Step 1: Start With Your Brand — Not the Product
Before choosing hoodies, hats or bottles, get clear on:
Who is your ideal customer?
Where will they use this item?
What do you want people to feel when they see it?
A corporate law firm and a surf brand should not be printing the same style of merch.
Your logo, colours and message should always match your brand personality.
Pro tip: If you wouldn’t wear it yourself, don’t sell it.
Step 2: Choose Products People Actually Use
The biggest mistake businesses make? Printing on cheap items that get thrown away.
High-impact branded products include:
Caps
T-shirts & hoodies
Drink bottles
Tote bags
Workwear
Tech accessories
If your product lives in someone’s daily life, your brand lives there too.
Step 3: Keep Your Design Clean and Bold
Your logo is not a poster.
Great merch designs follow 3 rules:
Simple
Readable from a distance
High contrast
Avoid:
Tiny logos
Long slogans
Low-contrast colours
Your merch should be recognisable from across a room.
Step 4: Use Colours Strategically
Your brand colours matter — but not all colours print well on all products.
For example:
Light logos on dark shirts = high impact
Dark logos on light fabric = clean & professional
Neon on black = bold & eye-catching
A good printer will adjust colours so your brand looks just as good on fabric as it does on screen.
Step 5: Choose the Right Printing Method
This is where many brands go wrong.
Different designs need different print types:
DTF (Direct-to-Film) for full-colour logos
Screen printing for bulk orders
Embroidery for caps & uniforms
Vinyl for short runs
The wrong method = cracking, fading, or peeling.
The right method = merch that lasts.
Step 6: Always Get a Proof or Sample
Before you commit to hundreds of items:
️ Check size
️ Check colour
️ Check placement
️ Check feel
Professional suppliers will always provide a digital proof, and often a sample, so you don’t waste money.
Step 7: Think Beyond the Logo
Some of the best merch isn’t just a logo slapped on a shirt.
Consider:
Small chest logos
Sleeve branding
Inside-neck labels
Subtle brand patterns
This makes your merch look premium, not promotional.
Branded merchandise isn’t an expense — it’s mobile advertising that works for years.
When done right, your merch:
Builds brand recognition
Creates trust
Turns customers into walking billboards
Need Help Designing or Printing Your Merch?
At Fully Promoted Moonee Valley, we help businesses turn their brand into merch people actually love to wear.
From design to printing, we handle everything, so you get:
️ Professional designs
️ Premium products
️ Long-lasting prints
Contact us today (03) 9372 6033 or email us at info@fpmooneevalley.com.au to get your branded merchandise started.
Fully Promoted Moonee Valley
178 Mt Alexander Road
Travancore Victoria 3032
By Appointment For Wednesdays & Saturdays
Opening Hours:Create exactly the look you want with a variety of branding options. Our experts can help you discover which techniques will best represent your brand and your budget.
Whether it’s embroidery for your garments, screen printing for a run of apparel, or the latest in branding technology with direct to transfer printing, Fully Promoted has you covered.
Contact Fully Promoted today.
Join our winning team and own your future with
Fully Promoted - the largest promotional franchise
in Australia.
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