The Benefits of a Simple New Year Gear Refresh

January has a funny way of making everything feel possible.

New hires. New goals. New calendars. New energy.

And then reality hits: you've got a team to outfit, an event schedule to plan, and about 37 other priorities that are somehow all urgent.

That's why a simple new year gear refresh is one of the easiest, highest-impact moves you can make early in the year. Its not about buying a bunch of stuff. Its about getting your brand, your people, and your process dialed in so you can spend less time chasing details and more time running the business.

Below are the biggest benefits (and a few practical ways to do it without turning it into a whole project).

1) It instantly makes your team look organized

Whether you're a 3-person crew or a growing team, consistent branded apparel sends a clear message:

• We’re legit.
• We're professional.
• We pay attention to details.

A clean set of tees, polos, hats, or quarter-zips can upgrade your presence overnight.

2) It makes onboarding new hires way easier

If you're hiring (or planning to), a gear refresh is a cheat code for onboarding.

Instead of scrambling every time someone new starts, you can have a simple kit ready to go:

• 23 work shirts
• 1 hoodie or quarter-zip
• 1 embroidered hat
• Optional: stickers/decals, business cards, name badge, etc.

3) It keeps your brand consistent (even when your schedule isn't)

Most businesses dont have a brand police making sure everyone uses the right logo, the right colors, and the right look.

So what happens?

• Old logos keep showing up
• Colors drift
• Different departments order different stuff
• Everyone ends up wearing something different

• Your current logo files
• Brand colors (or at least the approved versions)
• 12 core apparel styles you reorder all year

4) It saves time (and back-and-forth) all year

Here's the truth: the first order is the hardest.

Once your designs and garment choices are set, reorders get easy. That's why a January refresh pays off for months.

When you standardize your core items, you can reorder without starting from scratch every time:

• Same tee, same print, new names/sizes
• Same hat, same embroidery, new quantities
• Same design, different garment (tee  hoodie  quarter-zip)

5) It helps you start the year with momentum

There's something about fresh gear that changes how a team shows up.

Its a morale boost, sure but its also a signal that you're investing in the business and the people who represent it.

And if you're doing any Q1 events (trade shows, kickoff meetings, fundraisers, school activities), having your apparel and promo handled early makes everything else smoother.

6) It's the easiest way to turn your team into walking marketing

Branded apparel is one of the few marketing tools that:

The easiest way to do a gear refresh (without making it complicated)

If you want the benefits without the headache, here's a simple approach:

1. Pick 12 core items you'll reorder all year (tee + hoodie + hat is a classic)

2. Choose one primary logo placement (left chest or full front)

3. Decide if you want a premium upgrade (embroidery, tone-on-tone, better blanks)

4. Set an in-hands date

If you're not sure what to pick, tell us your vibe:

• cheap + durable
• soft + premium
• customer-facing + polished

Bonus: If your team orders all year, consider a Perk Store

If you're constantly ordering for new hires, events, or seasonal drops, the easiest move is to set up a managed online store (Perk Store).

Your team can order what they need, when they need it, and we handle fulfillment and customer service. No spreadsheets. No collecting payments. No chasing sizes.

Learn more about our online stores here: https://www.rmcustomscreenprinting.com/online-stores

Ready to refresh your gear?

Reply and tell us:

• What you're making (tees/hoodies/hats/promo)
• Quantity
• Your in-hands date

Well get you options fast and keep it simple.