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The holiday season is quickly approaching and with everyone working from home, employers will have to think a little out of the box - or maybe in the box is where the answers lie. The past two weeks, we have been busy bees with meeting with suppliers and there are a few we're buzzing about! First up, Batch & Bodega. This brand curates small-batch branded items to create an unforgettable gifting experience. Why we love it & why you will too: One-piece minimums 3-day turnaround Customization While we mentioned holidays, Batch & Bodega's kits make a great gift for any occasion: New client/prospective client gift Work Anniversaries Birthdays Bridesmaid/Groomsman "proposal" & more! Scroll through to see the different options or view their catalog here.

Did you know Hanes has a giveback program? Yep, that's right! Hanes4Education. Order printed shirts and earn a cash rebate for a school of your choice! Whether you need shirts for corporate apparel, team uniforms, or community events, you can earn cash for a school of your choosing. Which brands participate? Hanes Champion Alternative Comfortwash Using this program, our clients have been able to look sharp and donate needed funds in schools affected by hurricanes or financial challenges in lower-income areas. If education is part of core values, giving back to schools with your tee shirt purchase makes sense. Each school can earn up to $500 per order and a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year. Hanes4Education began in 2011, and has since gained momentum and has donated more than $1 million to schools across the country as of 2018. Make sure to ask us about this for your next order!

Paper adhesive name tags, re-usable badges or company identification are all staples in the business world. Making introductions or identifying others you'd like to meet shouldn't be as hard as recalling the face of a classmate from your 30 year high school reunion! Paper stickers don't have to be boring labels sold at the office store. In fact, as a team of graphic pro's, we'd love challenges like adding more flare to your stickers with the shape or the graphic. Stickers are also a great way to build up a loyal fan base, which local fire & police departments know will be a hit with kids, bringing a smile to their face! Here's an image from a few years back, as this young man was about to receive one of these sticker badges from the Chief Letteney of the Apex Police Department. What type of options exist besides stickers? Wood, leatherette, and metal name badges are popular options. If you have a large employee base or rotating members of a non-profit board of directors, a badge release program makes identification quick and easy. Learn more about this type of program here and set up a time to visit our showroom to discuss options & compare samples.

As students head back to school, traditional products like journals will help them organize their thoughts and build retention of facts when they can record valuable information in a custom journal! Handing out a pamphlet or brochure is nice but, will it end up in the trash? Students and parents can use an interactive journal for notes and reference information from any location. A Welcome Back journal can be designed to include maps, coupons to local businesses, procedural changes or safety tips, all with full color. Our design team is up for any challenge to make sure the new semester will be as engaging as possible. An easy way to ensure these important messages are being communicated is by adding SmartPicx to an insert! Using a link the SmartPicx watermark can connect to any webpage, allowing the message to expand way beyond the page. Consider out of the box landing pages, such as video links to a welcome back from the school principal or each of their teachers or to spur on some local commerce, watching the local pizza maker toss some dough! That's an idea that will deliver. We have many A list ideas and experience creating interaction with your brand message.

Direct mail is still alive in this digital age. We have the ability to help you create a memorable campaign and partners who will mail them out for you! Talk about a win-win. Here are 12 reasons direct mail isn't dead! 1. Direct mail has a high ROI While email and social media take the first and second spots, direct mail is only trailing social media by 1%. In comparison to paid search and online display, direct mail is holding its own! 2. Direct mail works great with a digital marketing strategy Combining direct mail with a well-thought-out digital marketing strategy increase personability. Ask us how the two can work together! 3. Direct mail can target your audience better than you might think Shocked? Don't be! USPS offers a tool called Every Door Direct Mail that allows you to send mail to consumers in different areas! 4. Direct mail is trackable While the tracking may not be automated, direct mail offers you the ability to provide the consumer with a unique code or number. This approach will allow you to know how a new customer found you! 5. Direct mail is less common Why is this important to consider? Less mail means there is more of a chance for you to stand out! 6. Direct mail has a feeling of romanticism Direct mail has the ability to make consumers feel valued - especially if handwritten. 7. Direct mail is tangible and increases brand awareness How? Direct mail has a higher chance of laying around a home since it's tangible and takes up physical space. Most mail pieces have a coupon attached, which is saved in most cases to use later! 8. Direct mail gets undivided attention Think about it for a minute. When you come across a digital ad, you have multiple tabs open and how often do you really pay attention to the ads on the page? The digital world is crowded. With mail, you're not immediately aware of which is important and which isn't so you look before tossing. 9. Direct mail is for all age groups Generally, when people think of a direct mail piece, they think of targeting older generations. However, you'd be surprised to know that 92% of Millennials are influenced by direct mail pieces? 10. Direct mail is creative With direct mail pieces, the possibilities are endless. It's all about having fun! 11. Direct mail is multi-sensory Unlike with digital marketing, direct mail gives you the opportunity to hit multiple senses. 12. Direct mail is memorable Going back to direct mail being creative, the more creativity you put into the design, the more memorable. A truly memorable and out of the box mail piece will get the consumer wanting to share the marketing genius with their friends! Source

No new news here, Taylor Swift released a secret album and people went nuts. Why are we bringing this up? Well, we're glad you asked. She has one song titled "cardigan" and just so happens to also be selling a branded cardigan on her merch store - not to mention she also wears it toward the end of the music video. Coincidence? Absolutely not. Taylor Swift is a marketing genius. She knows that it's all about timing - releasing an album that coincides with a release of new merchandise. It seems like an obvious move, but it works! Merchandise is a powerful tool for promotion and sales. A well designed, quality apparel item mixed with a well thought out campaign will not only gain the attention of those who receive the item but also gain traction across the internet. The result? More eyes and ears reached! How does this help your brand? Creating a limited edition series of apparel and other items is a way to drive traffic while building brand awareness and loyalty. Generate excitement and boost sales by teasing your upcoming launch to loyal customers. Loyal customers are your brand ambassadors, get them excited and they will have a hard time not telling their friends and family. Want to get them even more involved? Have them vote on a design or ask them if they'd like a particular item you're considering! Too much to talk about creating a limited edition series for your e-commerce store or advertised first to your most loyal customers? What's a easy place to start for custom apparel? Caps! Get a-head of your competition by using your head for a high impression generating promotion using caps! Source

Not all neck gaiters are created equal. You might have seen the WRAL segment regarding neck gaiters. After a Duke study testing various types of face coverings went viral, we were immediately asked- am I safe? Even WRAL is saying- hey, we did not test them all! The researchers at Duke tested 14 types of coverings, from N95s, cloth masks, bandanas and neck gaiters. They used a simple setup that includes a laser, cellphone and box to determine how many respiratory droplets passed through each fabric. The initial study noted that the gaiter the researchers tested proved less effective at helping to curb the spread of the coronavirus than wearing no mask at all. The gaiter they tested was a thin poly-spandex fabric, which does not tell the entire story. In our industry, there is always abundant choice. Often items that appear the same are not equal. The materials used and construction of the product can produce vastly different results. We see quality differences occur frequently, that the average consumer doesn't because we've learned what to compare in the details. Samples are also an important component in comparing new products in the market. We have a lot of masks & gaiters here in our showroom to compare. You might recall our own 24 hour ice test a few years back, when we tested popular Yeti style tumblers to see who performed. We started testing masks and gaiters in March. We performed a “flame test” on a gaiter to show the fabric’s droplet-inhibiting properties as few weeks ago, before Duke's test! Since that test, we learned most tests involve a lit flame 2 feet away, to determine if you can blow out the flame. We were closer and while it was odd to try, you'll hear the giggles, you can see the flame stayed lit. What should you know about gaiters? Gaiters were developed around 10 years ago, in consultation with winter sports enthusiasts. The gaiter design is essentially a long mask, fabric cut a different way to offer protection. Gaiters were designed to be stretchy and long, so they could be pulled up quickly & doubled up for extra protection for outdoor sports. A similar analogy to gaiters construction would be a tote bag. The type of fabric, the grammage, weight or weave will make a huge difference in the strength and durability of a bag. Similarly in a gaiter, there are numerous options in polyester, spandex, Lycra or blend fabrics. Besides the thicknesses and material content, the fit, construction and way the individual wears the gaiter plays a part in effectiveness. We'd also like to stress that looks can be deceiving. In fact, it's the primary reason we have a showroom full of samples to compare. We encourage our clients to meet with us or have us send samples, to compare first hand. Our industry partners would like to see Duke researchers to go back and test a wider variety of the neck bands. We found this study today with a quick internet search. Note: Duke researchers say their study was never meant to be a comprehensive test of all types of masks and the materials they’re made of, rather, to demonstrate how easy it would be to test their effectiveness. WRAL has posted several statements since the initial broadcast around the fact that not all gaiters were tested or ineffective.

Tailgating is a time-honored tradition that hits its peak every fall during the football season. What’s not to love? Food hot off the grill, good-natured jabs at opposing fans and delicious beverages staying chill in Koozie® can koolers – all just a fun warmup for the game itself. Traditional tailgating doesn’t seem likely this year and in many cases, our love of sports will require spectators view from their home or RV! One success story was Penn State's Blue-White Virtual Tailgate, held in April, encouraging fans to interact with their digital channels and show team spirit via a Zoom event. The Big 10 school saw 700 registered tailgates with 8,000 participants socially distanced with 8,812 miles separating them across the globe. Their accompanying social media campaign reached more than 3 million people and got 200,000 social engagements. Traditionally, Americans spend up to $20 billion on tailgating activities annually, so how can we adapt? Bring the Party Home Brands can still connect with the tailgating crowd with smaller, at-home or RV held events, rather than a huge parking lot party. Useful items like a backyard BBQ set, a small-but-mighty Bluetooth® speaker and a multi-function Koozie® Triple Can Kooler are perfect for virtual tailgating now and for when the party moves back to the stadium in the future. Team Up to Help Out Some districts, conferences, and cities are coming together to offer special team-related merchandise with proceeds benefiting those affected by COVID-19. Using a virtual tailgating event to connect supporters of these programs with coaches/athletes and the people they helped is a memorable and meaningful way to bring sports communities together. This approach is a way to demonstrate the value of community and promote the lessons learned regarding the importance of teamwork in sports. Think Outside the End Zone Tailgating is synonymous with football, but going virtual gives different sports the opportunity to “tailgate” too. Brands can host virtual watch parties, working with our design team to create strong visual images to use when promoting in your social media. Encouraging behind the scenes stories to add interest. Like what? Superstitions and game-day rituals revealed would both make great stories. Maybe you've previously worked in a company that encouraged game day gear on Friday to promote interaction among employees. Your virtual wallpaper can now display your spirit! Let's score some points for your brand engagement!

Creating a cohesive presentation can be achieved with some planning. Will your campaign be distributed by sales representatives in the field dropping off kits or part of unique mailer that is powered by your own creative fuel? Our team is always looking for ways to pull your brand message into the product and packaging to increase the impact of your campaign. A call to action is generated when the recipient makes the association between your brand and their need. For example: Lip balm suggests word of mouth referrals are best, we have something to say or let’s start a conversation face to face Ibuprofen in a medical themed pouch suggests we solve your pain or we relieve pain points Hand sanitizer suggest - we care about personal safety or wellness is important to us Full color shoe laces are a fun way to register runners for the upcoming charity run, use as admission to the event or as a reward to a team challenge among departments for adhering to wellness goals. Each of these items offers a way to create add a call to action, is easy to carry with you while networking or can be affordably mailed or handed out at work. Full color packaging can be very inexpensive- yet add valuable information that might normally be lost with a card. Colorful packaging also adds to the visual impact of the table when distributed at shows or conference events. Keep attendees engaged longer by including QR Codes, puzzles, trivia questions or images of building progress on the package of those sunglasses you're distributing. Becoming a rock-star with your branding only requires planning and an expert partner!

Long before a sign for graduates goes up on a fence, outdoor building, or over a busy street, there is work to be done behind the scenes. You might have seen our earlier post regarding how to make signage work for gaining awareness for your message. For your signs to leave a lasting impression, but if they are going to make it it's time to turn the tassel, it must be constructed from durable long-lasting materials. Clients are often surprised to learn that banners can be made from different ounce weight vinyl or even from fabric materials. Before we design a banner for you, we'll always collaborate about the use. For example, a banner hanging outside the school for the entire year, in all different types of elements will benefit from a mesh banner to allow the air to circulate through the holes- don't worry, this process does not affect the appearance. If your banners are meant to hang on lampposts for one season rather than to be used each year for a celebration, then vinyl over fabric will reduce your costs. While mesh is a great option for outdoor use, it's not double-sided, so over the street banners will often need to have air vents cut, like the images in this case study for local Apex 2020 graduates. Whatever the process, we have different material options and attachments to offer for hanging correctly. Our expert team is ready to guide you to the best option. What's your next event to market?

There has been a lot of talk in the news about hand sanitizer brands being recalled due to the fact that they contain methanol. We do our part when it comes to keeping you and your audience safe. That's why we only partner with suppliers who make safety their number one concern. This is the reason we love our partners at Raining Rose! Raining Rose takes the time to not only produce and source consumer safe products but also educate their audience. Here are their top 4 tips of choosing the best hand sanitizer: 1. Only Select Sanitizer With At Least 60% Alcohol Content The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) has found that sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60-95% are the most effective at killing germs. Anything less, and you risk using products that may not destroy all germs, or merely reduce germ growth rather than killing them completely. We recommend this hand sanitizer containing a 70% ethyl alcohol formula. 2. Prevent Dry Hands With Aloe Vera One of the biggest complaints about hand sanitizer is that it dries out hands, and people's hands are already a bit parched due to increased hand washing. As a result, people use drying hand sanitizers less, which results in a greater spread of germs and disease. Prevent this by prioritizing formulas that include aloe vera, a natural ingredient that helps keep skin soft and moisturized. You'll notice the hand sanitizer is more hydrating than other styles, which means increased brand awareness and a positive brand association. We recommend this aloe vera containing hand sanitizer! 3. Know Which Markets Need High-Strength Sanitizer While hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content is recommended, some healthcare industries require even higher strengths. If your audience works in hospitals, doctor's offices or surgery centers, be sure to present the highest strengths possible for maximum protection. These professionals work on the front lines to keep us safe, so it's crucial we do our part to keep them healthy too. High-strength hand sanitizer also makes a great choice for company staff gifts to show employees their health is a top priority. We recommend this hand sanitizer that comes with a carabiner for easy access! 4. Educate Your Audience On Best Practices For Use Selecting the right hand sanitizer is only half the battle. Finish the job by educating end-user on best practices for using hand sanitizer to ensure recipients are getting all the germ-fighting benefits. While most people think they know how to apply hand sanitizer, you'd be surprised by how many don't follow the recommended instructions! Be sure to explain important usage information, like:

Did you know that we offer you the ability to create an online company store? Online company stores are a great option for those looking to provide employees an opportunity to purchase pre-selected items. Why you should consider this type of program Convenience With company stores, the user is able to order online, 24 hours a day! Stores also offer the ability to select online payment via PayPal or using your company match program. No more are the days of a single person having to keep track of who ordered what and keeping track of the payments. Consistency Online stores with pre-selected items mean all of the branding decisions that are selected across your network have been decided. That includes all types of products, decoration methods, color options, and imprint information. Ensuring a consistent brand message across a large employee base has never been so easy! Seamless Processing Just like organizations differ, so does a store's processing time. We have the ability to process orders immediately or set to process once a week to once a month depending on your organization's needs. What types of buying options are offered with our stores? Each store can include up to 24 hard goods - promotional products to round out your options. Looking for an added special touch? Add options such as special packaging, kitting, sorting, or labeling to your order for ease of distribution. Are you ready to start designing a store for fundraising, employee perks, or brand unity across your network?