How to Select the Best Promotional Apparel for Your Business

Promotional apparel continues to be one of America’s most powerful, if not the most impactful, market tools. These clothes have been generating impressive returns for businesses across almost every industry. The promo products market is huge – “$27.8 billion in sales volume” huge. And according to GoPromotional, these products generate 500% more customer referrals than any other advertising method.

Apparel is at the top of the promotional products market with a sales volume of 26.1%, according to PPAI and Relevant Insights. Sweatshirts, jackets, and t-shirts lead the list. However, preferences vary by generation. Baby boomers love their jackets. Gen Z and millennials prefer sweatshirts more. Promo apparel makes its way into work anniversaries, onboarding events, and various other celebrations.

It’s no surprise that, for a brand, choosing the right apparel is a strategic decision that impacts its message and reach. Let’s dive into how you can do just that.

Key Considerations for Promotional Apparel

The first step before looking into brands and apparel options is to understand the core purpose of promotional apparel for your business.

• What audience are you targeting?
• What message do you want to convey to them?
• Are you going to use promo apparel for a one-time event, or do you prefer long-term impact in the form of uniforms?

If you have answers to these questions, you are off to a good start. Now, for the key considerations:

Brands That Deliver Quality & Value

The single most important thing about promotional apparel that influences its impact is its perceived value. Quality is a part of that. So is customizability. So you need to shortlist brands in the American market with great value that offer top-quality promotional apparel. There is no shortage of options when it comes to brands.

Here are a few popular choices.

• Port Authority: Port Authority wholesale apparel can make excellent promotional apparel, fantastic uniforms, and stellar corporate apparel. The brand offers a wide selection of clothing, including polos like the iconic K540 SilkTouch polo, jackets like the popular J317 Soft Shell, and so much more. Port Authority is known for quality construction, sizing options, and fabric features.
• Port & Company: Port & Company is among the most budget-friendly sources of promotional apparel. The brand specializes in basics at very affordable prices. The Port and Company wholesale offerings provide both comfort and value for money without compromising on quality much. They are excellent for mass giveaways or event merchandise. If you know your way around promotional apparel, you probably heard about the Port & Company PC54 Core Cotton t-shirt – one of the top-selling promotional t-shirts in America for sure.
• Sport-Tek: Now Sport-Tek is a different kind of brand. Sure they offer styles you can use for your promotions. But the brand specializes in performance-focused clothing. The kind with exceptional performance features, which translates to higher perceived value than regular clothing. Sport-Tek wholesale selection features t-shirts, polos, jackets, accessories and a lot more. Their moisture-wicking fabrics and athletic styles are perfect for sports teams, fitness events, or any business promoting an active lifestyle.
• District apparel: District’s been trending for a while now with a focus on fashion-forward styles that appeal more to the younger demographics. Still their t-shirts make exceptional promotional apparel owing to the style, quality, and reasonable pricing. District apparel are designed for excellent printability, and the brand even offers DTG-ready styles and high-comfort tri-blends.
• CornerStone: When durability and utility are key preferences, CornerStone clothing won’t disappoint. Their apparel is built to withstand demanding environments, making it ideal for construction, industrial, or service-based businesses or promotions for the same.
• Red Kap: Red Kap made it to this list simply because of the brand’s legacy. The brand is over a century old and perfected what we know as workwear. Red Kap offers highly durable and functional clothing for mechanics, technicians, and other skilled trades. If you are focusing on specific niche markets like that, Red Kap wholesale lineup could have something that will enhance your promotions.

Fabrics & Comfort

Different materials serve different purposes.

• Cotton: Soft, breathable, and comfortable. Ideal for everyday wear, cotton t-shirts and polos make great promotional apparel. Cotton takes prints well and is a cost-effective option for large quantities. It may wrinkle more easily than synthetic blends.
• Polyester: Durable, wrinkle-resistant, and wicks moisture. Polyester is typically found in activewear, performance polos, and outerwear. They are more resistant to shrinkage than regular cotton, but are not generally as valued as cotton clothing. However, the features this fabric can impart on a t-shirt made of it could be just what your target audience needs.
• Blends (e.g., Cotton-Poly): Combining cotton and polyester offers a balance of comfort and performance. Blends like this feature the best traits of the materials blended. Cotton’s softness, polyester’s durability and wicking, rayon’s silky texture and soft-hand feel are all evident in cotton-poly-rayon tri-blends. They are customizable, too.
• Fleece: Typically made from polyester, fleece offers warmth without excessive weight. It is a good choice for jackets, hoodies, and pullovers, making them good picks for promotions during colder months or for outdoor events.
• Specialty Fabrics: Some apparel features materials with specific attributes, such as stain-resistant finishes, UV protection, or anti-microbial treatments. These are suited for particular industries or applications where enhanced performance is needed.

Style and Fit: Who’s Wearing It?

Style matters as much as comfort.

• Crewneck vs. V-neck: Crewneck is classic. V-neck adds a polished twist.
• Standard vs. Fitted: Standard fits suit bulk orders. Fitted styles work better for branded fashion campaigns.
• Short sleeve vs. long sleeve: Choose based on climate and use. Long sleeves offer more branding space.
• Color options: Neutral shades (black, navy, grey) are safe for uniforms. Bright colors work better at events for attention.

If ordering for a mixed-gender or all-ages group, offer multiple fit options.

Customizability

Customization is what turns a blank shirt into a branding asset. But not all decoration methods work on all fabrics.

• Screen Printing: Works best on cotton or blends.
• Embroidery: Premium look. Suits polos, jackets, caps, and heavier fabrics.
• Heat Transfer: Flexible for smaller runs. Good for polyester-based activewear.
• Sublimation: Only for polyester. Perfect for full-color designs on light-colored garments.

For impact that lasts, match the method to the fabric and use case.

Key Takeaways for Bulk Buyers

• Don’t just buy what’s cheap. Buy what fits the job.
• Match the brand to your industry. For example:
  • Port Authority for executives
  • Sport-Tek for event teams
  • CornerStone for tradespeople
• Order based on wear frequency. Daily-use uniforms demand better quality than a one-time giveaway.

Ready to launch your promotional apparel campaign? Start requesting samples from a couple of wholesale suppliers to compare quality and pricing. That’s how you keep the investments from being a big headache later. The goal is to get more by spending less, obviously, but without sacrificing perceived value and quality.

Good luck.