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.

Changing our behaviors & habits can have a huge impact. Yet. figuring out whether a certain business or product is sustainable can be overwhelming. It’s such a broad term that means different things to different people – and that doesn’t even get into the so-called “greenwashing” that runs rampant with marketers trying to piggyback on green goodwill with shoppers. To make the task a bit easier, we compiled this list of sustainable labels and certifications, and while not exhaustive, it explains the more common ones related to various sustainability concerns. 1% for the Planet This nonprofit was created by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, as a way to fund diverse environmental organizations. Business members join the network and commit to donating the equivalent of 1% of gross sales – combining monetary, in-kind and approved promotional support – directly to environmental nonprofits. 1% for the Planet certifies member donations, reviewing and confirming sales and donation details annually. So far, members have invested more than $350 million toward environmental causes. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) This is a membership organization, representing more than 250,000 businesses. It advocates for solutions that support an equitable, regenerative and just economy that benefits the people and planet. The ASBN was formed by the merger of the American Sustainable Business Council and Social Venture Circle, which became effective Jan. 1, 2022. B Corp A company that receives this official certification undergoes a lengthy audit process where the nonprofit B Lab scrutinizes its legal structure, supply chain practices, philanthropy, customer relations, and employee engagement. To achieve certification, companies must achieve a “B Impact Assessment Score of 80 or above” and pass a risk review, demonstrating high social and environmental performance. Certified businesses also must make a legal commitment to change their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and exhibit transparency by allowing their performance to be measured against B Lab’s standards, as well as be publicly available on their B Corp profile. Better Buying The Better Buying Institute created a rating system that allows suppliers to communicate with their buyers about purchasing practices that work well and ones that need improvement. The institute examines seven key categories of purchasing practices that could affect the supplier’s ability to work efficiently while providing a safe work environment. Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Better Cotton is the largest cotton sustainability program in the world, with more than 2,100 members. Better Cotton-licensed farmers produce cotton in a way that cares for the environment, minimizing the negative effects of fertilizer and pesticides and caring for water, soil health, and natural habitats. Now you know a little more about some of the organizations and certifications that work to advance sustainable options.

Our Eco-dictionary journey takes us to the letters O, P and R. A common thread between all of these letters is a commitment to the environment. OEKO-TEX A group of 17 independent research and test institutes in Europe and Japan is responsible for the joint development of test methods and limit values to create the OEKO-TEX standards. It offers a number of labels that show textiles have been tested for harmful substances and have been made with socially responsible and ecologically friendly processes. One Tree Planted This nonprofit partners with reforestation organizations across the globe. For each dollar donated, one tree is planted. Since 2014, it has planted over 40 million trees in more than 43 countries. It's also an organization embraced by our partners. We've created some fun, custom pieces that also planted trees! Read more here. Plastic Pollution Coalition This global alliance of more than 1,200 organizations, businesses and thought leaders in 75 countries works to rid the world of plastic pollution and its impact on humans, animals, waterways, oceans and the environment. It’s a project of nonprofit Earth Island Institute. Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) This is a relatively new certification for food, textiles and personal-care ingredients, overseen by the nonprofit Regenerative Organic Alliance, which was founded by Patagonia, Dr. Bronner’s and Rodale Institute. It requires farming communities to meet a variety of criteria that prioritize soil health, animal welfare and the social well-being of farmers and farm-workers. Even wooden badges that plant trees, yes really! Read more here.

Today we are focusing on the P-S terms around sustainability efforts. Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) - a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. Many of these chemicals don’t break down in the environment, instead building up in wildlife habitats and waterways. Exposure to high levels of PFCs may adversely affect growth, development and reproduction, and injure the liver, according to the CDC. PFCs are often used in durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings on various performance fabrics, giving them water- and stain-resistant properties, although brands have recently been developing alternative DWR apparel in response to health and environmental concerns. Plant-Based Plastic - a type of bioplastic created from agricultural scraps, such as corn, sugarcane, wheat or food waste. Some bioplastics are biodegradable and compostable, but environmentalists caution that they’re not as green as they seem. Post-Consumer Recycling - reprocessing items previously used by a consumer into a new product, like cans and water bottles. Pre-Consumer Recycling - material that has never reached the end-user and is diverted from a landfill during the manufacturing process. For example, cotton scraps are gathered from the cutting-room floor and re-spun into yarn to make new fabric. Recyclable - an item that is able to be made into a new product after use. Reforestation - the act of replanting trees in areas that have been affected by natural disturbances like wildfires and drought, as well as unnatural disturbances such as logging, mining and development. Replanting forests can help to mitigate climate change. Regenerative Agriculture - a holistic approach to farming and cultivation that focuses on interconnection and the ecological system as a whole, with the goal of improving the environment by increasing things like soil fertility and biodiversity, while improving water quality and quantity. Social Enterprise - a business that aims to make a profit while working to change the world for the better. Sustainability - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. It’s often broken down into three pillars: environmental, economic and social. Which letters in the Eco-alphabet surprised you?

The words, formula one are associated with excellence. Our team works together to maintain high standards for your brand. Creating conversation that keeps your brand remembered , is part of our formula for you. Along our 16 years, we've jumped into programs & partnered with organizations that value the pursuit of education, like our industry certification programs. Relationships matter. Whether it's investing time in the community that also supports your business or whether it's just getting to know your neighbors. Everyone has a back story, how much do you know about our owner Olivia? She has been actively serving in the community since day one of Promotional Partners. Check out her profile for the full story. Through a pursuit of service, she's met some amazing individuals and our company has been honored to be a recipient of some notable awards. Locally Apex Chamber Small Business of the Year Town of Apex, Think Apex Award recipient Triangle Women in Business Award Recipient - TBJ Industry Awards PPAI Silver Pyramid Award Even though Olivia is the face of our business, she would be the first to tell you that no team functions alone. It's working in tandem, with shared goals & vision. Together, we will explore ways to keep driving for excellence for our partners.