Perhaps you’ve finally realised your dream of launching your own clothing line. Maybe you’ve just opened your online store. Either way, as a start-up in the fashion sector, you’re going to need to invest in your brand’s image if you want to make a name for yourself in this notoriously competitive industry.
Luckily, great branding solutions don’t need to cost the earth.
We’ve put together our guide to some of the most ingenious – and affordable – ways of getting your name into the market using the custom branded merchandise available from Hallmark.
Choose high quality printed labels
First thing’s first – make sure your products are easily identifiable by using custom-designed printed labels across your entire collection. Whether sewn into the collar of a men’s shirt or added to the hem of a designer dress, these small yet powerful clothing tags will not only provide you with the chance to deliver essential care instructions, but also the opportunity to remind the wearer of your brand every time they flick through the rails or sift through their wardrobe.
Go premium – if you can!
If you can afford to do so, we’d always recommend taking your branding up a notch by ordering products that deliver an undeniably high-end feel. Woven labels do this particularly well; they are incredibly visually appealing and can be folded in a variety of ways depending on the look you want to go for.
You can learn more about how to create a premium brand here.
Don’t forget about your hangers
Whether you’re selling stock to retailers or mailing out your designs straight to your customers’ homes, one of the easiest ways to control your customers’ experience of your fashion brand is to create and use unique hangers that have been embellished with your company logo and/or brand colours.
The great thing is, ordering a set of branded clothing hangers won’t break the bank. You can start with customised plastic hangers if funds are tight, then upgrade to wooden or padded varieties as your marketing budget grows.
Think outside the box
As a new-to-market fashion designer or fashion retailer, there are some items of branded merchandise you’ll need to invest in as a matter of course if you want to compete with your rivals. But more unusual items can add undeniable pizzazz to your branding.
Printed tissue paper, custom-designed shopping bags and even bespoke mailing bags can add an extra layer of wonderment to your packaging – quite literally! And, if budget allows, tactile items like 3D dome stickers and bubble bags will add to the customer’s experience of your brand.
We discussed our wider range of custom merchandising options in this recent blog post.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
Your fashion brand will naturally evolve as you gain a better understanding of what your customers expect to see from you – and learn which approaches work best for your business.
Keep an eye on what’s working for other fashion companies in your space, but don’t be scared to try new things. Carefully considered and meticulously manufactured merchandise can make all the difference when it comes to cementing awareness of your brand in the minds of the buying public!
