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Custom merchandise is a powerful tool to build brand recognition, increase community engagement, and unify your team. But a great design can make all the difference. Here’s what your management team should consider when creating impactful and effective merch.
✅ Keep It Simple & Bold – Clear, minimalistic designs are more effective than overly complex graphics. Use strong visuals and concise messaging that align with your organization’s mission.
✅ Prioritize Branding Consistency – Ensure that your logo, colours, and fonts match your existing branding. This strengthens brand recognition and creates a professional look across all marketing materials.
✅ Consider Your Audience – Your community is diverse, and your merchandise should reflect that. Use culturally inclusive imagery, slogans, and colours that resonate with your audience. Representation matters!
✅ Choose High-Quality Materials – Merchandise is an investment. Opt for durable, comfortable materials that people will actually want to wear and use. Cheap or uncomfortable merch often ends up unused or discarded.
✅ Get Team & Community Feedback – Before finalizing your design, test it. Ask staff, volunteers, and community members for input to ensure the design is engaging, relevant, and effective.
❌ Don’t Overcrowd Your Design – Too many colours, words, or images can make merchandise look cluttered and unprofessional. Keep it clean and visually appealing.
❌ Don’t Ignore Readability – Avoid fonts that are difficult to read, and ensure there’s enough contrast between the text and background. If your message isn’t clear at a glance, it won’t be effective.
❌ Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Cost – While budgeting is important, cutting corners on print quality or materials can backfire. Poor-quality items reflect poorly on your organization and won’t have a lasting impact.
❌ Don’t Overlook Production Time – Plan ahead! Rushing an order can lead to costly mistakes, limited options, and unnecessary stress. Order early to avoid delays.
❌ Don’t Follow Trends Blindly – Trends come and go, but your message should be timeless. Choose designs that have long-term appeal rather than chasing short-lived fads.
By keeping these do’s and don’ts in mind, your organization can create merchandise that strengthens brand identity, builds community pride, and leaves a lasting impression. Thoughtful design ensures that your merch isn’t just another giveaway—but a meaningful representation of your mission! Speak with one of our Customer satisfaction reps to answer any of your questions info@strategicdesignts.com