From sweatshirts and tees, to bags and caps, today’s colleges and universities are always looking for trend-right apparel and accessories that will be a hit.

An ASI Market Study that looked at education sales found that only 2% of distributors say it’s “Very Easy” to start selling to schools and 33% say it is “Somewhat Difficult.” However, don’t get too discouraged! It’s helpful to remember—especially at the college and university level—that much of their marketing efforts are interconnected with promotional products.

These promotional items are often used for recruiting, for enrolled student school spirit and continued engagement with alumni. According to the National Association of College Stores, the U.S. college store market is valued at nearly $10 billion. That is a lot of sweatshirts, caps, tees and more!

When targeting colleges and universities, be sure to go prepared with apparel that has the school logo or is in the school colors. In addition, be conscious of how many schools will be price-driven when it comes to making their decisions. Know the market and come prepared to offer them the best bang for their buck.

SanMar is here to help you maximize your sales potential with colleges and universities, which is why we’ve created the 2018 Color Guide. With apparel and accessories broken down into 15 popular school and team colors, it’s an easy way to target schools.