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If you’re thinking of starting your own Apparel Decoration Business, ‘’branding’’ is one of the first steps that needs to be taken.
We know that this word gets thrown around a lot, but what does it mean, in practical terms, for us decorators?
Well, that’s what you’re here for!
Let’s take a closer look — in English, branding is just a fancy way of saying ’’you need to think about how other people view you.’’
What do you want customers to remember about you (or your business) a week later? How do you want them to feel when they put on and wear your clothes?
These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself when you wish to re-brand or give your business a new identity.
Beyond that, there’s a bunch more to think about… so here are eight more key points for you to consider.
1. Brand Recognition
Coming in at number one on the list is brand recognition. To give you a practical example many of us know, think about popular brands like Apple, Nike, or Coca-Cola. If you can picture their logos, colors, or fonts in your mind’s eye, that’s brand recognition in action.
But why, you may ask, is it important to develop brand recognition?
Well, for one thing, it fosters trust and customer loyalty. They’re more likely to pick a brand they know over one they’ve never heard of.
And for another, it’s how you represent your apparel decoration business; the way you use color, names, colors, or tones in your communication with customers creates first impressions.
The question is: how do you want to be known? Let the answer come to you.
Meanwhile, let’s move on to the second key point on our list that you need to consider.
2. Differentiation
You’ve no doubt heard it a million times — you need to find a way to stand out from your competitors. This means you need to be different in some way, shape, or form.
But how can you go about doing it?
The short answer here is, to be yourself and bring your unique gifts, talents, and skills to the table. Be bold and courageous — take risks — and trust your inner compass. Make it make you feel like a kid again. Treat branding as an adventure, try new things, create, invent, test ideas, and see where it takes you!
There is no right or wrong way of doing this. But, to help you think in the right direction, you can start with colors, for example. Maybe… the clothes you make can all share a similar color scheme, sort of a ‘’signature palette’’ that sets your custom apparel decoration business apart from anyone else.
Ultimately, the choice is yours on how you want to differentiate your brand. Color is just one way to make your product instantly recognizable and memorable.
But there’s more to it than that, color has the power to influence us. So, let’s talk about that next.
3. Emotional Connection
Every good entrepreneur understands human nature and psychology. They’re well aware that every strategic move (or choice) they make ends up being reflected back to consumers.
Let’s take an example that we just gave — colors — believe it or not, they evoke emotions and feelings and will affect a viewer’s opinion of your brand.
So, choose your colors wisely! For example, warm colors like red and orange can create a sense of excitement and passion, while cool colors like blue and green can convey calmness and trustworthiness.
By carefully selecting your brand’s colors, you can elicit specific emotional responses that resonate with your target audience.
4. Cohesive Brand Image
A consistent branding strategy makes sure all the pieces of your brand — like logos, packaging, ads, and how your products look — all fit well together. When all these pieces work together, it makes it way easier for folks to get what your brand is about.
Also, your brand should tell a story that clicks with the people. Show not just what you’re selling or what your stuff is like but also what your business is all about, the values, and the vision you have for it.
So, where do you start? Well, lay it out straight – jot down on paper what your brand stands for, and why customers should choose your products. Make it clear and try to follow it through!
Continuing down the list, we come to ‘’communications.’’
5. Communication
Colors can convey information and messages without the need for words. For example, using eco-friendly colors like green and brown can signal your commitment to sustainability, while bold and vibrant colors can suggest a youthful and energetic vibe.
Effective branding communicates your brand’s values, personality, and messaging directly to your audience.
Having said that, let’s move forward from this and focus on the next ‘’branding guideline’’ that’s on our list.
6. Market Segmentation
Different colors appeal to different demographics. By understanding your target audience and their preferences, you can choose colors that resonate with them.
For instance, pastel colors might be appealing to a younger demographic, while earthy tones might attract a more mature audience to your apparel decoration business. Tailoring your branding to your specific market can help you connect with customers on a deeper level.
But enough about that, we’ve got two more points we’d like to go over.
7. Seasonal and Trend Adaptation
Branding can also adapt to seasonal trends and market changes. By incorporating seasonal color updates into your apparel decorating, you can keep your brand fresh and in tune with current fashion preferences, attracting new customers while retaining loyal ones.
A good example of this is Christmas — as of writing this article, it’s just around the corner — and you can start to see how brands use vibrant reds and greens to keep up with the holiday spirit.
Last but not least is consistency, so let’s go ahead and talk about it.
8. Consistency Builds TrustA consistent branding strategy helps build trust with consumers. When they see your brand consistently across different touchpoints (online, in-store, advertising), it reinforces the idea that your brand is reliable and professional.
But it’s not just about graphics, design, or your text material; consistency can be applied to repetition as well.
How many times have you found yourself buying something just because you saw an ad a hundred times? That’s exactly what we’re talking about here!
Repetition, when done right, is a powerful thing. The more consumers see your brand, whether through advertisements, social media, or other channels, the more likely they are to buy from you.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, branding in apparel decorating is far more than just choosing aesthetically pleasing colors. It’s a strategic and integral part of brand identity and marketing.
The right colors can create lasting impressions, forge emotional connections, and set your brand apart in a competitive marketplace.
Therefore, investing time and effort in understanding the significance of branding and its impact on your target audience is essential for the long-term success of your apparel decoration business.
For one-on-one help simply call 800-891-1094 or live chat with one of our pros!
In these videos, we demonstrate how we apply a Coldesi logo to various items and materials using different equipment and methods such as UV printing with Mutoh XpertJet 661UF and embroidering with Avance 1201C. Simply click on the play buttons to play them back.
