In today’s competitive market, custom merchandise can be a game-changer for small businesses. It offers a unique opportunity to increase brand visibility, build customer loyalty, and even generate revenue. Here are key reasons, supported by compelling statistics, why your small business should consider investing in custom products.
Boost Brand Recognition
Custom merchandise serves as a powerful marketing tool. According to research, 90% of people who receive a promotional product can recall the name of the brand associated with it. Additionally, a single promotional item averages 344 impressions per month, significantly improving brand visibility. Investing in small business promotional items, such as custom t-shirts, custom koozies, and custom keychains, can help businesses create a unique identity and attract more customers.
Create a Unique Customer Experience
Offering custom products can deepen your relationship with customers. Studies indicate that 82% of people have a more favorable impression of a brand after receiving a promotional product. Furthermore, research shows that 75% of people prefer to purchase from a company that provided them with a promotional product compared to an equally familiar company that didn’t offer such an item. Custom magnets and custom keychains are great low-cost ways to offer something both useful and branded, improving customer loyalty and driving positive impressions.
Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy
Investing in custom merchandise is often more affordable than traditional advertising methods. The promotional products industry in the U.S. totaled $24 billion in 2017, growing at a rate of 2.5% since 2012, according to IBISWorld. This growth reflects the increasing recognition of the value of promotional items in marketing strategies. By working with a local screen printing or embroidery store, businesses can create high-quality, custom items like custom t-shirts and personalized embroidery at affordable prices, making it easier to promote your brand without breaking the bank.
Increase Employee Spirit
Custom branded merchandise isn’t just for customers; it’s also great for creating team unity and boosting morale within your organization. Studies show that 59% of employees who receive a promotional product from their employer have a more favorable impression of their workplace afterward. Providing employees with items like custom t-shirts or personalized embroidery can help foster a sense of pride and ownership in the brand, which can translate into better performance and a more unified team.
Expand Your Reach
Custom products can become conversation starters, helping to spread the word about your business. Nearly 100% of consumers say they are willing to go out of their way to get a promotional product, indicating a high level of engagement with branded items (shopharperandscott.com). Additionally, 63% of consumers pass along a promotional product they don’t want anymore and even roughly 50% will keep promo t-shirts for 2 years or longer, extending your brand’s reach through word-of-mouth. Moreover, offering branded accessories like custom koozies or custom keychains can also help make sure your brand continues to reach new potential customers through word-of-mouth marketing.
Tap into a Growing Market
The global custom apparel market is projected to grow from USD 2.3 billion in 2024 to an estimated USD 4.2 billion by 2032, reflecting a significant opportunity for businesses to invest in custom merchandise.
Whether you’re looking for custom t-shirts, custom magnets, or sublimated graphics, this market growth presents a prime opportunity for small businesses to tap into a popular and expanding industry.
Inkorporate Graphics’ Custom Services
At Inkorporate Graphics, we offer a variety of services to help small businesses create the perfect custom merchandise:
Sublimation Services: Our sublimated graphics are perfect for creating vibrant and long-lasting designs on a variety of materials. This process allows for high-quality, full-color prints that won’t fade over time, making it an excellent choice for custom apparel and promotional items.
Embroidery Personalization: We provide personalized embroidery services to add a professional touch to your custom merchandise. Whether it’s hats, polos, or jackets, embroidery guarantees your logo or design looks sharp and durable.
Screen Printing: With our local screen printing services, we can print your logo or design on t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel items, giving you a cost-effective way to produce high-quality, custom-branded items in bulk.
Art Department: Not only can we print your designs, but our art department is also available to help create custom designs from scratch. Whether you need a new logo, marketing materials, or a unique design for your merchandise, our team can bring your ideas to life. You can learn more in our latest blog, Insider Look Into Inkorporate’s Art Department.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Investing in custom merchandise can significantly impact your small business’s growth. Whether you’re looking to create a lasting impression, increase brand awareness, or promote employee pride, custom products are a valuable tool in your marketing strategy.
Contact Inkorporate Graphics today to get started on creating high-quality custom items for your business, from custom printing and custom koozies to personalized embroidery and sublimated graphics.