Author: Jonathan Wilton

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The benefits of choosing sustainable clothing for your brand

sustainable clothing

Choosing sustainable clothing isn’t just an ethical decision – it’s a powerful way to show your brand values and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Doing business in the 21st century requires more than simply generating profits, as consumers put more importance on non-financial data. From corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies to reducing carbon emissions, companies are more conscious than ever of the impact they have on the planet.

To reflect the growing demand from our customers, Promotional Clothing UK has developed a wide selection of sustainable clothing. Here’s why making the switch to ethical and environmentally friendly garments is a smart move for your brand.

Make a positive environmental impact

Sustainable clothing is made using processes and materials that reduce the amount of harm done to the environment. By choosing the following garments, you’re helping to protect the planet while promoting your company:

  • Organic: made from organically grown cotton without harmful pesticides or chemicals.
  • Recycled: reduce textile waste and conserving resources.
  • Ethically sourced: ensures fair treatment of workers and responsible supply chain practices.

Vegan and cruelty-free clothing

Vegan-certified clothing means they contain no animal-derived materials and haven’t been tested on animals. Vegan and cruelty-free merchandise allows you to align your workwear with principles that many of your customers share and value.

Strengthen your brand identity

Sustainable clothing is more than a trend – it’s an important statement. Eco-conscious clients will appreciate your brand’s dedication to ethical practices. It’s an excellent way to build loyalty, attract new supporters and stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, your staff will appreciate your ethical efforts and will be more likely to inform and educate your current clients and potential customers.

Meet growing demand

Your customers are actively seeking greener alternatives, so you need to ensure that your company meets strict environmental and ethical standards. By purchasing sustainable clothing, you can demonstrate your brand values to attract an increasingly environmentally aware audience.

Combine style with substance

Sustainable clothing looks just as good as it feels. Whether you require t-shirts, hoodies or caps, here at Promotional Clothing UK, we offer a wide range of eco-friendly products that don’t compromise on quality or comfort. Plus, you can personalise them using eco-responsible printing methods.

While you understand the importance of sourcing sustainable clothing for your next workwear order, how can you tell what garments are ethically sourced? Below is a list of some of the leading bodies that enforce clothing standards.

Cascale

Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), Cascale is a global non-profit alliance empowering collaboration across the consumer goods industry to tackle climate change and support low-paid workers. Cascale’s data-driven approach drives measurable progress, such as a 45% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across its members by 2030.
Cascale aims to unite brands, manufacturers, governments, academics and non-profit members through a shared vision.

Visit https://cascale.org/

Fair Wear Foundation

Established in 1999, Fair Wear has an ambitious mission to improve working conditions in the clothing sector. Stakeholders include brands, factories, workers, trade unions NGOs and other industry influencers. The organisation aims to promote change by providing practical support to ensure workers play a part in improving and monitoring their conditions. Clothing workers have a right to be well-informed and represented, with the means to raise concerns when their rights are violated.

Visit https://www.fairwear.org/

Organic Content Standard

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) applies to any non-food product containing 95 to 100 percent organic material. The standard verifies the amount of organic material in a final product by tracking the flow of raw materials. OCS is a voluntary global standard that sets the criteria for third-party certification of organic materials and chain of custody.
OSC encourages farmers to go organic, helping companies verify their claims, and gives the clothing industry a tool to verify the organically-grown materials.

Visit https://textileexchange.org/organic-content-standard/

PETA – Approved Vegan

Vegan fashion covers products that do not contain leather, fur, wool, skin and other animal-derived fabrics. There is a growing demand for cruelty-free and animal-friendly clothes, and the PETA-Approved Vegan logo is a way of recognising ethical manufacturers. More than 1,000 sustainable clothing suppliers use the logo, helping ethical consumers to shop with confidence.

Visit https://petaapprovedvegan.peta.org/

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

This standard shows that a garment is free from harmful substances, thus setting the benchmark for textile safety from the source to the finished product. Meeting the standard requires items of clothing, including every thread and button, to be tested against a list of over 1,000 substances to ensure it is harmless to humans. The certification complies with international requirements and regulations.

Visit https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100

AMFORI – BSCI

The term Amfori BSCI is short for the Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative that provides a recognised methodology for identifying and remediating risks in global supply chains. The certifying body requires members to adopt a common Code of Conduct to improve policies and practices, such as purchasing contracts to perform business more responsibly.
These principles apply to all industry sectors and comply with international regulations (e.g. International Labour Organisation, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights). 

Members have access to high-quality social audits and other monitoring activities that assess 13 performance areas to help businesses identify, prevent, mitigate, account for and remediate labour risks as well as adverse human rights impacts in your value chain.

Visit https://www.amfori.org/en/solutions/social/amfori-bsci

Begin your sustainable clothing journey today

Have you been convinced to source sustainable clothing for your company? While this might seem a big step for your brand, here at Promotional Clothing UK we make it easy to choose certified organic, recycled, vegan and ethically sourced garments that reflect your brand’s values.

Feel free to explore our collection on our website, or contact us today to get a quote or to learn more about our garments. Let’s make corporate merchandise that matters – for your employees and for the planet.

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Promotional clothing ideas for your next marketing campaign

promotional clothing

Whether you are an ambitious start-up or an established business, there are plenty of promotional clothing ideas you can employ to boost your brand awareness. In this article, we explore how investing in high-quality clothing is an effective strategy for portraying a professional image to potential customers.

However, any successful marketing campaign requires attention to detail to ensure your activity has the intended effect. Avoid cheap and cheerful choices, you should aim for well-designed promotional clothing that will have a positive impact on your visibility, customer loyalty and reputation.

Whether you require casual wear or smart attire, read on to gain valuable insights on how to make the right decision so you can achieve your marketing goals.

Custom printed polos and t-shirts

Let’s start with the most popular garments – polos and t-shirts are both versatile and cost-effective, making them great choices for any campaign. From high-end, luxury brands to local builders, t-shirts are worn by everyone, so are suited to any audience.

The key is to choose quality material and ensure your brand has a professionally designed logo and carefully crafted marketing message. The aim is for your promotional clothing to strike a chord with your target demographic.

  • Here are our top tips for designing custom printed polos and t-shirts:
  • Simple designs will appeal to a broader audience.
  • Quality materials will be comfortable to wear and more durable.
  • Pick colours that suit your brand.

Branded hoodies

Perfect for when the weather turns a little cooler, a branded hoodie is now a key item of any promotional clothing wardrobe. Comfortable, stylish and versatile, branded hoodies were once seen as appealing to a younger market, but are now worn by people of all ages.

From music festivals to school sports days, hoodies can be seen in a variety of public events and are essential for anyone working outdoors. Like t-shirts, you need to follow the basic rules of promotional clothing, including quality, colours and branding.

Caps and beanies

Practical and stylish headwear can be both eye-catching and long-lasting. For example, baseball caps are always visible when worn, while t-shirts and sweaters can be covered by coats and jackets. In winter, beanies can be kept in pockets and cars so they are worn regularly.

Ideal for outdoor events, such as country fairs, sports matches and festivals, caps and beanies can be worn by people of varying age groups and demographics. When choosing headwear, make sure the item is comfortable and has a simple, prominent design.

Eco-friendly promotional clothing

More and more businesses are making decisions based on environmental and ethical factors, including the purchase of branded clothing. That’s why manufacturers are offering garments made from sustainable, ethically-sourced materials. This approach will resonate with your customers and display your company’s commitment to protecting the planet.

Other environmental considerations include packaging materials, nation of origin and delivery methods. You may wish to consider using UK manufacturers and suppliers to reduce third-party carbon emissions, or recycled packaging. It is important to promote your commitment to sustainability and the environment with messaging or a green logo.

Custom jackets

Ensure your team members look smart and professional all-year round by ordering custom jackets with printed or embroidered logos. They offer an unbeatable combination of style and practicality, ensuring they will be worn whenever your people head outside. There is a wide range of jacket styles available, including rain, fleece and shell, so be sure to choose the one that suits your industry. For that personal touch, why not consider adding names or initials to your custom jackets?

Athletic clothing

If you are in the leisure industry or run a sports club, you could take advantage of the increasing popularity of fitness and outdoor activities. Branded athletic clothing is one of the fastest growing areas of promotional clothing as customers love to align themselves with clubs and companies. Appeal to your growing customers or members by offering a full range of branded merchandise such as gym shorts, performance vests, tracksuits and shirts.

When choosing athletic clothing, pay attention to the latest trends and products so that you portray a fresh, modern image. Unlike some other types of promotional clothing, athletic wear does work well with bold, eye-catching designs with prominent logos and large messaging.

Personalised merchandise

Take your branded clothing to the next level by offering tailored items for your staff and customers. Add names, initials, departments, team names and other unique messaging to create personalised merchandise that makes the maximum impact. This strategy can benefit employee recognition and customer loyalty, while also marking special occasions such as trade shows, sports fixtures or fundraising events.

Need advice on choosing promotional clothing?

As you can see, picking the best branded merchandise for your next marketing campaign is crucial for boosting your brand visibility. Whether you prefer classic polo shirts or brightly coloured beanies, aim for a combination of comfort and personal touches to elevate your brand awareness.

Just like every other element of your marketing strategy, you need align with your target audience so choose your messaging carefully and take time to consider every aspect of your chosen garments.

Here at Promotional Clothing UK, we have everything you need under one roof and can offer expert advice to ensure your order meets your specific requirements. With many years of experience in the clothing industry, we can advise on the most effective type of apparel for your campaign goals.

Whatever items you choose, we recommend opting for quality materials with professional branding to ensure maximum visibility. Getting your merchandise right can be a benefit for businesses of all sizes and sectors, so whether you are a global corporation or local business, you can improve your brand visibility and customer loyalty.

Furthermore, branded wear allows you to measure the success of your marketing campaign by tracking customer engagement through clothing sales. Tracking the popularity of particular items of apparel can provide valuable feedback on your branding exercise.

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Talk to the experts in university society merchandise

university society merchandise

Searching for a reliable and reputable supplier of university society merchandise? In this article, we explain why partnering with Promotional Clothing UK makes sense for student bodies at UK-based higher education establishments.

Standards for university society merchandise have never been higher, as our clients want good-quality items that are also affordable and sustainable. Getting your garments right is essential, when your fit and fabric are not up to scratch, this can harm your public image and reputation.

How big is the UK’s higher education sector?

According to the website Universities UK, 260 higher education providers supplied data to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in 2022-23. The figures showed that 2.9 million students were enrolled, consisting of just over two million undergraduates and nearly 900,000 postgraduates.

The geographical breakdown of the student community was 2,175,530 from the UK, 95,505 from the European Union (EU), and 663,355 from non-EU nations. In the same period, there were 240,420 academic staff and a total of 398,170 staff (excluding non-permanent staff) employed at UK higher education institutions.

What is a university society?

A university society is a broad term describing organised groups of students who all share a common interest. They can cover a broad range of areas such as academic, cultural, social or musical. Here are some examples of common university societies:

• Academic: accounting, finance, economics, aerospace, computer science etc.
• Cultural: countries, religions or cultures e.g. Chinese students, Spanish speakers etc.
• Music: classical, operas, DJs and clubs, salsa dancing, orchestra etc.
• Social: reading books, drama, chess, food, wine, cinema etc.
• Faith: Christian union, Islam, Catholic etc.
• Sports: football, rugby, rowing, swimming, netball, martial arts, boxing etc.
• Other: cartoons, gaming, architecture, automotive, fashion etc.

What are the benefits of joining a university society?

Joining a university society offers many benefits that can enhance a student’s academic and social experience. When a student first arrives on campus, joining a society is a great way to meet like-minded people who share common interests. By making friends outside their course or accommodation, students can build a well-rounded social life.

Societies also offer opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, organisation and communication skills. Many societies run workshops, training sessions or competitions that help you gain practical experience. This can enhance a student’s CV by demonstrating initiative, commitment and transferable skills that employers value.

Some universities have vocational societies with connections to industry professionals. Attend business networking events, guest lectures and careers fairs that can help with future job prospects.

By becoming involved in group activities and public speaking, students can improve their self-confidence. These alternative activities can be a great way to relieve stress by providing a break from academic pressures.

Other benefits will depend on the type of society a student joins. For example, there could be opportunities to attend trips to other parts of the UK or overseas so students can explore new places. Other societies have a community focus allowing members to make a positive impact through volunteering and charity work.

Societies allow students to try out new hobbies and discover passions they might not have considered before. University isn’t just about studying — it’s also about personal growth and experiences. Societies can create memorable moments that enrich a student’s university journey.

Examples of university society merchandise

Here at Promotional Clothing UK, we pride ourselves on supplying first-class levels of customer service, so our products meet or exceed our customers’ expectations. Quality comes as standard, so you can rest assured that students and staff will love our university society merchandise.

We have supplied clothing to societies at some of the UK’s leading universities. including:

• Oxford University
• Cambridge University
• UCL
• Durham University
• Newcastle University
• University of Greenwich
• University of Wolverhampton
• Cardiff University
• Brunel University of London
• Lancaster University
• University of California

In most cases, here at Promotional Clothing UK we work directly with the students representing the individual societies. The societies cover a wide range of activities and groups, including law, dental, countries/regions, LGBTQ+ and various sports. In our experience, most orders for university societies range from 12 to 50 garments.

Types of university society merchandise

For many years Promotional Clothing UK has been supplying university society merchandise to customers across the UK. The decorations and logos could be embroidered or printed, depending on the logo design and the quantity of garments required.

Whether you need hats or hoodies, read on to discover our wide range of products.

• T-shirts: our bespoke branded t-shirts are a popular choice and can be used for societies, sports teams and campus events (e.g. fresher weeks). Our retail standard garments are available at wholesale prices.
• Hoodies: essential items for every student’s wardrobe, hoodies are a firm favourite. From a simple university logo to personalised designs for leavers, hoodies come in a variety of styles and can provide a lasting memory for years to come.
• Sweatshirts: if you prefer a smarter look, sweatshirts offer the same comfort and durability as hoodies. From academic societies to special events, sweatshirts are a great addition to any university clothing range.

Other items include:
• Custom printed tote bags
• Embroidered caps
• Embroidered beanies.

Why choose Promotional Clothing UK?

Our industry experience and product knowledge mean we can source university society merchandise that combines the best value and quality. There are plenty of other reasons why our clients choose to order from us, including:

• Quality as standard: using the latest technology, your logos will be produced to the highest quality, each and every time.
• Sustainability: from delivery methods to Fairtrade clothing suppliers, caring for the environment is what we do.
• Customer support: our friendly experts are always on hand to offer advice.
• FREE quotes: get in touch via our website and receive a fast FREE quote.

We understand that as term time approaches, higher education customers require a market-leading service offering competitive prices and prompt delivery times. That is why Promotional Clothing UK is the supplier of choice for so many UK universities.

Our online store contains more than 10,000 different products, including an extensive range of ethical and Fairtrade Foundation-certified garments.

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How to create custom band merchandise

band merchandise

From Coldplay to Taylor Swift, the world’s biggest music acts understand how important it is to connect with their fans. One way to leave a lasting impression is to sell custom band merchandise.

For up-and-coming bands, offering a range of promotional clothing adds a professional touch to your gigs, as well as helping to spread your band’s name far and wide. Here at Promotional Clothing, we specialise in personalised band merch that makes a big impact to help you stand out in the thriving music scene.

Why should you offer custom band merchandise?

While ordering branded merchandise might seem like a significant investment, it is a fantastic way to promote your band while also opening a channel to generate revenue.

According to published research by MIDiA, demand for music merchandise is growing including both digital (e.g. downloads, videos and artwork) and physical products (e.g. t-shirts, baseball caps). In fact, the global merchandise market is predicted to be worth around $16 billion by the year 2030. However, as the market matures, annual revenue growth is expected to reduce to 1.6%.

Here are the main benefits of custom band merchandise:

• Brand awareness: your loyal fanbase will become walking billboards when they wear your band’s t-shirts, hoodies, or caps.
• Fan engagement: a well-designed item of merch gives your fans a sense of belonging and strengthens their connection with your band and your music.
• Additional revenue: selling branded clothing at gigs or online can become a steady stream of income to support your band’s journey.
• Lasting memories: fans love to keep souvenirs from their favourite concerts, and custom clothing makes the perfect keepsake.

Key considerations when ordering promotional clothing

Creating and selling your own clothing products is a powerful tool for music bands looking to increase their visibility and connect with fans. However, choosing the right type of merch involves more than just picking a cool design. To ensure your band’s apparel is a hit, here are some key factors to consider when buying promotional clothing.

  1. Choose the right product: It is essential that your custom band merchandise reflects your band’s individual style so that it appeals to your fans. For example, t-shirts always sell well at gigs and online, while hoodies and beanies are great for colder weather providing visibility all-year round. As a trusted name in the industry, Promotional Clothing offers a variety of products that can be designed to match your band’s unique look and style. Some of our most popular options include:
  • T-shirts: a gig essential – fans love grabbing a tee to commemorate a show and display their love for your music.
  • Hoodies: unisex hoodies are another fan-favourite, ideal for all seasons and outdoor gigs, they ensure your band’s name is seen everywhere.
  • Headwear: baseball caps and beanies are a stylish and practical everyday option that helps spread your brand effortlessly.
  • More options: from tote bags to jackets, we offer multiple products that can be tailored to your band’s image.
t-shirt printing
  1. Quality really matters: If you have ever bought merchandise at a live gig, you have probably come across low-quality products that have faded, shrunk or become uncomfortable after a few washes. This can leave a negative impression with fans, so it’s important to spend a little more and invest in high-quality fabric to ensure that fans keep wearing your merch for years, providing long-term promotion.
  2. Select the right printing method: There are many different printing techniques that can impact the durability and appearance of your designs. Here are the main printing options:

• Screen printing: traditionally a cost-effective choice for bulk orders, ideal for simple, bold designs.
• Digital printing: using the latest technology, this method is ideal for intricate, colourful artwork.
• Embroidery: while expensive, this adds a premium touch to your hats and jackets.

  1. Design with your audience in mind: While there are many options to choose from, your design and printing method should capture the essence of your band while appealing to your target audience. Elements to consider include the band logo and name placement; tour dates and venue listings; and custom artwork that generates interest from fans.
  2. Order in bulk for cost savings: When it comes to placing an order for your custom band merchandise, you will find that buying in bulk lowers the overall cost per item. The economies of scale allow you to offer affordable pricing, while increasing profit margins. At Promotional Clothing, we provide discounts based on order volume to help bands maximise their merchandise revenue.
  3. Distribution methods: Next, you need to think about how you will sell and distribute your new merchandise. At live gigs, ask a friend or family member to organise a merch stand for fans. Set up early to attract people arriving before the start of the show, and be ready to sell more when they leave after the gig finishes.

Both new and established bands now have their own online stores using platforms like Bandcamp or Shopify. It is simple to set up a website so fans can buy merchandise direct, boosting sales 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once you create a web store, you will need to order your merchandise in bulk to ensure you can deliver promptly.

To advertise your online store, you can run social media promotions or email campaigns to stay connected with fans, offering limited-edition releases and special discounts.

Get started with Promotional Clothing

As the promotional clothing professionals, here at Promotional Clothing we make it easy for you to create high-quality, custom band merchandise. Browse our website to explore our full range of products and request a quote today.

Do you need some guidance? No problem, feel free to email us at sales@promoclothinguk.co.uk or call 020 7199 8552 – we would love to help you design the perfect products to promote your band!

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Pantone References – what are they?

When you place an order with Promotional Clothing UK we will often ask if you know your pantone reference for the colours in your logo. We use this reference to match thread if we are embroidering or to mix inks if we are screen printing for you. We use a a pantone guide book that has thousands of different colour choices.

Here, Hannah Peel wears a sustainable Kitty Joseph eco-friendly rainbow dress – based on the Pantone colour chart to the Mercury Awards. This illustrates perfectly the multitude of colours we can print or embroider to – maintaining the integrity of your corporate colours.

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Visit Us (virtually) at the

Digital Age Expo22-24 July 2021

Hi 

I am glad to share that we are exhibiting at Digital Age Expo.

It would be great to see you there.

To get your free ticket please click on this link https://digitalageexpo.com/free-ticket

We are in Exhibitor Zone: Marketing Zone

Our Stand number is: 195

Digital Age Expo is the one of the largest and most effective virtual and B2B business shows across the United Kingdom and British Isles.

The event is scheduled from 9:00 AM 22nd July 2021 to 6:00 PM 24th July 2021, on Virtual Platform, TILLU.

The Digital Age Expo is a three-day virtual exhibition and is being curated by Organiser, Find Us On Web and Technology Partner, Visualytes with an audience of about 2000, made up of Small and Medium size businesses.

I look forward to seeing you there.

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Corporate LiveWire Prestige Awards

Further to our last post sharing with you the exciting news that were awarded the title of “Promotional Clothing Supplier of the Year” 2020/21. We thought we would share some info on that organisation and what it takes to win such an award.

Background on CorporateLivewire

After many years focusing on business achievements at a global level, Corporate LiveWire recognised that the important work of small and independent businesses has long been overlooked by most international award programmes. To rectify this, the Prestige Awards was launched to celebrate the businesses and individuals that consistently offer excellent products and services to local residents, expats and tourist visitors alike.

The Prestige Awards team has conducted extensive research to identify the major cities and regions around the world with a vibrant SME community and independent scene. They believe that SME businesses are the backbone of any economy, whilst also typically reflecting the unique characteristics of its particular city or region. Osmaan Mahmood, Founder & CEO of Prestige Awards, said: “although small businesses may not be able to compete with multinational companies on their size and scale, there is a personalised service-driven focus that is often void from large organisations.”

Continue reading Corporate LiveWire Prestige Awards
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Promotional Clothing UK – Award Winners 2020/2021.

Promotional Clothing UK – Award Winners 2020/2021.

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the title of “Promotional Clothing Supplier of the Year” 2020/21.

The award is from Corporate LiveWire London Prestige Awards.   

The Corporate Livewire Prestige Awards recognise small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months.

Continue reading Promotional Clothing UK – Award Winners 2020/2021.
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Welcome to Promotional Clothing UK

Promotional Clothing UK exists to do just that. We supply promotional embroidered and printed clothing suitable for businesses, the MICE industry (meetings, incentives, conferences and events), sporting events, charity functions, school leavers’ hoodies, university societies along with a and a host of other promotional requirements.

We are based in London, but our reputation extends beyond the M25 to serve the entire UK (hence the name).  

Continue reading Welcome to Promotional Clothing UK