If your business purchases branded apparel for employees, service technicians, or field staff, you already know how quickly costs can add up. Embroidery, screen printing, heat-seal transfers, and other decoration methods are investments—important ones—but still expenses.
The good news? Many manufacturers offer co-op advertising dollars that can significantly reduce or even cover the cost of adding your company logo to apparel and uniforms. Most businesses don’t even realize this money is available, which means thousands of dollars are often left on the table every year.
Here’s how you can take full advantage of co-op funds to upgrade your team’s gear without stretching your budget.
What Are Co-Op Advertising Dollars?
Co-op (short for cooperative) advertising programs are incentives offered by manufacturers to help you promote their brand. When you buy or sell their products, you earn advertising credit. That credit can then be used toward marketing expenses—including branded apparel and uniform decoration.
Most programs will help pay for:
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Embroidery
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Screen printing
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Patch application
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Heat-transfer logos
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Digitizing or setup fees
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Promotional apparel for events or technicians
This means your employee polos, jackets, hats, safety wear, and technician uniforms may qualify for reimbursement when branded with your logo and the manufacturer’s brand.
Why Use Co-Op Dollars for Apparel Printing?
✔ Reduce Your Branding Costs
Co-op funds can offset a portion—or in some cases 100%—of your logo decoration costs. That includes threadwork, printing, artwork setup, and other customization fees.
✔ Stay Consistent & Professional
A professionally branded uniform helps your team look sharp, reinforces trust with customers, and promotes your business wherever your employees go.
✔ Strengthen Your Partnership With Manufacturers
Manufacturers want their brands represented in the field. When you use co-op dollars for uniforms, you’re promoting their product while keeping your team outfitted.
✔ Put “Use-It-or-Lose-It” Money to Work
Most co-op programs work on an annual cycle. If you don’t use the funds, they expire at the end of the program year.
How to Use Co-Op Dollars for Apparel Decoration
1. Check Your Eligibility
Contact your manufacturer or supplier representative to confirm whether your purchases qualify. Many brands automatically enroll you in co-op once you start buying products.
2. Review the Program Guidelines
Each manufacturer sets its own rules. Common requirements include:
- Having the manufacturer’s logo appear somewhere on the apparel
- Submitting artwork for approval
- Filing a claim with invoices and photos
(Want help? We can walk you through the process!)
3. Select Your Apparel & Decoration Style
Choose the garments your employees need—polos, hoodies, hats, safety vests, button-downs, etc.—and decide how you want the logos applied:
- Embroidery: Classic, professional, durable
- Screen printing: Ideal for bulk orders and bold graphics
- Heat transfers / patches: Great for performance fabrics or detailed designs
4. Get Your Proof & Invoice
Threads Custom Gear will provide a quote and artwork proof that typically need to be submitted with your co-op claim.
5. Submit Your Claim for Reimbursement
Send your documentation to the manufacturer. Once approved, they reimburse you according to the program guidelines.
Maximize Your Dollars: Tips for Success
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Combine multiple uniform orders to submit one co-op claim.
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Add the manufacturer’s approved logo placement to qualify for higher reimbursement.
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Order during co-op promotional windows—some manufacturers offer bonus matching periods.
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Keep track of your available balance so you don’t leave unused funds at year-end.
Let Us Help You Stretch Your Budget Further
If you’d like custom gear for your employees or technicians—and want to take advantage of co-op funds—we’re here to help. We’ll:
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Confirm your co-op eligibility
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Provide quotes and proofs
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Supply the documentation needed for your claim
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Make the ordering process easy
Your next uniform order could cost far less than you think.
Let’s put your co-op dollars to work!