Advertising Business Grand Openings with T-Shirts
When a new business opens, it’s important to attract as much attention as possible to get new business from the community. If the business sits there month after month without customers, it won’t be long before it fails altogether. To get attention, a big grand opening is called for. It should be an opening that attracts people not only for the business, but for what they get out of coming to the opening. Once they come for a freebie, they’ll stay to see what the store has for sale.
One great freebie is a grand opening t-shirt. Everyone loves free t-shirts. Most people will go out of their way to get a free t-shirt, even going to a business that they would not ordinarily have gone to. This brings in customers that might never have come to the business on their own. And after they’ve been there, they know where to go when they need the items for sale there. That makes free t-shirts a smart business move for any grand opening.
Not only will the business benefit from the new customers that are brought in to receive the t-shirt, but those t-shirts will also serve as long-term advertising. People will wear those shirts for years. And in the case of single men, they’ll wear them for decades. That means that every shirt you give away will be out there, advertising your business name to everyone who sees the shirt. That advertisement will be seen at the movies, at grocery stores, at the gas station and at school. Nowhere will be safe from your advertising. That’s a sure sign that this is one of the very best advertising techniques.
Advertising the free t-shirts is a great way to interest people, but once they’re there, there should be enough t-shirts for everyone. The t-shirts should be available in every size and for men, women and children. Having the t-shirts available and in a size that will fit will allow the customer to trust the business and believe that they will deliver on a promise. It also ensures that everyone who comes will be walking away with a t-shirt that they can actually wear. If they can’t wear it, it isn’t going to be good advertising sitting in a drawer.
To make the grand opening an extra special event, the employees can also have customized t-shirts. These t-shirts can have information about the new business, its hours and what that business can do for its customers. These t-shirts can answer some of the questions that customers have. They can also remind new customers about the store name and some of the best features of the store. These shirts can be used to drive home the messages that you want to convey about the business. That might be discount prices, professional services or a large selection. Whatever the angle, the customers need to hear about it. Having a sign is one thing, but having a numb
All-Star Tees for All the Stars on Your Team!
Anyone who participates on a team – whether it’s athletic or academic – works hard to do his or her best. Whether it’s Little League or Pop Warner, or organized school teams, kids everywhere dream of being the best. And some are.
Many sports and academic organizations have All-star games or even leagues. Participation is by invitation only, and often players have to try out to earn a spot on the elite team. Extra practices are usually required, as well as more extensive traveling, sometimes overnight. Exhibition games may be played, and for older teams, working with and/or mentoring younger players may also be included. With great power comes great responsibility, as Spiderman says, and these talented players are not only expected to play well, but to be good examples to others both as athletes and as human beings. They receive not only the rewards of playing with others who as talented (or more so) than they are, but they usually get lots of perks, as well. Trophies, recognition, gifts, even trips to exotic locales to play the final games (think Little League and the NFL All-Star game in Hawaii, here) are all examples of these perks.
Another perk that these elite can receive is a t-shirt proclaiming their superiority. They should be proud of their accomplishments, and wearing an all-star tee can help them share their athletic prowess with the rest of the world. Kids especially should be proud when they are the best; it builds their self-esteem and helps them stay confident in themselves. Being the best reflects the hard work they’ve done, and they deserve to show off a little. Why not with an all-star tee?
Not all All-stars are athletes, however. Some are so new to life that their horizons are wide open. I’m talking babies, here, folks! What new dad or mom hasn’t gazed lovingly down at that cute little face and imagined him or her as a future supertalent? A cute little onesie or baby tee with “Future All-Star” on it is just the thing for this new little person. Since a baby’s life is a blank canvas, he or she can grow up to be anything. A tee for baby like this shows the world that mom and dad are ready for anything, and that they believe in their child’s possibilities. Grandparents can get in on the fun, with tees that show a baby golfing, fishing, running, playing football, etc…with the words “Grandpa’s (or Grandma’s) Little All-Star”. Parents, grandparents, and other family members truly need know no limits here!
All-Star teams aren’t limited to athletics, however. Academia also has its share of All-Star teams. Chess clubs, debate clubs, and even Scrabble players have All-Star team events. While not relying on the power of their bodies, they rely on their more important muscle – their mind – to showcase their abilities. Sending off the debate team All-Stars to a regional or even state or national competition with All-Star team tees will give them an extra edge – they’ll be mentally prepared of course, but having team t-shirts can unite them even more.
No matter the type of All-Star – athletic, future, or academic, the All-Star in your life needs an All-Star tee!
Appreciate Your Volunteers with a Cool Tee
At almost any public or private social function, there will be folks who need help. They may want to know where to park, where to check their coats or umbrellas, where to find the restroom, and where they can change the baby. They might want help with purchasing tickets, finding seats, or understanding just why the baby gorilla is playing with its dung. All of these questions are important, especially to the person asking them, and it is usually the volunteers who come to the rescue. At fancy places like museums, they are called docents, the symphony hall calls them ushers, but most people just call them by what they are: volunteers.
A volunteer tee is truly a must for any social occasion that will rely on volunteers to see it through to completion. A public race like a fun run or marathon, a charity event, or a cultural fair all need volunteers to help make everything run smoothly. Not only should these people be recognized for their dedicated service and hard work and support for the event or organization, they make them easily recognizable to the public or attendee at the function. Folks WILL have questions, and they will search for someone to answer them. Clothing your volunteers in matching tees that make them stand out a bit from the crowd will help your guests find them and get the help they need.
The larger the event, the more important it is for your volunteers to be easily identified. While large events like fairs and expos and such have many hired helpers for jobs such as security, food services, and janitorial services, it may not be possible for all of your volunteers to meet and get to know these paid employees. Therefore, it is to the benefit of all workers – both paid and unpaid – for the volunteers to wear identifying tees. This lets everyone know that the volunteer isn’t just a guest or visitor trying to sneak around back stage or behind the scenes to sneak a peak at a celebrity or other interesting yet private aspects of the event. These volunteer tees will allow your volunteers move freely through the event both among the guests and public attendees and behind the scenes – literally wherever their help is needed most.
Another place that one would find a lot of volunteers is at a school. Nearly every public and private school relies on a core group of volunteers to help things run more smoothly. Whether through day-to-day operations or at special events like school dances or festivals or other functions, volunteers help make everything go more smoothly. Why not show these folks (typically parents of the students attending the school in question) your gratitude by gifting them with a customized tee? You could include the school mascot, have the shirt done in the school colors, and then have the word “Volunteer” emblazoned across the back or at the breast pocket (or where one would be located!).
There are many uses for a Volunteer tee; you will find a way to use one, whether you are an organizer or a volunteer yourself.
Wear Your Accomplishments on Your T-Shirt
“This car climbed Mt. Hood.” “I’ve been to Heaven and it’s in the Poconos.” These are some examples of bumper stickers you may see on cars and trucks and vans as you drive around town. People have always wanted, since they discovered written language, to share their accomplishments with each other. They write about them. They sing about them. They put stickers on their cars, they tattoo themselves and they also wear them. That’s right, people wear their accomplishments right on their clothes!
Literally anything you’ve done can be put on a shirt. Finished kindergarten? Put it on a tee. Made it through your 25th year teaching kindergarten? Put that on a shirt. Wear it with pride; it’s something that not even all other teachers could do.
About to graduate with your PhD in mathematics? If you don’t want to wear a tee that shows off your amazing brain, I bet your mom or dad will. “My honor student is smarter than your honor student” is the line of thinking, here.
Did you just run a marathon? Simply crossing the finish line is reason enough to wear a shirt telling everyone about it, in my opinion. Participating in and finishing a race like this is not just about running; it’s about all the training that you’ve done; the stretching, the blisters, the early foggy mornings when you’d rather be in bed or sipping a second cup of coffee… Running in a race like this tells the world that you’re physically fit; you’re dedicated and have great self-discipline. You may also inspire someone else to get in shape to run in the next 5K!
Taking a special trip that includes something like white water rafting, rappelling, or riding a burro down into the Grand Canyon are activities that, once accomplished, deserve to be proclaimed to the world. These are all fun, exciting activities, and the doing of them should be shared. Putting these experiences on your shirt will spread the word to everyone who cares to look.
What to share your prowess with the fishing rod? Just landed the fish of your dreams? Wear a tee that says something like “Kingfish…He didn’t get away!”
Maybe you and three of your pals have just played in a golf tournament and won! That’s something to definitely put on your t-shirt. While you may have to wear a collared shirt on the course, changing in to a golf tee that shares your superiority with the world in the locker room is completely acceptable.
Have a child who’s going to the state spelling bee? Not only do THEY deserve a cool tee telling the world how smart they are, but so do you! While they may need to wear their “Sunday Best” while competing up on the stage, YOU can certainly wear a shirt that supports their talent and skill.
No matter what your accomplishments are, they are something to be proud of. Whether they are physical or mental, you deserve the recognition of others for a job well done.
Show the Love for Your Customers with T-Shirts
When an establishment has been in operation for at least one year, great things begin to happen. The business in question first and foremost typically decides to celebrate. They celebrate the fact that they’ve made it through the first year; they celebrate the fact that the whole thing hasn’t come crashing down around them; and then celebrate the people who have made it all possible – the customers!
If YOU are the owner of a business, be it retail, wholesale, service-oriented or restaurant, you are most likely most grateful to those folks who choose to darken your doors with their presence, and more importantly, with their cash. They are the life’s blood of your endeavor, and without them, you would be completely out of business. Literally.
Now that your first year anniversary has rolled around (or your 10th or 25th), it’s time to celebrate and thank the folks who have helped make it all happen. If you have a week-long celebration complete with giveaways, food and sale prices, why not order some Customer Appreciation tees for your staff to wear? You can include your company’s logo or design, the dates and the number of years you’ve been established. You could even have a “Thank-you” message printed, if you like. Put one of these shirts on every one of your employees’ backs, and they’ll be walking advertisements for how thankful you are for your customer and their continued patronage.
Of course, if you’ve been in business for awhile and things have really been in the black, you may want to include tees as a giveaway to your valued customers. Ordering t-shirts to show your appreciation of your customers will definitely make them feel like they are doing a great thing to help you out and frequent your business.
Any size business can do this; but it is probably more feasible for the larger ones. You may want to be able to offer t-shirts in various sizes, from a child’s small to XXL, and that can get pricey. However, order all larges and you can fit most folks who walk in the door. If the shirt is too big, they can use it as loungewear or even a nightshirt. If it’s too small, they may pass it along to someone else. (Maybe someone else who’s never been to your business; this might just get that newbies to step through your door!)
If you’ve put in a large order for tees, it might be a good idea to advertise them a bit. Depending on how many tees you want to give out, take out an ad in the paper, get on the local radio station, or just hand out fliers with each purchase. How much or how little you advertise is dependent on how many folks you want to come see you and your business. Remember that lots of folks will do just about anything to get a “free” prize or giveaway, and if all they have to do is come down and check out your business, you’ll probably get lots of new customers!
Whether you wear one yourself or give them away to your customers, customer appreciation tees are a great way to show your clients and customers how much their business really means to you.
Trick or Treat Done to a Tee
One of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year is October 31, also known as Halloween. Ah, yes. Trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, haunted houses, jack-o-lanterns–Halloween is a day that brings out the kid in all of us.
While many of us have or will donned a costume in honor of All Hallows Eve, a majority of us work at jobs that frown on wearing them to the office. The naughty nurse outfit might not go over well with the parents of your preschool students. And if you’re a brain surgeon, pretty much every choice out there is impractical (unless, of course, you choose to dress up like a brain surgeon.) However, there’s no need to limit your devotion to Halloween with just a pair of skull earrings or a jack-o-lantern tie pin–why not create and wear your own custom T-shirt?
Designing a unique T-shirt isn’t hard at all. All you need to do is come up with a decent idea, make it eye-catching, have it screened onto the size, type and color of shirt of your choice, and you’re good to go.
Here are a few ideas to get your started:
Ghoul’s night out
Fright crew
Witchy woman
It’s all about the candy corn
Vampires suck
I don’t do costumes
Halloween bites (good one for dogs)
Trick or treat, smell my feet (with footprints)
Love a first fright
I want candy–or else!
Gone batty
I’ve put a spell on you
Angel in disguise
A myriad of fonts are available for you to use–it’s Halloween! Nothing is too tacky or over the top. You can make your text look like it’s dripping, like it’s smeared, or like it’s carved into stone. Click around to get ideas and inspiration.
Now that you know what you want to say, it’s time to find a picture or two to help you say it better. Stuck for ideas? Here are the basic Halloween icons to get draw inspiration from:
*Witches hats, brooms
*Ghosts
*Zombies
*Mummies
*Spiders, cobwebs
*Skeletons
*Jack-o-Lanterns
*Candy corn
*Vampires, stakes, bats
*Frankenstein, Wolfman
*Black cats
You should be able access all of these images somewhere online fairly easily. If you want to create something truly unique, however, it’s a good idea to have a conversation with the custom T-shirt manufacturer you plan on doing business with. Chances are they can help you, or can point you in the direction of someone who will.
Now that you have the text and design, it’s time to choose the shirt itself.
When it comes to the actual shirt, the obvious colors are black, white, or orange. Most online custom T-shirt dealers usually post a size chart on their websites–it’s important to read these–you don’t want to spend a lot of energy creating the perfect shirt, only to order the wrong size.
It’s a good idea to put your order in early–there’s probably plenty of people who are designing and ordering their custom T-shirt too, and you want to make sure your shirt is in hand before the first Halloween party of the season kicks off.
Lighten Up: Put a Positive Message on Your T-Shirt!
Are you sick of all the negative messages out there? It seems sometimes like all we see—in the news, on television, in movies—is negative media. We see violence and swearing and all kinds of negative behavior on television and in movies. People sometimes protest the negative content used in entertainment, but, sadly, we see a lot of the same stuff on the news. And even in everyday life, there can sometimes be an overwhelming feeling of negativity.
People feel cynical, for whatever reason—because of life experience beating them down, or because that’s how they see other people live their lives, or maybe just because they think it’s cool to not believe in anything.
But there’s something you can do about it! You don’t have to live with negativity surrounding you. None of us do! But those people who want to fight against negativity have to join forces and support each other through positive thinking.
The power of positive thinking is unbelievably strong. If you’ve ever been in a tough spot in life—feeling discouraged or overwhelmed or intimidated—you know how valuable a positive message of encouragement can be. Maybe you had a friend who told you, “You can do it!” or “The best is yet to come!” Or maybe your teacher told you, “Hang in there,” or “Tomorrow is another day.” Sometimes when life seems impossible, someone comes along and tells you just what you need to hear to get back into the swing of things.
Or sometimes, even when you’re not having a particularly bad day, you see a positive message somewhere—on a sign on the street or in someone’s window, on a bumper sticker, or from someone’s behavior—and your outlook on life seems to get just a little bit cheerier.
If you’ve experienced anything like this, you know how much a tiny positive comment can change your day, or even your life. Even when it comes from a stranger, the positive message can really ring true. Actually, sometimes a message of encouragement can be even stronger coming from a stranger because it comes as more of a surprise, and seems more like a universal sentiment, rather than an attempt by someone you love to make you feel better. Chances are the person who passed the positive comment on to you had no idea how much of an effect he or she was having on you.
So why not return the favor? It could take very little effort to send on the message of positive thinking to someone who needs it badly. Making a custom t-shirt with your favorite positive message on it could help a friend or a stranger turn their day around from hopelessness to inspiration. Choose a couple of the phrases or messages that you find to be most encouraging, illuminating, or just plain inspirational. You could put all of the phrases on one t-shirt, or you could make a couple different t-shirts to highlight your favorite phrases. Just think of yourself as the poster or the bumper sticker that could save someone’s day!
Custom Halloween T-Shirts Put the “OOOOO” in Boo!
Want a quick and easy Halloween costume for you or your children? Try Halloween t-shirts. They are great for kids of all ages who are heading out to trick or treat. T-shirts are an easy costume for your child’s first Halloween when they are often too tiny for expensive and involved costumes. Try a pumpkin t-shirt. Your little one will be comfortable and adorable. It’s also easy for you when it comes to changing diapers and cleaning up. Personalize the costume with their name. “Ashley’s 1st Halloween!” And, don’t stop there. Mom and Dad can get T-shirts to match and customize them, as well. “I’m Ashley’s Dad.” You will be the most adorable family in the neighborhood!
Other ideas for little ones include a t-shirt that looks like Cinderella’s giant pumpkin with a magic wand and tiara. The shirt says, “Pumpkin Princess.”
T-shirts are a simple costume for older kids and grown-ups who don’t want to put a lot of effort into dressing up for trick or treating or a Halloween party. Try a shirt with a rib cage on it. Or one with the shadow of a man doing martial arts that says, “Cheap Ninja Costume.” And, for those smart alec’s in the group, how about “I left my other costume with your mom.”
Online you can find a variety of pre-designed t-shirts. Look for shirts that will quickly make you look like a pirate, pumpkin, a disco diva, magician, or your favorite scary face.
It’s easy to design your own shirt, too. Take your own design or add your own text to any of the thousands of designs found in online libraries. Put your picture with “Trick or Treat” over it and you won’t have to say a word when you head out for candy.
Online and at fabric and sewing shops you’ll find easy patterns to make your own Halloween t-shirts. They are much easier than complicated costumes. It’s easy to iron or sew bits and pieces onto a simple t-shirt to create the perfect pirate, flapper, princess, wizard, or superhero.
Typically, you’ll find kids t-shirts for between $12-$15 dollars. Halloween t-shirts for adults are closer to $20.
In a time, when so much of our focus in on our troops fighting in Iraq, Halloween is a great time to show your support. Try a shirt with an American flag. And, for kids, there’s a new trend. Put your soldier’s picture on the shirt. Then, add “My mom/dad is fighting in Iraq. I deserve a treat.”
If you want to order the perfect t-shirt for Halloween, start shopping now. Go online and search for “Halloween t-shirts.” Once you select a site to go with, decide if you want to create your own or go with a pre-fabbed design. Pick a size and shirt style. Then, you can typically customize it with names and colors. You can see a proof of the shirt before you actually confirm your order. Expect it to take about two weeks to arrive. Then, all you need is a pumpkin for trick or treating!
Brats, Beers, and T-Shirts - the Perfect Oktoberfest
Daylight savings, windy weather, falling leaves–when these things happen, summer is officially over. However, fall doesn’t officially begin until Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is a 16-day celebration held each year in Munich, Bavaria and Germany. It starts in late September and lasts until early October (hence the name Oktoberfest). These festivals attract millions of people every year and pumps plenty of money into the local economy. Over the years the revelry has spread to many cities and towns across the United States. These celebrations are modeled after the original, and include sausage, sauerkraut, music, dancing, and of course, beer.
Oktoberfest is known for its food and beer, but mostly for its beer. This is a festival where visitors are almost expected to over-imbibe alcohol. However, organizers have been trying to change this perception. In recent years they’ve installed some ground rules for festival-goers–no drinking the hard stuff after 6 p.m., for example. They’ve also implemented an assortment of family-friendly events, such as weiner dog races and live music provided by polka bands.
No matter what your reason is for attending Oktoberfest, a good way to truly get into the spirit of the celebration is to wear a custom T-shirt. If you click around online you’ll see a wide range of Oktoberfest-related T-shirts that include images of beer steins, weiner dogs, pretzels, polka bands, lone accordion players, lederhosen-wearing drinkers, serving girls, various country flags and more.
Some ideas are better executed than others, but no one is going to make the perfect T-shirt for you BUT you. And that can be done in just a few easy steps:
Select the image you want to use. Make sure it’s not to busy, nor too simple. It also helps if it’s not too offensive, but that’s a matter of personal taste. Select the text you want to use. Sometimes the image so strong, no words are necessary. If you do decide to use them, however, choose a short phrase in a font that’s easy to read.
Select the shirt you want to wear. You can choose long or short sleeved, cotton or other fabrics, classic cut or “girlie” cut–there are a lot of options out there, so take your time examining them and choose the shirt that’s best for you.
Give yourself time. It sometimes takes longer than you think to design and order a quality shirt, so make sure you start this process at least a few weeks before Oktoberfest begins. Finally, when you get your shirt, take care of it. Wash it with a color-protecting detergent. Dry it using normal settings. Pull it out of the dryer as soon as it’s done. Place a towel over the design before you iron it.
Take all these suggestions to heart and you’ll have the best-looking, Oktoberfest-themed T-shirt in the beer tent this fall.
Give the Gift of Blushing with an Embarrassing T-Shirt
Do you love practical jokes? Those in good taste, of course. Well, what better way to show off your humorous side than by giving an embarrassing t-shirt to a friend or family member. Such a gift will be remembered for years to come, so show off your creative side with specially designed t-shirts whenever the opportunity presents itself. What occasions are best for embarrassing t-shirts?
Birthdays are most obvious. A t-shirt can serve as a great gag gift that actually might be worn if only for the evening. We’ve all seen an ‘over the hill’ t-shirt for a 40th birthday. In fact, the most popular milestone birthdays for these types of t-shirts are 21, 30, 40, 50, and 60. T-shirts can be made up for party goers as well as the individual being celebrated. Participant party shirts are a great idea if you know the birthday guy or girl won’t likely willingly go along with your fun and wear your specially designed t-shirt.
Anniversaries typically aren’t funny occasions, but why can’t they be? If your parents or grandparents are celebrating a milestone and appreciate your good humor, it’s time to put together a t-shirt! Do you have an inside family joke you are ready to share with the world? Making them a specially designed t-shirt is a great way to ensure they’ll never forget the role you played in their special day.
Wedding proposals are a time when uniqueness is often celebrated. This is definitely one time when the more public the display of affection the better. After showing your bride to be how much you love her, why not let her see your humorous side? Have a witty t-shirt put together for her to slip on after your propose. This is probably the one day you can get away with embarrassing her. Take advantage of the opportunity. Who knows? If you’re spending the day in public, the local television station or newspaper may even capture your creativity. Live up the day!
While families are easy targets of your humor, t-shirts can also be used to embarrass those who may be your friends. Confused? Throughout our lives we desire to become affiliated with new organizations or sporting teams. Some, especially those targeted at the college aged, require a hazing or initiation of some sort. These activities are designed to show the potential member’s desire to be part of the organization. Often these activities are in good nature and create a cohesive bond between current and potential members of the organization. An embarrassing t-shirt is well suited for such initiations or hazing. Why not ensure that the embarrassment is public by having the potential new members wear it on their bodies. The specially designed t-shirt can become a tradition associated with the organization and create an ongoing story and history.
Giving an embarrassing t-shirt can be a perfect gift. Used properly, humor can be one of the best gifts for almost any occasion. Spend some time today thinking of the next perfect occasion to have a t-shirt made!