DON’T JUST CLEAN HANDS, NOURISH THEM Are you ready for personal care products that combine functional utility with stylish aesthetics, that make up the details of a life well-lived? Noshinku is a brand that exists to keep hands healthy, because they believe healthy hands have the power to change the world. What makes the composition of this brand so special? 70% ETHYL ALCOHOL Distilled from Organic Sugarcane that gently cleans without toxic impurities. Formulation in accordance with FDA guidelines JOJOBA Vitamin E and B-complex protect skin from the elements of daily life. Jojoba oil is nearly identical to the natural oils in skin making it an effective moisturizer. ALOE Soothing anti-inflammatory properties diminish age lines and increase skin elasticity. ROSA CANINA Fatty acids and antioxidants restore dry and damaged skin yet is light enough for daily use. ARGAN Adds an additional layer of intensive moisture to skin that doubles as a natural barrier for long term protection. COCONUT The final step of ongoing skin protection for that provides a barrier to maintain moisture. Is 2023 the right time to slow down and care more about yourself and your skin? Check out these top products.

Should Santa defy Mother Nature? Perhaps not this close to his big day. However, if he is already on the nice list, then the elves made sure he his delivery list would be on Rainis paper. Come rain, snow or sleet, his list will be protected! Have you ever been standing in the rain, trying to write on paper or reading notes on paper only to watch the rain destroy your efforts to read & write? Rite in the Rainis a patented, environmentally responsible, All-Weather Writing Paper that sheds water and enables you to write anywhere, in any weather. Using a pencil or All-Weather Pen,Rite in the Rainensures that your notes survive the rigors of the field, regardless of the conditions. Let's examine the features that make this book special. Wire-O Binding Impact-resistant Wire-O doesn’t get bent out of shape when tossed around in packs or your pocket. Polydura Cover The Polydura cover material creates a tough but flexible outer shell defending your notes from scratches and stains. Rulers & Reference Rulers, conversion charts, and map scales printed on the cover prove handy in the field. Bring on the elements! We've got solutions. Santa could even go somewhere tropical in 2023 and scuba-dive- because his notebook would still allow him to write! Underwater! Who do you partner with that could use one of these notebooks?

If you have thoughts, you’re a thinker. Every human being engages their mind all day, every day. The mind can be exercised and optimized, just like the body, with a few simple tools. That's what Baronfig has to say about - well, thinking! Tools For Thinkers Baronfig is a 100% employee-owned brand founded with a simple mission: to champion thinkers around the world through inspiration and imagination. Talk about being a stakeholder. What are the 3 principals that guide this brand? What's the why behind this brand? Founded on a mission. “To champion thinkers around the world through inspiration and imagination. Throughout our journey in designing products and coming up with creative projects, our mission continues to drive us. It’s the singular rule by which every move we make is measured against." Designed by the community. Baronfig started "as a Kickstarter project based on feedback from hundreds of thinkers around the world. Today they continue this tradition by keeping an open dialogue with what their customers say as a way to continuously evolve." A tree planted for every Confidant sold. Giving back? Yes, they are "dedicated to empowering and inspiring thinkers. This includes a responsibility to leave the earth better than we found it—one tree at a time." What tools do they offer for thinking & branding? Check out this PDF here. What inspires you?

Today is hard candy day - so we thought we would share some benefits of one of the most popular hard candies this time of year- peppermint! Did you know that peppermint is a hybrid of mint? Yep, it's a cross between watermint & spearmint and is indigenous to Europe & the Middle East! Add something unexpected that creates a smile with these ideas! An overlooked, low cost way to add some flavor to stale marketing campaigns- mints! Layer them in your boxes when you ship out orders as a thank you. Hand them out at your Q1 trade-shows & conferences with QR codes on the package. Leave some at the point of purchase in retail & restaurants as appreciation to your loyal customers. Employee programs are built around mental health, wellness and reducing stress. Maybe those programs could include peppermint? Why not include a candy jar for the desk with hard candies or wellness kit. After-all, peppermint has a calming & numbing effect used to treat headaches & skin irritations. It's known to ease anxiety associated with depression and an soothe upset stomach as well as aid in digestion. Really, google it! Cook with it. Crush it up and add as a topping to a warm winter beverage. Cheat and send out some peppermint bark to add to that beverage break instead of cooking yourself. We're not judging. It's mint to be....fun & soothing! Life's too short not to be generate some smiles!

As this year ends, new goals will become part of your 2023 strategic plan. Where will the footprint of your company be seen in the community? How are you celebrating diversity & incorporating unity within your organizations? Does your fundraising need to step up efforts? Kick up your presence at the next run- walk- bike event How about a contest of your own- the winners receive custom shoes Reward & gift top performers or referral partners with the right footwear for their company. Perhaps shoes, socks and other full color wearable products are the perfect way to infuse some fun & show your creative side with captivating graphics on your feet! Image the splash your brand will make pool side this summer during swim team events or as part of a destination themed conference in Q1. Looking for some inspiration? Check out these custom designs. Would you like to win a pair of custom shoes? Today's your lucky day. Bid virtually or walk on over to the Halle in Downtown Apex to win a pair of custom shoes! Plus- your bid will donate money to Western Wake Crisis Ministry!

Innovative partners are our match. We love creative partners that offer the flexibility & depth of material to allow us to design & share your story. Promotional products are so much more than a product. In an experienced hand, they are a canvas & the medium for messages. Journals are more than a place to record notes, they are a place to engage with your thoughts & reflect. Through custom design, a journal becomes an interactive space for the recipient. It's a collaboration between your intended user and what you want to convey that builds the perfect book. It's a bonus that one of our favorite partners is also homegrown- operating here in NC and has been known as “America’s Premier Journal Innovator” for years, winning numerous awards. What types of creative options can this partnership produce? Interactive Custom Journals Creative Eco-friendly Journals ColorMatch Journals Custom Image Journals Creative Accessories Below are images from on our collaboration, with a retiring principal. She frequently referred to the quote inserted in the journal, and wanted to leave a challenge to her staff on an interactive page, with custom bookmarks with the school mascot- the clippers, to guide the journey of their next school year without her. Stay the course!

Tired of struggling to find a perfect match for your brand’s colors? Never being able to get your brand’s color exactly right on your printed products? We have the solution for you! Don’t settle for a close-enough color or compromise for a similar color, make sure you get your perfect match. We can offer that perfect match with our partners, at the NC-founded, USA-made journal company, JournalBooks. JournalBooks offers ColorMatch PolyJournals that are screen printed to match your choice of any PMS color and include a blank or FullColor printed insert as the first page. While a one-color foil imprint comes standard, you don’t have to stop there. JournalBooks takes your design a step further, by raising the bar with their BoostOptions. Add some zest to your custom piece and deliver your message with an out-of-the-box thinking visual aesthetic. You can even add the appearance of texture to your design, in order to capture everything your brand represents. Take a look at this example, which highlights the PMS-color matching and a ripple effect: Bring your brand to the next level with a one-of-a-kind look, that could include the ColorMatch Poly SeminarPad’s screenprint capabilities in a creative way. This eye-catching, burnout effect uses your icon to create a clear space on the front cover, highlighting the dramatic full-color insert placed behind. The brand message is complete with a simple yet strong ColorMatch imprint on the cover and matching wiring. No matter the size, shape, or color, JournalBooks’ ColorMatch PolyJournals series has a book to match your requirements to a T. Take a look at how this hard-to-find purple screenprint was found through PMS-color swatch designs and has been shaped using the whitespace of the clear-poly cover with a blank insert placed directly inside. A 1-color foil imprint in matte black is then added to complete the imagery. Make sure you are representing your brand right, with the perfect ColorMatch!

Don't get caught up in the scramble of words, promote through your image! Your image is the number one visual that people will remember and associate with your brand. So, it is very important to make sure all of your promotional material properly represents this image. Our valued partners at JournalBooks, share in this message and have come up with a wonderful solution to have your image go beyond your imagination. JournalBooks is a North Carolina-based journal company that has USA-made items with a special mission for eco-friendly products. JournalBooks is in agreement that your image should be represented correctly and what better way to do this than to have a book dedicated to your image? The StenoPad ImageBook is a 5 x 7 journal that offers a lot of opportunities to combine print and promotion! Combining printed collateral in promotion is the perfect way to increase distributor opportunities. The StenoPad ImageBook is perfect for human resource training for new hires, the beginning of the school year as a celebratory kick-off to the sports seasons, and even in healthcare to present patients and staff with a journal and pen gift set to introduce new health initiatives. No matter what your business is, the StenoPad ImageBook can see to it that your image is properly represented with a lot of different customizable options. For instance, customize your StenoPad ImageBook by laminating the full-color cover to a paperboard that matches the back cover, or add a full-color tear-away business card insert to maximize your brand’s message. The customization doesn’t have to stop at the cover either. We can create a lasting impact for your brand by repeating your message, trademark, or logo on the filler pages. With the Custom Common Filler option, you can have your own mark printed on every page to create a truly custom effect.

Elevate your promotions with the proper accessories! Promoting your brand is a fundamental step in ensuring that your message is remembered and heard by as many people as possible. But why stop at the basics? Our partner, JournalBooks, an NC-founded company, considers all of the ways your custom journal can represent your brand through many different fun and exciting accessories to go with the journal. The success of your promotional book lies in the unique details that make it memorable. Add another reason to pick up your books again and again. Why not slip your logo in between the pages of your journal with an imprinted bookmark? Make your logo stand out with a unique bookmark to go with your standout journal. The Clip-In Marker/Ruler Bookmark clips into the journal spine and can be customizable to fit your brand's image. The accessories don’t have to stand out from the rest of the journal too much. In fact, they can be built right into the journal itself. The Custom Die-cut offers a variety of possibilities to show off your image in a new, innovative way. Going along with the journal itself being elevated to the next level, have your brand shape the journal itself. A Custom Shape Journal takes your creativity to the next level, as it is possible to cut your actual journal into a custom shape.

In a digital age greeting cards are not always the way we communicate. However December is still a popular month to send a physical card or letter. Among the stack of bills and solicitations, or this year campaign materials, it's nice to receive something personal. Taking time to send a message of cheer or sharing news about what's new in your life is special when it's in writing. By writing, we take time to stop and think for a moment about word choice and our message. Today is National Letter Writing Day! Let's explore some ways writing should become part of your marketing efforts. Conveying a story- new service or product within your business. Updating your paper communications- to make sure your stationary, forms, cards and envelopes reflect your current brand message; the color, font and style. Selecting a unique time of year to send a greeting- Thanksgiving, birthday, anniversary of your first order, etc. Not only will your greeting not be lost in the shuffle, but it's more manageable, personal and will stand out to the recipient. Call to action- with purpose. Would you like someone to attend a conference or stop by your booth at an expo? Send them a card- but not just any card. Consider the adaptability of seed paper, which once it's read can be crushed up, planted and will grow a plant! Combining the popularity of kitting- add a tangible to your message. Integrate technology with print and video. Keep in mind that while there are stock options, when it comes to creating mail, that's an area we can apply our graphic expertise. In the graphic studio, we have paper samples and examples to make planning simple. Our team will create something creative and custom to your needs.

Travel is back- for leisure and destination events. As we rapidly approach 2023 many of our partners have started planning for Q1 Trade-shows, conferences, sales kick off meeting, seminar training and special events. Standing out visually requires stunning graphics & product selection that works well for all of your types of venues. The showroom space, and now our expanded graphic studio, provide you a place to meet one on one with our team to compare product options and start the design process. While technology is amazing, designing is often quicker & easier in person. We can quickly show you some design elements, fonts and discuss your vision to quickly capture your preferences before starting the project. Our talented design team is ready for any challenge & our 15 years of experience will be an asset in the design, product selection and planning for your next visual communication. Ask to share from our case study library or send you links to new products. We also have a virtual showroom to see the size and scale of product next to other products here. What types of events are you attending in Q1?

It's not too late to get those signature gifts in the hands of employees or top referral partners. What gifts are popular this season? What brands? Sony with great sound Klean Hydro Flask As we head into the home stretch for 4th quarter- guess what, we still have quick turn options! We placed a blanket order for a client earlier this week & it arrived days later! What's trending? Brand names for the durability, value and performance. Brand names, are trusted and kept- increasing your brand exposure. Brands with purpose- giving back, aligned with social or environmental issues, such as Proud Path, supporting often underutilized businesses- such as woman-owned as well as brands that give back to make a difference. Explore 4 popular trends here. From cool gifts, to gifts for any budget. We have "the goods". Need the ease of distribution? Ask us about perfectly packaged options ready to kit and go! The shipping to the unboxing experience made super easy- no waiting in line no wrapping necessary! Ready to start shopping? Here is a curated site of product ideas, just for you!