This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the initial idea to seeing your team proudly sporting custom threads. Let’s dive in and get started!
Before you start designing, it's essential to understand your team and your industry. What makes your team unique? Is it your quirky sense of humor, a shared addiction to coffee, or maybe some inside jokes only your team understands? These elements will help you create merchandise that truly resonates with your team members.
A bonus is knowing the segments that exist within your company. By knowing this you can produce department-specific merch that reflects the uniqueness of each part of the company. This can help smaller department teams feel closer and more cohesive, enabling them to tackle their work together more effectively.
It can also foster camaraderie between departments if the merch reflects how each department relies on the others to get work done. This creates a tangible and wearable identity that everyone can relate to.
Let's take Wacky Widgets Inc. as an example. They wanted each department to showcase its special flavor of awesome. They decided to spice things up with some custom merch that screams, "We're unique, and we're proud of it!" Here’s how they did it:
Marketing Maestros: T-shirts that pop with bright colors and the slogan "Marketing Magic in Motion." Think neon unicorns and social media icons – because why not?
Engineering Einsteins: Hoodies with a cool circuit board design and the tagline "Building Tomorrow Today." Bonus: each hoodie has a QR code that takes you to a secret project page. Nerdy and proud!
Sales Sharks: Caps and jackets with motivational quotes like "Always Be Closing" and a blinged-out trophy. Because nothing says 'sales' like a bit of swagger.
Support Superheroes: Comfy polo shirts with "We Got Your Back" and a superhero emblem. They're the caped crusaders of customer service, after all.
Interdepartmental Fun Fests: Monthly events where everyone rocks their department merch. Games, challenges, and a whole lot of laughs – it's like summer camp, but with a paycheck.
Merch Swap Madness: Once a month, departments swap t-shirts for a day (freshly cleaned ones) and get a quick tour of each other's workspaces and duties. This fosters newfound respect for each other's roles within the company.
Boosted Team Spirit: Quirky, department-specific merch has everyone feeling like part of an elite squad. Morale is through the roof!
Better Collaboration: With the merch swap and fun fests, folks are actually talking to each other – and not just about the weather. Projects are smoother and more fun.
Unified Wackiness: Celebrating each department's quirks while showing how we all fit together has made Wacky Widgets Inc. a place where everyone feels like part of one big, happy (and slightly crazy) family.
We hope you’re inspired by the possibilities with this hypothetical example of Wacky Widgets Inc. Now, it’s time to take the leap and create your custom merch that'll make your team stronger than ever!
Gather your team for a brainstorming session. This is the perfect time to get creative and think about what kind of design would best represent your team’s spirit. Think about:
Once you have a concept in mind, decide on the types of merchandise you want to create. Think about what items your team will actually use and wear. Quality matters, so choose items that are durable, breathable, and comfortable.
Here are some sustainable options from Superior Ink Denver Screen Printing:
By carefully selecting the right merchandise, you ensure that your team will love and use the items regularly, reinforcing that sense of team spirit. It's also a great way to align company values with your branded merch.
Working with a reliable and professional printing company is crucial. Instead of trying to go it alone and figure out how to do on-demand shipping or print your own merch, only to realize that nightmare was a waste of your precious time, start the way you want to finish. Here’s why Superior Ink Denver Screen Printing stands out as your perfect print partner:
By partnering with Superior Ink Denver Screen Printing, you can be confident that your custom merch will be just what your team needs and just like Betty in Accounting's fruit cake, it will last for years.
Collaborate with our design team at Superior Ink Denver Screen Printing to finalize your designs. We can help tweak your ideas to make sure everything looks perfect on the custom team merchandise. Don't forget to:
Once the designs are approved, place your order. Consider ordering a few extra items to account for any future needs or new team members. We offer various printing options, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
As the savvy business owner that you are, you know delegating means accelerating. Our fulfillment services with our sister company, Superior Pack, ensure that your merch makes it to your desired team members without you having to lift a finger. This means we handle the packaging and distribution, ensuring everything arrives neatly, on brand, and on time. Whether your custom-branded merchandise is being shipped directly to your office or to individual team members working remotely, Superior Pack has got you covered.
Plan a fun event to unveil the new merch. This could be a team-building exercise, a company-wide meeting, or a casual Friday afternoon gathering. Make it special and exciting to boost team morale and enthusiasm.
This is the time to get creative about imbuing your team with excitement about the new merch. Because you chose to create high-quality and environmentally responsible merch, your team is already going to feel special. But, like every good leader, go beyond the expected and make it something they can really believe in. This can also be a perfect time to welcome remote workers back to the office and make it feel a little less daunting.
Keep the excitement going and encourage your team to wear and use the merch proudly. Celebrate your unique team culture by organizing regular events and activities that promote camaraderie and collaboration. Consider:
Incentivize with prizes, giveaways, raffles, and employee appreciation highlights. Merch can be a tool in your leadership belt as you build your company together with your team.
Finally, keep track of how your custom merch impacts team spirit and collaboration. Conduct surveys and gather feedback to understand the benefits and areas for improvement. The goal is to create an inclusive and positive work environment where everyone feels valued and part of the team.
When it's time to order more, Superior Ink is ready and waiting to help you create your next morale-boosting print project.
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