Promotional umbrellas are a no-brainer for advertising your business, rain or shine. They’re practical, eye-catching and oh-so-versatile, allowing your brand logo and messaging to shine while keeping your customers, guests or team nice and dry. When you nail that promotional umbrella design, you get fantastic brand visibility and a lasting impression; plus, you’ve got a pretty handy gift that people appreciate even when the sun’s out. But make just a few simple mistakes, and your investment will be lost in the crowd or, worse, reflect badly on your business.
To help you avoid these pitfalls and create some seriously cool custom umbrellas that your customers will be chuffed to use, we’ve highlighted the five most common mistakes businesses make with their custom umbrella designs. Let’s make sure your next order of custom-printed umbrellas actually delivers for you.
Over-Complicating Things With Your Branded Umbrella Design
Who wouldn’t want to cram a load of details onto that big, open canopy of a golf umbrella or branded parasol? But, and it’s a big but, less is usually more. Overloading your design with too much information or colours can make your printed umbrellas look cluttered and hard to read, especially at a glance during outdoor events or when used as promotional gifts.
How to fix it:
- Put your logo center stage, and make it stand out! Keep your branding front and centre, and make sure it’s easy to spot on your customised umbrella.
- Do something with all that empty space. Uncluttered canopy prints are the way to go, and they make your branding pop big time.
- Keep it simple. If you’ve got a message to get across, just pick one line or tagline that really works, and leave some room for your logo to shine.
A clean, striking design is just what you need to show your business off in all its glory and make that umbrella (and your brand) stand out from the pack.
Ignoring Colour Contrast & Brand Guidelines
Colour is key when it comes to umbrella design. A custom-printed umbrella with poor colour contrast, like a pale grey logo on a white canopy, is basically invisible in the UK’s gloomy weather. And don’t even get me started on colours that clash; they get the wrong kind of attention.
Just as important is keeping your custom umbrellas in line with your business’s colours and identity. The wrong colour can water down your brand’s impact and reduce recognition across all your promotional items or printed umbrellas.
How to fix it:
- Go for high-contrast combos. White logo on navy blue, black logo on yellow… you get the idea. Make sure your design is visible from a mile off.
- Get Pantone matching right. Good suppliers like iBrolly promotional umbrellas will offer precise Pantone colour matching, so your custom designs always match your branding, especially important if you’re ordering in bulk or for multiple events.
- Check the colours on different screens. What looks good on your computer screen might not be the same in print or on the umbrella fabric itself. Always get a sample if you can to confirm the true colour before production.
Making sure your colour choices are consistent and appealing is a no-brainer, and it’s an easy way to get your printed umbrellas noticed every time they’re out in the rain or on display.
Choosing the Wrong Umbrella Style for Your Business
Affordable umbrellas come in all shapes and sizes, and not every style is right for every job. Ordering city umbrellas (walking umbrellas) for a golf course or pocket umbrellas for outdoor events just sends the wrong message to your customers and may mean your logo-printed product isn’t up to the task.
How to fix it:
- Think about how the umbrellas are going to be used. Branded golf umbrellas are perfect for outdoor events, while compact telescopic umbrellas make great corporate gifts for commuters.
- Match the design to your brand and occasion. Luxury businesses need high-quality, crafted umbrellas with wooden handles or bespoke handle engraving. Fun or creative brands can go for unique designs or bright colours for maximum impact.
- Durability and practicality come first. The perfect umbrella is one that’s robust, functional, and stylish and leaves a positive impression everywhere it’s used. A quality umbrella will showcase your brand for years to come, not just for one event.
Placing Your Logo in a Useless Position
Where you position your logo is a big deal. Many businesses limit themselves by featuring their brand on just one panel. But when the umbrella is open or being carried, that logo can end up hidden, and all your customisation efforts go to waste. Your goal is to maximise exposure, turning every umbrella into a walking advertisement for your business every time it’s used at outdoor events or on the high street.
How to fix it:
- Print on multiple panels. Most umbrellas have eight panels, so printing your company logo on at least four of them ensures your brand stays prominent from every angle.
- Don’t forget the closed canopy is a branding opportunity too. A logo on a tie or strap on your umbrella means your branding is still visible even when it’s stashed away.
- Add some special touches to really make your umbrella stand out. Think about branding the inside of the canopy, or the valance, or even some artwork that’s only visible when in use. Little details like these can make your personalised umbrella truly one-of-a-kind.
By getting the logo placement right, your promotional umbrellas will do all the legwork to advertise your business, no matter the weather.
Blowing It with the Custom Umbrellas Printing Process
The success of your umbrella design all comes down to choosing the right printing technique. Try to use the wrong one, like screen printing a photo with loads of detail, and it’ll end in disaster. Knowing how to get the print right in the first place means you’ll end up with umbrellas that look stunning and last a long time.
So how do you fix it?
- Choose the right method for your design. Screen printing is great for simple designs, solid colours and big print runs; digital printing is better for colour pictures, gradient effects or intricate designs.
- Get your file organised for print. Send over a vector version of your logo for the crispest possible print on your custom umbrellas.
- Get some expert advice. Talk to the professionals and let them guide you through things like print delivery times, minimum order quantities, bulk orders and even eco-friendly options like recycled materials.
Don’t let a dodgy print job kill your message. Instead, produce umbrellas that really live up to the quality and professionalism of your business.
A Lasting Impression with your Custom Printed Umbrellas
A custom umbrella is more than just a brolly to keep you dry; it’s also a showcase for your business, a wearable gift and a super cost-effective marketing tool for outdoor events, trade shows or company dos. By steering clear of these five common mistakes, you’ll be able to create quality branded umbrellas that grab attention, boost your brand presence, and make a great gift for customers or guests.
Choose the right style, colours, print and placement to advertise your brand in a way that’s both memorable and practical. What better way to get your brand out there on a rainy day, leave a lasting impression, and make an umbrella that’s really worthy of your brand?