Styled for Success

Interested in beefing up your product line in 2014? Maybe it's time to give promotional apparel a try. Fortunately, our sister publication, Promo Marketing, has been hard at work reporting on this profitable sector over the last year. From T-shirts and outerwear to fun prints and decorating techniques, check out this collection of helpful tips. Happy selling!

T-SHIRTS

1. Offer Options

Basic T-shirts are a go-to for promotions because they're affordable, easy to decorate and diverse. Educate your clients about their options. Ivy Mai, marketing associate for Kavio!, Commerce, Calif., suggested showcasing the fabrics, textures and colors of fashionable tees along with more basic styles. "[This] contributes to a wider collection of styles for our consumers. [They] gain a multitude of innovative styles to consider as compared to traditional T-shirts," she said.

– From May 2013's "Fierce Femme Fashion"

2. Consider Fun Prints

Kristin M. Bayer, merchandising manager/designer for L.A. T Sportswear, Ball Ground, Ga., explained what's new for fabric. "The hand-feel of the fabric for the tee is extremely important for 2013," she said. "It is all about soft, supple and buttery, and lightweight, but not sheer."

While the fabric might be delicate, the patterns are eye-catching. Kevin Miles, imprintables marketing manager for Alternative Apparel, Norcross, Ga., predicted prints, such as stars and stripes, houndstooth and colorful camouflage to be in demand this season. He advised distributors to encourage their clients to take advantage of these bold prints for a sales boost in promotional apparel. "Leveraging patterns and prints allows advertisers to tap into these current fashion trends for their promotional efforts," he said. "Because these fashion-oriented items get more repeat wear than the standard white imprinted tee, they translate into increased exposure and a better return for the customer."

– From April 2013's "Warming up in Style"

3. Be Bold with Color