T shirt printing services have been been around for a very long time in Singapore. Its industry is probably one of the longest serving to exist and continues to expand up till today. At present, t shirt printing companies are instantly accessible. You can easily look up the internet to find dozens of printing companies at your disposal.

With endless limitations to any market, you are able to print t shirts for schools, corporates, uniforms or even as promotional giveaways. The debate, however, lies in whether a customised t shirt is effective as a marketing tool. With technology advancements and the rise of digital marketing, there is a lot to question on the effectiveness of what a customised t shirt may bring to the table in terms of marketing.

What Is A Marketing Tool?

Marketing tools refer to product development and promotional strategies and actions that companies use to develop and promote its products or services. Businesses that need to sell their goods or services to the public will make extensive use of various marketing tools. With objectives to communicate company information, stimulate customer interest and motivate action.

There are many ways in which this can be done that is part of an overall marketing strategy. Social media, roadshows and exhibits are some other examples of marketing tools that serve a small but integral role in the bigger picture. In the context of this article, the subject in question is if a customised t shirt is an effective marketing tool in Singapore.

Branding Comes Before Marketing

While both branding and marketing are of equal importance, branding comes before marketing. When a company establishes its brand, it starts to build an awareness with its customers. The goal is to build a relationship with your customers to promote customer loyalty while marketing strategies quite simply only help to optimise sales.

With a weak branding strategy, companies will be forced to compete on price which is not a viable long term strategy. Understanding the importance of branding can help you draw your customers in on an emotional level and provides the trust that they can put in you to support your products.

Image credit: custom t shirts done for Refruit Pte Ltd

While we do not fully agree that customised t shirts can have direct impact on marketing strategies, they are most definitely a very straightforward medium for branding. In establishing a strong brand presence, you need to identify which t shirt printing option is best for your company image. The choice of t shirt color can also be chosen to follow closely with your brand color. The printing of its logo can also be printed with accurate color code on with ease.

Having a strong brand presence can help establish the company first, before the t shirt itself becomes a marketing tool. The advantage of having a t shirt as a marketing tool is then doubled as you are able to add on marketing messages along with your company slogan. Anyone can wear t shirts, therefore it is only a matter of picking the right sizes. They also make for practical gifts. Hence, when there is a firm branding base, the effort for marketing becomes easier and the results are more achievable.

Secondary Marketing Support

When custom printed t shirts are being worn in outdoor events such as roadshows and conferences, having your employees wear the same colored t shirt presents the company as one unit. This creates an image of unity and creates awareness that is essential for the company branding that comes before any marketing efforts.

Image credit: embroidery apron done for Mr Egg Magic

In social media platforms, custom printed t shirts leave a deeper impression of the company as it engages you in their posts. Whether you’re reading an article about the company or scrolling through photos posted about the company, a well customised t shirt makes you remember the company brand. As such, while a t shirt does help as a marketing tool, it is not entirely effective in its regard to optimise sales but rather to establish a strong brand presence that contributes to marketing as a whole for your company.

Enhance Employer Branding

Employer branding is one strategy that helps in recruiting better candidates, reduce hiring and marketing costs and improve productivity. Customised corporate t shirts leave strong branding impressions for not only guests but also the employees themselves. They feel a sense of belonging that empowers them and even motivates them to work even harder.

Image credit: dri fit t shirt printed for PCI Singapore

Employees working in companies with a strong brand presence are generally more enthusiastic and motivated which means they are more productive at work too. When they are efficient, the rate of retaining employees and chances of them referring their friends to the company is also high. At this point, your employees would have already become ambassadors of the company. When you spend less on recruitment, it gives you more spending options for your other stronger marketing strategies.

In Conclusion: Custom Tshirt Supports Marketing

Customised t shirts are definitely worth investing on at low costs that motivate high returns. You are paying far less than other mediums to get your company to be recognised. Although they are not direct marketing tools, they contribute substantially to the awareness of your brand.

That being said, choosing the right t shirt is important to the image you want to portray for your company. Understanding how to detemine your company’s marketing budget and how you want your company to be remembered in the eye of the public can help you make an easier choice.

In the example of mooncake festivals, every bakery has their own unique packaging to represent their branding. These bakeries typically attract buyers with their packaging to sell themselves in the marketing aspect. The foodpanda delivery riders also gets recognition for wearing their pink uniforms and is now widely recognised each time we see a man in pink.

A little effort goes a long way as being part of a bigger marketing strategy that will benefit your company in time to come. Therefore, at TREA, we strongly believe that a custom t shirt is an essential supporting tool in any aspects of marketing in Singapore. If you are convinced and getting ready for your first move, we have various types of t shirt printing solutions here for your selection.