In a recent blog, we defined the various types of fabrics used in apparel production and offered suggestions on which are best for certain applications.

Today we’re going to turn our attention to the various types of apparel available for corporate branding purposes. While the categories are pretty basic—essentially shirts and outerwear—there are certain styles and treatments that impact the look and feel of the final product, which ultimately affects the perception of your brand. Much of what follows may be common knowledge, at least for some, but it provides a nice summary you or your team can consult when considering future purchases to ensure they are investing in the right items for the right audience.

Let’s get started.

Branded apparel is tremendously popular amongst our customers.  It’s the go-to gift for employees, partners, customers, event attendees—just about anyone they will interact with.  Whether it’s a brand-name polo shirt or a baseball cap, a high-end jacket or a t-shirt, branded apparel is a great way to advertise the brand while letting the recipient know they are valued.

Picking the right item for the occasion is fairly easy for our customers; they usually know exactly what they are looking for.  Selecting the right material or fabric, though, is a bit more difficult.  There are so many options that understanding the differences between them requires a fair amount of knowledge. It’s not uncommon for customers to be delighted with their selection but disappointed in the material they chose.

Over the years, one thing I’ve been surprised to learn is just how rare it is to find a company that does what OnFulfillment does.

By that, I mean offering a full complement of marketing fulfillment services—everything from printing, pick-and-pack, and kitting and assembly to warehousing and storage, shipping, promotional merchandise, and event management, among other services.

Of course, it’s not difficult to find vendors who offer those individual services; a simple online search of any of those phrases will produce scores of companies that fit the bill. What’s unusual is to find one that offers all those services under one roof. That’s what makes OnFulfillment so unique.

It’s December. The holidays are upon us. The new year is looming. We all know what that means.

Time to start planning your 2024 budget.

Actually, if you’ve waited this long to start thinking about next year’s budget, you’re probably already behind the eight ball a bit. While there is no real “best” time to start planning next year's budget, the ideal timeframe is to start the process several months ahead—perhaps as early as six months prior.

Why so early? It allows sufficient time for thorough planning, comprehensive analysis, and critical collaboration with all relevant stakeholders across the company.

Your channel partners are critical to your ongoing success.  

Not only do they extend your market presence by providing additional “feet on the street” that supplement your direct sales force, they also offer regional expertise in locations where cultural, regulatory, or business differences require someone who “speaks” the local language.  Channel partners help you access new markets, lower costs, and improve your overall reach and service delivery capabilities.

So…are you getting the most out of your channel partners?  Or better yet, are they getting the most out of their relationship with you? Are you equipping them to adequately represent you in the field?  Is your organization working closely with your channel partners to keep them trained, informed, and up to date?