What you need to know about promotional textiles

We’ve all worn a T-shirt, hat or other garment with a promotional message or logo. But have you ever thought about the impact such a product can have on the promotion of a company or brand? That’s why it’s essential to choose the right promotional textiles to convey a good message. 

Choosing promotional textiles is a strategic decision that must be made carefully. It’s not just about choosing an attractive print. Factors such as the quality of the textile, its use and the message to be conveyed must be taken into account: well-chosen, top-quality products can create a positive brand image, while poor quality, poorly chosen products can compromise public opinion and image.

Let us explain the true nature of promotional textiles and help you make the right choice to effectively communicate your advertising message.

What is promotional textile? 

Promotional textiles are garments or accessories made of fabric personalised with a company logo, slogan or advertising message. It is an effective marketing tool to enhance brand awareness, promote a product or convey a message to a target audience. 

Promotional textiles come in many different forms, including T-shirts, caps, canvas bags, jackets, towels and much more.

The advantage of advertising textiles is that they are practical, usable items, which means they can be reused several times, thus prolonging their advertising impact, and can be used by a wide range of people, from company employees to customers and business partners.

Advertising textiles are multifunctional and powerful marketing tools that provide brands with tangible visibility and strengthen their market presence.

What are the most popular promotional textile products?

There is a wide variety of promotional textile products available on the market, designed for specific promotional and communication needs. The most common types of promotional textiles are:

• T-shirts: one of the most popular promotional items. They can be printed with logos, messages or advertising graphics.
• Polo shirts: more formal than the classic T-shirt, they are an elegant option for business uniforms or gifts.
• Caps and hats: you can embroider or print logos and advertising messages on these items.
• Hoodies and sweaters: a great way to promote your brand in cold weather.
• Fleece jackets: these are versatile and warm pieces of promotional clothing.
• Canvas bags: these are practical and can be used to promote your business at events or trade fairs.
• Scarves: offer a good opportunity for promotion, especially in winter.
• Personalised safety vests: useful for companies in construction, logistics and other sectors where safety is important.
• Aprons: popular in the catering, hotel and kitchen industries.
• Printed umbrellas: ensure your brand is always visible, especially when it rains.
• Textile accessories: bracelets, headbands, fabric key rings, etc.
• Backpacks and sports bags: ideal for outdoor events, travel and sports activities.

When choosing the type of promotional textile, it is important to consider the target group and the promotional message you want to convey. In addition, make sure that you work with a reliable supplier for personalisation and supply of textiles.

Benefits of promotional textiles 

Promotional textiles have many advantages that make them an effective way to promote a brand or advertising message. The following are just some of the advantages of these promotional products:

• Increased visibility: promotional clothing such as T-shirts, caps, etc. have a large print area that allows the logo, slogan or brand message to be clearly displayed. This ensures constant visibility when people wear these products.
• Long-term impact: unlike other forms of advertising, which can be fleeting, personalised clothing can be worn for longer, extending its advertising life.
• Versatility: promotional clothing can be adapted to different target groups and events. They are available in a wide range of styles, colours and sizes, so they can be tailored to the needs of the brand.
• Affordable cost: Compared to other forms of advertising, promotional textiles are relatively affordable, especially if you buy them from a good supplier.
• Creative personalisation: you can personalise your clothes and accessories with logos, slogans, motifs and even artwork. This gives you great creative flexibility to create designs that fit your message.
• Non-intrusive communication: unlike some forms of advertising that can be considered intrusive, promotional textiles are a non-intrusive form of promotion. People choose to wear these garments, which has a positive impact on the reception of the advertising.

It is important to realise that in order to make the most of advertising on textile products, it is necessary to create attractive and relevant designs, choose quality garments and strategically allocate them according to the target audience.

Different branding techniques for promotional textiles

There are several techniques for labelling advertising textiles, each with its own advantages in terms of sustainability, cost and quality. Some of the most common labelling techniques for advertising textiles are presented below:

Screen printing 

This is one of the most popular ways of printing on textiles. It is very durable, suitable for high volumes and can be used on a variety of fabric materials and colours.

Digital direct to garment (DTG) printing 

This technique uses special printers to print high-resolution images directly onto textiles. It is ideal for colour gradations and complex patterns. The price makes it suitable for small print runs.

Embroidery 

In embroidery, the pattern is sewn directly onto the textile using an embroidery machine. This ensures high durability and a superior appearance. It is a popular choice for workwear and quality promotional products. However, this marking technique can be more expensive than other methods and may not be suitable for all types of textiles.

Transfer technique

In this method, a pattern printed on screen-printed paper is transferred onto the textile by means of a heat press. It is suitable for complex patterns, can be used for small quantities and is versatile in terms of materials. However, this technique is less durable than screen-printing or embroidery and may peel over time.

Sublimation printing

This is a process in which the ink is converted by heat into a gas that combines with the fibres of the fabric to create a durable, wash-resistant print. Sublimation is ideal for polyester textiles and is not suitable for all types of fabric.

Laser engraving 

Here, the textile is burnt with a laser to create permanent patterns. This method works particularly well on leather. It gives a unique and professional look, suitable for simple patterns and texts. However, this method is limited in terms of colour and detail.

Flexography 

Flexography is a technique that uses cut sheets of vinyl to create patterns on textiles. This technique is often used for names, logos and numbers.

The choice of branding technique depends on a number of factors, such as the type of textile, the quantity to be produced, the budget and the desired visual effect. Each method has specific advantages, so make sure you understand your needs before making a decision.

How to choose promotional textiles 

The choice of promotional textiles is crucial for promoting your business. It should take into account factors such as the context of use, choice of material, design, print quality, the needs of your target group, the budget available and the message you want to convey. Textiles should be of high quality, comfortable and durable, while being personalised with your company logo. 

In addition, we need to keep up with current trends, such as eco-friendly textiles, to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly products. The variety of textile options means that companies can choose the medium best suited to their promotional objectives. 

In other words, the choice of promotional textiles must be strategic in order to contribute to brand awareness and the success of the advertising campaign.

Finally, it is important to understand the importance of promotional textiles in marketing and promotion. These items offer a unique opportunity to get your message across in a tangible and lasting way, while increasing your brand awareness. By investing in well-thought-out promotional textile products, you can strengthen your brand image and increase your visibility in a cost-effective way.