Can Screen Printed T-shirts Help Build Your Brand?

No Comments » Written on February 15th, 2012 by
Categories: Ideas, News

Your Logo on a Screen Printed T-shirt or your Name in Bright Lights? I gather many adventurous small business owners, entrepreneurs or even those in their corporate office cubicles have envisioned the world knowing their name or singing along to a hit song they made up in a random daydream. We all know the most practical way to tell the world who you are and what you do is by advertising. This can be scary given budget constraints. Advertising is not limited to investing in a multi-million dollar commercial, it could simply be a walking billboard.

Choose A Logo That Stands Out

Choose A Logo That Stands Out

How about a nicely screen printed t- shirt that displays your company’s logo and contact information with vibrant colors that POP out to the Average Joe on the street and screams: “HEY, BUY MY PRODUCT!” or “USE MY SERVICES!” Maybe a subtle black and white t-shirt with a fancy font imprint reading: “Elegant wedding supplies” or “Concierge” is a reminder to a target audience, if the occasion occurs, to “Call Me.” No matter what the message may be, you want it to be seen. Screen printed t-shirts or wearables are a great way to secure this objective as a mission accomplished.

Ranking high along with other top promotional products like drinkware or writing utensils, most companies choose promotional products or ad specialty items that give the most bang for their buck. A screen printed t-shirt could easily fit into your marketing budget as a promotional giveaway since it is both affordable and can speak volumes as a marketing tool.

When choosing a screen printed t-shirt it is wise to look at the quality of the t-shirt first. Why? It doesn’t matter if the shirt you purchased cost you $5.00 or $ 15.00 or it takes 1 day or 10 to produce and deliver if the quality of the product doesn’t represent you and your business in a favorable manner.

Choosing the right fabric to Screen Print a t-shirt takes a little understanding of why the quality of the fabric is one of the most important factors.

When shopping for a t-shirt, consumers turn to fabrics that feel good or look great and make the assumption that this beautiful shirt will stand the test of time, let alone make it through the screen printing process.

This is where they are wrong! Selecting the right fabric for your screen printing project is a must.

Screen printers can print on a variety of t-shirt fabrics. Let’s look at the top four t-shirt fabrics and their differences to aid you in selecting the best option for your businesses image.

Screen Printing on a 30 single T- shirt

Screen Printing on a 30 single T- shirt

30 singles:
The 30 singles fabric is named after the count of thread and its weight. With a high thread count like 30 the fabric is finer and a tighter weave can be achieved. This gives the shirt a softer, finer feel. The finer the shirt, the more lumps and bumps the shirt shows off in its drape. Depending on the type of business you have, screen printing on this shirt may appeal more to women consumers

Ring Spun
Ring spun means that the fiber that makes up the fabric is sent through a process where it is spun before it is knitted into the final product. Fiber (usually cotton) spun prior to knitting is finer, softer and more durable than ordinary cotton. Although the cotton that is ring spun is described as durable like 30 singles this fabric gives a more feminine look and may limit your target audience.

Pima Cotton Tee, screen printed

Pima Cotton Tee, screen printed

Pima Cotton
Also referred to as extra-long staple (ELS), Pima cotton is most often used in shirts for both men and women. They are light to wear yet provide superior warmth. The thickness is one of its advantages; besides being a very durable fabric. Manufacturers of this cotton capitalize on its longevity saying it can last as much as 50 % longer than other fabrics made from other forms of cotton. But a downfall to Pima is that; it is very absorbent cotton, so unless the T-shirt made from Pima is coated with a stain guard, spills will stay with the same longevity of the cotton.

Standard:
Standard or 100% cotton: the original t-shirt fabric is a fully breathable fabric; this means that it can be cooler to wear in warmer conditions. 100% cotton is known to be soft as well as durable. Cotton fabric is easy to care for and holds color very well. One apparel vendor notes it as “A year-round essential, our best-selling t-shirt has been voted “most popular” by groups, teams, clubs and schools across America.”
Finding the perfect T- Shirt to screen print is simple. Avoid going through the trial and error process that is NOT usually factored into one’s budget. Do this by knowing what fabric to choose. When price is a major concern, you may choose a basic heavyweight 100% cotton t-shirt with a one-color design in one location.

Gorilla Marketing can help by providing the best t-shirts selection and screen printing service. We strive to offer the most affordable advertising to help build your brand by gaining exposure!

Screen Printed T Shirt

Screen Printed T Shirt

CALL US NOW!
800-464-6745
Ask about our tee’s and screen printing specials
OR
VISIT US ONLINE

Are You Promoting Safe Drinkware?

No Comments » Written on February 7th, 2012 by
Categories: Ideas, Products

When you think drinkware many things may come to mind such as the type of drinkware.
You would shop for glassware for an event or holiday, barware like shot glasses or beer mugs to celebrate a birthday or even a gathering to watch a sporting event.

The Trekker Stainless Steel

The Trekker Stainless Steel Bottle W/ Dual Opening Cap & Carabiner (20 Oz.)

You may want an Eco-Friendly drinkware option for a camping trip or a company picnic. If your business is looking for something eye catching to personalize and leave a lasting impression, you may think of acrylic, aluminum or stainless steel drinkware.

Whether you think about it or not, choosing Drink ware is critical! Why? Decisions on any purchase, even drinkware, requires smart shopping and a target budget.

Tritan copolyester BPA Free

Tritan copolyester

One of the most commonly purchased types of drinkware besides glassware are water bottles. Since water bottles are so cost effective, research shows they are one of the most preferred promotional products. Water bottles are chosen because they can be personalized, re-used and are often ordered at higher quantities as promotion products, than some other top sellers like ceramic mugs or wine glasses.
No matter the appearance or its capabilities, knowing what your drinkware is made of, is wise for any consumer.

Water Bottles are primarily made from some form of plastic. Depending on the bottle you choose, it could easily be made from a plastic that may cause health issues.

Aluminum Bottle 28oz BPA Free

Aluminum Bottle W/ Twist Off Finger Loop Cap & Carabiner(28oz) BPA Free

Health issues can make all the difference in a bottle purchased by a company, given to employees or even distributed as giveaways at a company event. Knowing this shows how important choosing something as simple as a water bottle can be. You can easily make a wrong turn by searching for the most inexpensive or most fashionable bottle; however this could lead to possibly placing supporters in direct contact with a hazardous chemical like BPA.

160z

16 Oz. Spirit Tumbler Cup Acrylic double wall construction with threaded lid & straw

This is where Gorilla Marketing puts minds at ease! Our promotional product company remains diligent in our efforts to provide safe drinkware options at affordable prices.

We start by offering a straight path to worry free purchasing by helping consumers choose a healthier plastic and promoting the use of Tritan; a light weight, durable plastic that doesn’t transfer taste from one beverage to another and it’s also BPA Free.

If plastic is not your first choice we also offer a variety of drinkware options to fit your promotional or beverage hosting needs.

Choose from an assortment of styles, colors and sizes, all affordable and guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Quality will never be Questionable!

For more information and pricing on Tritan products
or other Drinkware options
Call Us Now
1-800-464-6745

Branding with love: Valentine’s Day promos

No Comments » Written on January 19th, 2012 by
Categories: Ideas, Products

Holiday-themed promotions are fun and effective, and we’re less than a month away from a perfect opportunity to show some marketing love: Valentine’s Day. Express your affection with these romantic (and maybe a little risqué) promo ideas.

Bach Truffles in Gift Box

Bach Truffles in Gift Box, $3.99 each

Chocolates and other candy

“Sweets for the sweet,” the saying goes. Chocolates are a traditional Valentine’s Day gift. Promotional options run the gamut from custom-molded chocolate bars with full-color wrappers to truffle assortments in a logo-imprinted box. Another fun choice is a branded lollipop, with your design is printed right on the candy in edible ink. Candy brightens everyone’s day, and gives them a great experience while thinking of your brand.

Recommended: Bach Gift-Boxed Chocolates, minimum quantity 25, $3.99 each for 1-color imprint on the box. Item #FRLYD-BSOFZ.

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Screen Printing Explained

No Comments » Written on January 12th, 2012 by
Categories: Products
A printer pulls ink across a screen while printing a t-shirt

A printer pulls ink across a screen while printing a t-shirt

No matter how much you love or hate shopping, you’ve gotta have clothing. Custom printing enhances a basic garment and turns it into something attractive, eye-catching, and even hilarious. If you’ve ever stopped to ponder how all those images and sayings get on printed t-shirts, this rundown will get you up to speed. The most common way to decorate a t-shirt is screen printing, a complex process that leads to a beautiful result.

Step one is the design. Generally, we need a vector file with the art, because that type of file can be resized and still look crisp and clear. Most of the time, screen printing designs are “spot color,” which means they’re made up of a few solid colors, rather than a full-color photo-like image. We identify the colors with PMS (Pantone Matching System) numbers, so we get the ink mixed up just right.

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New products from Vegas, baby, Vegas

No Comments » Written on January 11th, 2012 by
Categories: Ideas, News, Products
Gorilla Marketing in Las Vegas

Kara, Bernadette, Danielle, and Tiffany in Las Vegas for the PPAI Expo

The Gorilla Marketing office was rather quiet last week, running on a skeleton crew while most of our sales and customer service team was in glamorous Las Vegas. Was this a group vacation? Not quite. The team was attending our industry’s largest trade show, the Promotional Products Association International Expo.

This event brings together ad specialty manufacturers and distributors and is an annual resource for networking and professional development. As we learn more and strengthen our connections with suppliers, we can do a better and better job meeting our customers’ needs. We took our largest contingent ever this year, enhancing the expertise we can offer our clients.

There was some fun to be had in Vegas, but the team worked hard to cover the gigantic trade show floor and get the lowdown on promising new promo products. Here are some of their favorites.

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Gorillas at the Expo: We’re headed to PPAI!

No Comments » Written on December 19th, 2011 by
Categories: News
The PPAI Expo

The PPAI Expo allows us to see the latest and greatest promotional products

Gorilla Marketing will start 2012 off with a bang at the PPAI Expo, the nation’s largest promotional products industry trade show. The Expo gives us an opportunity to connect with manufacturers, attend professional development sessions, and see the latest and greatest products that can help our clients market themselves effectively.

One exciting thing about the 2012 Expo: We’re bringing our biggest team ever, with 14 sales & support team members hitting the show floor. The hands-on experiences at the Expo are the best industry education anybody could ask for, and we’ll all come back a little smarter and a little sharper.

Interested in seeing what we see? Check back during the first week of January for pictures, videos, and more. It’s the best way to check out what’s new in promotional products for 2012.

Send it (a promo product, that is) in a letter

No Comments » Written on December 14th, 2011 by
Categories: Ideas, Products

Snail mail might seem old-fashioned to the young and techy, but businesses still send a lot of letters. Contracts, invoices, checks, and other correspondence go the old-fashioned way. One way to add value to those letters is to include a promotional product – something useful the recipient can keep, and something that will remind them of your company.

Now, some promo products won’t work for this purpose. Good luck cramming a squeezy foam stress toy into a #10 envelope. But there are lots of options that can slide right in with your invoice without being too much trouble. Look for items that are flat (no more than ¼” thick) and that measure 3” by 8” or smaller. They should also be as light as possible.

Most likely, you’ll have to add an extra stamp or two when including a promo product in a letter. The standard rate for a first-class letter, $0.44 as of this blog post, will cover a 1 oz. letter that bends easily. Add something firm enough that they can’t run it through the machine, and that’s an extra $0.20. Add another ounce, and that’s another $0.20 too. Check the weight of the item and include additional postage in your budget.

So what kind of promotional items work well in an ordinary envelope? Here are a few of our suggestions:

Monitor Stick-It

Monitor Stick-Its

One of the cleverest products we saw in 2011, the Monitor Stick-It puts your logo right where they’ll see it all the time. The little white card includes small sticky notes and flags, and adheres to a computer monitor for easy accessibility. Doubles as a bookmark, too, as long as you leave the adhesive on the back covered up. $1.59 each with a 1-color imprint, $55 setup, minimum order quantity 200.

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Will your trade show giveaways be trash or treasure?

No Comments » Written on December 2nd, 2011 by
Categories: Ideas, Products
Trade show swag from flickr's ~Misty~

flickr user ~Misty~ shared this image of swag she scored at a trade show

Swag, tchotchkes, freebies – trade show giveaways have earned a lot of labels, and not all of them are nice. Ever heard someone dismissing “gewgaws” and “doodads” as a waste of money? Ouch! The truth is, trade show giveaways have great potential rewards – if you choose the right item. They also have some risks if you’re not careful. Here’s the good, bad, and ugly of trade show swag.

Rewards

1. Increase booth traffic with an attention-getting giveaway. When trade show attendees see that you’re giving out something cool and free, they’re more likely to stop by your booth – and if it’s really compelling, they’ll tell friends and colleagues to visit you, too. In the trade show biz, they call that “booth buzz.”

2. Inspire the “reciprocity effect.” Studies have shown that when people receive a gift, they feel obligated to return the favor. This means they’re more likely to give you their business – or at least listen to your pitch.

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Choosing a Polo Shirt Worthy of Your Logo

No Comments » Written on November 21st, 2011 by
Categories: Products
Nike Golf Dri-Fit Tech Tonal Band Polo

This Nike Golf Dri-Fit polo has a subtle jacquard pattern

Polo shirt, tennis shirt, sport shirt, or golf shirt – whatever you call it, the short-sleeved knitted collared shirt has become an American classic. The polo shirt is worn on golf courses, in board rooms, and on lazy Saturday afternoons, and because of its casual versatility, it’s a popular piece of promotional apparel. Here’s the skinny on the basic features that distinguish one polo from another.

Fabric Texture

  • Jersey is the same kind of fabric that t-shirts are made of. A jersey polo is very casual compared to other sport shirts, and is generally the least expensive option.
  • Interlock is similar to jersey, but the front and back of the fabric are identical because it is “double-knit.” It is also heavier and thicker than jersey.
  • Pique has a more distinctive texture than jersey or interlock, though you have to look very closely to notice the waffle-like ridges and pockets.
  • Jacquard has a subtle pattern knitted into the fabric, giving a luxurious look and feel.
  • Mesh fabric is constructed with space between the fibers, allowing more air to pass through and making the fabric highly “breathable.”

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5 Tips for Last-Minute Corporate Gift Orders

No Comments » Written on November 18th, 2011 by
Categories: Ideas
Last-minute? No problem!

Last-minute holiday corporate gifts? No problem!

Yes, yes, we know – you would never leave something as important as corporate holiday gifting to the last minute. Except sometimes, stuff happens. We understand! And we’re prepared to handle your last-minute business gift rushes during the holiday season.

When you need it fast, here are 5 things to keep in mind:

  1. Have your art ready to go in vector format. That means a file ending in .AI, .EPS, or possibly .PDF; not a raster file ending in .JPG, .GIF, .PNG, or .TIF. Raster files can be converted to vector files, but that can add a day or two to your timeline (not to mention some additional labor cost). For more information on raster and vector files, click here.
  2. When printing, keep the number of colors in your design to a minimum. Imagine for a moment that your computer’s printer didn’t print all the colors of the rainbow at once. Instead, it would first print the red, then the orange, then the yellow, and so on, and in between every color, it had to dry for several hours. That’s how multi-color imprints on t-shirts, mugs, pens, and other promotional products work. The more colors in the design, the longer the production process takes. It’s often possible to produce an item in 24 hours, but only with a 1- or 2-color imprint.
  3. Some decoration methods take longer than others. Embroidery can be time-consuming, especially for a large design, so it may not be possible to turn an embroidery order around in 24 hours. Printing and laser engraving, on the other hand, can generally be accomplished quite quickly.
  4. Watch your e-mail. We’ll be generating your order acknowledgement and art proof quickly, but we can’t move forward with production until you let us know we’ve got it right. The faster you approve the proof, the faster your item can be delivered.
  5. Expedited shipping can be quite costly, especially on large or heavy products. If you’re worried about the added cost of overnight delivery, we can consult our list of manufacturers and choose one that’s close to your delivery location. That means you can ship ground and still get it fast.

For a dozen examples of corporate gifts we can produce and ship in a hurry, click here. Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You can search our catalog for ideas, or you can have us do the searching for you. That’s a load off your mind!