With winter in full swing, it’s time to whip out those cosy clothes and bundle up. And there is no better winter staple than sweatshirts. They’re snug, roomy and most importantly comfortable — the perfect combo to safeguard against that biting chill.
But beyond providing comfort, sweatshirts have another secret superpower. They’re an incredible advertising tool! They offer plenty of room for a company to add a stylish logo, as well as an accompanying design. What’s more, since they’re the ultimate comfort clothing item, everyone loves them.
Therefore they give a company the opportunity to reach a massive audience. Plus, they’re portable, so they raise brand awareness on the go. Lastly, they appeal to people while broadcasting a company in a non-intrusive way.
However, the best part of printed sweatshirts is their price point. Compared to traditional ads, sweatshirts are incredibly inexpensive. They’re an easy bulk purchase item companies can hand out during fairs, company retreats or giveaways. So, companies looking for a useful branded product that will get them praise and brand awareness should put on a branded sweatshirt!
A Comforting History of Sweatshirts
Despite being a ubiquitous clothing item right now, sweatshirts are a fairly recent invention. They actually emerged as recently as 1926. However, the original sweatshirt didn’t exactly look like its modern iteration. The Russell Manufacturing company’s first version of the ‘sweatshirt’ was something they made for athletes as workout gear.
Benjamin Russell, a football player and son of the founder of Russell Manufacturing, got tired of his itchy, uncomfortable wool workout gear. He wanted to create a piece of clothing that would absorb sweat well, while also being roomy and comfortable enough to allow for movement. Enter the cotton sweatshirt.
Russell modelled the iconic sweatshirt based on a women’s union suit top. It was essentially a collarless pullover, much closer in appearance to a crew neck sweatshirt, with a v-notch around the collar. That thick, triangular piece of cotton around the neck area was originally installed to mop up excess sweat during heavy workouts.
After this new workout apparel rose up, it became a favourite among athletes. Cotton was a much more comfortable option for heavy workouts where the skin needed to breathe. Plus, the loose fit allowed them to move freely. However, because these added benefits were so appealing, the general public wanted a piece of the sweatshirt action.
The sweatshirts then went through a style boost. Manufacturers started upgrading them with colourful designs, funny slogans and appealing colours. They even attached a hood to the neckline to create the now-iconic hoodie for extra comfort. Nowadays, the sweatshirt is one of the most perfect pieces of casual wear, especially for those chilly winter months.
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Why Sweatshirts are the Perfect Promotional Items
Beyond being the king of comfort, the mighty sweatshirt also has a hidden superpower. It’s one of the best and most effective promotional items for a variety of different reasons.
1. It’s Universally Beloved
Finding a good promotional item is always a struggle. This is especially true for a company that wants to target as wide a demographic as possible. The item needs to be useful, and appeal to people in different professions and with different preferences. Here is where sweatshirts can help.
They’re a piece of clothing that’s appropriate for everyone. Kids, college students, mothers, or even businessmen and women need a good, warm outfit for everyday use. Plus, depending on their design, sweatshirts can be appropriate apparel for a number of different occasions. A basic, cotton sweatshirt is the ultimate piece of casual clothing.
However, if the sweatshirt is made from Pima cotton, and has some complex embroidery on the front? It automatically transforms into a high-end outfit, perfect for a business lunch.
2. It’s Durable and High-Quality
An ordinary ten-second ad can be great, but it has many flaws, the biggest one being — it only lasts ten seconds. Even the most creative and memorable ad ends, allowing potential customers to forget it almost immediately. This means companies need to constantly invest more money and time to raise brand awareness in an incredibly competitive environment.
In contrast, sweatshirts have much more staying power. Since they’re a clothing item, once customers receive them, they’re likely to keep them and wear them all the time. This means that a brand will get continuous exposure, every time someone puts their promotional sweatshirt on.
Moreover, a cotton sweatshirt can last for years. So even after the campaign officially ends, a company will still get exposure from this cosy winter favourite. What’s even better is that this exposure will come free of charge, since the branded item has already been paid for.
3. It’s Highly Customisable
A promo item that is both cosy, and stylish? Yes, please! A sweatshirt provides warmth and comfort during the chilly winter months. But beyond that, it’s a blank canvas. Both the front and the back offer brands plenty of space to add their logo and company information.
A company can also customise them with a variety of different colours and designs to make them that much more eye-catching. Most sweatshirts are made from high-quality cotton. Cotton and printer ink go together like biscuits and tea. Therefore, companies can go wild with what they want to print on their branded sweatshirt.
The most common printing technique is screen printing. This method involves transferring design from a screen into the fabric directly. This imbues the ink directly into the material, which ensures that it will last. However, companies looking for a more high-end sweatshirt design can opt for UltraHD printing for high definition designs.
They can also choose to have their logo and accompanying decor embroidered in the sweatshirt. A complex stitch can make a simple sweatshirt look rustic and beautiful. Therefore, not only is it the perfect gift for holiday-themed giveaways but it’s also very affordable. Especially if a company bulk buys them from wholesale retailers like GoPromotional, at severely discounted prices.
Final Thoughts
Modern ad campaigns can be complicated and expensive affairs. Between coming up with a unique ad, paying designers to generate it, and getting it on screen, a 10-second ad can drain a company of time and money. In contrast, sweatshirts offer much more effective exposure, at just a fraction of the cost.
They’re a universally beloved promo item everyone can wear. They’re easily customisable and portable, offering up promotion on the go. But most importantly, they’re durable. They can last for a very long time, providing a company plenty of brand awareness for years to come.
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Looking for something different? Browse our full range of printed clothing which includes bodywarmers, ponchos, beanies, and socks. If for any reason you still can’t find what you are looking for, then simply give us a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today. We are sure that you will find what you’re looking for!
