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11 February 2025

Employee Gifts for EQ Bank: Custom Hoodies

When you think of a lively and young brand with bright raspberry and yellow colors, EQ Bank comes to mind. In 2021, EQ Bank became a trusted client after a LinkedIn connection led to their first small Accent sample order. But we don’t just stop at the delivery—we ask our golden question, “What else can we create for you?”
This time a simple question paid off and turned into a fruitful relationship and outstanding employee gifts. This initial contact brought Accent to four other companies, demonstrating the trust we proudly develop with our clients.

Person wearing an EQ Bank branded hoodie
Our Commitment to Employee Appreciation

Capturing the essence of EQ Bank's branding is the iconic lozenge shape—the cornerstone of its visual identity. Through the custom web store created by Accent, we offer EQ Bank employees fun and yet affordable branded merchandise. Imagine traditional corporate employee gifts such as branded ribbons, pens, water bottles, tote bags, and notebooks, and now think bigger, like cozy, customized sweatpants and polished, personalized hoodies. These items are thoughtful employee gifts to express gratitude to the whole team with a personal touch.


Many think we simply print custom items, but for EQ Bank we also developed their web store from the start, and we manage it every day. This ensures smooth operations—from tracking orders to dropshipping the items directly to employees and clients. The outcome? A thoughtful way of corporate gifting for the entire team.


The Bold Problem: How Do You Live Up to a Bold Brand Vision?

When you’re a bold brand like EQ Bank, it’s understandable that bold decisions must be made. They wanted to give great gifts to employees and set out to launch a hoodie that matched their brand image and vision. This hoodie is lined with the signature yellow brand color and the iconic company logo lozenge pattern, created only by using the precise art of dye sublimation. The challenge? Finding a vendor that could beautifully execute such an intricate design. Who could capture the brand's essence and bring the vision to life?


The first issue arose when the pre-production sample arrived—the inside lozenges didn’t align, and the yellow did not match their signature shade. After back-and-forth communication with the vendor, we finally got our hands on a revised sample that perfectly matched the original vision.


We thought we were in the clear, ready to deliver the employee gifts, and then the production batch arrived. Another challenge emerged. We faced our second issue: the silk-screened yellow on the outside clashed with the vibrant yellow inside. With tight deadlines and racing against the clock, Accent ran into action, determined to fix the issue quickly and dedicated to putting in hard work. There was no other option than to deliver the high-quality hoodies EQ Bank expected and deserved, on time.


The Sustainable Solution: Great Options for Tokens of Appreciation

At Accent, we take great pride in our commitment to sustainability, and this was a perfect opportunity to turn that commitment into action. Instead of scrapping the flawed hoodies, our team put on their thinking caps and did what we do best—be creative.


The team quickly brainstormed and embroidered the correct yellow lozenge logo over the existing silk screen, completely masking the original print. The result? A perfectly matched logo that maintained the hoodies’ high-quality, vibrant aesthetic while saving time and resources. 


This thoughtful approach not only managed to fix the issue, but we also saved an entire batch of hoodies from the landfill, allowing them to fulfill their EQ Bank destiny as appreciation gifts for employees.


Finally, all the pieces came together, and the final design elegantly featured EQ Bank’s logo on the left chest and full-color dye sublimation on the inside lining, all wrapped up in the adult heavyweight fleece pullover hoodie from US Basics. The result is a comfy, beautifully on-brand hoodie that employees are proud to wear — both on the team Zoom call and while running to the ATM.


Why Are Employee Gifts Important?

Employee gifts are more than just tokens; they are a great way to show employee recognition. Personalized, thoughtful gifts and company swag, like EQ Bank’s custom hoodies, strengthen company and employee relationships. It was important to get these employee gifts right and not miss the mark for EQ Bank employees.


Results: Captivating Branded Merchandise

Transparency was key throughout the entire process. Keeping EQ Bank in the loop at every step, actively encouraging us to be bold in our decisions, and ensuring their vision remained consistent and communicated. The innovative solution? Merchandise that is cost-effective, on-time, and sustainable, remaining consistent with our brand image—breathing life into your ideas.


The hoodies launched successfully as part of the fall product selection on EQ Bank’s employee store. Quickly capturing staff attention with their bold colors and thoughtful design, sparking excitement to wear them.

Resulting in a bold, beautiful, on-brand EQ Bank hoodie!

Custom Thoughtful Corporate Gifts: A Personal Touch

Accent’s creativity and agility shined brightly in this project. 


By collaborating closely with the client, navigating tight timelines, and upholding high standards, we delivered a standout product. A hoodie that employees wear with pride, clients are satisfied with, and we are proud of executing—making it a win for everyone involved, which is always the goal.


Book a free call with our team to find your perfect gift.

Our Unique Value in Delivering Unique Gift Ideas

Accent's approach to corporate gift ideas is defined by our commitment to quality merchandise and client satisfaction. Here is what sets us apart:


Custom Solutions: Bringing EQ Bank's Vision to Life

Every project and partnership deserves the thoughtful care it inspires. For EQ Bank, this meant designing and managing a seamless and personalized web store experience. We wanted a custom online store that did more than just sell merchandise; we wanted to tell the story of EQ Bank's commitment to improving the lives of Canadians.


We offer a personalized experience for employees and clients, as easy as clicking a button.


Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Accent, we seek opportunities to redefine sustainability in branded merchandise. This project was indeed a challenge but also an opportunity to avoid waste and deliver eco-friendly solutions. Instead of opting for easy solutions that could lead to waste, we rolled up our sleeves and explored innovative production methods.

This project allowed us to meet our sustainability goals and stay committed to a greener future.


Timely Delivery: The Fall Hoodie Launch for Team Members

When EQ Bank approached us with their fall collection vision, the clock started ticking. They wanted their custom hoodies—soft, stylish, and strongly on-brand—to be ready for the season's big debut. After all, what’s a fall collection without cozy hoodies to match the crisp autumn air?


At Accent, we thrive under pressure, and this project was no different. Like putting a puzzle together, every piece had to fit just right—from sourcing premium materials to ensuring the embroidery captured EQ Bank's brand. Our team made sure the hoodies weren’t just delivered—they were perfectly delivered and arrived on time.


The Magic of Client Collaboration: Crafting EQ Bank's Perfect Hoodies

When we teamed up with EQ Bank, the goal was clear: create custom hoodies that matched their brand's style. Through transparent communication and close client collaboration, we ensured the final product exceeded expectations, from color to design and logo print.

The process was not only about producing a product order but about working together to create something memorable.


From Concept to Completion: A Great Time Every Step of the Way

From concept to production to launch, Accent’s team worked against the clock to troubleshoot, revise, and deliver the hoodies on time for the fall collection.

Initial Contact: From LinkedIn to Launch

Does social media really work for a lot of companies these days? The simple answer is yes—but let us go into more detail. Social media is a powerful tool for building connections and sparking opportunities. Take this project with EQ Bank, for instance. It all started with a LinkedIn connection and led us to something much bigger.


This initial connection led to a conversation; the conversation led to curiosity, and before we knew it, EQ Bank placed its first sample order with us!


Crafting the Perfect Hoodie: Design Development

Designing the perfect hoodie for EQ Bank was not just about stitching fabric together—it was about integrating their bold brand identity into every thread.


The result was a hoodie that seamlessly combined style, comfort, and brand messaging, making it more than just apparel—it became a tangible representation of EQ Bank’s values.


Product Challenges: Overcoming Obstacles and Turning Hurdles into Creative Triumphs

When it comes to curating the perfect product, challenges are part of the journey, and this hoodie project was no exception. The setbacks we faced, from fabric mismatches to design tweaks, were turned into opportunities for creativity.


Our team came together to think of new ideas, tried different things, and changed every problem into an opportunity to create something new. We looked for the best way to stitch and changed where the logo went to make it more visible. We were focused on getting every detail right.


Final Delivery: From Conception to Great Employee Appreciation Gifts

After months of design tweaks, supplier searches, and brainstorming we cannot explain the feeling of touching the first final version of the EQ Bank hoodies in our hands! It was time to not only deliver a tangible product but also deliver the experience we promised from the start. Every stitch and every detail reflected EQ Banks' brand vision and our successful collaboration.


Why Employee Gifts Matter?

Custom employee gifts can significantly enhance the work environment by creating a culture of peer recognition and appreciation. For example, having a holiday party with holiday gifts serves as a fun way to show your staff members how much their efforts are valued. Whether it's a thoughtful gift set or stylish desk accessories, these personalized items can add a touch of joy to the workday, especially for those working from home.


Some companies may have a rise of remote work which is the perfect opportunity to give customers home office gifts such as tech accessories or comfortable work gear. These types of gifts promote a sense of belonging and appreciation among employees.


When staff members receive a carefully customized gift, it can boost morale, especially with a handwritten note! Also, custom gifts such as personalized tech gadgets or premium office supplies provide employees with tools that boost productivity ultimately leading to professional development.


Accent loves to be a part of the employee gifting process, helping organizations deliver gestures of gratitude to their teams!


Conclusion: A Great Way to Celebrate Employees

At Accent, we believe that the best way to celebrate employees is through thoughtful, customized gifts. For this reason, Accent continues to support EQ Bank by running a web store offering excellent gifts that perfectly align with their brand. Whether it's a carefully curated gift box or personalized staff appreciation gifts, thoughtful tokens of recognition reinforce appreciation for every team member.


Book a free call with our team to find your perfect gift.

The type of gift you choose, whether it's a high-quality hoodie or a special item, shows how much you value and care for your team. By consistently offering employee appreciation gift ideas that are meaningful and memorable, you create a positive environment where employees feel acknowledged and respected. With every gift, Accent helps EQ Bank leave a lasting impression on its team, showing the importance of a culture of recognition that will continue to thrive for years.

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