When planning any promotional or marketing campaign, the number one consideration is - Who are you trying to reach? Our industry has just released its industry overview that breaks down each of the top categories and the three main generations with purchasing power. Millennials (18-34) 45% have a more favorable opinion of eco-friendly promo products 50% would choose a USB drive over a power bank 45% are more favorable to advertisers if the promo product was made in the USA The average Millennial household owns 30 promo products Gen X (35-54) 40% have a more favorable opinion of eco-friendly promo products 55% would choose a USB drive over a power bank 59% are more favorable to advertisers if the promo product was made in the USA The average Gen X household owns 34 promo products Baby Boomers (55+) 53% have a more favorable opinion of eco-friendly promo products 61% would choose a USB drive over a power bank 70% are more favorable to advertisers if the promo product was made in the USA The average Baby Boomer household owns 28 promo products What's important about this data? Developing a campaign that resonates with your vertical markets, requires consideration of the demographics that make up your consumer group. Fortunately for you, we have data! Years of data, collected around consumer preferences. Ask us to send you a copy!

Are t-shirts simply a commodity item, a basic necessity or is a t-shirt an essential choice with consumers? Consider this, $400,000 was the price tag of the world's most expensive T-shirt. The 100% organic tee was studded with more than 9 carats worth of black and white diamonds. Yikes! Our client base might have some that would consider rhinestones on a tee - but diamonds? Make that introduction, please! Since 80% of consumers own a promotional tee, which creates 3,400 impressions over the lifetime of a tee, the popularity of a T-shirt as a promotion is the undeniable winner with both consumers and advertisers. Which tee is best for your campaign? One of the many reasons we stock a showroom with products is for comparison. In December we started a project for some company tees, that are part of a team-building theme and the logo has challenges; lots of color. Whenever you have a lot of color in a tee design it impacts the decoration choices both for cost and feel. A soft tee with traditional layers of plastisol silkscreen ink is going to yield a thick, bulky, and hot feel against the skin- working against the popularity of a soft tee. What are some considerations to explore when you visit the showroom? Combed and ring-spun cotton tees offer a slight increase in price over basic cotton but deliver a softer hand feel. The cotton fibers are spun and combed to remove impurities which enhance the feel of the fabric. Eco tees- giving back to environmental issues or made with apple peels or scraps of material Performance shirts are typically made with polyester threads, and often have SPF and other technical features added. The words most associated with performance fabrics would be moisture-wicking, making these popular for athletes and companies with employees working out in the field, as these fabrics dye rapidly. There can be odors trapped in the fabric or rashes that develop from the wet fabric irritating the skin, so ask about fabrics that solve those challenges when comparing your options. The most requested fabric is a Tri-blend, regardless of the name of the brand, it's a combination of 3 fabrics- cotton, polyester, and rayon. I like to say it's the addition of rayon that makes you say, oooh, when you touch the fabric. The fabric can be more challenging for printing- the "plum line" or fold line on the tee usually has to be pressed after the shirts arrive to square up on the plate, some of our decorators like to steam them first so the ink adheres better and migrates less and care needs to be taken with the types of inks used. For example, when these shirts first flooded the market it was not uncommon for a shirt printed with white ink to have the ink turn slightly pink in about 24 hours of printing. What types of methods are popular on tees for printing? Traditional silkscreen, which requires a different screen for each color and often limits the colors to a 6 or 8 maximum. Digital printing, often called DST, prints your design directly onto the shirt. Sublimation is super popular on a tri-blend shirt because the consumer can't feel the image when wearing the shirt, plus it's permanently infused with the shirt making it a durable decoration choice. Everything's better with butter- a soft hand decoration process on a standard tee, creating a tri-blend feel, private labeling your brand, and offering tons of color in the design work. Garment dyed shirts enhance the look of a vintage or distressed print tee. Transfers offer the ease of one set up fee for unlimited color, the ability to easily match colors, and close registration of colors or blended halftones and shading- no problem with a transfer method for decoration.

Have you ever spent time looking for a pair of scissors? Instead of digging in a junk drawer, may we suggest scissors in a magnetic sleeve, firmly attached to your file cabinet or kitchen appliance. Would that make your life easier? Solving problems is what promotional products do; they provide a solution & integrate into the daily life of the user. Products that are kept and used frequently have a longer impression life, which also means those items have a lower cost per impression. Is this approach to lead generation magic? Nope, as this video highlights, it's all in the power of touch. Real results are not tricks, simply tangible solutions that grow your business. We love designing creative campaigns and long before the pandemic, we've crafted some amazing campaigns using direct mail. As a matter of fact, the pandemic has increased the interest in curated collection kits and products have become the new handshake. How do you develop a campaign? It's important to consider how a product looks, feels, and functions. If you shipped a pair of scissors to a prospect that is housed in a magnetic case, with a handle that also opens jars, as well as works for left or right-handed users & inserted a card that says: We can cut your costs Our team will stick with you We offer more than meets the eye Then pat yourself on the back because you've delivered a powerful message within the tool. Just like the magician cutting the assistant in half and putting them together again, your approach cuts to the heart of your message, creating a strategic campaign; just like magic. Still seem daunting? No worries, our expert hands have been crafting campaigns since 2007. We are ready to collaborate, are you? Contact us or sign up for our newsletter for exclusive tips not covered in our blog.

During a year with a pandemic, it's hard to come together to spread holiday cheer. This holiday season, consider a custom cookbook filled with favorite recipes from employees. Ask employees to submit their favorite holiday recipes, from drinks to desserts, along with an image to create a cookbook to gift your employees. Looking for a little something extra, participants could even include a favorite memory that the recipe triggers. We've got options and partners to make this idea a reality. Wanting to do a little more? Turn this gift into a set and pair it with these spices. Make it an event by setting up a Zoom cooking session! Employees can join a Zoom call to cook a chosen recipe, create memories, and build a more connected team. After all, what's better than family recipes to spread joy!

Trend service WGSN reported this past April that conversations around “comfort” on social media have been steadily increasing since 2018. This trend accelerated because COVID-19 has kept us at home and has increased our appetite for contentment. The workplace has become more casual, not less purposeful, just more comfortable. If you haven't embraced the change- perhaps it's time to get out of your comfort zone by getting comfortable with elevated activewear. What does elevated active mean? Knit jackets of all styles (professional, purposeful) Button-down shirts in different fabrics & styles Tees with something special (soft hand & stretch for comfort). Performance tees with "drape"(moisture-wicking, antimicrobial fabric, that creates long lines on the body) Easy layering pieces Sweatshirt hoodies & crew necks (score points if they are in oatmeal heather, vintage white, or ecru colors for a premium business vibe). And if you’re going outside: Outerwear with style A great hat (bucket, baseball, beanie – your style, your choice). Our clothing needs to be career wear enhanced with practical performance qualities. The demand for more features in each garment is being met by a real desire to be more mindful of how much we consume. The mantra for many consumers is “Buy Better and Buy Less.” These days we may drive less, eat out less, and balance our work and non-work screen time more, but giving up our comfort is a non-starter. Take a look at some of our favorite styles-

According to a study shared by our industry partner ASI, Advertising Specificity Institute, just over half of consumers would look on an advertiser more favorably if they received a branded- logoed mask from that advertiser. Each year our partner at ASI provides us key findings from a global ad impressions study. This year’s study is based on tens of thousands of in-person and online surveys taken by consumers in the U.S. and Canada – including the data on mask use and perceptions which was gleaned from surveys conducted in mid-August. Below are seven of the biggest highlights from the 2020 Ad Impressions Study. 1. The vast majority of Americans are wearing masks in public. The coronavirus pandemic is continuing long past our initial expectations and mask mandates have become an accepted part of daily life in many states. Consumers are used to seeing them and wearing them, and the idea of donning a branded or decorated mask has more appeal than it did at the beginning of this public health crisis. In fact, 63% of those surveyed report wearing a mask anytime they’re in public, and 80% say they wear masks in public most of the time. 2. Consumers are more than willing to wear logoed masks. When it comes to branded masks, 71% of consumers would wear theirs at least once a week, while 34% say they would wear it every day. Women were more likely than men to view advertisers giving out logoed masks favorably. They were also more likely than men to do business with a brand that gave them a promotional branded mask. Promo masks generate 4,235 impressions over their lifetime, with 52% of consumers saying they would keep a logoed mask for more than three months. 3. Promotional products have impressive staying power. More than half of consumers report keeping some of the promotional products they’ve received for at least five years, and 40% of consumers have kept a promotional item for over a decade. Clearly, useful, attractive, and well-thought-out promotional items are valued by consumers – bringing a positive brand perception each time they’re worn or utilized. Nearly two-thirds of baby boomers and more than half of millennials report keeping a branded item for at least five years, and 45% of baby boomers say they have kept some branded items for more than 10 years. 4. A significant portion of consumers are willing to pay for promotional items. We’re living in the age of merch – where fast-food restaurants release coveted, limited-edition fashion collections and even institutions like the Post Office are selling branded crop tops online – so it just makes sense that consumers see the value and are willing to shell out their own hard-earned cash for a promotional item advertising a brand that makes a connection with that consumer. In the last year, nearly a quarter of consumers say they’ve paid for a promotional product. Consumers in the Midwest (28%) were the most likely to spend money on logoed items, while those in the West (19%) were the least likely to purchase. 5. Sustainability is a growing trend. The number of consumers who look more favorably on an advertiser that gives them an environmentally friendly promotional product is approaching the halfway point. Nearly a third of people 55 and older say they’ve purchased more products with an environmental bend in 2019, compared to 2018. Almost a third of women, overall, reported increasing their environmentally-conscious spending last year, relative to 2018. Staying environmentally friendly was most important in the Midwest, with just under half of consumers there saying they would look at an advertiser more favorably if they received an environmentally friendly promotional product from them. 6. Made in the USA is important to baby boomers. When it comes to where a promotional product is manufactured, a solid 57% of consumers say they would look more favorably on an advertiser that gave them an item made in the USA. Among the 55 and older crowd, that percentage jumps up to 70%. More than a quarter of consumers overall reported purchasing more American-made products in 2019, compared to 2018. For those 55 years and older, 32% reported an increase in made-in-the-USA spending last year, over 2018. 7. Gen Xers own the most promotional products. Households own an average of 30 promotional products, with Generation X sporting the most promo at an average of 34. Regionally, the South holds onto the most promo items, owning around 32 products per household, on average. Considering that the Ad Impressions Study shows that promotional products are the most highly regarded form of advertising – over newspaper, radio, magazine, television, internet and mobile – it makes sense that consumers would be willing to keep dozens of promotional items in their homes for long stretches of time. Does this type of data appeal to you for planning? Sign up to receive a copy of this report here.

For the last 20 years, Pantone has released a color of the year. The synonymous name is recognized globally as a color expert. For those years, the chosen color of the year has influenced product development and multiple industries. How do they arrive at their selection? According to Pantone's site, "Pantone’s color experts at Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, playstyles, and socio-economic conditions." After careful consideration and analysis, the experts at Pantone arrived at PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating. These two colors combined, represent a message of strength and hopefulness. Showing that it We are excited to see how these two colors come together to influence apparel, home decor, packaging, and multi-media design. What do you think of this color combination? Source: Pantone

Back in the '70s, the rage was a pet rock, easy maintenance, and companionship. For many the care of a plant is challenging, making succulent plants alluring. Succulents are credited as being an almost impossible plant to kill. They require minimal maintenance and can endure some neglect - give them a sunny spot, water them once a week, and the occasional pruning and they're happy! Succulents make the perfect addition to your employee gift, but why? They help purify the air and improve the humidity in your home They add oxygen to the air (unlike other plants which release CO2) They help improve your focus They can enhance memory Wanting to gift a little more than just a succulent? Include it in a kit complete with a cozy blanket, a candle, and a yummy treat! A little self-care surprise at the end of a crazy year. What a great way to show employees you care about their health by gifting a succulent!

As the Holiday season is approaching, you may be starting to consider what to give your employees/clients to show them you care. Why do we only show appreciation during the holiday season when there are 11 other months during the year? Don’t limit yourself to only gifting in December when your clients are being consumed with other gifts. You risk getting lost in the shuffle. Instead, consider giving your gifts on an average Tuesday when no one is expecting to receive anything or tie in the gift to a greater cause. Year-end, mid-year, quarterly meetings, or new year goals- are ideal ways to re-focus attention on goals, details, and acknowledge employees for their contribution to the company's success. Using this tactic makes you stand out in people’s minds and truly makes them feel appreciated. Having trouble with ideas? Mid-Week Pick Me Up! Consider choosing a random Wednesday to send your employees (all or a select high performing) to gift them with a new coffee tumbler with an added benefit. Like this BPA Free water bottle with a temperature display! Items that cross from work to leisure are popular ways to incorporate some fun and personality into your marketing or highlight your companies core values with employees. We'll help you craft a package and distribution plan around a day or event that puts a spotlight on the message you want to convey. Creating momentum for change can be as simple as starting a program on an average Tuesday.

Why be ordinary? Get out of the box- by kitting your gifts in a box, that offers that curated collection feel. We can make things easy with perfectly packaged options, drop-shipped to each location. It's a game-changer for gifting with quality packaging to make a memorable gift experience for the holidays, virtual conferences, sales meetings, or any other time your customers want to create a big impression. Let's start with the packaging, which includes a sturdy lift-top box that makes it feel like you're opening a gift, not a bulk package. Additional upgrades include decorative packing paper, a message card to accompany the gift, and a custom sticker for the box, so gift recipients will know who it's from as soon as it's delivered. Speaking of delivery Perfectly Packaged includes drop shipments at no additional extra charge, so you can ship gifts directly to residential addresses rather than in bulk to a single location. Our service includes flat-rate shipping options. Time Is Money. Perfectly Packaged gifts save you time and money, here's how: Money, because you don't have to pay to ship the gifts somewhere for assembly – not to mention the savings on packaging. Time, because we put it all together for you. Oh Yeah, Before We Forget … 10 Ways To Drive Business Now that you've got the lowdown, here are 10 ways to leverage packaged gifts: 1. Finance And Accounting Clients Thoughtful gifts are always a nice personal touch 2. Annual Awards Sales achievements or safety milestones – reallocate money that would've gone toward a nice dinner to some really nice gifts instead. 3. New Grads Many ceremonies are virtual, you can still send them off with a nice gift. Good luck, grads! 4. Sales Meetings Kickoff for 2021 being held virtually? Get the team fired up by delivering gifts straight to their homes. 5. Real Estate Clients Send a thank-you gift to everyone who bought a home this year. 6. Holiday Parties Yep, they'll probably look a little different this year. Give a toast to teamwork with a nice insulated tumbler for the virtual office party. Share favorite cocktail recipes instead of the cookie exchange or Secret Santa. 7. Virtual Conferences Great swag makes virtual events feel like a big deal. (If it's really cool stuff, people love posting pics.) 8. Employee Gifts Gifts to help them relax and unplug are a nice idea at the end of a stressful year. Think cozy blankets and comfy apparel. 9. Healthcare Workers Surprise nurses, doctors, and support staff with something special for their extraordinary efforts this year. 10. Front Line Workers First Responders, retail workers, delivery drivers – they've all worked harder than ever in 2020. Surprise them with gifts they can use on and off the clock. When you are ready to get started, as our team to share trends that recipients will enjoy and want to use!

Imagine a world where workwear meets luxury. In this world, there’s very little business as usual, the days of the traditional business suit are almost non-existent in the modern office, making workwear the hot new fashion trend. Workwear is trending -because it’s just plain cool. In a word, our partner at Sanmar describes this trend as “U(luxe)tility”. This means you can work or play, but the utility has a luxe vibe; making you want to wear it every day. What types of pieces will be going in your closet? The Carhartt Long Sleeve Henley T-Shirt, because Henleys have an authentic old-school vibe. They’re versatile, easy to maintain, and generally affordable for just about any budget. We’re also seeing a trend in unique decorations on heavyweight long sleeve tees that are used to express one’s individuality. One example of this is the new Port & Company Bouncer Tee. Made from heavier fabric for a more comfortable feel, this shirt is comparable to popular retail brand shirts with a higher price tag. These are professional enough to be worn on the job site, with the versatility of making a personal statement with a bold decoration. Hard-working buffalo plaid shirts, like our Port Authority Everyday Plaid Shirt, are also getting their moment in the spotlight. The name says it all: lightweight and durable with Easy Care features, this is a shirt you can wear comfortably every day. The workwear phenomenon has been co-opted by younger generations as a true fashion movement. Consider that workwear, like most trends we see today, is an investment. The “Buy Better, Buy Less” philosophy is more important now than ever before, as consumers embrace the idea of purchasing clothing that lasts and that has value down the road. For these consumers, the throwaway “wear it once” shirt is seen as wasteful and mindless. The response taking shape in the slow fashion movement focuses on thoughtful production and mindful consumption. Millennials and Generation Z place particular emphasis on purchasing clothing designed for quality and longevity. Workwear fits into this picture surprisingly neatly. When it comes to blending streetwear with function, nobody does it better than Carhartt. Their apparel checks many boxes, such as affordability, durability, a timeless style, and a comfortable fit. Carhartt apparel supports your personalized style and comes with function built-in (big check for that one). At the top of the list of reasons why diehard fans buy Carhartt is the long-lasting durability that adds value down the road. These days we want comfort, protection, style, durability, adaptability, and utility. Is it any wonder that workwear, designed for all of these things, is a trend worth a closer look?

What's trending in apparel? Elevated Active, with a focus on how utility and luxury come together to make workwear you'll want to wear. An aspect of Elevated Active to explore is the tactical experience; surfaces designed for the senses. Just as we've adjusted our lifestyles, our clothing helps to make us feel comfortable, safe, and protected. Psychology even has a name for this: cocooning. The idea of cocooning is not new, shunning public places and surrounding yourself with creature comforts has found new resonance in 2020. Comfortable fabrics such as sherpa, fleece, and faux fur combine comfort and elegance, offering a sense of peace and coziness to our day. Luuma products are popular with ladies due to the LuLulemon aesthetic and the comfort level of the fabric. These new Ogio products are the perfect piece for fashionable comfort that is polished enough for work or a casual weekend. Peace of mind & protection, with puffy jackets or vests, provide a padded layer between you and the world. These styles are tidy, professional, and visually strong, yet they also express the true definition of protection with a durable water-repellent finish to keep you safe from increasingly unpredictable weather. Don't underestimate the importance of sensory touchstones, the value is apparent in the retail trends driving sales. In 2020, less is more, luxury at hand matters more than unnecessary excess. Explore these trends in detail in our next blog post!