Put the UAB monogram front and center and use colors as close to UAB green and gold as possible to make sure that recipients will choose to bring out your item in all kinds of different situations.Each year, UAB schools, colleges and units order UAB-branded T-shirts, bags, tumblers and other promotional items for their students, prospective students and employees.
These giveaways are a smart investment, and a great way to increase brand awareness about UAB and its programs, says Barbara Perry, director of Trademarks and Licensing in the UAB Office of Marketing and Communications. “Items travel,” she said. “A billboard on the side of a highway can cost $5,000 to $10,000 per month, depending on its location. But a T-shirt or bag is like a walking billboard — and it will be around for years.”
That is, if the recipient likes it enough to keep it in their rotation. Nationally, up to 40 percent of corporate promotional items end up in landfills, Perry says. How can you make sure your swag does not meet that fate? Perry offers several tips:
1. Choose quality over quantity
“Of course, units want to spend the least they can,” Perry said. “Opting for a throwaway item may make you feel that you are getting a good deal; but if it’s just going to end up in the trash, you haven’t accomplished your goal. In our experience, you maximize your value when you spend a little more on a higher-quality product — a T-shirt made from better material, for instance — even if you end up with fewer items.”
2. Avoid large, multicolor designs
“Complicated designs with multiple colors mean more layers of ink, which is more expensive and can make it feel as though you are wearing heavy plastic on your chest,” Perry said. It also means the T-shirt will constantly look wrinkled and increase the odds that it never gets worn.
3. Take a “core forward” approach
See all the latest products at the annual Vendor Showcase at the Hill Center, scheduled 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 2.
You want to highlight your unit or school; but as with a highway billboard, maximizing visibility is best done by making the takeaway understandable at a glance. Put the UAB monogram front and center — the new visual identity launched last year is shared by the university, UAB Medicine and Athletics — and use colors as close to UAB green and gold as possible to make sure that recipients will choose to bring out your item in all kinds of different situations.
4. Tap into what is hot
Classic items stay in style, but you can capitalize on current trends to increase your chances of making your swag a hot item at your next event, Perry says. The key is to consider usefulness and longevity to ensure your items do not end up as what Perry calls “brandfill.”
What is hot right now in the swag world? Perry points out some trends:
Hot:
- Eco-friendly items that are reusable and/or made from recycled items
- For apparel:
- Vintage-inspired fabrics and silhouettes
- Soft, high-quality fabrics
- Experiential items that support experiences, such as:
- Trendy, high-quality tote bags for a conference
- Fans for a hot outdoor event
Not:
- Budget items with minimal practical benefit:
- Keychains
- Stress relievers
- Fidget toys
The Cartoon Blaze character (above), along with Baby Blaze, comes in a variety of poses and outfits, from graduation gowns to athletic gear. The characters are part of the new and popular spirit marks collection on the UAB Brand site.
5. Get inspired on the UAB Brand Guide website
“With the new brand, we have introduced a whole website that has all the guidance you need in one place, along with loads of visual examples,” Perry said. One of the most popular features is a new set of spirit marks that can be used by the entire UAB community. Spirit marks combine the official school colors, mascot and other athletic elements. This includes Cartoon Blaze (right) and Baby Blaze characters that come in a variety of poses and outfits, from graduation gowns to suits and athletic gear. “People are loving the spirit marks,” Perry said. “We are seeing them show up on a lot of promotional items.”
Ready to order?
Any promotional items purchased with state funds must be sourced from this list of approved suppliers.
Follow these four quick steps to make the ordering process as simple as possible.
You can see (and feel) all the latest products and meet our approved vendors at the annual Vendor Showcase at the Hill Center, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.