The Spirit Zone

Scream Design not Just for Halloween!

2009-10-31T17:01:00.001-04:00

This design for the Childers Scream Team ( we are assuming they are cheerleaders not permanent Halloween participants) was one of the designs we shipped out this week. The distressed look gives it the cool factor that so many of our customers are looking for in a design for their spirit wear. This was for t shirts but would have also been great on a cinch bag or sweatshirt.

Another design that we loved that we created this week is this design which is printed oversize on the t shirt and on the left side of the shirt. It has a retail feel to it and we are sure middle schoolers and high schoolers are going to love it.

Let us know what you think or would like to see! Check out our design gallery for more ideas.

Are you di"stressed" with Spirit Wear?

2009-10-23T11:21:00.002-04:00

Take the stress out of designing your spirit wear program, add some di "stressed" looks.

If your spirit wear program looking a little tired, inject some current fashion with distressed logos on your shirts and sweatshirts. Kids will love them and your school and program will be "cool" again. Let us design something for you. We like to make custom easy!

Designs Drive Sales

2009-10-13T12:29:00.002-04:00

I have heard from many schools that their new spirit wear designs have lead to increased sales at their schools and renewed excitement about spirit wear in general. In particular tie dye and camo t shirts have been a great hit and and some of the designs with peace symbols or unique locations have also driven sales.

Vertical designs have also proven to be very popular giving school spirit wear a more "retail" look. This is an important consideration when choosing designs, the larger the audience appeal the larger the sale and you want students, teachers and parents to want to wear their spirit wear.

New! BPA free Sport Bottles

2009-07-29T13:57:00.005-04:00

I just got back from the ASI show in Chicago with lots of new items. Check out these BPA free sport bottles. They are available in 4 colors and 2 different sizes, with a sport nozzle. Both are biodegradeable ( a buzzword I heard a lot about in Chicago). I also learned an interesting tid bit that will make you want to make the change to a reusable bottle. Did you know that you can save $800 a year on average by switching to reusable bottles instead of buying water bottles at the grocery store? WOW!

Above is the Challenger, a 22 oz sport bottle, availabe in 4 colors, blue, green, orange and smoke.
48 are $4.39 which includes a one color imprint in one location.

This is the Odyssey 27 oz sport bottle, available in blue, green, red and smoke, it has a silicon grip for slip resistant hold and pop up lid and is BPA free. $4.69 for 48 and includes a one color imprint in one location. Turnaround is 2-3 weeks at the most.

Imagine how nifty it would be to see kids using these water bottles with you school art on them. You can use art you have already or let us work on art for you. Art is free!

Stay tuned for more new items, coming in the next few days!

Can your school top this?

2009-06-30T14:33:00.006-04:00

The last week of school is almost always filled with activities like cleaning out lockers, returning textbooks, class parties and turning in your PE uniform. Some fun but not a whole lot gets done. Of course if something out of the ordinary happens it can be memorable as you will see from the video below. Luckily a teacher grabbed a video camera after she finished checking in all the PE uniforms these middle schoolers were returning. She definately captured an extraordinary moment.

Next year, keep an open mind, you never know what you might capture!

PE Uniform Fundraiser

2009-06-15T20:18:00.007-04:00

We have made a big addition to our product mix with the addition of PE uniforms, just in time for the 2009-2010 school year.

In many schools PE uniforms are required for all grades, we have made them affordable. This presents a great opportunity to your school or parents group to use PE uniforms as a fundraiser. Tack a couple of dollars on your cost and you will have a new source of income to use in the PE department, for playground funds or for your parent group. What's better is that you will also be passing on real value to your parents, they will not be able to match these prices so they will appreciate the service. You can even incorporate PE uniforms into a school supply sale, making it easy for everyone. We offer knit shorts, mesh shorts, 7" length or 9" length, in almost any color. White shirts or colored shirts and a variety of art designs. We can also design something just for you. Remember art and shipping are free!

Check out our PE uniforms and check back to see new program additions as we complete this category in the next week. http://www.thespiritzone.com/peuniforms.html

Give us a call if you have more questions. 866-863-8705

Geneology and Family Reunions

2009-06-15T15:17:00.005-04:00

Incorporating Genealogy into Family Reunions

Every family has a fascinating story…or several! Your reunion provides the perfect opportunity to explore your history and share it with the people who are most likely to be interested: the rest of your family tree! At your next family reunion, try the following fun and simple activities to incorporate genealogy and ancestry into your gathering.

Family Name Tags

Greeting guests at the door with name tags is a simple and effective way to bring the family tree to each person's mind as they arrive at the reunion. Use identifying markers on the name tags, such as different colors or symbols for each branch of the tree, so people can tell at a glance who is related to whom. If you are incorporating t shirts into your family reunion get together use a coordinating name tag color, so the Hathaway family is always red for example.

Family History Facts

Like the name tags, crosswords and other puzzles take a bit of preparation, but they pay off in the fun and educational facts the guests will learn about their family. Fill a crossword, word search, or other word puzzle with names and facts relevant to your family's history. Whenever possible, include the names of living relatives – people will get a kick out of seeing themselves in the puzzles. These games are also a great ice-breaker, since guests will need to pool their knowledge to solve the entire puzzle.

Enlist a Presenter

A family reunion is a great time to hold a brief presentation on your family's background. This can focus on one famous ancestor, or summarize the history of the entire family tree. Either way, it's a great opportunity for the family history buff to show off their knowledge and for others to learn new (or old) facts about their heritage. If possible, incorporate old photos, videos, and slide shows for added impact. Just remember to keep the presentation short, especially if there are a lot of children present.

Ask the Older Generation to Tell Stories

Of course, when it comes to family history, the elder members are sure to be full of true stories, straight from the source. You'd be surprised by how much Grandma can remember when you ask about her childhood experiences or the move overseas when she was five years old. Elderly relatives usually love the chance to be in the spotlight and regale their kids and grandkids with tales of what their family was like “way back when.”

Let us help you with your family reunion planning, visit http://www.thereunionzone.com/ for more ideas and a great source for family reunion t shirts and totes.

Tips For Planning A Successful Family Reunion

2009-04-27T15:51:00.002-04:00

Family reunions can be a fun and satisfying way to reconnect with family members who live out of town or have a busy work schedule, or relatives that you just don't see often enough in the course of day-to-day life.

Because most families are spread out over different geographical areas and age groups, organizing a family reunion can often pose a logistical challenge. The success of any gathering lies in the planning and preparation, and this is doubly so when it comes to a family reunion. Use the following tried-and-true tips are to plan a successful family reunion:

Pick a Theme & Nail Down Details

The first thing you'll need to decide is what the theme and tone of the reunion will be. Do you want a casual affair with a picnic-style buffet, or a thoroughly organized event with a seating plan and planned activities from start to finish? The type of reunion sets the stage for all of the ensuing details.

Once you know what kind of reunion you're going to hold, you can explore locations that might be suitable and start to consider food, activities, and other details. Keep in mind that party halls and hotel meeting rooms typically book for events months in advance, so plan ahead.

When it comes to food, there are two main options: asking guests to bring a dish potluck-style, or having the meal catered. There are pros and cons to both, especially with larger extended families, but a nice solution is to combine the two by catering most of the food but inviting guests to contribute beloved dishes or desserts.

Double-Check The Guest List

It's a family reunion, and everyone is invited… right? Make sure to go over the guest list very carefully to avoid missing anyone. Most organizers could benefit from the assistance of an elderly relative who knows everyone, or the uncle who keeps a complete family tree as a hobby.

Send Invitations Well in Advance

Invitations to a family reunion should be sent at least a month and a half in advance, or even earlier if there are relatives who will have to make travel plans in order to attend.

Your invitations can set the tone for the reunion with a poem about the importance of family or a catchy party name. Make sure to mention the dress code—even if it's just "casual dress" or "picnic wear"—and let everyone know if they're expected to bring anything. Decide if you are going to offer t shirts for each branch of the family. Start working on a design based around your theme.

One option is to prepare a "save the date" note for anyone living at a considerable distance from the location of your reunion, and send that about to out-of-towners about a month before the official invitation. Use your theme in the Save the Date info.

Checkout http://www.thereunionzone.com/ for more design ideas and tips. We specialize in t shirts for reunions!

Edgy School Spirit Wear

2009-04-23T14:44:00.004-04:00

Spirit sales a little down lately? Students tired of wearing the same old, same old . Navy shirts, gold imprint, red shirts, white imprint, white shirts, maroon imprint, etc. Well the answer may be to bring in some trendy styles that will rev up your program. Tie Dye is so yesterday but several schools have been going the camo route lately with great success. Have you seen camo at the mall, well, it can also be a part of your school spirit program.

The good news is that camo is available in lots of colors now. Of course there are always the woodland colors but there is also blue, green and pink. WOW! Even better they are all available in youth to AXXL sizes.

Let us help you come up with a snazzy logo, put it on some colorful camo and watch your sales soar!

Check out our camo at www.thespiritzone.com/camouflage-t-shirts.html

Swatch Watch

2009-04-01T16:48:00.003-04:00

Turquoise is the bright color that is making a splash on runways and in retail this spring/summer. You may already have noticed that turquoise jewelry is making a comeback too! Considered a universally flattering color it may be the way you want to go to update your spirit wear, event shirts or team shirts. Turquoise makes a strong statement when worn as a major part of an ensemble but can also be used as an accent shade or accessory color. Worried that your logo will conflict with turquoise, then a tonal logo may be your answer. Update your schools look with a fashion color and logo!

Whether you are considering tie dye t shirts, plain t shirts, hats, tote bags or flannels add some turquoise to the mix.

Don't let the economy slow you down!

2009-02-02T18:32:00.006-05:00

It's all over the news, doomsday, penny pinching, and a lot of news about the recession that has taken our jobs, our 401(k) cushions, our college funds, our Starbucks and, for some, our optimism. Even Oprah has featured the cheapest family in America. So whats a fundraising mom to do? Lock up the PTO cash box and take it out again next year? Nope, take a hint from the big boys. Tie your fundraiser into a cause. Did you notice some of the Superbowl ads from the game last night had a decidedly different spin to them. GE (smart grid technology) and Kellogg's (plant a seed, grow a field), Pedigree (“Crazy Pets” spot featuring rhinos and ostriches on the loose aims to promote the adoption of more traditional pets like shelties and setters) thought it was a good idea. So take their lead and run with it at your school. Tie a school fundraiser into a breast cancer awareness, heart health, or a green event and chances are you will be successful. It appears that consumers are still opening their pocketbooks for a cause.

Need some new ideas? We can help with those. E-mail me at sue@thespiritzone.com and I will share.

Get Cozy with a Memory!

2008-10-24T10:33:00.010-04:00

Ban those unused school/team photos! Sounds a little harsh but I have found a much better medium to show your team appreciation, school spirit or team spirit, and believe it or not it is a blanket.

Technology is amazing! Basically what we do is take your favorite photo, team photo, class photo, etc., blow it up and print on a 40x30 or 50x60 fleece blanket. It is amazing. What better way to appreciate your memory than to get cuddly with it, at the very least drape it over a sofa, lay it at the end of a bed. What kid wouldn't want to go to sleep with a giant photo of himself.

The only trick to the whole process is to make sure you start with a high quality photo and after that it is all down hill. The sky is the limit. What better way to thank a coach, teacher, commemorate an event or celebrate a victory.

Over in the corner of our bedroom we have a big box of school/team photos collecting dust, guess I know what my next project is.

Check out the specifics and get started.

Sitting Pretty!

2008-10-10T11:50:00.011-04:00

Friday nights in the fall, a time honored tradition of high school football. Well, we are in the thick of it now and most of us have attended a football game, or even soccer or lacrosse or volleyball, and sat in the bleachers. After a few games we have all wondered why couldn't they make these darn things more comfortable. Maybe it is just a sign of age, I don't remember thinking they were so uncomfortable when I was a student, but for all the spectators who have had the same thoughts, there is finally an answer for our sore rear ends, the Stadium Chair. Not only does this item make the bleachers comfy it is a great tool for fundraising.

We have experienced a surge of booster groups and teams buying personalized Stadium Chairs and selling them at events for a profit. Some colleges are even renting them for events, now that is a new idea. We literally have sold so many this fall that we don't have many left, they are flying out the door. The Stadium Chair is the rolls royce of portable bleacher seats, sturdy, comfy and can be personalized with your school or mascot or team name in school colors. You won't run into another group selling the same thing and your customers won't be able to find your fundraising product on the internet or at their local Walmart or sporting goods store.>

We customize the chairs for you and if you don't know what to print on them, that is okay, art is free! Let us help you design something. The Stadium Chair comes in most school colors, you can even mix and match the backs and chair bottoms, so if your team colors are red and black, you can have black chair seats and red backs.

Call 866-863-8705 or email us to find out more about our Stadium Chairs. We would be glad to share some fundraising success stories with you.

School Spirit as American as Apple Pie

2008-08-03T14:33:00.013-04:00

When I think of fall I think about school starting, crisp fall days at football games and homecoming weekends among other things. Football games brings to mind those crazy kids painted orange or blue with wild spray painted hair, thundersticks clanking in my ear, megaphones filled with popcorn, parking lots full of cars with car flags and kids waving #1 foam fingers. Of course, this is my business so my visions might be a little baised, but you have to admit you expect to see these things at football games, soccer games or other school events. Kids and adults alike love to show their school spirit, it's as American as apple pie.

We make it easy to order all your school spirit items from one source, we can work with your art or have one of our great designers develop free art for you.

Our aim is to make it simple and hassle-free. Above are some ideas from one of our suppliers. Which reminds me, we only work with high quality suppliers who provide the best in spirit items on the quickest timetable.

Let us help you build some spirit now!

A Family Reunion Record

2008-07-07T21:37:00.006-04:00

So you think your family reunion has been going on a while, think again. One hundred and forty-three years ago, Elisha Everette Whitley marked his Independence Day birthday with a request that has been passed down throughout the generations that followed: Get the family together every year for a July 4 reunion. Dozens of descendants filled a hall in Franklin’s American Legion Hall Friday to do just that, remembering old times, trading tidbits of family history and catching up with each other over covered-dish dinners.Family reunions are a time-honored Independence Day tradition, but few can make the claim to be “the longest consecutively running family reunion in the United States.” So even if you think your family reunion has become a tradition you have a ways to go. Never the less it is never too late to start making your reunion memorable.

Maybe you don't have quite as many memories as the Whitley clan but every family has memories to cherish. It boggles my mind to think of all the hours that clan has spent planning, how much food they have prepared, how many photos have been taken, and yes, how many t shirts they have. But it also makes me smile to think of all the hours of pleasure that family has created for each other, the time thinking about reunions past and future reunions. Plan your reunion with care and maybe you can keep the reunion going and catch up the Whitley's.

Need some ideas - check out theReunionzone.com.

Have a favorite T-Shirt?

2008-06-27T12:29:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I noticed that USA Today had a blurb asking readers about their favorite t shirts and I got to thinking, wouldn't it be cool if students at your school thought their t shirts were so cool that they became their favorite. They could look back and realize that their favorite is a t-shirt they had been wearing since high school or junior high (I don't think they would still fit into their elementary school t shirts). I think USA Today asked the question anticipating readers would respond that it's a T-shirt that you got at a concert, or your favorite sports team, or maybe it's your ex's, but you keep it as a reminder (or out of spite). Or maybe it's brand new and that's why it's your favorite.

Everybody's favorite T-shirt has a story behind it. We want to partner with you to make your school t shirts so cool that they become a favorite. Let our "cool" designers design something special for you. Look over a few designs and realize this could be someones favorite!

Call or email me to talk about how to make your school t shirts a favorite at your school.

sue@thespiritzone.com 866-863-8705 or check out our website and see for your self www.thespiritzone.com

Making a big noise with Thundersticks

2008-05-29T11:49:00.000-04:00

Fans like to make themselves heard and it appears that it doesn't matter if it is a football game, basketball, volleyball, baseball or even fans of wedding participants. The latest noisy phenomonon is Thundersticks, you see them on TV at the NBA playoff games, World Series, college and high school games. They are inflatable sticks printed with team or mascot name and when you bang them together they make quite a racket.

We have been over run with phone calls and emails and have found that now people are using them in some other interesting ways. They have been seen at graduations, family reunions, breast cancer awareness events (yes, pink thundersticks) and yes, even weddings.

At Duke they are called "Trust Fund sticks" and they have been banned from Cameron.

So have some fun at your next event and use Thundersticks to make some noise!

You can see our fan products at www.thespiritzone.com/bambams.com or call or email us for more information or to order, we love to work on these projects!

info@thespiritzone.com

Tie Dye Frenzy!

2008-05-12T15:48:00.000-04:00

Tie Dye t shirts have been popular from the 60's and have had a resurgence lately for schools, teams, events etc. You certainly stand out from the crowd when your class/grade is wearing a colorful tie dye t shirt. The mystery is, who is making them? Is there a company of 60's hippies sitting over dye pots rubberbanding t -shirts and dipping them, a team of moms kitsching in their backyard while dipping and drying t shirts? Noooo, this craft has gone big time. Companies have had to automate the process in order to standardized the t shirts enough to look similar. Truly each tie dye t shirt is unique and each lot is even more unique but they have been able to make them look similar enough to sell as a specific style.

So how is it done you ask. First, they take a standard 100% cotton t shirt. It gets pretreated to remove any oils or waxes from the manufacturing process. It it then tied into a design and dyed, cured for over 12 hours and then washed 5 times to remove residual dye and set the color. It is still a very hands on and labor intensive process, I guess now it is clear why tie dye t shirts are pricier than plain t shirts. There is a lot of special handling that goes into each shirt. Not to mention the groovy art that will eventually be printed on the shirt. Most manufacturers use fiber reactive dyes which chemically bond to the fibers in cotton. It is finally at this stage that your custom imprint is applied to truly make the shirt your own.

There are an almost infinite amount of color combinations and dying patterns which keeps the product interesting. Two teams or schools may have the same colors but their shirts will look completely different. Next time you see a tie dye you will realize how truly unique they are.

You can see our tie dye products at www.thespiritzone.com/tiedyetshirt.com or call or email us for more information, especially if you have a particular color or pattern combination, we love to work on those projects!

info@thespiritzone.com

The Green Movement

2008-05-05T11:08:00.000-04:00

Earth Day has come and gone but the green movement in undeniably a part of our everyday life. Unless you have been living under a rock you realize that grocers are offering reusable bags, plastic is out and bamboo is in. Everyone is being educated on "doing their part" and taking up the cause. I guess the real question is how does that translate to school spirit wear and school or team fundraising?

First lets look at what the green movement means in the apparel side. Happily suppliers have jumped on the bandwagon and it has never been easier to join the cause. Organic t shirts are now available from several suppliers and even though organic cotton production only accounts for 1 -3% of cotton production, it is growing. Of course as long as production is small availability will be an issue and then of course price follows, but as resources grow the price will come down.
For now it is possible to add an organic t shirt to your spirit wear selection, it adds a social and environmental responsibility factor to your program. Organic t shirts are manufactured in the same manner as regular cotton t shirts but are made from organic fibers. Common certified organic fibers include bamboo, soy, hemp and cotton. Where it is made and how it is made can become an educational tool as well as a fundraising tool. It lets the Parents group and school respond to "what is your environmental story?"

Another item that lends itself to school spirit wear use is a reusable bag. Why not produce one with your school logo that parents can buy, support the school and the environment at the same time. Wouldn't it be great to see parents leaving the grocery store with your schools reusable bags and not the grocery stores?

Green is not going away, be the first to incorporate it into you school spirit wear and fundraising program.

Call or email me to talk about how to add green products at your school.

sue@thespiritzone.com

866-863-8705

Check out some of our latest designs.

http://www.thespiritzone.com/tshirtdesigns.html

T Shirt Mania!

2008-04-21T15:23:00.000-04:00

I was just in North Carolina this weekend, at a basketball showcase event, with some of the best young women basketball players in the country and though you might think the basketball bleachers were the most crowded spots of the weekend, the Duke and UNC bookstores came in a close second. They were packed. Now these girls have drawers full of t shirts at home from every tournament, sponsor and team they have played on, but what were they all looking for, another t shirt. This time a UNC or Duke T shirt. That speaks volumes about the popularity of t shirts (and of course also the popularity of these universities) and reminded me that the t shirt is the backbone of spirit wear fundraiser. I guess you can never have too many t shirts.

The other thing I noticed was with all the choices available in these college bookstores, it was the t shirt aisles that were packed. Noticing the chaos in the t shirt aisles I was sure that there was some hot new fabrication or design technique that I needed to bring home with me but they were all pretty run of the mill designs and standard brands. They had t shirts for every sport, mom and dad, alumni, events, clubs, graduating classes, events and then the standards. Short sleeve, long sleeve, ringers, sleeveless and mostly fairly common colors. Some of the most popular were the plainest, (like the Duke t shirt pictured) something to remember when you are designing your own program.

I guess the real question is how to create this same mania at your own school. It is surely not the design, simple ones work if done well, not the product, although it has to meet some basic criteria, I think it is the availabity. You need to offer spirit wear more than once a year at your school. Once a few kids wear it, more will want it and they need the chance to order or buy. You can also keep it simple, offer t shirts and hoodies to start and grow from there.

Call or email me to talk about how to create t shirt mania at your school.

sue@thespiritzone.com

866-863-8705

Check out some of our latest designs.

http://www.thespiritzone.com/tshirtdesigns.html

Events equal Success!

2008-04-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

It is easy to fall into a rut with an annual fundraiser. If you have a spirit wear fundraiser in the fall and it has always been at the time of the year the natural thing to do is keep the same calendar spot. But another way to add some valuable bucks to your fundraising pot is to tag some spirit wear sales on to events that are already going on at your school.

Here are some great examples that have proven successful at schools I have worked with. One of the most succesful strategies I have experienced was with a few schools that have open houses or picnics or meet the teacher type events. These are typically events where everyone is excited about going back to school and the new school year. Selling a t shirt at that event can prove to be very profitable. One of the keys is selling a t shirt that looks totally different than any other item in your spirit wear collection. For example one school we have worked with has class picnic before school starts. Traditionally they sell a tie dye shirt at each picnic through the room mothers. This tie dye looks very different than their other spirit wear and can be worn through the fall on spirit days. It is the only item they can wear (they are a uniform school) so after the introduction year, which was successful, their sales at this event have been spectacular.

Parents caught on very quickly that their children really wanted this shirt and the only time to get it was at the class picnics. So sales skyrocketed after the first year, this is now a must have and they can count on 85% participation from their school community. From this simple event and tactic they make an extra $2500 from spirit wear. This sale has not affected their other sale at all, but has just added extra money to their coffers. WOW!

To see tie dye shirt options visit www.thespiritzone.com/tiedyetshirt.html and boost your spirit wear sales.

Make Your Spirit Wear Fundraiser A Success!

2008-04-15T18:22:00.000-04:00

Sounds easy enough doesn't it? Sell a few t shirts have a successful fundraiser. But it is not as easy as it looks. I see lots of levels of success and try to steer people in the right direction but sometimes they have their heart set on some things that may hinder their success and changing their direction is nearly impossible. Leaning on some experience can help you bypass first year mistakes.

Here is a tip, did you know that the most successful fundraisers only offer a few products and maybe only one graphic design. This really is the "Keep it Simple" philosophy of some of the most successful fundraisers. Offer a custom school t-shirt and a custom hoodie with the same graphics, maybe different colors, circulate an order form, let people quickly look at it and decide yah or ney and turn it back in. You see when there are more items, they need to try decide which ones to buy, which ones their kids might like, do they like this design or the other and even sometimes they ask if you could switch the designs. Often it just seems too hard to make up their mind so they just get one t shirt or put the order form aside and then forget about it. That's not what you wanted to happen. You are hoping they will make a quick decision and turn in their form and money right away. Oh, by the way, you might want to give them a discount for buying both items, you will come out ahead in the long run and they will feel like they got a good deal!

Golden rule #1: It is better to offer spirit wear 2x a year with a simpler program then to overburden everyone once.

Need some ideas on what to sell for your spirit wear fundraiser. Look at http://www.thespiritzone.com/ to get lots of ideas and more tips.