Earth Day is right around the corner, which reminds us how important it is to do our part for the planet. Efforts don't stop after April 22 – sustainability is important year-round. Whether it’s planting trees, taking time to clean up litter or switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, there are plenty of ways to go green. We have partners with a huge selection of sustainable products that also contribute to 1% For The Planet, meaning one percent of sales are donated to environmental nonprofits. What are some easy ways to recycle plastic for good or reuse products rather than relying on disposable plastics? Here are five great gifts that embrace change: REPREVE® Ocean 12 Can Tote Cooler | 3900-10 Warm weather calls for cold drinks. This trendy tote cooler is made with recycled ocean-bound plastic retrieved from coastlines around the world, so it’s as sustainable as it is stylish. There is room for 12 cans, it’s perfect for pool parties, picnics or days at the beach. Would you like to try one out? You could win one for yourself on Apex's 1st Annual EarthFest Day. Click here to find out how to win! CamelBak® Eddy®+ 25oz Bottle Tritan™ Renew | 1627-33 Get out and enjoy Mother Nature with this shatter-, stain- and odor-resistant bottle made with Tritan™ Renew, a durable new material consisting of 50% recycled content. Featuring a screw-on lid and bite valve, the Eddy®+ lets you enjoy spill-proof sipping at work or on the trail. The one-finger carry handle makes it easy to take with you anywhere! Bamboo Fiber Cutlery Set | 1033-94 With more and more people bringing lunch to work, reusable utensils are a great substitute for disposable plastic cutlery. This eco-friendly bamboo fiber set includes a fork, spoon and knife – plus a stylish carrying case. Bamboo Wireless Charging Desk Clock | 7143-07 Made with sustainable bamboo fiber, this desktop clock is an eco-friendly addition to any home or office. With a built-in 5W wireless charging pad on top and a display that shows the time and temperature, it’s a gift anyone will love. Even better, it comes in an FSC®-certified premium gift box. Kyes Eco Packable Insulated Jacket | TM19654/TM99654 Your best go-to jacket on chilly spring mornings - made with 52% recycled nylon, the Kyes is wind- and water-resistant, with elasticized cuffs to help keep cold air out. On top of providing lightweight warmth and protection in rainy weather, it can be packed away into the included stuff sack, which doubles as a travel pillow. A No Contact Keychain is built into a zippered pocket, allowing you to use door handles, ATM keypads, and elevator buttons without touching them. More Earth Day Favorites: Sustainable bags, drinkware, tech accessories and more – ask about our full collection of eco-friendly products! Visit our showroom to checkout some of our favorites.

Bamboo! In fact, it is the fastest growing plant on earth. Some species of bamboo can grow more than 1 meter per day, which is about 4 cm per hour. No other plant grows faster. It's also a popular item in the home right now, which makes it a smart choice for connecting to consumers in their home & leisure routine. Recently our team had an opportunity to review some new products made from bamboo and well, they were a hit with all of us! Since these were from our partner, Hit Promotions, we thought we'd share their page rather than our website page. Which products were our favorites? A cheese serving board Soy Candle, bamboo lid Wireless charging tray Stylish container Portable wine carrier and serving tray Kitchen scrubber These are the products you've been looking for to grow your brand! What do you think of bamboo products?

Sure! Combine beeswax and favorable smooth lip balm inside a tube made from potato resin and well, that's non-fat flavor, right? After all-french fries are not the only use for a potato! Besides-this is definitely quirky enough to work for your brand! Sustainabalm is kind to the planet and lips alike. This high-quality lip balm is made with sustainable and responsibly sourced materials, all housed in sustainable packaging made from recycled post-consumer plastic and potato bio-resin! We like to BEE Community Focused! Local & Global! Was this post a surprise in our quirky enough to work series?

The health of the planet is a big, complex challenge. The urgency of that challenge can be summed up in one simple statement: There is no Planet B. It’ll take all of us to make a difference. From conserving natural resources and cutting carbon emissions to reducing waste through recycling efforts, the collective efforts of governments, the private sector and everyday individuals will be needed to ensure a sustainable future for generations to follow. Today is International Day of the Forests, so let's explore how we can partner to save our forests. New Milestone - Ongoing Commitment. We have strong partnerships with leaders in our industry committed to doing their part – a commitment that goes beyond offering the largest assortment of eco-friendly and sustainable gifts. Recently, two additional U.S. facilities locations earned certification from the Forest Stewardship Council®, the world’s most trusted organization for sustainable forest management - including a Charlotte location. The FSC® Chain-Of-Custody certification traces the path of FSC®-certified products from forests through the supply chain, verifying that FSC®-certified material is identified or kept separated from non-certified material. What this means for you? The Chain-Of-Custody process ensures you and your recipients that the FSC®-certified products you buy from us are from responsibly managed forests. 3 Things To Know About FSC®: 1. FSC® ensures forests are managed responsibly so society can continue to use timber, paper and packaging. 2. FSC® strictly limits clearcutting and requires buffers along streams to protect wildlife habitats. 3. FSC® forests store more carbon than traditionally managed forests. To learn more about how FSC® is creating a legacy of healthy forests for future generations, go to fsc.org. Ready to shop FSC products? Check out this link to our website. Learn about more products that are making a difference here.

You've heard it said that April Showers bring May flowers- so we thought it would be fun for our first shower of the month to offer you this quirky enough to work item, a seed depth bottle opener planter. Say that product description 5 times fast! What makes this quirky too both functional & fun? The dual purpose. It's just the tool you need to ensure your gardening efforts don't go to waste. Once your seeds are properly in place, you can use it to crack open a refreshing cold drink. This is perfect for handing out at earth day events, tradeshows, new hires or even a conference. We also like the marketing story. The product is a call to action, encouraging the recipient to plant seeds for the future. This month each of our featured April Shower products will also be part of our Cares Program to contribute to the Wake Tech Foundation. Investing in education is the first step to a successful future. You might even say it's a growing a greener future- now that's a thumbs up! How has Wake Tech Foundation been growing financial investments into bright futures for their students? Read the impact story here. By the way, do you have a green thumb?

Local elections are ramping up, which means signs, buttons, stickers and more dotting our visual landscape. Over the past 14 years, we have printed everything from yard signs, rack cards, brochures, pamphlets to all things swag for local candidates. Here are five design factors we consider when creating custom logos or designing signage: 1. Focus on the Candidate’s Name and Position The two most important parts of a political sign are the name of the candidate and the position they are running for. Be sure to make both prominent with a simplistic, large font that can be easily read from a distance. 2. Keep the Content Minimal To ensure that the name of the candidate, office position, and slogan stick out, we recommend keeping all other content including graphics to a minimum. The goal of the sign is to quickly grab the attention of voters. Too much clutter will only muddy the point you’re trying to convey. 3. Add Your Slogan to Larger Signs The campaign slogan relays what a candidate stands for and what they promise to do if elected. Large political signs like banners give candidates the opportunity to share this information with voters. Yard signs tend to be too small for slogans unless it can be summarized into a few words. 4. Don’t Forget Your Website Can’t fit all of your talking points on your political sign? Why not direct voters to your website. Adding a URL and or QR code at the bottom of the sign gives them a way to obtain more information about the candidate and their platform. 5. Choose Font and Color Wisely Most signs capture a viewer’s attention for a quick 4 to 7 seconds, so your sign must not only stand out, but it must be legible. Factors that interfere with readability include the thickness of letters, kerning, white space ratio, color and contrast. Some color combinations can hinder visibility due to a lack of contrast. Choose colors with higher contrast for increased legibility. Some examples of high contrast combinations include black and white, blue and white, and black and yellow. Take a look at some of our design work for candidates and elected officials here - Remember - voting is important. Make your voice heard by voting in local elections; the choices made by your local leaders impact you daily. *Carissa Kohn Johnson's logo & Scott Lassiter's logo were created by Promotional Partners!

Fresh ingredients, homemade recipes and intense flavors remind of us family, friends, trips & different cultures. Cooking is part of our daily routine, so it's a perfect location to add some quality branding products. In a 2021 consumer survey, released PPAI, only 19% of consumers recently received a branded item in the kitchen? Sounds like the kitchen is an opportunity to connect with consumers. Considering in that survey 61% of the respondents could recall the name of advertiser on products they own, this strategy will yield a lot of dough! 75.6% of respondent's kept a product because it was useful. 94% of consumers responded they liked getting free products 50% said they still used promotional products they received 5 years ago. Kitchen items are quirky enough to work because the potential for 5 years of advertising from one product is an amazing return on your investment. Keeping your brand name within reach of your target market is the power behind promotional products- the power of touch. Let's explore some useful items for the kitchen: A quality jar opener An oven mitt Meat thermometer Kitchen scissors Vegetable peeler Spatula Baster Paring Knife What's is a "must have" tool in your kitchen? *Data - PPAI Consumer Report 2021- PPAI; Promotional Products Association International

What's your favorite pass time on a Friday night? For many it's a Movie Night! What's better that the anticipation of relaxing with your favorite movie- being transported from the daily grind & immersed into a story for a couple of hours? Movies can be enjoyed anywhere now thanks to portable projectors. Whether you like home movies, thrillers, mystery, romance or the classics- there are some classic movie pairings that create branding moments. Like what? Popcorn of course! Don't forget the salt or your own special blend of seasoning. Imagine a new homeowner cuddling up under a plush blanket with images of their hometown, family, home or a favorite scenic location. We even have option for an order 1 unit at a time, with no set up fee- which is perfect for an on-demand release program. What will be showing soon in your home? Have some fun with your own light up letter board. We love how our quirky enough to work series highlights smart ideas that will become part of one's daily routine. By the way, what is your favorite type of movie to watch?

As the winter season recedes and spring approaches there is an almost universal need to do some spring cleaning. A fresh-smelling car is always welcome, and these super cost-effective promotional products are the perfect way to drive continuous brand impressions, as they swing with a gentle reminder in the direct line of vision of the driver. What types of consumers appreciate these aromatic items the most? Families with kids involved in sports Those in the workforce in hard labor industries First responders Rescue groups transporting pets and other animals Carpoolers Schools that need ID for picking up students or leaving campus We love it when these quirky ideas "work" for your brand. Check out these air freshener products here. Make spring your opportunity to drive some fresh new brand impressions.

Putting your trust in our team to build and manage your brand is important to our relationship with each of you. Strong bonds and partnership don't happen by accident. Relationships require communication. Relationships need to be nurtured. Relationships need commitment. As a team we invest in our relationship with you by freely & consistently sharing relevant marketing advice on our blog and in your VIP newsletters. We know the creative process is fueled by collaboration and touch, so we invest in your access to products, whether it's brainstorming in the showroom, samples at your location or videos! We know that brand reputation relies on aligning your brand with suppliers that are rigorous in their pursuit of safety and suppliers that add value through their efforts to shape social and environmental change. We've always been your creative, collaborative and certified partner, but we've recently increased the power behind our team. How? By investing in our professional development as a team. While I have been CAS since 2012, our team is now certified!!! A silver lining from the COVID-19 pandemic has been the ability to invest our time in industry education! Why did we invest? Your relationship - you've trusted us as your branding partner! We are committed to our industry We are professionals within 2 international industry associations Personal & team achievement Establishes professional credentials as a company We are dedicated to high standards What have we earned? PPAI program certifications signify professionals, invested in advancing proficiency of promotional products industry concepts and business practices. To become a certified professional, one must earn certification levels through hands on professional development courses, with increased requirements & hours of training, proficiency and industry knowledge necessary to master and earn new levels. Additionally, course work never stops. Requiring additional hours earned to stay certified every 3 years. Arien has earned her TAS - Trained Advertising Specialist Certification, plus she has an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications Miranda has earned her TAS - Trained Advertising Specialist Certification and because she has been in the industry over 3 years ( 12 of our 13 years) she is now working towards her CAS - Certified Advertising Specialist Certification (Update 7/15/2020: Miranda has earned her CAS certification!) Olivia earned her MAS - Master Advertising Specialist Certification, crossing that one off the "to do list". Visionary Assurance, United Purpose - that's Promotional Partners Inc. We hope you like our new tagline!

If you've ever been to an amusement park you know for a premium, you can purchase the ability to reduce your wait time. Besides the increase in price, there are usually allocated times to select and limits to the attractions that are featured with your upgrade. The bottom line, is there are restrictions that must be followed to stand on the platform first. Our industry is no different. We've got options for quick turn projects, but there are restrictions and there will be a premium price. What can we do? We have partners with same day, yes same day service if the order is placed by their designated cut off time. We have partners with complimentary 24 hour rush services. We have suppliers that will provide a rush but the unit cost may go up or their may be a rush fee added. We can upgrade your shipping to overnight red, blue or saver. Those are hard costs, we are not making money off your upgraded shipping needs. We have partners that are located in NC or SC that are one day ship, no need to upgrade to overnight shipping; which adds significantly to your bill. Let's take a look at some of those restrictions: Must be a one color imprint, one location with stock ink colors- no PMS match Must be a qualifying product- not all products can be done on quick turn. Must waive your option to see the supplier proof. Must be produced & shipped in the work week M-F, no weekend work or shipping. Must have the PO entered into the supplier's system by their cut off time. This restriction is tricky, because suppliers vary with the time of day that's required. Must have an art file that is already vectored for us to create a mock up quickly or be willing to use text only or allow us to make modifications to fit within the imprint area. Must have help reviewing the mock up, confirming the quote and providing payment if required before we can submit the order by the deadline. Must be willing to pay more- speed adds costs. About 25% of our orders need some type of speed applied to the order, so rest assured after 12 years of rush orders; we are used to move your order to the front of the line!

An integrated marketing strategy combines multiple channels of communication tools & media to share one's message. Our company advocates the power of tangible touch to target your brand message to your consumer markets, touch is a powerful tactical, sensory influence. How exactly does an image, a sound, a message touch your heart & mind? A campaign that makes us roar like Tony the Tiger or sing the Band-Aid brand jingle so frequently that we assume all bandages are Band-Aids - has made an undeniable impact. Today's marketer has a crowded field of competitors, messages and channels to communicate. Thanks to social media platforms, unless you pin your post at the top of your page - it's constantly rotating new messages. Finding a way to share what makes your brand tick is not merely trying out a tik-tok post; it's about connecting in a way that will invite dialogue. How does our own team approach our marketing challenges? Probably much like your company. We brainstorm & kick around ideas. When it comes to our own marketing efforts, Arien pointed out, "it's harder when you are in it, to see what makes you unique." Sometimes you know yourself so well, your message can become confusing; trying to include too much. Even focusing on details without mass appeal can also dilute your intent. Like our clients, our marketing campaigns start with a concept. Since we are fortunate to have a visual team, we play out how the graphic design will look whenever we toss around an idea. We also apply our punny side to how a product's features can contribute to the message we're seeking to convey. There will be a tangible aspect because it's not just statistical data that proves touch works, it's our own growth over the past 13 years. Like your brand, gaining followers or engagement to our message on social media requires testing content, tracking impressions and considering fresh approaches to ways to communicate. Communication happens when we are able to exchange ideas and inspire discussion; otherwise, we are the only one talking! Luckily for our team, our newest teammate, Arien Harris, decided that becoming a pediatrician was not her career path, so she switched gears and pursued a BS in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing, as well as an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University. Her academic lessons were applied to real-world applications over several internships, which eventually lead her feet to our doorstep- because she loves coffee. However, she stayed because of a culture of "being one's self". Learn more about Arien in our next post!