Spring forward! Did you know the slinky, yep that spring toy, was developed after a random spring fell off a shelf with a flexible & entertaining fall? Put a little spring in your next promotion by reminding your vertical markets that you've got a fun & creative side. Which is quirky enough idea to work. Introducing new ideas is the ultimate pairing to the metaphor of spring. After-all Spring is also associated with renewal & refresh; which is a perfect segway to care culture ideas that offer comfort, balance & a focus on health. Purpose driven partnerships such as the brands we featured last week in our work-life balance post offer solutions for individuals while partnering to solve global issues. Read more here about those partnerships. Explore how a trends & the modern workplace are changing our perspective on life! Are you ready to unite the space between work & play? Find balance - seek products that bridge the space between work & leisure. Smart marketing meets the consumer within a narrative that connects to their values & interests. We curate the collections that will turn heads & invite connection & engagement. Take a look at the latest trends for spring & summer 2023 here. What do you enjoy most in your leisure time?

Behind every great promotion should be a story- something to lure you into the brand message and encourage you to be part of the purpose & potential behind that brand. Visually storytelling has become easier over the past 16 years because so many products can easily be made custom in smaller, affordable quantities there is really no reason not to embrace our local advantage of graphic assistance and create something fun & unique. Today we'd like to explore some popular products that are a perfect canvas for custom work. Keep in mind when it comes to custom, everything we offer is not on the website. The website intentionally has no shopping cart, so we can determine through our collaborations which products and decoration methods are best for your campaign. Bucket Caps- summer is coming, popular head-wear here. Head-wear is a smart choice for branding, we've outlined the reasons in this post. Cross Body Bags-are hot! Not your average fanny pack, instead fashion meets the fanny pack & delivers on utility and style. Here are some of our favorites. Patches- woven, leather or 3D rubber, there is no denying this is hot. Not all of our options, as with every product category, are on the website. Pins- put a pin in it. Metal, silicone, wooden and digital just to name a few. Stickers- domed, dimensional, special effects Knits- aka; woven products like socks, scarves, beanies are high impact and uni-fit! Shoes - not gonna lie, custom shoes rock! Towels - summer is heating up- own some prime real estate Challenge Coins - not just for military and first responders. Ask us for case studies from our custom work! Packaging- long before kits were popular we were creating and designing innovative, captivating packages. It's one of our favorite applications. Let's design. If you are one of our clients, your April newsletter has strategies around each of these popular trends to expand the reach and story behind your message. After-all marketing assistance is one of your many value add perks to our partnership.

Golf's been played since the 15th century and no doubt the puns have been part of the game. While a pun might not be your cup of TEE, these innovative golf tools will be helpful on the course. Keep your brand in sight and inspire conversation based on function, design and ease of play. Our partners at Pitchfix introduced the aquabrush, a handy brush that also sprays out water first to properly clean your club. Check out more Pitchfix products here. Our partners at Skinny Golf have some magnetic solutions. Looking for some woman-owned golf products for the links? Swig Life Golf is the PARfect solution.

We love creative partners. Life's too short to create average promotional campaigns. Owning the landscape of your vertical markets requires smart ideas that are useful and sometimes just fun! There are many times we think a meeting could have been an email. As an artist team, we gravitate towards products that infuse color, custom elements and of course strong visuals. Rather than a long post about how much we love partnering with this USA Made recognition partner, that handcrafts designs with us, instead we suggest you take a look these images. If the back story of our partnership seems interesting- ask us for case studies or use your local advantage and visit our showroom to see & feel the quality of these products.

Let's face it items that make traveling easier- we are all for it. What types of innovative ideas make perfect canvas's for your brand message? Our recent trip to Nashville, of course our plane tickets were on our phone. Juggling your bag and personal items, while holding your phone- a Nuckle Buckle™ would have been handy. It's a collapsible cell phone grip & stand, patent pending exclusive, that's a slim phone grip. It's adjustable from the top or the bottom, so getting a quick grip is simple. This product offers full color imprint space. It works with wireless charging devices & it has an adhesive strip that adheres to all phone cases. How about that carry on bag, would you like a solution that's adaptable? The Rollink bag is your solution. Rollink collapsible suitcases are designed to become your favorite travel companion, ready for a new adventure at a moment’s notice. They give you as much space as you need, when you need it, keeping you organized along the way. Rollink is 75% thinner than an average suitcase, making it four times more efficient to transport and store. Designed with convenient storage in mind, simply slim your suitcase down to its shell, slide it away under your bed or hang it in your closet until adventure calls. Durable, impact- and water-resistant shell, and premium materials ensure longevity, keeping Rollink suitcases away from landfills. Customize with your company logo for an idea recognition, holiday, or milestone gift! When you’re ready to go, Rollink will be too. Sometimes bags must be checked. A luggage strap keeps the contents safe and makes your bag easy to identify at the airport baggage claim. The full color decoration insures your logo is seen as intended. Don't forget the bag tag for extra security with our NC partner, who produced these tags for our partner at CW22. Did you noticed we highlighted key words? When crafting a campaign with a specific message, tie in the properties of the product for more message retention.

Finding work- life balance is a growing trend. However balance for each of us is different. Finding balance happens in different ways, from the yoga mat to some well-earned "alone time" at home. The "Care Culture" trend reflects a renewed focus on mental and physical health. Care extends to self care, and encompasses care for another. For some, it's not getting away from work as much as the flexibility to change your venue. If you enjoy camping, hiking, fishing or sandy beaches, you know that access to power in more remote locations can be - well, spotty. BioLite offers solutions. March 22nd- is World Water Day, a day established to highlight the importance of fresh water. Access to fresh water helps prevent disease. We've been featuring stories about: Brands recycle water bottles that are diverted from our oceans Brands that support global clean water initiatives and women owned brands Brands like Hilana, that reduce water waste & create cozy, comfy sustainable blankets Stories with a purpose partnership have been regular features in our blog for several years. A local advantage to our partnership is taking the story a step further by collaborating with our marketing team in our showroom location. Compare purpose driven products and learn more about why these brands should be part of your branding efforts. Take a look at the latest trends for spring & summer 2023 in upcoming posts this month.

Innovation occurs when a solution is necessary. Brock and Mitch are brothers from a tiny farm town called Newton, Illinois and in 2020, who decided to end their frustration of switching between beverage insulators based on the size & shape of the can. That's the simple story of innovation that led to Frost Buddy - a universal insulated beverage solution. What started as a way to solve the challenge between the size and shape of the cans has grown to include tumblers that hold most plastic take out cups too! By now you should know how much we like word play. A product like this is perfect for associating your services if you are: solutions oriented, an innovative thinker or adaptable. This type of product also could be a good fit for DEI goals- it's inclusive. Sometimes a simple idea can become a huge solution. Check out the entire line here.

Casual comfort and sustainability are no longer just trends – they’re the new norm. Formal workplace dress codes are on the way out. Suits & ties are replaced with comfortable apparel that has a relaxed, yet professional style. This trend is called “work-leisure,” and it’s here to stay. From the office to the grocery store to relaxing at home, these new tees, knit layers and versatile outerwear are on-trend and super comfy. Even stronger is the demand for fabrics made with recycled materials, making them a sustainable gift you can feel good about giving. Through our partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of sales are donated to environmental nonprofits! Let's take a look at some of these popular cross over styles: Darnell Eco Knit Full Zip Stylish enough for the office, cozy enough for the couch. This crazy-soft full zip features two-layer bonded construction for extra warmth, plus zippered pockets for keys or a wallet. Made with recycled polyester, it’s another great addition to our ProudPath collection. Learn more here. The Somoto Eco Collection The softest tee in your wardrobe, plus it combines that same feel in a polo! Give your branding a premium retail look and feel with our new Digital Direct To Garment decoration. Lefroy Eco Softshell Jacket Water-resistant, breathable and lightweight – the Lefroy is the perfect jacket for chilly or rainy weather and it’s made with recycled fabric, so it’s as sustainable as it is stylish! The tentree collection Made with recycled polyester, super-soft and with one purchased 10 trees are planted. There is a trackable tree code on each hang tag, you can see the good you’re doing in real time! This space-dye hoodie is one of Olivia's favorite! A ProudPath™ partner and Certified B Corp, tentree is all-in on environmental and social responsibility. As we can see from the weather this week- spring still has some chill in the air. Early & late walks at the beach or mountains are also perfect for these cozy products. Remember it's work-lesiure, not only for comfort at work or at home, but the ability to fluidly go between everyday life! Our showroom advantage is access to samples!

Clean-living, we are not talking about your health. Instead we are discussing clean spaces. Modern homes are often clutter free & integrate the latest technology into the home. After-all, life is about living. The more spaces reflect your style and become functional to your routines- the better. Have you heard of Courant? Superior in quality and speed, Courant products are re-designing the charging experience where luxurious materials meet cutting-edge technology. Their beautiful tech products are built for everyday life at home, on-the-go and in the places between. Seamless Integration Their simple user-experience and product forms are designed to equip each room of your home with effortless charging. Courant replaces cables tucked in couches and draped across tables with beautiful wireless solutions built around your charging needs as you move throughout the home. Design Courant partners with with leading hand crafter's to create signature materials, including handmade leather from the west coast of Italy like Santa Croce in Tuscany, known for supplying the fashion industries most coveted designer labels, or Verona, trusted for its high-end interior applications for decades. Ready for some clean lines in your home environment? Shop the brand here.

March is associated with spring forward, flowering trees that remind us of nature's beauty, growth and the beginning of something new. We all start with small steps that grow into large shoes to fill- and somewhere along our path, we start to think about the impact of our choices in life. The decisions we make and the impact on others is part of what's behind the growing number of businesses that are now B Corps. March is B Corp month- but what is the movement all about? It's a global initiative. A collective of people & businesses pursuing business differently- seeking to make an impact on the planet & people. Thinking differently about how they run their business, to offer a broader impact; focusing on more than just being profitable. Who are some of our B Corp partners and the stories behind those brands? These 5 brands are part of the ProudPath collection of brands. Partners that are re thinking how we look at paper & wood products- such as Karst & forestry Energy partners with solar lighting A woman- owned company upcycling & recycling cotton & saving water Addressing poverty and celebrating what makes us unique, with this brand Bee's wax solutions that also help end poverty and eradicate hunger worldwide. This line has so many feel good, useful product solutions- with full color decoration. Take a look here. What are your thoughts on these B Corp companies initiatives?

Are you a fan of chocolate? Our partners at Maple Ridge Farms have all the treats you will be craving, including chocolate. They've done the research, discovering that chocolate is more than just a sweet treat—it can be transcendent. As a fan, I had to keep reading. Take a look at the evidence to prove it! From Cinnamon Churro Toffee, to Olivia's favorite the English Butter Toffee- there is always something to delight the palette with this partner. Miranda is a fan of the chocolate covered almonds - and we will look forward to our team taste testing an upcoming show to determine which flavors are a hit with Sherri & Isabel. This video captures some of our favorite options for chocolate treats. Lets face it - emotions are powerful and chocolate evokes emotion. What's the potential of the emotional connection your brand will make with recipients just by sharing the power of chocolate? Besides, there are at least 8 compelling reasons that food makes the perfect gift. Take a look at the full line here. Not sure which treat to include? Not a problem. We can build a custom kit with more than one selection, add something tangible to use later, insert a custom card or product from your inventory to enhance the presentation factor. We love the creative aspect of this type of campaign.

Are you a numbers, data and facts person? Partnering for corporate responsibility matters more than ever. Stories like Allmade, more than just a tee shirt. When you want to know the full story, rest assured we have the data. One of the perks of vetting out the best of the best for partners is transparency & communication. Our partners have a types of reports we can share with you. In this post, we share data direct from our wearable partner Sanmar, who's tagline is Together, For Good. For 51 years, Sanmar has been know for excellence- in quality, innovation mind set and responsibility. They know that blank apparel is more than a blank canvas for decoration. In the right hands, it's also a canvas for good. This partner deliver on an expansive line, with thousands of products, over 34 major brands and a philosophy "that a t-shirt is more than just a shirt- it is a canvas for good." Let's break down what it means to provide a canvas for good. They state: As a premier supplier of imprint-able apparel, we understand our role in the industry and the responsibilities that come with it. By keeping the following three key items at the forefront of all our decisions, we strive to be a catalyst for positive change everywhere we do business. People: We know our choices can make a difference and positively impact lives. Whether at one of our distribution centers, home office, or one of our supply chain partners, people are at the heart of everything we do. Planet: When it comes to making a difference to our planet, SanMar is committed to being a good steward of the environment, which starts by looking inward. We regularly evaluate our operations to assess our performance in terms of energy use and emissions, water use and waste reduction. Product: The journey of creating products with positive impact means looking closer at how they are made. We recognize that the choices we make, from design to development, sourcing to manufacturing, can lead to good things when done right. SanMar’s Science-Based Target SanMar has set an ambitious, company-wide target to cut carbon emissions in line with climate science. They are the first supplier in our industry to have an approved science-based target to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Additionally they are committed to reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50% per pound of product by 2030 from a 2019 base year. If you are into numbers, ask us to provide the full report and science behind this goals. Why are these initiatives important to SanMar? The largest share of emissions are generated in the supply chain from raw materials and the manufacturing in the production of apparel products. By working to reduce the impact of products & changing operational procedures they are part of combating climate change. Do you know what else is great about this partner? Their products are perfect for all types of decoration- including DTG, which is a smart environmental choice and embroidery!