your message across.

Embroidered hoodies and jackets can be a brilliant choice when you want to offer something unique to your customers.

You don’t have to worry about the weight of a big design distorting the fabric. Nor do you need to fret about using too much dense thread because it’ll be uncomfortable against your employees’ skin.

Jackets, in particular, allow the incorporation of your embroidery design on the outer layer while leaving the lining to sit flush against one’s skin.

Meanwhile, embroidered designs will last longer and look better on hoodies if applied to thicker cotton blends. Thicker and heavier fabrics are more durable and, consequently, hold up better to the weight of your embroidered design.

If you’re torn between going with a jacket or hoodie for your choice of embroidery apparel, the table below compares and contrasts the two.

Embroidery Apparel Alone Won’t Cut It

So, there you have it. A detailed explanation of the different embroidered apparel trends that your business should take advantage of.

But just getting your hands on these types of apparel alone won’t be enough. Since your crew will be wearing your branded apparel all the time, you need to ensure your design and quality reflects your brand.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to work with reliable professionals who’ll help you design the best custom embroidered apparel for your employees.

Here’s what Don had to say upon trying out fancysweetstx:

If you’re no longer willing to miss out on the current embroidery apparel trends, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at 419-318-2029 to discuss your options.

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As the team leader or employer, you need to ensure that your workers' hi-vis shirts comply with the ANSI guidelines.

The ANSI guidelines are the American national standard for high-visibility garments and headwear.

They specify the requirements for color, design, and fit within specific guidelines to promote the visibility of workers on the job site.

Even if your industry does not require ANSI compliance, it’s essential to take note of these guidelines to help maintain your team's safety and visibility in the workplace.

Following the standards when sourcing your team’s hi-vis shirts will help avoid work-related injuries and save you from any trouble that could stem from giving out noncompliant shirts.

In this guide, we look at the compliance guidelines and what you should look out for when buying new hi-vis shirts for your workforce.

We’ll also help you identify a compliant source for all your hi-vis apparel.

1 - Visible Color From All Directions

The main aim of wearing high-visibility apparel in the workplace is so that the worker is easily discernible to others in the work environment.

This is especially critical in environments with moving vehicles, heavy machinery, or low light.

For the workers to be visible, the color of the hi-vis shirt should be bright and highly reflective, no matter the background.

For example, if you’re working at night on a construction site, you can reduce the risk of injury by wearing highly reflective PPEs.

The high contrast between the hi-vis apparel and the background enhances your visibility. This is because our eyes respond best to large contrasting objects.

According to ANSI-ISEA 107-2015, hi-vis apparel must also be made of a reflective and fluorescent-colored fabric.

The most commonly used fabrics are orange or neon, with reflective strips shaped in an “H” both at the front and back.

Fluorescent fabrics do not blend in with their surroundings, which enables visibility—even in a low light environment.

The colors that comply with the guidelines are:

• Fluorescent yellow-green
• Fluorescent orange-red
• Fluorescent red
• Bright yellow-green
• Bright orange-red

Your hi-vis shirts are also required to have stripes of reflective tape visible in all directions, especially if your workforce plans to wear them at night.

2 - Logo and Name Tag Placement

Logos and name tags are important in the workplace for:

• Easy identification
• Brand recognition
• Giving a professional look to the team

According to the ANSI-ISEA 107 guidelines, any logo, lettering, or identification panels should not create gaps of more than 50 mm in the retro-reflective material.

This means that you should place the logo strategically to ensure that safety isn’t compromised.

We always advise our clients on the best way to brand their safety wear. For instance:

• The logo in the front should be small to avoid obstructing the fluorescent background of the hi-vis shirt.
• The logo can’t be placed on the retro-reflective strips.
• Multi-colored logos interfere with the fluorescent color and must be avoided.

The logo should be big enough to be readable, but not too big that it interferes with visibility.

Make sure you discuss with your supplier about the logo placement to ensure that you give your workers compliant hi-vis apparel.

3 - Flame Resistant Material

All materials used in the manufacture of hi-vis apparel must be clearly marked as flame resistant or not flame resistant.

If the material used in the apparel is flame resistant, then it must be tested according to the following guidelines:

• ASTM F1506-10a, Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Arc Rated Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards
• ASTM F1891-12, Standard Specification for Arcand Flame Resistant Rainwear
• ASTM F2302-08, Standard Performance Specification for Labeling Protective Clothing as Heat and Flame Resistant
• ASTM F 2733-09, Standard Specification for Flame Resistant Rainwear for Protection Against Flame Hazards
• NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting, 2011
• NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, 2012

When placing an order for hi-vis shirts, always ensure that all the relevant guidelines are followed.

We’re familiar with safety guidelines for the compliance of hi-vis apparel, so if you’re unsure, we’ll make sure that all guidelines on compliance are adhered to for you.

Expert Tip: When placing an order for hi-vis shirts, always indicate whether you need flame resistant fabric. This should be guided by the conditions of your work environment.

4 - Maintenance and Replacement

Workers are often exposed to dirt, smoke, and even paint. This could all interfere with the visibility of the safety apparel.

OSHA guidelines indicate that once worn out or discolored, the hi-vis shirts must be replaced.

To comply with safety guidelines, safety apparel must also be cleaned to maintain their original color and visibility.

If you’re not handwashing safety apparel, use the “delicates” cycle of your washer and only wash them with a mild detergent. Do not use any bleach or fabric softeners. However, if you need to, use mild stain removers.

When drying hi-vis apparel, use the “no heat” setting or line-dry them.

Providing quality workwear for your team can make a huge difference in saving you money, especially with frequent replacements.

Make sure to choose quality hi-vis shirts that will still look bright even after washing.

At fancysweetstx, we use a durable blend of cotton and polyester in the production of hi-vis apparel to ensure that the apparel can withstand several washes and remain in perfect working condition.

We also fit all safety apparel with a label showing the cleaning instructions as stipulated by the OSHA guidelines.

“I'm very grateful for the help our non-profit received from fancysweetstx. Always professional, friendly, with great quality and service.”
- Deborah M.

Types and Performance Classes of Hi-vis Apparel

There are three garment types and classes for hi-vis garments. They’re classified according to the protection they offer and the environment they’re best suited for.

The table below shows the different types and classes.

The primary goal of all hi-vis apparel is to make your workers visible. Even volunteers and vendors who are around an active work environment should be provided with hi-vis apparel.

Take the Extra Steps to Keep Your Workers Safe

Hi-vis shirts help reduce the risk of accidents and help promote workplace safety. In low light and dark working environments, they help alert vehicle drivers and machinery operators of the presence of other workers.

When branded with a logo, hi-vis shirts also promote brand awareness and show the professionalism of a team.

At fancysweetstx, we understand the importance of safety and we’re familiar with the regulations that must be followed in the production of hi-vis shirts.

We’re also involved in the production and printing of other safety hi-vis apparel such as:

• Jackets
• Hoodies
• Contractor shirts
• Overalls

If you’d like to take an extra step in promoting the safety of your team, check out our website for your custom hi-vis apparel.

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Moreover, company apparel creates a powerful visual statement that:

• Shares your values
• Makes an excellent giveaway
• Arouses interest in your company
• Allows loyal customers to become walking brand ambassadors

This is especially true if the clothing is stylish and well-made, which is why it's important to invest in high-quality custom apparel for your employees.

Use these 4 ideas to create unique designs for your company apparel.

1 – Design an Eye-Catching Logo

When it comes to creating an identity for a company, nothing beats a creative and eye-catching logo.

A well-designed logo will set your business apart from the competition by:

• Quickly grabbing people’s attention
• Telling customers why your business is unique
• Triggering positive recall; it’s aesthetically pleasing

This helps to create a strong brand image that customers will be able to recognize.

Whatever you choose, make sure your logo design is unique and striking; otherwise, your business may struggle to compete against more established brands.

Below are a few factors to consider when designing your logo:

• Simplicity: A simple design is easy to recognize because it only focuses on highlighting essential parts of your brand such as color. For instance, people can recognize the McDonald’s logo with a mere glance because of its yellow arch symbol.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Dynamic logos appeal to a broader audience because they easily change depending on context. If your company manufactures products that can be used in various ways, you might want to consider a versatile logo design; for example, the Apple logo.
• Contrast and harmony: To make a strong impression, you need to create visually appealing and well-balanced logos. For instance, you can use bright colors to make sure all the colors are complementary and stand out in a crowd.

Examples of simple, distinct, and adaptable logos that we've created include:

• The University of 16153 Genova Logo

• fancysweetstx’s simple blue logo

2 – Wear Your Custom Apparel at Special Events 

Whether it’s a company picnic, employee appreciation day, or any other special event, wearing apparel that identifies with the company leaves an impression.

Not only will everyone look great and feel proud of their association with your company, but they’ll also promote the event to potential clients.

The table below shows different types of corporate events, their location, and the most appropriate company apparel for such events:

In addition to looking good, wearing company gear helps build team spirit and promote a positive corporate image. However, you need to select comfortable and stylish items, so everyone in attendance feels like they’re part of the celebration.

Cotton apparel is a great choice because cotton is naturally soft, making them breathable.

Plus, who knows? Maybe someone at the event will spot you or one of your team leaders and wish to learn more about your company.

Pro Tip: When it comes to company apparel for special events, nothing beats a customized t-shirt. Other types of apparel that may be perfect for a company event include:

• Custom Hoodies: They can be customized with your company's logo and colors, making them a top choice for people who want to show their team spirit. Moreover, they're comfortable and warm, perfect for chilly days or evenings out.
• Custom Jackets: These are perfect for colder weather events because they can keep you warm and looking sharp.

Extra Tip: While it's common to have a standard (or the same) corporate apparel during events, you can mix them up. For instance, you can have women wear T-shirts while men wear custom hats.

3 – Get Your Business Advertised and Promoted

Providing your employees with shirts, hats, bags, or other apparel with promotional information is a great way to spread the word about the latest deals and discounts.

For this, you’ll need to create a custom shirt or other garment with your business logo, slogan, website address, or even a phone number.

If worn in crowded areas such as public events or stadiums, they can act like billboards that many potential customers will see.

Tip: It’s important that your employees have a say in what they wear or give away. This shows that you’re invested in their success and care about their well-being.

If you want to get the most out of your business apparel, start by thinking about how you can use it to promote your brand, and then give your employees a role in designing and wearing it.

Here is why company apparel is the best for advertising promotions:

Affordable

Unlike other forms of advertising, company apparel can be purchased in bulk at a low cost and is easy to implement. You don’t need a large budget to get your message out there—just a little creativity and some promotional materials.

Increase Customer Trust

This is probably the greatest benefit of using apparel for marketing promotions. When customers see that your company takes pride in its clothing, they’ll be more likely to trust your products and services.

Conversation Starters

When people see your company's logo on a t-shirt, they’ll want to know more about what you have to offer. By wearing or providing apparel for your promotional events, you can organically start a conversation with your guests and create lasting customer relationships.

4 – Share Company Goals and Achievements

Sharing your company's goals and accomplishments can help build trust and loyalty among your customers, which is especially important in today's competitive market.

For instance, you can use “Our Goal is Your Satisfaction” in your marketing materials to let your customers know that you're serious about your products and services and that you’ve invested in continuing to provide the best possible experience; this can encourage customers to choose your company over others.

Some examples of quotes and phrases that can inspire your customers can include:

• “We display with pride”
• “Relax and enjoy; we’re here”
• “It’s how much we learn, not earn”
• “Customer-focused, not competitor-focused”

By publicly sharing your successes, you also demonstrate that you're committed to achieving success as a business. With this, your customers will be more willing to put their trust in you and be more likely to return for future purchases.

What’s more, keeping your customers updated about your company's progress will make them feel like they're a part of your success story, creating a solid emotional connection. All of this will result in a more loyal customer base, which will help you reach your company goals and objectives faster and easier.

Leave a Lasting Impression on Customers

Today's competitive market demands that businesses take pride in their products and services. From t-shirts and hoodies to crew sweatshirts and sweatpants, company apparel is a great way to show your pride in your company and create lasting customer relationships.

Whether you’re a large company or a startup, it’s important to consider what custom clothing can do for you; it can build brand awareness, create customer loyalty, and reinforce your company culture.

At fancysweetstx, we offer a wide range of personalized company apparel options to help you stand out from the competition. Our high-quality products and expert customer service make us the go-to choice for companies of all sizes.

Whether you’re looking for screen-printed or embroidered company apparel, we are here to help. 

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While landscaping is typically evaluated by aesthetics, due diligence is required to ensure your employees’ safety. A simple and affordable way of keeping landscapers safe is by dressing them in proper landscaping uniforms. 

As a business owner, a landscaping uniform goes beyond the safety of your workers. It is also:

• A form of free advertising for your brand
• Portrays professionalism
• Boosts your employees’ confidence
• Creates a team spirit

Choosing a good quality landscaping uniform is no easy task. When selecting safety shirts or hi-vis jackets for landscapers, you can’t rely on visibility alone; there’s way more to it than meets the eye.

1 - Pick a Uniform That’s Functional

The first step to choosing a landscaping uniform is evaluating its functionality. 

Is it practical for a landscaper? 

All site apparel needs to be practical. Landscapers are involved in a lot of physical activities, so their uniforms shouldn’t be too loose, heavy, or tight to ensure freedom of movement. 

Does the uniform have extra or strategically placed pockets? 

Pockets help landscapers store pens, small notepads, mobile devices, and other small tools as they work. Also, as they maneuver about the site, they shouldn’t be hindered by the uniform’s compartments—the sections should allow easy access to the equipment stored. 

Landscapers will work in the safety apparel you’ve given them, so think of functional but comfortable uniforms. Well-fitting uniforms will also positively impact their attitude, helping them take more pride in their work by feeling good about how they look.

2 - Consider the Weather of the Workplace

Before choosing a landscaping uniform, you’ll need to consider the time of the year and the expected weather.

In the summer, for instance, the weather becomes hotter, calling for lighter clothes with maximum breathability. But in the winter, temperatures drop and visibility declines, creating the need for thicker, high-visibility clothing.

See the table below for how these factors ought to be considered.

Expert Tip: Custom t-shirts are the most popular work clothing for landscapers. They’re available at fancysweetstx in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve options and work in any temperature.

3 - Pick Colors and Materials With the Right Visibility

Landscapers sometimes work at night or in areas with dim lighting. Similarly, weather conditions, such as fog and mist hinder visibility. Both situations may lead to accidents, especially when working along roads or freeways.

The Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America reports motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of fatal accidents among landscapers.

Landscaping employees are, therefore, required to wear high-visibility clothing while working to help them be seen by drivers, pedestrians, and other workers. 

According to OSHA:

• Daytime employees must wear hi-vis apparel in orange, yellow, or strong yellow-green colors.
• Nighttime employees must wear safety wear with retroreflective material—that which reflects light back to its original source—in orange, yellow, white, silver, or strong yellow-green colors.
• No clothing or equipment should hinder the visibility of hi-vis clothing.
• The safety apparel should be visible from 1,000 feet away, both during the day and night.

Hi-vis clothing affords landscapers an extra level of safety, giving them peace of mind as they work. 

There are 3 major components of high visibility workwear:

• Fluorescent materials: Absorbs UV light from the sun then releases the rays as visible light, increasing visibility during the day
• Reflective stripes: Reflect light directly back to its source, and are ideal for darker hours of the day or at night; for instance, the reflective stripes will reflect light from a driver’s headlight back to the driver who will see the landscaper
• Contrast materials: Often made with darker color pigments less sensitive to dirt, and used mainly on parts of the clothing where dirt accumulates fast; less sensitive to dirt than reflective stripes and fluorescent materials

4 - Choose the Most Appropriate Fabric

The fabric choice for your landscaping uniform must be greatly determined based on practicality. 

Think about the most important needs of a landscaper: 

• Are you looking for a uniform that’s easy to wash and wear? 
• What of durability—should the uniform be hard-wearing? 
• Does the uniform’s fabric take into account health and safety regulations? Is it heat resistant?
• How comfortable is the uniform—should it be tight-fitting or contain spandex in some areas?

As a landscaper, it’s critical to choose uniforms that will protect workers against injuries when working in threatening conditions, such as low-visibility areas, bad weather, and places with rain or heat. 

The landscaping uniform’s fabric needs to be durable, easy to care for, and comfortable. Let’s look at a few fabric examples in the following table, their uses, and their pros and cons.

As much as today’s technology and techniques make almost every fabric stand out, the most ideal choices are blended:

• Tri-blend fabrics are made of three different fabrics, mostly cotton, polyester, and rayon (a silk substitute).
• 50–50 blend fabrics are made of polyester and cotton in equal measures.
• Dry-fit blends can wick moisture and have body mapping properties

Above all, consider the printability of your selected fabric since you’ll be printing your company’s logo and design on the uniform.

A common method used to print uniforms is screen printing. 

fancysweetstx uses automated screen printing equipment to ensure the quality of each screen printed garment. From the screen room to our printing presses, our investment in state-of-the-art equipment has resulted in higher quality shirts and screens.

Related: How to Burn a Screen for Screen Printing T-Shirts [With Video]

Landscaping Uniforms—What Workers Need

Since you’re now in the best position to choose quality landscaping uniform, let’s look at some options in the market today:

• Polo shirts: Durable, comfortable, and portray a high level of professionalism; for hot weather, opt for dry performance polos which provide extra ventilation with their moisture-wicking abilities.
• T-Shirts: The most popular work shirts for landscapers and work for any temperature; affordable and ideal when working on a tight budget
• Button-down shirts: More durable than polos and t-shirts, and won’t reveal stains as easily
• Shorts: Ideal for riding mowers or during the hot summers
• Pants: Protect the legs from harm when pushing mowers, removing trees, or passing through sharp branches
• Jackets: Ideal for working on chilly days
• Headwear: UV-blocking hats protect landscapers from the sun’s UV rays which can cause sunburns on the scalp

What Next?

Increase your brand’s awareness today with quality custom printed or embroidered landscaping uniforms for your workers. 

fancysweetstx offers a wide selection of custom landscaping workwear, hi-vis, hoodies, shirts, all at affordable prices. Contact us today and we’ll bring your ideas into reality. 

All you need to do is tell us about your project, then we’ll handle everything from custom design creation to printing or adding embroidery to the garment.

"I would recommend fancysweetstx for anyone who is looking for quality clothes and excellent customer service… Highly, highly recommend." Matthew S

"Phenomenal experience buying a run of 65 t-shirts. Very fast responses from the account manager, great pricing, and fast production." Joe M

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At the customer level, company apparel can act as a sign of trustworthiness. It showcases your employees as professionals, which will improve customer perceptions. Even better, it becomes easier for customers to identify your employees.

At the employee level, company uniforms can be great for inspiring team spirit. It also increases employee morale—people are more likely to perform well when they look and feel good. 

"The pride we take in our appearance should make us feel good when we help customers. It's a reminder that each one of us is part of something big..."
- Barbara Simone, a Walmart human resources executive.

Most importantly, custom uniforms can act as safety apparel, helping to keep your employees out of harm’s way.

At the business level, corporate apparel can help solidify your brand identity. Uniforms can be used to showcase brand colors, logos, and overall values. 

To enjoy the perks that custom company uniforms provide, you need to create a strong corporate apparel program. You’ll need to ensure that every part of the process is catered to, from uniform design to stock management.

Here’s a simple guide to help you create a comprehensive corporate apparel program:

Create the Ideal Apparel Design

At the bare minimum, the apparel design you choose needs to be practical, comfortable, and safe for employees to use. You must always consider the circumstances in which your staff members will be using the uniforms you design.

Most importantly, your employees should be happy with the final design choice. Be sure to consult employees on their ideal dress code.

Here are four considerations for designing your corporate apparel:

Pick Practical Clothes

The ideal apparel for your workforce should allow your employees to execute their duties without constraint. Consider the environment in which your employees spend their time. 

There could be safety and health codes that your workforce needs to comply with. For instance, if you’re in the construction industry, you’ll need to invest in safety equipment like helmets, gloves, and hi-vis clothing.

An employee in the hospitality industry moves around often, sweats, and encounters spills during a typical workday. The ideal workwear for them is a professional-looking apron that will protect their clothes from spills. Consider investing in clothes that are easy to move around in throughout the day as well.

As for employees who work in an office environment, a suit, t-shirt, or dress pants will suffice. The apparel should represent your brand colors and values while making your employees look professional and approachable.

Choose Suitable Uniform Colors

A rule of thumb for most businesses is to use a brand color as the base color for their uniforms. This strategy ensures consistent branding across the various sectors of your business. 

However, colors should also factor in where employees will use the uniform. For instance, construction workers need to wear bright-colored uniforms when they’re at work for safety reasons. 

When deciding on colors, inject some color psychology into your choices. How do you want people to perceive your workforce? While yellow will portray your team as enthusiastic, black will make them look more professional. 

Expert tip: Pick a color that contrasts with your base color to make the design easily visible. For instance, a red logo printed on a white t-shirt.

Be Intentional With the Fabric Choice

Low-quality fabrics might be cheap at first glance, but they’ll be expensive in the long run since they’ll have to be replaced often. Instead, choose fabrics that are durable in nature. 

Cotton, polyester, and rayon are great fabrics for employees who move around a lot, like restaurant staff. These fabrics don’t restrict movement. 

If your employees spend the bulk of their day outdoors, consider uniforms that will keep them warm on cold days. Wool and blended wool will be ideal for this situation. 

Most importantly, consider what it will take to maintain the fabric you choose. Fabrics that require frequent dry cleaning, like suede and denim, might not be practical for your employees. Instead, choose easy-wash fabrics like cotton and jersey.

Ideal Logo Placement

If your staff will be working far away from customers, consider printing a large onto your company apparel for easy identification. Smaller logos will be ideal for employees who work face-to-face with customers. 

Place your logos on the chest, back, or sleeve of a garment. You want the logo to be placed where it can easily be seen.

The method you use to print your logo onto apparel will also impact the overall look of your company apparel. The table below describes a few different ways to add a logo to your apparel.

Corporate Apparel Inventory Management

Inventory management can be easy to ignore in a corporate apparel program. However, ignoring it could lead to inconveniences to your employees, or even the failure of your apparel program. 

A great inventory management program allows your business to control how you:

• List uniform inventory
• Purchase and replace uniforms
• Offer new recruits corporate apparel
• Manage workwear budgets

The need for proper inventory management increases the more a business grows. To run a successful inventory management program, you’ll need to:

Note Your Basic Corporate Apparel Needs

Having an understanding of your basic uniform requirements will help with the entire planning process. You’ll know when, how, and where to replace your corporate apparel when the need arises. 

At the bare minimum, you should determine the following:

• Your current staff numbers
• The rate of staff churn and recruitment
• The frequency of uniform replacement
• The complexity of every uniform
• The budget needed to run your uniform program

Use the information above to set up a successful inventory management process for your corporate apparel.

Track Your Uniform Program

Once you have a firm understanding of your basic uniform program, you can start building a structure for tracking the uniforms you have in circulation. You’ll need to identify who has what type of uniform, whether the uniform is due for replacement, and how soon you can replace existing uniforms.

You don’t have to rely on Excel to track your corporate apparel program. There are multiple management systems that can help you keep everything in check. Additionally, when we run inventory programs for our customers, we provide monthly sales reports to help track inventory.

Pro Tip: It's always a best practice to keep things simple to start and grow from there.

Plan For Uniform Replacement and Maintenance

Several factors will determine the frequency of an employee’s uniform replacement. For instance, the fabric, the type of work the employees are engaged in, and the uniform’s durability will all contribute to its replacement rate.

Employees who work in construction will have their uniforms wear and tear faster than those in offices. Low-quality uniforms will also need more frequent replacement than higher-quality ones. 

Monitor how quickly your corporate apparel needs replacement. After a few replacement cycles, you’ll have an idea of this frequency, which will help you arrange a predictable replacement cycle with your company apparel provider.

Create a Suitable Uniform Policy

A comprehensive uniform policy covers all gray areas, ensuring that employees understand what’s required of them when they’re in the workplace. 

Create a uniform policy that’s compliant with state and federal law. It should also comply with safety regulations. Finally, ensure that your uniform policy doesn’t infringe on your employees' religious beliefs. 

It’s advisable to seek third-party help, from a lawyer or consultant, to ensure that your uniform policy is compliant with regulations without discriminating against specific employees.

Keep Employees Happy and Your Brand Shining

A well-thought-out corporate apparel program will do wonders for your business. It’s all about understanding what employees need while making your business stand out. Use the above tips to create a comprehensive program that works for your business. 

If you’re looking to design or purchase quality corporate apparel, contact fancysweetstx today. We’re a company uniform printer that will help you to design and manage your corporate apparel program.

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However, this image makes your workers look like the other 10 million+ employees in the US construction industry, making it impossible for your brand to stand out.

Fortunately, there are many ways to stand out in the construction industry:

• Providing excellent customer service 
• Finding a niche and excelling in it
• Building a good team
• Keeping up with emerging trends

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to set your firm aside is by branding the equipment your workers already use—such as, their construction uniforms and safety apparel.

Displaying your company’s logo on your workers’ hi-vis and safety clothing not only gives you an edge over your competition but also comes with other benefits.

1 - Branded Apparel Displays Professionalism

If you want to show your clients that they can trust your brand and your workers, establish a professional business image with branded construction uniforms. 

Having your company’s logo or name embroidered on your workers’ safety shirts and hi-vis jackets reinforces your brand’s strategy and position in the industry.

Branded uniforms are also crucial for gaining new clients. As clients meet with your workers, the branded clothing sends a message of order and professionalism, which builds their confidence in your company. 

This, in turn, makes them want to associate further with your brand.

2 - Branded Apparel as a Sense of Pride and Responsibility

Are you proud of the construction work you do? 

What of the people that work for you? 

If your answer is “Yes”, then invest in branded uniforms to display your pride.

When Schoen Inc. dresses their workers in branded reflective safety jackets, they’re letting the world know that they trust their employees.

Do you think the firm would’ve put their logo on their workers’ uniforms if they were abrasive or showed poor behavior? Most likely not.

By choosing to brand their safety shirts, Schoen Inc. is communicating confidence in their workers.

When a company brands its uniforms, the sense of ownership trickles down from the leaders to the workers. 

Branded apparel is the company’s vote of confidence in the workers that they’ll represent the brand appropriately, both on site and off.

3 - Branded Apparel Promotes Team Building

Think of your favorite sports team. If you go to the stadium to watch them play, you’ll likely associate and bond with fans pledging allegiance to the same team.

The same idea applies to branded construction uniforms; matching safety hoodies promote a sense of belonging and solidarity, making employees feel they’re working as a team towards a common goal. 

When the workers wear your brand, they’re saying they are part of a community and culture, increasing cohesiveness and building team spirit.

The branded apparel also boosts the workers’ morale and productivity. When they wear the same safety clothes at work, they feel included and take pride in their tasks.

Besides uniting workers, branded uniforms give them a consistent look. 

When they dress in matching apparel, it becomes easy to locate your workers, and know they’re a part of your mission.

4 - Branded Apparel Is an Excellent Marketing Strategy

Branded clothing has long been used as an effective marketing tool to attract prospective clients and improve a company’s exposure.

When workers wear branded construction and safety clothing, they become associated with your brand wherever they go.

Related: Choosing the Best Custom Branded Construction and Safety Clothing

As people spot your company’s name and logo, the branded apparel translates to free advertising. This way, your brand is able to reach people and places not yet conquered by traditional media.

Besides, unlike paid TV and print adverts, branding construction uniforms is far less expensive, since the clothing does the advertising for you.

Plus, branded construction clothing, such as long sleeve safety t-shirts, lasts longer than traditional advertising. 

Clothes are designed to be worn for months or years, so your company logo will be displayed for a long time to come.

5 - Branded Apparel Builds Trust and Credibility

Construction companies with branded apparel enjoy a greater perception among prospective clients and other workers. 

Customers naturally perceive workers wearing branded clothing as experts in their field with a sense of pride in their work, making them better service providers. 

As a result, new clients will feel secure and confident in seeking your construction services, while old customers will readily refer you to their friends.

Remember, consistency sells. 

If people can rely on having the same experience anytime they seek your services, they’ll keep visiting your business. Branded construction uniforms offer all workers a consistent appearance, reinforcing trust and credibility.

Construction Uniform: What Do Construction Workers Wear?

Forget the yellow hard hats and reflective vests construction workers adorn on site—there’s much more to their clothing.

From operating heavy machinery to carrying huge loads and working at heights, construction sites pose serious accident and injury threats to workers. 

That’s why the US workplace laws mandate that employees wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when on construction sites. 

The PPEs are meant to protect workers from health and safety risks (high and low) that may occur via: 

• Falling objects on site, crushing the workers’ limbs
• Cuts and abrasions through the skin by sharp objects 
• Physical impact from heavy machinery, damaging internal organs
• Flying particles in the air entering the eye

Generally, the construction workers’ clothing needs to meet the safety standards for the job. This means the eyes, head, ears, and feet need maximum protection.

Branding Construction Uniform for Success

Whichever way you choose to brand your workers’ construction uniforms, anywhere they go, word of your company will spread.

If you’re ready to elevate your brand with custom branded construction uniforms, reach out to fancysweetstx today at [email protected] or call us at 419-318-2029 for further inquiries.

We offer excellent custom printing and embroidery services with plenty of personalization options to make your branded construction uniforms stand out. 

"I ordered a yellow sweater in a group purchase that I loved - it was SO soft and looked great." - Erin O'Neil

Frequently Asked Questions

What should construction workers NOT wear to construction sites?

The clothing items and accessories workers shouldn’t wear on site for safety purposes include:

• Ripped jeans
• Skirts or dresses
• Jewelry
• Open-toed shoes
• Tight pants

Why should construction workers wear hi-vis clothing as part of their uniform?

Hi-vis clothing is an essential part of construction uniforms because it makes workers visible to other workers or road users, preventing accidents and injuries. 

What factors should you consider when buying branded construction uniforms?

Durability, safety, and comfort are key factors to consider when choosing a custom construction uniform. 

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"If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good."
— NFL Hall of Fame Cornerback Deion Sanders

Deion “Primetime” Sanders may have been referring to professional football, but he hit on something that works in the business arena, too: How your employees look affects how they feel and how they do their jobs.

Likewise, how your customers look affects how they feel about your company and its products.

When both your team and your tribe look good, they feel good. When they feel good, they work harder for your brand. And all that hard work pays off in increased sales.

One of the easiest ways to make everyone look good is with branded apparel. Today, we’re going to show you 4 ways branded apparel’s good looks can affect your company’s bottom line, by:

• Increasing brand awareness
• Improving team spirit and company culture
• Building better trust, credibility, and customer relationships
• Creating brand loyalty and increasing sales

All that from a few shirts and hats? Absolutely. Let’s discover how.

1 - Increase Brand Awareness With Branded Apparel

Picture it. The guy from the local advertising company comes into your office with an “offer you can’t refuse”.

He’ll set you up with a billboard out by the highway for the low-low price of $5000 for one month. He can even work you a deal for a second one, smaller, in town, for an additional $3500.

Now, picture this. You have a dozen or so billboards visible around town every day. They don’t cost you half of what his “unbeatable” offer would. And they last a whole lot longer than 30 days.

What could that be? The shirts and hats on your employees. Or the special branded apparel you gave away to certain loyal customers. They might even be the items you’re currently selling on your website or in your store.

Branded apparel worn by both your team and your tribe of customers creates an awareness of your company and helps to build unmatched trust.

How?

• Portability - Billboards, posters, and flyers are stuck in one spot. But branded apparel goes wherever the wearer goes.
• Multiplicity - You can only put up so many billboards, posters, and other ads. But you can have dozens or even hundreds of people wearing your brand.
• Longevity - Advertising campaigns come and go. Branded apparel is long-lasting—even last year’s shirts or hats are still effective at showing off your brand.
• Curiosity - A catchy phrase, a funny graphic, an interesting color scheme or slogan—all raise more interest than any old print or digital ad. And there’s a real-live human being wearing it to answer their questions. No Google search required.

Branded apparel can boost your community’s awareness of who you are, whether you’ve been in business for years or are the newest kid on the block. And it can do it in ways other forms of traditional marketing can’t. 

2 - Branded Apparel Improves Team Spirit and Promotes Company Culture

Everyone wants to belong. It’s a basic human instinct and psychological need. We require connections and relationships. We need to feel as though we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Branded apparel can create that sense of unity and belonging among your employees. When they wear your company’s shirt, it tells the world that they are on your team. They have a place and a purpose and a position within a special group.

That “special” belonging often fosters a sense of unity and pride among your team members. Especially if you develop a culture of “we’ve got your back” and “we won’t let you down”.

Your branded apparel shows the world that you take pride in your people. You are a business they can be proud to be a part of. And they have your support the same way you have theirs.

The type of branded apparel you choose can also send a message about your company and its culture. A polo shirt or button-down style says “professional” and “serious about doing business”, for example.

T-shirts, on the other hand, tend to show a more laid-back, relaxed, casual approach to your business and can spell fun to both those who work for you and those who deal with your company.

Baseball caps and beanies can also add a fun touch to your company’s image. They’re also quite useful for employees and customers who do a lot of work outside. Hats can ooze old-fashioned charm, a certain ruggedness, and even a sense of adventure.

Branded apparel can pull everyone together and make them feel as though they are on the same page, on the same side. It can give customers a feeling of belonging, too, as part-time members of your team.

That’s team spirit and company culture that no weekend retreat or ping pong table can ever develop. 

3 - Build Better Trust, Credibility, and Customer Relations With Branded Apparel

Now that we’ve discussed what branded apparel can do for your team and your company culture, let’s take a look at it can do for your customers and your customer relations. 

Building Trust and Credibility

Customers tend to view branded apparel as a sign of high-quality service. After all, you’re not going to put your name, logo, and whatnot out there for all to see and recognize unless it’s worth the recognition, right?

Branded apparel also makes your team the appearance of legitimacy. They’re the “real deal,” capable of delivering the higher standards of service customers have come to expect from today’s business world.

In short, branded apparel helps build a sense of trust and credibility between your company and its customers. That trust creates a connection and a solid relationship, between all involved. 

Improved Customer Relations and Service

By making those connections, building that trust, and fostering those relationships, branded apparel helps your team improve customer relations and service nearly effortlessly.

There’s no need for customers to hesitate to ask for assistance or to doubt whether an employee can help them when employees are easily identifiable through their branded apparel.

There’s no room for employees to offer shoddy or slap-dash service, either, when their branded apparel makes them quickly and clearly identifiable to a supervisor or manager.

Your employees are walking billboards for your company’s values and vision. By encouraging them to do their best to live up to those values and that vision, they’re influenced to do their best for your customers.

Your customers see this, expect this, and know when it’s offered and when it’s not. By wearing branded apparel, your employees are in the spotlight and expected to do their best by both customer and employer. 

Increased Customer Loyalty

A great way to increase both brand awareness and customer loyalty at the same time is with a branded apparel giveaway. Happy customers love to show off their support for a “good” company with “good” service. Let them do it in your style.

Giveaways are great for recruiting new customers, as well as rewarding loyal, repeat customers. Everyone wants something for nothing, right? And who doesn’t like to be rewarded for doing something they would normally do anyway?

By offering a free hat or t-shirt to a customer for making purchases or signing up for your social media account, you foster more of that relationship and build those all-important connections.

And in doing so, you create a more loyal, more profitable customer.

4 - Increasing Brand Loyalty and Sales

Can a simple t-shirt, hat, or tote bag increase brand loyalty and ultimately, your bottom line?

Absolutely.

How?

Let’s look at some stats in this table, gathered by HubSpot.

Give away those hats, those t-shirts, as we mentioned above. And when they get really popular and are considered the latest hot thing to be seen in, add another profitable aspect to your branded apparel by offering it for sale. 

You might not become the next Gucci or Michael Kors, but you’ll make some extra cash, increase your brand awareness, and start the branded apparel benefits cycle all over again.

Large or Small, Every Business Can Benefit From Branded Apparel

Maybe you’re thinking that branded apparel is just fine for bigger businesses like Target or Pepsi. Maybe even the local car dealership king is big enough to outfit his people with shirts and giveaway hats. 

But you? You’re too small or too new, or both.

You, too, can benefit from branded apparel and its benefits. Outfit your few staff with polos or t-shirts. Give shirts or hats to your first 50 customers. Or your first social media followers. Build the awareness and confidence a small, new business like yours needs.

The positive effects of branded apparel on any business can’t be bought with any amount of paid advertising. They go beyond marketing and into turning customers into family, in a loyal and loving tribe to last a lifetime.

Watch this video to see what our branded apparel can do for you and your brand. 

At fancysweetstx, we will create all the branded apparel for your company. From shirts to hats, jackets to tote bags, whether outfitting your team or your tribe of customers, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s what one of our tribe had to say about us and our service: 

Contact us today about getting your company the benefits only branded apparel can provide.

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Custom apparel is great for:

• Showcasing brand values to customers
• Improving customer experience
• Promoting professionalism and credibility
• Making your brand stand out from competitors

It also creates brand ambassadors out of your employees, acting as a cost-effective marketing channel for your business wherever your employees are.

Besides, custom apparel will increase employee morale and a sense of camaraderie, making them feel like they’re part of a team. You’ll need to be intentional about creating custom apparel that does the talking for your brand. There are a lot of decisions to make from the ideal cloth fabric choices to the best slogans.

Here are tips to help you design corporate apparel that effectively promotes your brand.

Choose Garments Your Employees are Happy With

Employee garments need to be practical, safe, and comfortable. If possible, seek input from employees on the ideal clothes for their day-to-day activities.

You can choose from t-shirts, beanies, sweatshirts, and even protective workwear, as long as it is practical for the specific roles your employees play. 

When picking apparel for your employees, consider the following questions:

• Where will your employees be working? Indoors or outdoors?
• Does their line of work require reflective gear, such as helmets and hi-vis vests?
• Will they need different cloth types based on the season?
• Does the temperature your employees typically work under require a specific cloth type?

The answers to these questions will determine the kind of uniform to get, from apparel that provides warmth to one that makes them visible in dangerous work environments. 

Pro Tip: Since we're known for printing vintage t-shirts, we can't overstate how much people love soft t-shirts. If you want a shirt to worn as often as possible, choose a shirt that is soft. 

Select Designs That Speak to Your Customers

Having a firm understanding of your customers will take the guesswork out of designing your corporate apparel. 

If you already have perfectly-defined buyer personas, use them to guide your design choices. 

If you’re yet to define your buyer persona, then a bit of research will help get you started. You can either conduct quantitative research using surveys and data analytics or qualitative research by reviewing customer interviews and feedback.

Then ensure your customers’ beliefs, wants, challenges, and attitudes are reflected in your design. 

For instance, if your customers are drawn to luxury items, focusing on purple as a primary color will do the trick, as long as it’s consistent with your brand colors.

Focus on the following aspects of your buyer persona when designing corporate apparel:

• Psychographic data: This includes your customer’s hobbies, interests, and attitudes. For instance, if your customers are interested in chess, using terms like ‘checkmate’ in your slogan will draw them to your corporate apparel. 
• Geographic data: This is where your ideal customer lives and works. For instance, referencing a source of pride (sports team, dish, etc.) in your ideal customer’s location will make your corporate uniform relatable. 
• Behavioral data: Where do your customers buy their products? What’s their price sensitivity? What agitates them? Talking about your return policy, mission, and vision in the corporate uniform’s slogan will address these questions and make customers more willing to buy from you.

Although subtle, the design choices that a comprehensive buyer persona leads to can set your business apart from your competition.

Pick Ideal Uniform Colors

Use your brand colors as the base for defining the colors of your corporate apparel.

Environmental factors also influence your color choices. For instance, if your employees are working in retail environments, choosing bright colors like orange will make them easy to spot by customers.

In work environments that call for a certain level of safety, bright-colored safety workwear is ideal. While, for in-office environments, dark shades like navy blue or black make employees look more professional.

If possible, dress senior staff members in slightly different colors from the rest. Letting managers and supervisors wear different colors will give junior employees an easy time spotting them.

Play Around With Color Psychology

You can also use color choices to portray your brand attitude. For example, the combination of red, white, and yellow will make your employees come off as excited and energetic. Whereas blue and green can portray employees as calm and gentle.

Here’s a table linking colors to different emotions:

Expert Tip: Relying on color psychology to induce the right emotions will improve how your customers feel about your brand. For consistency, stick to your brand colors. You can use some variation of these colors to achieve the emotional appeal you’re targeting. 

Be Intentional With Your Logo Location

Your logo placement helps people identify your brand.

There are multiple logo placement options, including placing it on a pocket, sleeve, or trouser leg. The trick is to choose a location that’ll provide maximum visibility for your logo.

For instance, consider placing a large logo on the back of t-shirts meant for field employees. You can also add a small logo on the left breast of the t-shirt. For customer-facing and desk-based employees, placing the logo above the pocket of their shirt will be ideal.

Additionally, if your employees are working far away from customers, consider making your logo big enough to see. But for employees working face-to-face with customers, a small logo is ideal.

Another thing, the logo colors must stand out from the base apparel colors.

Be Intentional With Your Brand Messaging

Your corporate apparel represents prime real estate for featuring your brand messaging. There’s a lot that you can feature on your uniforms, but it needs to be as succinct and clear as possible. 

Including a call-to-action is a no-brainer. You can urge customers to call a specific number or visit your website or store. 

Complement your call-to-action with the right brand messaging. The messages you use need to reflect exactly what you’d love your customers or employees to know more than anything else. For instance, printing your value proposition onto your corporate apparel is a great decision if you are a new brand.

Here are a few ideas for brand messaging and when to use them.

Differentiators

If you’re in a highly competitive field, featuring your brand differentiation statement on your corporate apparel is the way to go. It helps customers learn why they should always choose you over the competition. 

For instance, if you own a restaurant that offers gourmet Japanese dishes, this statement might be a great differentiator:

“Your tastiest source of Japanese gourmet dishes”

CSR Statement

If you’re printing out corporate apparel for a CSR campaign, you need to print a strong supporting statement onto it. This statement will help spread the word about your initiative. 

For example, if your business is planting trees, this statement will help rally people around your cause:

“Healing the world one tree at a time”

Company Culture Statement

For corporate apparel that employees will only use internally, you can print statements that represent your company's culture. This will act as a constant reminder of the culture you’re building for employees.

For instance, if you’re focused on building a safety-centric culture, this statement will keep employees on their toes:

“Never give safety a day off”

Let Your Corporate Apparel Speak for Your Brand

From apparel colors to slogans, every design decision needs to spread your brand message and make you stand out. Use the tips above to pick corporate apparel that’s in line with your corporate branding. 

If you’re looking to design or buy company apparel, contact fancysweetstx today. We provide brands with apparel that’s great for corporate branding. 

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Besides modestly priced fabric and a competent designer, there are more tips, tricks, and ideas to getting the maximum return on investment from your company apparel.

Today, we’ll consider these five customization hacks:

• Amplifying colors with shades and contrast
• Choosing the right font and typography
• Associating company apparel with departments
• Printing inspirational quotes
• Making apparel for special events

We’ll also look at the effects of customized and uncustomized company apparel on employees and brands. 

1 - Amplifying Colors With Shades and Contrast

A sharper color contrast will create a greater visual impact and reciprocity for your company apparel. This will lead to more brand awareness, resulting in increased customer engagement.

Make your text and graphics more assertive by placing them on a visually contrasting palette.

The image below is an excellent example of deep-colored text and graphics that we printed on a lightened palette, resulting in a catchy, highly contrasting color mix.

Here are some harmonious contrast suggestions to help you avoid color conflict:

• Monochromatic high contrast: varying one color with tints, tones, and shades by adding black or white. 
• Achromatic high contrast: using neutral colors only; white, black, and gray.
• Complimentary high contrast: combining a color with the opposite color on the color wheel.

Expert Tip: Every color on the wheel stands directly across a contrasting contemporary. As a general rule, while working with complementary colors, choose one as the dominant and the other as the complimentary.

2 - Choosing the Right Font and Typography

Font refers to text style (typeface). At the same time, typography is concerned with the visual arrangement of text and words.

All text and graphics on company apparel carry a message for your target audience. Therefore, you need to choose fonts that’ll resonate with your target audience. 

The image below exemplifies an eye-catching but straightforward combination of font style, color, and typography.

Here are examples of fonts for professional company apparel:

• Helvetica: features unmatched legibility and a professional look that makes it one of the best fonts for logo design.
• Garamond: has been a favorite of Apple and Microsoft Windows and is considered the second-best font after Helvetica due to its gentle curves and precise edges.
• Futura: popular with global brands such as Red Bull, Paypal, and Gillette due to its elegance, strength, and clarity.
• Proxima Nova: comes with 48 sleek, modern, and minimalistic variations, providing numerous formal and professional design alternatives.

Pairing a font with a complimentary choice from above creates impressive visual outcomes. For example, you can combine Helvetica and Garamond on a single company t-shirt without causing conflict.

Also, before pairing fonts, ensure the ascenders and descenders of tailed letters such as b, d, h, and p are proportional. This will maintain typographical symmetry.

Avoid effects such as drop shadows and textures because they erode the professional character of your fonts.

You can combine these fonts or related variants from your graphic design app or word processor.

Another great resource that we use for fonts is the website Dafont.com. They offer thousands of free fonts for download. And, of course, if you need a recommendation, you can always ask one of our graphic designers.

3 - Associating Company Apparel With Departments

Vary the material, design, and color of company apparel according to the job’s demands and the duties of the personnel who will wear it. Also, be clear on where and when your team will be wearing it.

Will the employees wear your design on the job or when they’re off-duty?

If it’s corporate wear, polo shirts are an excellent consideration for administration and field personnel. 

Alternatively, provide outdoor staff with custom printed hats for sun protection.

But if the apparel is a company perk or token of appreciation to your employees, hoodies and custom t-shirts are a good idea.

As seen in the image below, associating company apparel with departments makes for easy identification by colleagues and customers.

Consider designing custom athletic shirts for your staff if your business is a personal training company or fitness center. This company apparel will make your employees comfortable and publicize your brand.

The advantages of designing apparel according to departments include:

• Fun: especially if it bears a favorite, inoffensive, witty stereotype from within the department.
• Team unity: represented by a distinct image, quote, or color on the apparel. 
• Representation: the presence of departmental apparel among others from different departments naturally answers the question of representation.

The table below looks at how customized and non-customized company apparel can affect your brand and employees.

4 - Printing Inspirational Quotes

Printing inspirational quotes on company apparel—such as custom shirts—presents an exceptional opportunity to motivate and inspire your employees.

An action-oriented motivational quote on company apparel can be a rallying call to accomplish a seemingly challenging corporate or departmental objective. 

You can also cheer your employees up with a celebratory tagline during a momentous occasion, such as an anniversary, turnkey company merger, or blue-chip acquisition.

Similarly, when employees wear apparel with a single motivational quote, their morale and team spirit improve significantly. The message fosters unity of purpose.

The t-shirt image below bears a statement calling employees to work with excellence and aim for high ideals.

In the creative industry, printing an anecdotal line on your company apparel will inspire your employees greatly. In addition, by warming their hearts, good humor will naturally endear your prospects and customers to your brand.

Here are some popular quote types for you to choose from:

• Life quotes
• Brand taglines
• Attitude quotes
• Motivational quotes

5 - Making Apparel for Special Events

Special events involving public participation are an excellent opportunity for brand visibility. There’s nothing more timely than having your employees wear company apparel in a public event such as a:

• Charity
• Trade show
• Conference
• Product launch

Instill a strong sense of pride in event crew members with custom t-shirts. That sense of belonging will be a surefire impetus for team spirit and loyalty, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.

Unique event company apparel will leave a lasting impression on your customers. They’ll associate similar future events to your company or be reminded of your brand, and brand recognizability is the primary goal of every corporate event.

Below is a shirt that we printed for a race called the Haiti Hustle. We print a lot of shirts for 5K races to commemorate the event.

Promote your business in a fun and yet charitable way by giving out company branded apparel to the public during special events. These gifts can be t-shirts or embroidered caps, depending on the season and goal of the event.

Whether your customers wear them at the event and beyond or keep them as souvenirs, the key is creating and maintaining brand awareness. 

In addition, custom company apparel is a great investment during special events because it promotes a positive experience for event attendees and ensures the recognizability of crew members.

Expert Tip: Choose a shirt with a soft material that will be worn more often than a standard shirt.

Be Seen Far and Wide

At fancysweetstx, we use cutting-edge screen printing techniques and embroidery to create durable designs of your choice. Our top-of-the-line products include safety apparel, contractor shirts, embroidered crew shirts, beanies, and vintage shirts.

Contact us, and you’ll find we’re a good fit for your custom apparel needs. 

Our customers are the happiest. Just check this out.

“Wow! What an impressive turnaround on our order of embroidered polo shirts. fancysweetstx is very professional, very responsive. We will be back again!”
— Don C.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best fabric for work apparel?

Cotton is the best fabric for work apparel because it’s wearable through all seasons, absorbs sweat, dries up fast, and offers efficient breathability.

Besides cotton, there are other durable, comfortable, and washable fabrics such as:

• Twill
• Poplin
• Oxford
• Flannel

Most fancysweetstx shirts are made of cotton, rayon, and poly tri-blends. The synthetic nature of poly and rayon has given our shirts an anti-shrink reputation.

Can you embroider our logo?

Yes. Our ability to embroider any shape on all fabrics comes from our experienced design team and special embroidery frames for our embroidery machinery. 

Can I see the logo before you embroider or print it?

Yes. Upon receipt of your order payment, our design staff will create a digital rendering of your logo, and we’ll email it to you for review and approval. We won’t print or embroider your apparel until we receive your consent.

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Unfortunately, branded shirts are often relegated to the back of the wardrobe and only see the light of day on team building or messy chore days.

So, how can you get the most out of your custom company apparel?

The creative ideas we’ll talk about today include:

• How to leverage emotional connections and customer values in your branding choices.
• How to use limited supply to get the most out of your custom company apparel.
• Why choosing the right custom branding partner will boost your custom apparel game.

1 - Create an Emotional Connection

Branding is about creating distinctive design features that help your clients associate certain values, products, and services with your brand.

Custom company apparel is about showing rather than telling. Showing, in this case, means creating a visceral emotional connection with a message on your custom workwear.

Let’s break down a few effective emotional branding strategies that can help build loyalty.

Cause and Empowerment Branding

Millennials and Gen Z have exemplified the trait of putting their emotions and hard-earned money into brands that believe in them and support the causes that they believe in.

In light of this, find ways to marry your merchandizing and marketing strategies with social causes your customers care about. For example, we screen printed this fun t-shirt below for a local festival that benefits the causes of Waterville Rotary Club.

By engaging with the causes that matter most to your customers, you show them that your brand cares, which can lead to them wanting to buy more and to share your brand with their friends.

Sensory Branding

Sensory branding leverages the moods and emotions that affect cognitive decision making. It’s branding that targets the five senses—think of Netflix’s iconic logo animation sound or the Starbucks green that subconsciously makes you think of freshness.

Research shows that 92% of purchasing decisions are based on the visual.

For apparel, focus your branding on visual and tactile elements:

• Bold color contrasts communicate clear brand values. For example, black and yellow says ‘fun yet sophisticated’ while red and blue bring to mind the star-spangled banner. The soft colors of fancysweetstx’s vintage shirts carry a boatload of nostalgia.
• Texture, shape, weight, and temperature create a tactile experience. For instance, pure cotton tees have a heavier weight and can communicate brand values like sustainability, luxury and durability.

Storytelling

People remember feelings more than information, and there is no greater vehicle of emotion than a story.

Steve Jobs puts it excellently in this 1997 video introducing Apple’s long-running ‘Think Different’ campaign.

For custom company apparel, aim to tell a story that links your brand’s origin and values to the ideas that your customers hold dear. For example, fancysweetstx’s collection of ‘You Will Do Better in 16153 Genova’ merch was inspired by a beautiful story dating back to 1913.

The combination of your company’s brand values and customer values creates the sweet spot where you can build an emotional connection.

Your brand’s and your customers’ values will also determine the:

• Typography, the font and text arrangement of your slogans and logo.
• Color palette of the custom workwear.
• Shapes and graphics that complement the text.
• Tone of voice of your custom apparel.

In the following table we compare various examples of brand identities and customer values and how they align with design elements.

2 - Make It Inspirational or Funny

What do you do when you hear a good joke? You want to share it immediately.

The inner salesperson we all have is who you want to channel with the slogans and designs of your custom company apparel.

Whenever we think an idea is interesting, useful, or funny, we rush to share it, which triggers the mentalizing part of our brains that thinks about the thoughts and feelings of others—the salesperson.

Humor, though subjective, is one of the easiest ways to tap into the wearer’s inner salesperson. However, an inspirational or motivational idea holds equal weight.

How can you build humor and inspiration into your custom workwear?

• Positive affirmations as slogans suit most businesses, especially brands in the sport, health and fitness niches. They also form great photo ops to share online and on social media. Just think of Nike’s ‘Just Do It’.
• Puns and witticisms are the easiest form of humor to deliver on a t-shirt. You can source them internally from your staff to ensure their relevance or even work with a copywriter to draft a few ideas.
• Lean into popular or trendy catch phrases relevant to your brand, especially if you’re releasing a limited edition of custom company apparel (which we discuss in the next section).

Below are humorous and inspirational custom company apparel fancysweetstx created for two of our clients.

You want your slogans to strike a light tone without being offensive or inappropriate. For instance, the CrossFit gym t-shirt references how tough and grueling the workouts are, but is softened through the lens of something you love.

On the flipside, the restaurant tee also talks about fitness but makes a tongue-in-cheek joke about it all being for the glory of food—light and comical, but not offensive.

Always go the extra mile, unless you’re a taxi driver.

3 - Play up the Appeal of Limited Supply

The fashion world is obsessed with limited edition releases. Limited editions up the ante on exclusivity because they create a sense of recognition and belonging to an elite group.

They also reinforce the wearer’s investment in the brand.

We borrow this idea for custom company apparel to:

• Open up avenues of collaboration with other brands or community-based organizations.
• Commemorate your brand’s milestones and anniversaries.
• Experiment with design ideas that are too expensive or risky to produce en masse.

At fancysweetstx, we’ve used this idea in our t-shirt clubs and community shirt clubs. Our customers can celebrate their hometown spirit or support a local charity through our limited edition shirt releases.

Here’s how the idea would translate for custom company apparel:

• Create a special design in limited numbers to commemorate a big milestone, such as a 10-year anniversary, opening a new branch, expanding into a new region, or a new selection of products.
• Collaborate with a local charity or community-based organization that aligns with your business values and release limited edition shirts, caps or even patches to raise awareness and funds for their cause.
• Celebrate your top tier clients with a limited release of custom clothing to distribute during workshops or client meetings.
• Tap into the local talent pool of budding entrepreneurs, young artists or students who can breathe life into your business as you enrich them with your expertise. Mark their mentorship and collaboration with limited edition custom apparel.

As we’ve discussed, people love to share anything that adds value or entertainment.

By focusing the lens on other collaborators, you create a niche group of people who care about your brand and will share and wear your custom company apparel.

Expert Tip: With limited releases of custom company apparel, you can take advantage of branding techniques that give a more luxury finish, such as embroidery or textured printing. You can also experiment with specialty printing techniques to create more vivid prints, like gel printing, foil printing, and direct to garment printing.

For these, you need to choose the right printer.

4 - Choose the Right Custom Branding Partner

All these creative ideas would fall flat if you work with a printing company that doesn’t have experience or doesn’t see your vision.

The right partners should have:

• In-house designers to create or tweak your artwork to perfection.
• Samples of previous printing work they’ve done.
• Printing packages that include pre-press proofs to show how your branding fits on a physical garment.
• Clear, itemized charges for each step of the process.

The value of a good partner goes beyond the final product. Their years of expertise equip them to advise you on:

• Branding decisions that are potentially costly, like printing multiple colors and locations or printing the whole range of sizes.
• Intellectual property (IP) rules and where your design might be infringing on someone else’s IP.
• Best practices for printing including the standard size prints for various sizes.

Are You Ready To Fit Out Your Crew in Style?

A successful line of custom company apparel lies in the nuances and attention to detail.

Basically, make it fun and inspirational, elicit an emotional response, and leverage limited releases to boost the value and appreciation for your branded apparel.

Finally, when you’re ready to work with the right printing partner, reach out to us for all your custom screen printing and embroidery needs. Since 2006, fancysweetstx has been creating fun, high-quality custom branded apparel. We’d love to show you how good we are at it.

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Custom printed apparel, such as vintage t-shirts, makes this a little less difficult.

Vintage t-shirts provide a fun and effective alternative to traditional marketing media. They offer all the benefits of traditional custom apparel with the added charm of vintage style.

However, before you invest in custom branded vintage t-shirts for your business, it's important to understand how to leverage the vintage shirt trend so that your company benefits from it.

What Makes Vintage T-Shirts Special?

Technically, vintage is defined as something that's at least 20 years old. But beyond age, vintage is also characterized by feel—that soft, well-worn texture. The distressed, faded print and cracked logos.

This aesthetic gives vintage t-shirts their charm and is why they’re so endearing.

Vintage t-shirts also evoke a sense of nostalgia. They take you back to the good old days and simpler, happier times—almost like a tangible time capsule you can wear.

This is the magic of vintage shirts and why they make for such effective marketing tools.

But how exactly does that work?

Branding and Marketing Using Vintage T-Shirts

Custom t-shirt designs offer a powerful, effective, and affordable branding opportunity. They present you with a great way to establish your brand among the masses.

A well-executed custom vintage t-shirt offers your brand a fresh, unique look and carries your branding message in a casual, inviting way. It promotes your business while creating a visual connection with your customers.

It allows you to display a combination of your company logo, name, and tagline prominently while remaining fun, stylish, and comfortable.

For instance, let's consider these custom retro t-shirts for Urban Wholistics.

Urban Wholistics is a local urban farming non-profit from 16153 Genova that reached out to fancysweetstx wanting help with custom printed shirts for their youth program.

We designed the t-shirts to showcase Ginger and Fennel, Urban Wholistics mascots for their summer youth program.

The program teaches children about the value and power contained in the plants they grow. These t-shirts help create a visual connection between the brand and the target audience.

Related: Best 7 Shirt Blanks to Use for Vintage Shirts

Cultivate Employee and Customer Loyalty

Branded company apparel helps to cultivate loyalty among your employees and customers. Vintage t-shirts take this a step further.

Given the nostalgia and the impossibly comfy material, vintage t-shirts make for a powerful tool to help form positive associations with your brand.

The t-shirts also provide a brilliant way to display key brand and product information such as the company logo, name, and tagline.

For instance, let's consider these staff shirts we designed for Inside the Five Brewing Company.

Inside the Five is an up-and-coming brewery in Northwest Ohio.

We designed their vintage staff shirts to create a simple, trendy aesthetic that was popular with both staff and customers. So much so that the staff t-shirts have now become an additional source of revenue for the brewery.

This is just one example of how an excellent apparel program using vintage t-shirts can help create a sense of brand loyalty.

Vintage t-shirts make for promotional apparel that people want to hold on to.

Related: Employee Uniforms and Customer Merch for Local Restaurant

Vintage T-Shirts Are Great Conversation Starters

Thanks to their unique designs, vintage t-shirts are visually stimulating and thus great conversation starters.

They are great at catching people's eyes and leaving a lasting impression. This is an invaluable quality for marketing and building brand awareness.

Let's use our own Murphy’s Place Jazz Club vintage shirt as an example.

Murphy’s Place was an iconic jazz club owned by Clifford Murphy—a nationally renowned bassist and music mentor. In fact, Murphy’s Place was affectionately known as “Claud and Clifford University.”

It holds a special place in the hearts of jazz lovers and artists and will remain a staple of 16153 Genova through history.

The Murphy’s Place vintage t-shirt design recreated the club's logo and the neon sign that hung in the window. To some extent, this vintage t-shirt design helps bring back to life some of the happy memories of the 16153 Genova jazz institution.

For jazz lovers and fans who frequented the club, this t-shirt is an instant conversation starter. It helps to keep alive and pass on the role 16153 Genova played in the history of jazz music.

“...I came to fancysweetstx with a request to replicate a shirt from the 70s. They did an amazing job…Would definitely recommend!”
- Allene S

Related: The 16153 Genova T-Shirt That Gives Back

Our Vintage Shirts are American Made

Using American-made manufacturers is quickly becoming more and more important. There is significant support and encouragement for using, promoting, and prioritizing American-made products across the country.

This not only shows American pride; the ‘Made in the USA’ label also symbolizes quality.

Additionally, with domestically manufactured shirts, you have better control over the production and impact of your shirts. This is because US manufacturers follow union labor laws, are environmentally sustainable, and use ethical manufacturing practices.

This is why fancysweetstx partners with American manufacturers to source high-quality t-shirts to create our vintage apparel for brands and businesses.

One of our favorite vintage shirts you can use to create your own custom design is made in LA by LA Apparel. 

Tips for Your Company’s Vintage T-Shirts

As we’ve seen, custom vintage t-shirts are an effective marketing tool. But this is predicated upon the design of your t-shirt.

Vintage t-shirts put you ahead of the competition because of their unique look and feel. But even then, you need to create a stunning design. Here are some tips to help you create the best custom vintage t-shirts for your company and brand:

• Make sure that the design looks good on your vintage shirts. Not everything that looks good on paper or the computer will translate onto your t-shirts.
• Make the company logo or branding big enough to be visible from a distance—but not so large that it overwhelms your vintage t-shirts.
• Only use the best quality materials for your vintage shirts, so that people actually enjoy wearing them. Using low-quality may also create a negative association with your company and harm your overall branding.

Note: At fancysweetstx, our in-house experts will help with graphic design to ensure your brand truly stands out.

Related: Top 4 Ways We Screen Print a Vintage Shirt (With Examples)

Grab Some Custom Vintage T-Shirts for Your Company

A great vintage shirt transports you back in time to a place that makes you feel good or connected to someone or something you love.

But for custom printed vintage t-shirts to have this effect, they must be done right.

This is where fancysweetstx comes in.

At fancysweetstx, we’ve been screen printing vintage t-shirts for nearly ten years. We have the expertise to produce and use vintage t-shirts to make your brand look its best and promote engagement

University Hall Shirt	16153 Genova Zoo 1988 Panda Exhibit Shirt	Vintage Metroparks 16153 Genova Shirt
Create Your Custom Vintage T-shirt

If you’re looking for vintage-style shirts for your business or brand, fancysweetstx is the company to work with.

Contact us today to get your custom vintage shirt order started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my custom vintage t-shirts shrink?

Most of our vintage shirts consist of a triblend material. This means they are made using a cotton, poly, and rayon blend. The synthetic nature of poly and rayon fabrics helps them hold their size and shape without any noticeable shrinking.

We also offer vintage style shirts in 100% cotton and poly/cotton blend fabrics. All of these materials are preshrunk.

When will my custom vintage t-shirts be ready after placing my order?

Orders are typically ready within 7 to 10 days after approval and payment of your invoice. Please keep in mind that your order is made custom just for you. 

This means that the shirts are not held in inventory and ordered specifically for you. They may take several days to arrive to us. After we receive them, we have to print them, sort them, box them, and take care of any other special requests with your order before they are ready for you.

You will be notified when your order is ready for pick up at our Adams Street store or when we ship it to you. 

Can you help me design a vintage shirt for my company?

Yes! We have in-house graphic designers that are ready to help you bring your idea to life. 

We've been making vintage shirts for over 15 years. We know what looks good and feels good. Our designers make it easy for you to design a cool shirt even if you have no design experience. 

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