Industry: Automotive
Company Promotion: Customer Appreciation Giveaway

Result: Our neighbor down the road, Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto (EFADAR) was already a client of our sister division Durrani Design when they asked us about creating a new customer loyalty marketing campaign. We suggested the 3D custom compressed t-shirt shape and they loved the idea. Our design division at Durrani was already managing all of their website design, marketing and search engine optimization so it made sense for us to also come up with the design for their new compressed t-shirts.

Our team took care of every detail for EFADAR: we designed the actual screen print for the t-shirt, shot the photos of their classic Corvair signature surf van, designed the insert card and custom 3D shape and even included the new cutout promotional coupon for their customers. The EFADAR surfboard Corvair truck is a well known icon in the little surf town of Encinitas, so when these 3D compressed t-shirt shapes hit the shelves, they were a huge hit. The order was also split between 3 different t-shirt colors to give the recipient a choice of shirt (the more the recipient likes the shirt, the more often it will be worn). Recipients were also directed towards the company website to enter to win a free auto detail by simply submitting their email address (email addresses are a great tool for marketing campaigns).

We really get excited about projects like this. It lets us really flex our creative muscle and come up with a great campaign start to finish and includes our design team, staff photographers and marketing group.

Compressed t-shirts come in hundreds of shapes including the 3D custom shape shown below. The 3D shape is achieved by using 3 printed insert cards and wrapping all sides of the compressed t-shirt, instead of just the usual front and optional back. With compressed t-shirts you get double the promotional value: first with the compressed shirt and second with people walking around town wearing the t-shirt promoting your company.

Industry: Electrical / Diagnostic
Company Promotion: Trade Show Giveaway

Result: API ordered a classic black t-shirt printed with their logo and information to give away to prospects and customers at trade shows through out the year. This will surely give API a surge of business when the recipients wear these walking billboards.

I often get the question about how or when a custom shape is utilized.  We offer hundreds, in fact over 500, stock shapes that are versatile.  A light bulb can look like a hot air balloon, or a clown.  There are a multitude of categories to choose from including food/beverage, transportation, gaming/sports, the list goes on and on.  We also have the basics- the square, circle or disc shape, and rectangles to choose from.

But, sometimes none of these choices hit the mark.  For instance, I am working on an order for an automotive company.  The surf van they use on their website, and in print has duel purpose.  It represents their industry but also their culture, since they are a beach side shop.  We went through the transportation shapes to see if their specific van could fit in one of our stock vehicle shapes.  The answer was no…we came close but agreed that we wanted an exact fit of their van as the shape.  Therefore, we decided to create a custom shape. 

So, to answer the question how or when the custom shape is utilized- it’s used to brand your company message, whether the message is promoting your company with an exact fit of your logo in a shape or a specific product that has a unique or new shape to it.  Often times a stock shape can convey the message, but in the case where it isn’t the right fit turn to a custom shape to really stand out and make your company memorable.

Custom shapes can be used at any quantity.  The mold is free at 3,000 units or more.  You can trust that if Tee Compressed doesn’t have the stock shape you are looking for, a custom shape can be created to meet your needs.

A short story about a t-shirt and the way this company uses it…

Client: I walked in to the front of my shop one morning to hear laughter and conversation between my employees and our customers.  I was immediately elated at the excitement in the room.  I wondered what changed the moral?  I came to find out that my employees had started to give away the promotional shirts we printed.  This exchange of a t-shirt between my employees and the customers instantly created a positive connection outside of the usual business transaction.

He went on:  I could see that my employees felt good about giving the shirt away. It gave them an opportunity to open a door to conversation and personalize the interaction.  Our customers reciprocated this gesture with positive feed back, a smile, and a hand shake.

The moral to this story:  Using the compressed t-shirt as a give away in everyday business is reason enough.  The purpose of the promotional product is to make the client remember you, personalize your interaction, and bring them back for repeat business.  While trade shows, holiday parties, product launches and special events are places to stand out and give something memorable so is at the front door of your business. 

This client is going to order more shirts.  Again to give away to customers as a way to say thanks for bringing your business our way.  The shirts this time are going to be split in 3 colors, all printed with the company logo and branding.  The client understands that printing the shirt with this imagery makes the shirts walking billboards.  The client is going to utilize 2 insert cards- one with company information; the 2nd with a coupon to drive repeat business.

If you would like to share a story like this please write or call us, we’d love to hear it.  If you would like help creating a story like this contact us for pricing.  We will help get you the compressed tee shirts you need to start an interaction between employee and customer that ends in a smile and keeps them coming back.

4 leaf clovers are the perfect St. Patricks Day charm.  Our clover shape printed with a custom insert card and a screen printed kelly green t-shirt gives you a promotional tool that will be a hit to pass out at bars, March Trade Shows, or parades!

If you don’t want to promote your company with the holiday theme, you can still use this lucky shape.  For instance, if your company has an upcoming trade show, print the clover shaped insert cards with a code for entry into a contest that your company is running, and have the recipients try their “luck” at winning!  Or give the shirts out with a catch phrase “lucky you, you’ve just received a free tee!”

We have many more ideas just like these.  Contact us today to match a shape to your promotional needs!