BRANDED Product Development & DESIGN

Yamaha Motorcycles, ATVs & Side-by-Sides

We start with a full brand analysis.

Great branded merchandise is never created in a vacuum. We look at all new private label and corporate branding development projects as a chance to work alongside our customers’ design and marketing teams to make branded products that help extend the brand messaging beyond their core product and into the everyday lives of their most passionate fans. Over the years we’ve found that the best way to understand what these fans really want is to start with 6 easy steps, and here, we show you how we did it with Yamaha…

1 Brand Direction

Our development team sat down with key stake-holders to do a deep dive into the Yamaha brand. Understanding Yamaha’s position in the market place, identifying key branded products and where they envision taking the brand in the future.  

2Market Research &
Positioning Strategy

Building off of the information we gathered in the brand direction meetings, we dug a little bit deeper into how the brand vision fit into the overall Powersports market.

3Demographics Analytics

Using website and social media analytics we began to develop customer profiles for the various user groups under the Yamaha motorcycles umbrella.

4Trend Analysis

Once we had detailed user profiles in place we were able to begin compiling retail brands, influencers and interest groups that meshed well with Yamaha buyers. Using these as a reference point we could begin to develop a clearer view of the current branded product trends relevant to the Yamaha look.

5Collection Development

Product collections are developed based on the user profile and trend information. Pulling all this information together visually into mood boards for each collection helped develop a clear visual reference for all design work moving forward. 

6Line Planning

Based off all the information gathered from demographic, market, and trend research as well as past sales data, we developed the branded merchandise line plan. The line plan in conjunction with the collection mood boards act guidance for the rest of the product development process.

Powertex Creative designer inspecting water bottle for design inspiration

PRIVATE LABEL BRANDED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

We work with our global sourcing partners to take the initial banded merchandise designs from concept to production by developing custom fit, fabrics, trims, and graphics to build effective products. The same amount of thought goes into each and every product we make, it doesn’t matter if it’s a basic promotional t-shirt or custom made private label waterproof jacket.

Compilation of swatches, fabrics, and detailing for product development.

Material Selection

All branded products are only as good as the materials they’re made from. A thorough understanding of the pros and cons of each available material and what it means for the quality, functionality and durability of the final product is a critical first step in the development process. With Yamaha, that meant the comfort of a poly/cotton blend, the wicking and UPF properties of a performance polyester knit, and the durability of powder-coated finishes.

Color Story

Color is key to keeping branding consistent while still being able to cross various user groups, branded product trends and design styles. With Yamaha it meant a core selection of colors using their motorsport blue as well as some basic grays while still leaving room for the red accent used as part of their Faster Sons sub-brand.

Paint swatches in the Yamaha color story.
Illustration of a garment in development.

Fit & Function

If you were to ask most people what they liked about their favorite item of clothing, most of the time they would answer that it fits right and is comfortable to wear. We agree, so our designers spend a bulk of the development process for each product on making sure it is comfortable and functional in the environment that it’s intended for. For Yamaha’s paddock line of branded shirts we used a moisture wicking 4-way stretch fabric, added mesh panels in key areas for added ventilation on hot days and extended the tail for added comfort when bending down to do last minute mechanical checks on bikes. 

set yourself apart

Close up image of a Yamaha Puff Jacket zipper pull

Trims

The details matter. Unique art placements and molded zipper pulls further add to the custom feel of each product.

Close up of the private label detail on a Yamaha Puff jacket

Private Label

Authenticity is everything in the motorcycle industry. Every branded product needs to feel like it's been designed and built with the same care and attention to detail Yamaha puts into their motorcycles - right down to the manufacturer's label in the neck.

Close up of a hangtag on the Yamaha Puff Jacket

Retail Ready

Additions like printed hang tags help create a premium experience for the end user as well as makes it easier for dealers to merchandise branded products in their shop.

graphics & illustration

Using demographic and trend information gathered during the brand analysis process, our in-house design team develops custom graphics and illustrations aimed at connecting your fans to the heart and soul of your brand.

Hand drawn illustration for Yamaha Faster Sons collection

Made by hand

The motorcycle industry has a long history of individualism. Custom paint, hand lettered helmets and garage built machines have always been at the forefront of motorcycle culture. As a nod to that heritage, our team of designers developed the artwork for Faster Sons on paper and illustrated by hand. 

Global Sourcing

When developing the Yamaha Motorsports line we worked in conjunction with our core sourcing partners around the world to get the best possible branded merchandise at a price that fit the expectations of Yamaha’s customers.

Illustrated map with markers on locations where our global partners reside.
Hats being embroidered at the Wisconsin factory.

Wisconsin

Our internal screen print and embroidery decoration facility is located right behind our main offices. It allows the design team to closely watch quality on initial runs and our sales team to keep our branded merchandise inventory lean for fast turnover.

Employee processing t-shirts through the press.

North America

- Branded accessories
- Custom logoed drinkware
- Branded headwear
- Core Blank Apparel

A sneak peak at our China partner facility.

China

- Custom branded headwear
- Branded technical outerwear
- Custom branded uniforms
- Custom branded swag and accessories

Polyester knits being produced at our partner facility in El Salvador.

El Salvador

- Performance Polyester Knits

Woven and cotton knits being produced at our partner facility in Pakistan.

Pakistan

- Cotton & Poly/Cotton Knits
- Wovens

WRAP Compliance badge

WRAP Compliance

The safety and well-being of anyone we work with, whether they’re one desk away or across the globe, is incredibly important to us. That is why we only work with WRAP compliant facilities. WRAP is an independent, objective, non-profit team of global social compliance experts dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing around the world through certification and education.

Quality Control

The reputation of your brand is everything. We do not take this responsibility lightly. Yamaha gets final approval on any items we sell with the Yamaha brand on it. Once a final approval is given by Yamaha, we make sure every product that leaves our building meets the same strict quality standards. 

Hat being inspected for quality in our factory.

Factory Inspection

Every facility we work with has a thorough quality control process built into their production process. Items are checked between every phase of construction, after the branded product is finished and once more before it's packed up and shipped to us.

Inspecting a performance piece after receiving from overseas.

Receiving

Completed branded merchandise orders coming into our warehouse are spot-checked for cosmetic imperfections, adherence to specifications and general quality of execution.

Employee inspection a garment before it ships out to the customer.

Shipping

Before shipping branded product out of our warehouse each item is checked for basic flaws.

CONTENT CREATION

A good branded product is nothing without excellent visual content to back it up. Whether your main sales channels are online or brick & mortar, visual content is key to getting branded product out in front of the potential customers via catalog, social media or email. 

Photography

It was important that we created content that spoke directly to each of the core motorcycle product lines and their demographics. For instance, adding a bit of grain, fade and warmth enhances the Faster Sons content by giving it the heritage feel Yamaha was looking for. 

Model wearing the Custom Yamaha Blue Puff Jacket

Ready to begin your story?

Contact us to start building your branded merchandise program today.