The majority of promotional gift recipients (53%) think more favorably of advertisers who choose items made in the USA. This matters regardless of the recipient’s age or gender.

When your audience spans decades, go for American style. From Gen Z to baby boomers, the majority agrees. Same for location – whether a recipient lives in a city, rural or suburban location, USA-made has meaning.

When an average T-shirt makes 2,450 impressions among recipients, the more positive the impact you achieve, the better!

While you typically think of American-made products as red, white and blue, they actually have a  green – as in environmentally friendly – story to tell.

By choosing eco-friendly cottons and domestically produced garments, you reduce carbon emissions. It’s a win-win. After all, 75% of U.S. adults say they are particularly concerned about helping the environment as they go about their daily lives, according to a 2016 Pew Research Center survey. Furthermore, based on the 2017 Deloitte Millennial Survey, those aged 22 to 36 consider the environment the top issue for which they’re accountable.

Tip the scale in your favor by choosing manufacturers like American Apparel that predominantly use U.S. cotton that is grown sustainably and harvested ethically.

You’ll be seeing stars (as in five-star service) when you work with U.S. garment producers offering all-in-one manufacturing capabilities. They are extremely efficient, saving clients time and shipping costs.

Manufacturers like Los Angeles Apparel are vertically integrated, which means every step of creating a garment is handled in-house, from design, pattern-making, cutting and sewing. Skilled workers hired locally and promoted from within keep quality and speed high. This also adds to U.S. job creation, another issue that matters to American buyers. According to TheMadeInAmericaMovement.com, “buying products made in America has doubled the impact on the domestic economy,” including a positive influence on job creation.

What may be even more important to some buyers, however, is that a product is made locally. A 2016 Mintel Research study says millennials appreciate the authentic craftsmanship in locally produced items.

Fair wages and workplace safety standards also matter to buyers. Fifty-six percent of U.S. consumers stop buying from companies they believe are unethical, and nearly half (48%) consider how a company treats its employees when determining whether or not it behaves responsibly, according to research from Mintel.

U.S.-based apparel manufacturers that adhere to strict national regulations and codes of conduct like the Fair Labor Association (FLA) provide peace of mind and reflect positively on you and your clients’ reputations. Look for brands with social responsibility statements.

You’ll find more and more clients with purchasing policies that require USA-made products. These have traditionally been government and military accounts, which were made more eager with the April 18, 2017 “Buy American” presidential order directing every federal agency to “scrupulously” enforce policies to source American-made goods.

Others also look to show support through purchasing from all-American brands, unions and political campaigns, particularly if a program is intended for an event like Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day or Veteran’s Day.