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The unboxing experience became the buzz word of 2020; a positive spin on the need to drop ship everything! Let's face it, getting gifts delivered is exciting! We can't wait to see what's inside. Commercial packaging has become more luxurious in recent years. Consumers look for brands to create an experience. Creating a moment. Introducing your brand has become an expectation. Presentation matters. Our partner at Gemline has products that are designed for the times. Inspired by the world. Products that reflect the way we really live—offering the high-quality, highly relevant products we truly crave. We align our resources with partners that make kitting easy. Fulfillment options that make your "to do" list easier. Many of our recent blog posts featured stories about brands that offer a bonus- giving back, but consumers are also looking for brands that fit their lifestyle and atheistic tastes. Let's explore some more options!! MiiR- allows you to track your giving! Soap for Hope a great story that touches the heart Slowtide- using recycled plastic for comfortable solutions. Brands that demand excellence and offer design flair? Osprey- breaking the mold and offering more; using failure to be more successful. Who is Corkcicle? Courant- Crafting products that are more than functional, the beauty & design matter. What matters to you when selecting a brand name product? Looking for inspiration? Click here for the trend guide.

Actions speak louder than words, so creating solutions to problems we see in our communities shows care. When communities work together we are not alone. When we started in the industry in 2007, words like environmental and sustainability were asked about, but rarely purchased. Currently the buzz is around partnering with businesses who are doing their part to offset carbon emissions, eliminating non-recyclable materials from their production facilities, or buying products that have give-back components from companies passionate about community involvement, it’s clear that social responsibility is no longer becoming a lifestyle trend; it’s becoming a movement. Our partner at Hirsch Gifts is taking us Beyond the Brands to shine a light on the global impact the creators of your favorite promotional products are making, and what they’re doing behind-the-scenes to ensure you can feel great about the products that display your branding. Today let's explore Matador brand. This may not be the matador you were expecting, what's behind the name? Based in Boulder, Colorado, Matador is a brand-centric designer and manufacturer of innovative adventure travel equipment, built with functionality and durability in mind. The minimalist design of each product in the line makes Matador a versatile, gender-neutral piece that targets a wide span of potential markets, both demographic and geographical, for your clients’ next marketing opportunity. While laptop backpacks have historically been the go-to in the bags category for branded corporate gifting over the past decade, now more than ever before employers are recognizing the importance of supporting a healthy work-life balance within their organization. Here are 5 Matador products, featured in video, that will provide you a healthy, active lifestyle outside the office: Waterbottle Packable Duffle Backpack Hip Pack Tote Beyond their commitment to creating exceptional products that will last, Matador is dedicated to doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint in all that they do. “Sustainability at Matador isn’t a marketing strategy, but a non-negotiable obligation that we uphold, born out of love and protecting travel and the outdoors.” Even major hotel chains are looking at ways to address waste. Did you know Unilever, a London-based consumer goods company, reported over five million bars of soap are thrown away by the hotel industry each day. Unilever also happens to be the largest producer of soap in the world. Matador Flatpak™ Soap Bar Case and the Matador Flatpak™ Toiletry Bottle make for great additions to those employee welcome kits. Check out a full line of Matador options here on our website. Sustainability and corporate responsibility is no longer a chosen lifestyle; it's become an active responsibility that all of us share to leave the world a better place than when we found it. Source- Our partner at Hirsch Gift, where brands always matter.

During the season of giving, give back- that's a reason to smile. There has never been a better time for retail brands to commit to social and environmental responsibility. Whether it’s donating a portion of profits to charity, partnering with nonprofits or volunteering for a good cause, it’s important that brands use their business to make a positive impact. In fact, there are 5 great reasons to align your brand with trusted consumer brands. Read more here. Our next few blog posts will capture the stories behind forward-thinking retail brand partners and how they’re making a difference. We also hope these stories make you smile. Skullcandy® The Skullcandy® upcycling program refurbishes returned or damaged products to increase product lifespan and reduce the circulation of new raw materials. A portion of proceeds from every upcycled products is donated to Protect Our Winters, a nonprofit focused on climate advocacy. American Giant™ American Giant™ makes clothes in the United States because keeping things local means it can understand the whole supply chain. That supply chain includes the people who touch the product and make it better. In turn, they gain skills and opportunity, and their communities are revitalized. It’s a virtuous cycle of good and humanity. Good & Well Supply Co. Good & Well Supply Co. crafts products that celebrate nature, so it’s no surprise that they advocate for and support public lands by donating two percent of annual revenue to the National Park Foundation and Washington National Park Fund. The brand also advocates for diversity and inclusion in the outdoors through annual donations to Black Outside, Inc., a nonprofit committed to reconnecting black youth to the outdoors. Gregory Gregory has a passion for making rugged outdoor backpacks and duffels, but the brand has other interests too, like inspiring kids to share its love for the outdoors. That’s why it donates backpacks every season to Big City Mountaineers, a nonprofit committed to providing underprivileged children with an opportunity to be connected to and empowered by nature. The brand is also a member of The Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit that pools membership dues from more than 200 companies and brands to support nonprofit organizations working to protect wilderness and waterways for their recreational and habitat values. Welly® On top of making beautifully crafted drinkware that reduces reliance on single-use plastics, Welly® believes that everyone deserves access to clean water. That’s why it donates over 1% of sales to bring clean water to those in need, funding wells and clean water projects in Malawi, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and more. Roots73™ Roots is one of Canada’s most beloved names in outdoor apparel, and for good reason. Over the last two years, the brand has donated $2 million to many well-deserving organizations, including the Black Opportunity Fund and Brands For Canada, a nationally registered charity that supplies clothing, personal care and houseware items to millions of Canadians living in poverty. CamelBak® CamelBak® has a sterling reputation for making some of the best drinkware around, but its sustainability efforts are equally impressive. By 2025, all CamelBak® products will be designed to reduce the company’s climate impact and continue to be made with the safest materials. Thule® Thule® is well-known for making high-quality bags and backpacks that simplify life’s adventures, but the brand is also involved in various projects around the world under the umbrella name Thule Pathos. Its initiatives include helping disabled young people in Sweden to try out new sports, building a bicycle park at an orphanage in El Salvador and supporting school food programs in Nepal. mophie® Most people recognize mophie® as the most trusted name in wireless charging, but the brand aspires to be known for more. That’s why the parent company of mophie® has begun creating sustainable and recyclable packaging as a substitute for plastic. Certified B Corporations In addition to working with tons of socially and environmentally responsible retail brands, we also proudly partner with several Certified B Corporations, which balance purpose and profit, considering their impact on workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. In order to become certified, these companies must meet high standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency on factors ranging from charitable giving to environmental impact and more. We have several partners that are Certified B Corp companies. Ask for those partners! Shop Responsible Retail Brands Great gifts are even better when they come from brands that give back. Earlier this year we discussed the 4 top trends in gifting for 2022 and as you can see from the links in this post, we've been educating you about the benefits of retail brands for years! If you are looking for a specific brand, just enter the name in the search bar on our website. Which brands make you smile?

To launch is to create motion - an action. Every entrepreneur starts with a vision for their company. An initial part of a brand launch includes developing a logo that is the "face" of your business. That face will be part of the actions taken as the business - business cards, website, signs, business forms, clothing & promotional materials. When we create a logo, we create a brand guide which serves as the rules, the gatekeeper for color, font, and placement on promotional materials, making sure your brand is ready for any application. Once your company opens it doors for business, your product choices and visual communications become your brand identity in action, your company voice. Being recognized for your appearance, your voice adds to the credibility & reliability of your message. It also means being consistent and purposeful with your choices. Think of your brand identity this way: your logo is the recognized face of your brand - grabbing attention just like your smile. The engagement created by that introduction allows consumers to stop and learn about your product and services. Social media is like a digital handshake when making connections and developing relationships. Do you have core values we can incorporate into product selection such as sustainability, education, diversity & inclusion , woman owned or supporting those that serve in military? Here's a brand launch case study, with our partner The Chris Murray Team. Creating a simple, clean logo doesn't mean one idea is drawn up and that's it! In fact, take a look at some of the concepts considered by Chris's team before selecting this logo. Here's what their Director of Communications had to say about working with our design & brand team: "The Chris Murray Team has the right partner with the team over at Promotional Partners. Their team is responsive, creative and has the expertise to make light work of our challenges. They captured our vision; creating our logo & brand guide. Then they made sure our style reflected the look & feel our brand. They have been so helpful with the entire process, and we can't wait to continue our partnership with them!" Your printed materials become visual communications. Your business cards, brochures, business forms, checks, stationary, window, wall, floor signage, and display materials are all part of the foundation of your brand message. Unique, memorable, and cohesive graphics when combined with images & messages can evoke a strong, positive feeling about your brand.

DTG! Looking for something new? Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, Digital Direct To Garment is an excellent alternative to screen printing for tees, hoodies and other cotton-fleece styles. The digital-printing technology delivers premium retail quality: crisp, vibrant colors, photo-realistic images and a softer, more natural feel. Retail Look and Feel In addition to producing realistic images and detailed designs, Digital Direct To Garment features a CMYK reproduction process with a range of nearly 400,000 colors, bringing your logo to life with razor-sharp accuracy. Best of all, the imprint is soft to the touch – not hard and scratchy. Long-Lasting Branding Specially formulated textile inks that resist degradation from chemicals often found in laundry detergent, your imprint can withstand scrapes from zippers and buttons. Apparel with Digital Direct To Garment is designed to be worn – without your logo getting worn out. Better for the Planet On top of providing a look and feel you’ll love, Digital Direct To Garment is more environmentally friendly than screen printing. It uses special water-based inks that are OEKO-TEX® and CPSIA-compliant, which means they meet independent standards for sustainability and safety for all ages. The process is also more efficient, using 80% less ink, with not a drop of ink wasted. It generates no wastewater and requires 75% less energy than screen printing – cutting the carbon footprint by 40%. With no setup pieces or material waste, the digital-printing process reduces overproduction significantly. The Best for Your Brand Click here for a closer look at Digital Direct To Garment and why it’s a better choice for branded apparel. It only takes 12 units for an order!

Maybe nothing- stitched up initially for hardworking individuals needing durable clothing this fabric has become the go to staple in the modern wardrobe. In fact, denim might be the new little black dress or black trousers that were the go to item in our closet. Think about it- do you know anyone without a pair of jeans? Regardless of your personal style, there is a pair that's right for your signature look, from bedazzled, to flared, to torn or just basic jeans. Have you heard of a Canadian Tuxedo? It means head to toe denim. Perhaps a little too much enthusiasm for denim. However, watch for more denim in retail fashion, which will filter to corporate branding. What other trends are popular for keeping your team sharp? Athleisure, soft, comfortable clothing that feel cozy is still going strong. While this video was first launched in 2020, these pieces remain popular editions in our showroom. Casual yet upscale for men, check out untucked shirts with jeans & a sport coat when you want to dress up. Spending more on a hoodie that is well made, goes a long way and is one of those kept, worn, and appreciated items in your daily wardrobe. A couple of our favorites American Giant & TenTree, which is also a great segway into sustainability. Right now, clothing with recycled fibers, repurposed water bottles as well as the life cycle of the garment product are hot trends. Brand names continue to be in demand for aligning your brand with quality. Less is more. What’s hot on a hoodie or full zip item? A custom or dynamic graphics. Consider co branding or add an element of surprise to a gift for the workplace. VIPS keep watching for a video snap shot from the showroom featuring new collections.

Have you ever wondered what goes into designing a logo or a custom product? Listening One-on-one time with our talented design team! Crafting a logo is more than selecting colors & fonts. We apply our talents to bring your vision & message into a design that represents your brand identity. Before we can design, we need to get to know you. We offer several design packages for our client's needs from vectoring your current design to developing your logo, brand guide and print colleterial for a cohesive start to your entrepreneurial journey. We make sure your logo is not only visually appealing but also works on your promotional products for marketing & advertising. What are 3 key steps we take in the design process to avoid challenges later? Our team always suggests we view all initial concepts in one color to ensure that you love your logo in the most economical way to print. Adding color makes a logo more exciting visually but adds to cost for some decoration applications. Additionally, we suggest fonts and design elements that will work in smaller imprint spaces. We suggest colors that tend to be stock colors to avoid PMS match charges. Here are some of our most recent logo designs: Featured on this post, our talented lead designer Miranda- who's been designing now for 14 years! Happy Anniversary!

Cooler weather means it's perfect weather to spend outdoors. One in five Americans went camping in 2021, with 8.3 million people doing so for the first time. As camping trips, hikes and picnics continue to increase in popularity, gifts designed for the outdoors are a great way to promote your customer's brands. These four products are perfect for any outdoor activity: Valhalla Copper Vacuum Insulated Camp Mug 14oz With high-performance copper insulation that keeps drinks hot for up to eight hours or cold for 24, you don’t have to worry about your water getting warm or coffee getting cold. Its on-trend powder-spray finish prevents condensation for a no-slip grip, and a push-on lid with slide closure prevents leaks. High Sierra® Oversize Picnic Blanket This comfy 60” x 70” fleece blanket has a durable, water-resistant ripstop lining, pl us a carrying wrap and a handle for portability. Klean Kanteen Eco TKWide 20oz – Twist Cap Made with 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel, this durable drinkware piece is a water bottle, iced coffee mug, and insulated tumbler all in one. Its high-performance insulation helps keep contents cold for up to 59 hours. It includes a leak-resistant twist cap with a built-in reusable straw and a chip-resistant Klean Coat™ powder-coat finish that’s easy to clean. Fanatic Event Folding Chair (300lb Capacity) You’re going to need somewhere comfy to sit, too. This folding chair features built-in cup holders and includes a nifty carrying bag. Want more outdoor favorites? Right this way! Drinkware, outdoor blankets, backpacks, cozy apparel, and more – we have great outdoor gifts in stock for any product category you need. Be sure to view our full selection. Where is your favorite outdoor destination?

Climate change has become quite the hot topic, and we have numerous blog posts around sustainable products and partnerships addressing environmental issues. Many of our partners have modified their factories, shipping procedures and manufacturing processes to reduce their carbon footprint with greener operational practices. The buzz words around green initiatives usually stem from corporate social responsibility (CSR). Examples of promoting eco-friendly solutions and sustainability include: ● Recycling, composting and reducing waste ● Installing automatic or motion-sensor lighting & solar panels, to conserve electricity & use renewable energy ● Going paperless whenever possible ● Encouraging carpooling, remote work and other travel solutions that minimize carbon emissions and fuel costs ● Sourcing materials from eco-friendly, fair-trade companies ● Manufacturing products using recycled/recyclable materials ● Selling products in fully recyclable packaging How can you as the consumer measure a company or product's eco-friendliness? Learn more about what makes our Proud Path partner a go-to source for change in this Environmental & Social Responsibility 101: Terminology Glossary Flyer. Ask us to share product ideas that are making a positive difference, like this bamboo charger! Are you recycling more or making reener choices?

When we hear the word code, we often think of puzzles or computers- but a graphic designer use several different color codes. Each code is specific to the color space, application and process. Frequently our design team will say, the color on your monitor may not look exactly like your PMS reference. Why? Coding! Let's break down the 4 types of codes in graphic design: Hex codes- Web design. A color system used in HTML, CSS, and SVG—working on a project in Canva? Hex codes are what you need! Each hex code refers to a particular color and allows you to collaborate with others on your team to ensure that you are all talking about the same neon yellow. RGB – screens. The full-color spectrum in sunlight breaks down into individual colors (wavelengths). The RGB system uses light to build colors. RGB values refer to the intensity of red, green, and blue light needed to create a specific color. These are references used for digital displays. CMYK – offset printing & digital printing. RGB uses light to create color. CMYK, however, is the process of printing small dots of colored ink on a white piece of paper to create an image. What combination of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (K) ink creates a specific color? CMYK values represent the individual percentage of each color ink that makes the specific color combination (they add up to 100). These are color codes used in printing on paper with a printer. Pantone- referred to as a PMS color, is a lot like mixing a paint color. PMS colors are specifically mixed from an extended range of color inks to create one unique color. The clarity, consistency, and brightness of Pantone colors make them ideal for logos and branding. The color reference is unique to your brand identity and should be in your brand guide. How Does Your PMS Color Reference Come Into Decoration? Screen separations for silkscreen printing for example will require spot color, one PMS reference and one screen per color. Your brand guide serves as the rules, the gatekeeper for color, font, placement on promotional materials. Which popular web-based program is not vectored? Read more here.

Having an artistic eye can be developed, but let's face it some individuals are just born to be an artist. Drawing with a pencil is different than the training required to master all the tools in vectored based programs; learning the software takes both time & training. Luckily, there are app's, software programs and template based websites that help channel the inner artist in all of us. Two popular programs for graphics are Canva and Adobe Photoshop. Both are a great resource to quickly make flyers, graphics, and even logo designs. However those quick tools create challenges for imprinting on products and have limitations when translating into print; especially larger formats. Why? Neither program is vectored based, which means graphics will become pixelated in larger format printing. What is vector based? Perks? Trendy fonts and templates. Fun Quick Easy to use- a great start for aspiring graphic designers. When you are ready to develop a brand identity, a trained & skilled artist can not only develop the logo, but create a brand guide & style guide to help guide your decisions. Once your brand guide & style guide are in place, your ready to build a persona. Imagine your ideal target market sitting in front of you. What do they buy, what behaviors to they exhibit, what’s important to them? Defining your target market as a person makes it easier to identity the types of products that should be part of a campaign. That's why have our downtown space- for collaboration!

Looking for a way to unify your team for a breast cancer walk? When you think of bandanas, if you only think of cowboys & western movies you are missing out on a low cost product with a HUGE imprint area! The entire surface is literally a blank canvas for creative marketing campaigns & talented graphic designers. Instead of adding a logo to a pink product in October, utilize the large imprint area for: A unity bandanna for a night walk, run or marathon Include a course map prior to the event & showcase sponsors Create a custom color me bandana to keep the kids busy Provide messages about self check, with a map to locals around your area for screening. Add signatures or inspirational messages from survivors Fall is also associated with back to school, hiking to see fall foliage, Friday night football games - bandanas are perfect for: Spirit Glow in the dark for evening events like camping or stargazing Add a map for the conference, convention or parking map, include QR codes to sponsors Tour the campus, let kids color in the experience Show the best trail to take for fall colors Add safety tips or other instructional information Send employee on a themed team building scavenger hunt Don't forget our four legged friends! This is an exciting edge to edge print medium just waiting for some imagination - which makes it perfect for our quirky enough to work series, graphically speaking, USA Made and low cost high impact series of stories on our blog. Take a look at the 2022 digital catalog here. Inspired to start the creative process? Throughout the months of September & October, orders with bandanas will donate $15 to our 2022 Cares Program because this creative medium aligns with why investing in education is so important; elevating your opportunities.