In today’s competitive market, branding is everything. It’s not just about having a logo; it’s about putting that logo everywhere your audience’s eyes might land. One of the most effective ways to boost brand visibility and foster loyalty is through branded merchandise. Whether you’re a start-up looking to make a splash, a non-profit aiming to spread your message, or a seasoned business seeking to deepen customer relationships, learning how to order merchandise with a logo is crucial.Ordering merchandise with a custom logo involves selecting products that align with your brand’s marketing goals, audience preferences, and budget. This process typically starts with choosing the right vendor or promotional products company that offers customisation services, including a wide range of items such as apparel, bags, tech gadgets, and office supplies.Once you’ve selected your merchandise, you’ll provide your logo, usually in a high-resolution format like AI, EPS, or PDF, and specify your branding requirements, such as logo placement, size, and colour specifications. The vendor then creates a mock-up or proof for your approval, ensuring the logo appears exactly as intended on the merchandise. After approving the design, the order is placed, and the production process begins.Lead times can vary based on the complexity of the order and the quantity of items, so it’s important to plan accordingly, especially if the merchandise is needed for a specific event or promotional campaign.This article will guide you through the process in further detail to order merchandise with logo effectively, ensuring your branded merchandise stands out and reaches its full potential.
Understanding the Power of Branded Merchandise
Before diving into the “how,” let’s briefly discuss the “why.” Branded merchandise serves multiple purposes: it’s a promotional tool, a means to unite your team, and a way to create a tangible connection with your brand. When done right, merchandise with your logo can turn customers into ambassadors and colleagues into team players.Ordering Your Best Merchandise
Step 1: Designing Your Logo
The first step in ordering merchandise with a logo is, unsurprisingly, having a logo. This logo should not only encapsulate your brand’s essence but also be versatile enough for various merchandise. High-resolution, vector format logos (in .AI, .EPS, or .SVG files) are preferred for their scalability and clarity across different sizes and materials.Step 2: Selecting Your Merchandise
The next step is to choose the right merchandise. This decision should be informed by your brand identity, target audience, and the message you want to convey. Quality should never be compromised for quantity. It’s better to order a smaller batch of premium items than to bulk buy low-quality products that end up unused.Step 3: Finding a Reliable Supplier
The supplier you choose can make or break your promotional merchandise effort. Look for suppliers with good reviews, robust portfolios, and the ability to provide samples. They should offer a range of printing options (screen printing, embroidery, digital printing, etc.) and be able to advise on the best choice for your selected merchandise.Step 4: Finalising Your Design
Once you’ve chosen your merchandise and supplier, it’s time to finalise the design. This involves deciding on the placement, size, and colours of your logo on the merchandise. A good supplier will offer a mock-up or sample for your approval, ensuring everything looks perfect before full production begins.Step 5: Placing Your Order
With your design approved, you’re ready to place your order. Be clear about quantities, sizes, and any specific instructions regarding your logo’s appearance. It’s also a good time to discuss production and delivery timelines to ensure they align with your needs.Step 6: Distribution and Promotion
After receiving your branded merchandise, the next step is distribution. Whether it’s at a corporate event, as part of a marketing campaign, or within your organisation, think strategically about how you distribute your merchandise to maximise exposure.Expert Tips
Designing Your Logo
- Understand Your Brand: Your logo should reflect your brand’s ethos, values, and target audience. Consider colours, fonts, and imagery that resonate with your brand identity.
- Simplicity is Key: A simple, clean design ensures your logo is versatile and recognisable at various sizes and on different merchandise.
- Professional Design Tools: Utilise professional design software like Adobe Illustrator for creating vector graphics. Vector files are scalable without losing quality, making them ideal for printing on merchandise.
- Colour Matching: Use Pantone colours for your logo to ensure colour consistency across different items and printing processes.
- Legal Considerations: Ensure you have the rights to any elements used in your logo design and consider trademarking your logo to protect your brand.
Choosing Your Merchandise
- Target Audience: Select merchandise that your target audience will value and use. The more your items are used, the more visibility your brand gets.
- Quality Over Quantity: Higher quality items tend to be kept and used longer, providing more lasting brand exposure. Consider the material, durability, and usability of the items you choose.
Finding a Supplier
- Specialisation: Look for suppliers who specialise in the type of merchandise you’re ordering. Some suppliers might only excel in apparel, while others might be better for tech gadgets or eco-friendly products. And a few, like Qtable are excellent broad liners providing expertise and custom services across a huge range of products.
- Printing Techniques: Understand the strengths and limitations of different printing techniques. For example, screen printing offers vibrant colours for simple designs on apparel, while digital printing is better for complex designs with multiple colours.
- Production Capabilities: Ensure the supplier has the right printing technology for your needs, whether it’s screen printing, embroidery, laser engraving, or digital printing.
- Sustainability: If brand alignment with environmental values is important, seek suppliers who can encompass sustainable practices and materials.
Reviewing Samples
- Colour Accuracy: Check that the colours of your logo on the merchandise match your brand colours. This may require adjusting the colour profile based on the printing method.
- Durability: Test the durability of the logo on the merchandise. For example, wash apparel items to see how the print holds up or check the wear and tear on printed gadgets.
Placing Your Order
- Artwork Approval: Before production starts, you’ll typically receive a digital mock-up or proof of your items. This is your opportunity to make any final adjustments.
- Order Specifications: Clearly communicate the specifics of your order, including any variations in logo placement or colour across different items.
Production and Shipping
- Production Checks: For specialised items, it might be worth asking for updates or even photos during the production process to ensure everything is proceeding as expected.
- Shipping Logistics: For large orders, consider the logistics of shipping, especially if items need to be distributed to multiple locations.
Receiving and Distributing
- Quality Control: Conduct a thorough quality check of the merchandise. Any issues should be addressed with the supplier immediately.
- Feedback Loop: Gather feedback from the end users of your merchandise. This can provide valuable insights for future orders.
Conclusion
Ordering merchandise with your logo is a strategic process that, when done correctly, can significantly enhance your brand’s visibility and appeal. By following these steps and ensuring your merchandise is of high quality, thoughtfully designed, and effectively distributed, you’ll not only boost your brand’s profile but also create lasting impressions on your customers and team members alike. Remember, branded merchandise is not just a marketing expense; it’s an investment in your brand’s future.An Infographic For Ordering Merch
