Maple producers: Don't limit your logo to labels!

WASHINGTON — Maple sugaring season is here and, in some regions, it is in full swing, not only with making syrup but with maple festivals, open houses and tours.

Many maple producers are small family run operations that have no formal marketing know-how or budget and very few of them realize that their maple syrup label can be a very effective marketing tool.

Decorated apparel and accessories continue to be one of the most popular methods for building brand awareness, reinforcing an image or just looking cool and printed t-shirts are one of the most inexpensive yet cost effective marketing tools available.

One of the advantages t-shirts have over other promotional products is that wherever people wearing t-shirts (and crewneck or hooded sweatshirts) with a logo or slogan on it go; the brand or message goes. It is a great way to build awareness about a cause, goods or services.

In addition, promotional apparel and accessories also make great gifts as a token of your appreciation to customers and employees for their loyalty.

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival Embroidered Patch.

Although the most popular method of printing t-shirts is screen printing (which requires minimums) Direct to Garment Printing (digital garment printing or DTG) is the process of using inkjet printers to print an image directly onto t-shirts without the use of screens like with screen printing, which requires creating screens for each color. In addition, DTG printing uses eco-friendly, water-soluble ink, unlike some screen-printing methods that layer Plastisol (a suspension of PVC particles in a plasticizer) on top of the t-shirt. The only requirement for DTG printing is for the image to be high resolution, resulting in photograph quality printing with no minimums for custom t-shirts.

If people really like you and the goods or services you offer, they want to be associated with you and want people to know that so, they will be more than willing to help you spread the word.

“We have T-shirt giveaways all the time,” said Mary Ross of the Mohawk Valley Trading Company where their maple sugar and syrup is made primarily from sugar maple sap. “They are a great way to get your name out there.”

Think about all of the logoed apparel you see people wearing…

It’s always best to do business locally whenever you can so, just type the words “direct to garment printing near me” or “DTG near me” into the search box of your favorite search engine. Make sure you check their track record because there many unscrupulous decorated apparel makers on the internet and although they might show up in local listings, the production might be done in another state or country.

However, if you can’t find a t-shirt printer that offers DTG near you, we suggest our friends at Crooked Brook and in their continuing effort to support and promote maple sugaring, sustainable agriculture, local, small and family-owned farms and other local food sources; they are offering a 15% discount off maple producer logo or label printed t-shirts from now thru 3/31/2021.

Another great branding tool for maple producers are custom embroidered patches that the wearer can sew or iron onto to an existing garment. Embroidered patches come in various styles, shapes, and sizes and can be removed and reused. Prices are determined by the complexity of design, style and size.

In the final analysis: In the current economic climate, it is more important now than ever to totally utilize and capitalize on any and every opportunity to advance or maintain your position in the market. So, don’t limit your maple syrup logo to labels and promote your maple products by any means necessary!

–Mohawk Valley Trading Company