Celebrating 50 Years of the Seal of Cotton
In 1973, the Seal of Cotton trademark was created and 50 years later, it has become an iconic symbol to consumers and is globally recognized by the textile industry. Still today, the power of the Seal is real with more than 8 out of 10 consumers recognizing the Seal of Cotton trademark.
Fifty years of building this beautiful brand has earned consumers’ affection, with more than 90% stating cotton is their preferred choice because it is the most comfortable, softest, and the most versatile fiber. We’re surrounded by cotton from the day we are born, wrapped in a cotton blanket and we live in comfortable, cotton clothing like denim jeans and t-shirts daily. Cotton truly is the Fabric of Our Lives. Here’s to 50 Years!
Naturally Iconic: The Power of Cotton
Explore the following resources to discover all the benefits of this iconic trademark.
Since its introduction in 1973, the iconic Seal of Cotton trademark has been helping consumers quickly recognize products containing cotton, their preferred fiber for textiles and nonwovens.
Over time, consumers have come to associate the Seal of Cotton with the quality and sustainability of cotton. Many retailers and brands using the Seal of Cotton as a marketing tool have seen double-digit increases in sales of their products.
There are many reasons to leverage the Seal of Cotton trademark in partnerships and promotions, from its positive associations with fashion and sustainability, to its remarkable recognition.
INTRODUCTION
The Fabric of Our Lives
We all have our favorite pair of jeans and classic cotton tees that have stood the test of time.
These items endure because they’re crafted from a sustainable and quality fiber, one that’s woven through our culture in many unique and meaningful ways.
It’s this long-standing familiarity that elevates cotton, as represented by the Seal of Cotton trademark, from just another fiber to a symbol of significant moments in our lives.
Our cotton favorites tell stories of first dates, family dinners and personal triumphs, while cotton as a fiber continues to define fashion trends, outperform synthetics and uphold its place as The Fabric of Our Lives.
HERITAGE
True to its roots
Since its creation in 1973, the Seal of Cotton trademark has become a globally recognized symbol associated with fashion, durability, quality and sustainability.
Cotton Incorporated is proud to share its passion for this authentic and iconic fiber to benefit your selection of cotton for your company’s products.
We’re excited to offer you the opportunity to leverage the visibility of and positive connections to the Seal of Cotton trademark. By calling attention to cotton, you can tell a story that consumers identify with, in addition to aligning with the perceptions of quality and trust consumers associate with the Seal of Cotton trademark.
SUSTAINABILITY
Born from the earth
People expect clothing to be made responsibly, so they feel good about wearing and using products with the Seal of Cotton trademark. They’re natural, renewable and can have environmentally-friendly benefits. Cotton apparel, for example, tends to last longer in consumers’ closets1. When it’s composted as disposal, cotton breaks down more readily than synthetic fabrics in the environment. Consumers can even recycle cotton through programs such as the Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program.
As cotton technologies evolve, they create opportunities to make cotton production, manufacturing and disposal less burdensome on the earth. In just the past few decades, U.S. cotton growers have made significant reductions in water use, land use and soil loss2.
77%
of consumers say clothing made from man-made fibers takes the longest to decompost in a landfill3
84%
of consumers describe cotton clothing as sustainable3
QUALITY
Stands up to the everyday
Cotton is a durable, long-lasting fiber. It stays strong after years of use, which is why people continually look for the Seal of Cotton trademark when they need something they can count on, from tough work clothes to timeless formalwear.
68%
of consumers say cotton clothing is higher in quality than clothing made from man-made fibers3
82%
of consumers say a brand using the Seal of Cotton trademark cares more about quality than those that don’t4
VERSATILITY
Woven through our lives
Cotton remains pervasive because it’s woven into a range of products we rely on every day, many of which bear the Seal of Cotton trademark. In addition to apparel, cotton is used to make sheets, towels, drapes, pillows, rugs, hygiene products and more.
When people shop for such products, they express a preference for those made with cotton, because they feel it’s a natural, sustainable fiber they know and trust.
See how easy we make it for consumers to Shop Cotton.
52%
of consumers say cotton clothing is the most fashionable compared to man-made fibers3
82%
of women prefer their feminine hygiene products to be made from cotton5
INNOVATION
Elite performance in every style
Innovation is another reason to look for the Seal of Cotton trademark. Cotton’s versatility makes it ideal to enhance with technology or unique fabrications. Whether by nature or by design, cotton can outperform even the best synthetics.
Stay cool, dry and comfortable with cotton that transfers moisture and dries faster.
Protection from the elements with the natural comfort and breathability of cotton.
Withstand the toughest challenges with increased durability and superior abrasion resistance for cotton.
Natural, soft, biodegrades when composted, and hypoallergenic, cotton is well suited for those items closest to you and those you love1.
THE POWER OF THE SEAL
Start something great with cotton
The Seal of Cotton trademark can be used in a wide range of communications: packaging, window displays, point-of-sale displays, interactive digital experiences, and beyond.
Supported by more than 40 years of advertising by Cotton Incorporated, the Seal of Cotton trademark is an iconic tool which allows consumers to easily identify products made of cotton and enables brands and retailers to create a point of distinction in cluttered spaces. Over the last decade, retail promotions featuring the Seal of Cotton trademark, including initiatives like the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, have resulted in double-digit sales increases.
Consumers love cotton
80% of consumers say cotton is the most comfortable fiber; 80% say cotton is the most authentic fiber; 66% the most versatile; and 66% the most durable3
Cotton drives traffic
More than 40,000 products available online saw a 4.49% increase in page views when cotton advertising was used7
Cotton converts sales
More than 3 out of 4 consumers browsing a cotton pop-up sale event on an online retail site made a purchase; showing a powerful 76% conversion rate8
Cotton delivers returns
For every dollar Cotton Incorporated spends on advertising, $8.68 of cotton products are sold3
The Seal of Cotton
Celebrating cotton in every fashion
At Cotton Incorporated, our mission is to promote the use of and desire for all things cotton.
We want everyone to care about the clothes, sheets, towels and personal hygiene products made from the fabric we love.
We know amazing things about cotton, and our job is to help you see why cotton continues to be The Fabric of Our Lives.
References
- Li, Lili, Margaret Frey, and Kristie J. Browning. “Biodegradability study on cotton and polyester fabrics.” J Eng Fiber Fabr 5, no. 4 (2010): 42-53.
- Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, 2016. Environmental and Socioeconomic Indicators for Measuring Outcomes of
On Farm Agricultural Production in the United States (Third Edition). ISBN: 978-0-692-81902-9. - Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ Survey.
- Cotton Incorporated 2016 Seal of Cotton Study.
- Cotton Incorporated 2015 U.S. Feminine Hygiene Study.
- Cotton Incorporated 2016 Activewear Study.
- Cotton campaign Conversion Report 2016, Bazaarvoice Inc.
- June 2016 Cotton and Rue La La Pop-up Sale Metric.