Saturday, March 16, 2019

What Are My Options?

Managing a new brand means increasing awareness and building team spirit. Yesterday's post focused on how tee shirts provide the perfect canvas for your message when unifying a team. What if your brand has "standards"- "guidelines" to follow, but you still want to be creative?

As a brand partner with the town of Fuquay-Varina, who has won 5 awards for their branding since rebranding in 2016, it's important to consider options carefully. They rely on our input as part of their brand management team.

The idea was to provide a fleece pull over for employees. Deciding how to incorporate their specific brand standards on the fleece while adding some "wow" processes required work behind the scenes.  We started by reviewing options in the showroom, comparing brands and styles of fleece.

  • Quickly we were able to determine that a fleece with an over stitch ( literally showing the seams on the outside of the garment) was preferred 
  • Additionally by trying on apparel, we quickly established that a garment with the shoulder seams off set from the shoulder, which allows the arm a easier range of motion would be preferred by staff. 
  • Step 1 = complete.




Next we needed to consider how new processes for decoration such as laser etch, deboss and embroidery could work together on the final piece. Step 2 was to create some virtual simulations such as the ones below.















Step 3 was to create an actual pre-production speculative sample; better known as a "spec" in our industry. The spec samples were not based on either of these designs we featured there, these did not "make the cut". Once the spec sample was provided and approved internally, the order was ready to produce. Even with a spec sample, we like to insert the proof process to reduce opportunities for errors. We routinely remind clients that as good as our suppliers are at production and order fulfillment, when factories are at capacity levels its a good idea to backup your systems check. Did you know that during peak times such as 4th quarter, suppliers may process 1,500-2,500 orders a day? Imagine the size of their operations! 

What did the town finally select? 

Here's a quick video outlining the features of The Bowlen fleece which comes in men's and ladies companion styles.



For an extra special touch, we added a custom zipper pull from our NC partner Suntex; afterall Fuquay-Varina is a dash more- why not show it?

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