Who doesn't love a little "inside" information? Are you starting to plan your annual retreat or your spring golf tournament? Add some unexpected excitement and brand recognition to sponsors with unique decoration locations. We offer a line that has a select group of apparel styles that feature the option to private label or private message your gear. These styles feature your logo or special message on a panel inside the neck or waistline. It's your brand, your message, all the way down to the label. Adding a message is a big opportunity to add a special touch to your apparel. You can simply add your logo to create a custom collection, or you can use these branding locations for recognizing special occasions and commemorating milestones such as work anniversaries. Ideal For Special Occasions In the most practical sense, custom labels give you the opportunity to make an additional impression with your promotional apparel.  It's a nice, discreet way to send a message without overloading the exterior of the garment. In a less tangible way, it creates a personal connection with the recipient. When used for a gift for a key donor or an employee award, a custom label adds a positive feeling that stays with the wearer every time recipient wears that garment. Worry Free This type of process can be done with smaller orders, full color images and fine details in your artwork offers more value than traditional decoration options.

We can’t all be celebrities with thousands of followers, but let’s face it; we all want to turn more heads and point more eyes towards our brand message. Being a head-turner at an event requires planning to capture the look and feel of your space. For example, quirky and fun only work if the representatives in your booth space have the personality to “own” that type of vibe. If wearing costumes or playing a game is not “your thing”, perhaps you have a skill that you can capture in a demonstration or video? If you decide to play a game or provide a demonstration, make sure you have the people power to engage attendees that are passing by the booth while others are engaged in the game or demonstration. Similarly consider the size of your booth, do you have room to effectively split up the space offering an area for one on one conversation without cramping the other attendees? Size does matter- less can be more to capture the attention of an attendee. Don’t forget to evaluate your visual communications each year. Just because the table cover and retractable you have been using for years “works”, consider if it’s “working” for your brand. Does it capture the look and feel of your company in 2020? We’ve become a visual society - looks do matter when it comes to displays! If your space seems stale, then attendees may assume you don’t have new insights to offer to their challenges. 5 Top Attention-Grabbing Techniques Dramatic lighting Double sided full color graphics- share your story in full color; photos convey more than words. Attractive- eye-catching displays- If you don’t have a graphic design team, don’t forget we offer those services. Small space? Don’t forget the walls- flat graphics that hang from the pole and drape separators may seem “old school”, but they are inexpensive, lightweight & print rich ready surfaces. In booth activities or sought-after promotional item. What’s popular? Our top 5 picks are: Microfiber cleaning cloth. Print rich, shapes- hearts, plus a large content area, integrate QR Code Pop Socket. Your company has a "grip" on relevant subject matter, plus people love them HUB. “Own” desk space, they're functional, and creates a brand message of staying connected to, multiple lines of service/offerings Squid/Adapter. Staying connected, accessible, flexible to your needs Straws since we said they were hot. See more here

I've always approached a blank page as an opportunity, the artist in me appreciates the amount of choice. I'll admit for many, the blank page is intimidating. The fear of failure and the abundance of choice paralyzes many individuals- leaving them asking what do you think we should include? One of the coolest aspects of our industry is choice! Instantly decoration can change the appearance of an item. In an earlier post this week, I shared an image of full color mountain scene on a tumbler and as well as the same tumbler with a one color logo; completely different results. Popular low cost items that sit on our desk like a coaster or travel with us in purses, pocket and backpacks like a microfiber cleaning cloth are a blank page. What can you do with the surface? Provide a new student a map of campus or like Wake Tech, a future student an image of the ease of access to your campus system? Outline all your convention stops Share dates you will be doing seminars Provide wellness tips Highlight challenges your business service solves Send an image of your customer service team and provide their contact information Include a QR code with a question to get recipients to watch a video about your business Mail or hand out a map to showcase your new business address Share images of your community engagement Remind employees about your company's core values Whatever your story needs to convey, there are low cost options to position your message. We hope you now see the potential in a blank canvas, it's an opportunity to be creative!

Supporting a cause with your marketing dollars has become important to many consumers. The Patriot brand takes pride in supporting Veterans. Every purchase of a Patriot Cooler or Drinkware product gives back 20% of the net proceeds to Homes For Our Troops. Patriot Coolers offer a large variety of products that range from tumblers and bottles to softpacks and coolers. Many people look for the Yeti brand, but if your organization or business has a connection with Veteran causes, consider this brand for your next promotion. Patriot Coolers offer the durability and look of a Yeti Cooler with the added benefit of knowing you are playing a larger part is someone's life. Their tumblers boasts: Double wall insulation with copper lining Can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 6 hours Sweat-free design Splash-proof lid and more Their coolers boasts: Rotomolded construction - can withstand the toughest conditions 3" insulated walls Can keep ice for up to 5 days Bear resistant - perfect for those who like the outdoors Non-slip lid Embossed 17" ruler on the lid No sweat exterior and more! Let's build futures together with this line.

October is National Cyber Security Month. Financial industries and tech industries can benefit by connecting their brand message to consumer products that offer protection. What is RFID? Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is the use of radio waves to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object. The RFID tag provides a unique identifier for the object using a bar code or magnetic strip that must be scanned to get the information. What’s the Big Deal? RFID tags are showing up in some credit cards and newer U.S. passports. These “contact-less cards” are designed to be more convenient than traditional credit cards because they don’t have to be swiped. A payment industry newsletter, The Nilson Report, says 35 million contact-less chip cards are in circulation in the U.S. There is potential downside to the convenience. Anyone with a handheld RFID reader can “skim” sensitive information from people’s credit cards at several feet. They can even get your name and country of origin from your passport. There’s no need to panic yet; unless you've listened to comedian Kathleen Madigan talk about her mom, the ray gun people and tin foil! Google it or watch Netflix; good stuff! What is RFID Blocking Technology? RFID-blocking wallets and pockets are designed to help protect you from this new brand of electronic pick-pocketing. These items are typically made from a material that interferes with radio waves, making a card’s RFID chip difficult to read. What Can RFID Blocking Do for Brands? Safety-related products are part of a rapidly growing trend. Promotional products with RFID-blocking technology capitalize on an increased interest in security and make sense for a variety of projects. Interested? Check out these new products that feature RFID Blocking Technology! There are small credit card sized products to bags and travel wallets with the technology integrated into the product.

When walking around the show today exploring all the new products for 2020, there was one thing we notice - all the drinkware options! Everyone had it and all had something slightly different, whether it be a different design, shape, brand name or not, mixed media, you name it! In fact, promo drinkware is kept an average of 12 months (longer if it's of nicer quality) and earns 1,400 impressions during that time! It's not something that many think of when thinking of a gift or giveaway as it's an everyday item that's needed. This reason alone is why it is perfect - the best gifts are the useful ones. While walking, we heard a lot of feedback about what attracts someone to a new drinkware item but the tops reasons that seemed to keep coming up were the following: Full color design - we can help with this! Tulip shaped and thin - something you can hold and sip from effortlessly Brand names We invite you to keep following our blogs to learn more about what caught our eye and what we think will catch yours!

The movement toward recycled, recyclable and sustainable products goes mainstream and our suppliers are responding by deepening their commitment to Eco production practices and expanding their offerings for products made with the environment in mind. There is a worldwide demand pushing the growth of these products in our industry. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and fun fact, the “Don’t Mess with Texas” catchphrase evolved from a 1985 anti-littering campaign. In the fall, you may recall we rolled out our EcoSmart partnership that's aligned with 1% For the Planet. Products made from wheat straw are trending, but likely you are unfamiliar with the term. Wheat straw is the material comes from the stalk that is left after harvest. This raw material is gaining popularity because instead of waste it's being reclaimed to make into products such as reusable plastics for food containers, utensils and drink ware. Why wheat straw plastics? You are choosing a product that is made from rapidly renewable and reclaimed wheat straw instead of trees. Best of all, at the end of its life, you can send your container to the commercial composting facility or home composting efforts instead of the landfill. By using wheat straw in our products, you are diverting material from the waste stream and using a reclaimed resource to make durable, lightweight, and rapid compostable packaging. Products made from wheat straw are strong, microwave & freezer safe, can handle hot liquids up to 200 Fahrenheit, conform to US Food & Drug Administration guidelines, are non-allergenic and gluten-free Shop wheat straw products.

When a new client initially meets in the showroom, there are a lot of questions about defining their identity and value to establish the core messages related to their brand. There are also questions about how they are currently marketing and where they are investing in the community. Volunteering does take time away from family and business, but the rewards are tremendous. Besides the benefits to others, there is the benefit to your own personal growth. Being community focused also makes you a better resource. Just as a veracious reader knows the latest novels or sports fan follows ESPN, immersing yourself in the community makes you aware of your surroundings. Savvy marketing relies on understanding consumer trends and social media platforms but at a grassroots level; one needs to go to the street. "Insiders" always have a pulse on what's popular, what locals are talking about in their own circles. Those tips and areas to apply your time and talents are what makes volunteering create a cascading effect in the community. The more organizations can be matched to sponsors, donors and volunteers that share their mission and passion - well results happen. Follow our company on Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more about how we are connected to the local community.

Water bottles have become a status symbol. Think about it. Everyone wants a Yeti, Camelbak, Hydro Flask or S'well bottle, but why? Their looks, just to say they can afford the brand, or their ability to keep a drink hot/cold? Maybe it's even because they are Eco-friendly and pay for themselves within a month of use. Whether it be just one of those reasons or multiple that drives each individual to spend money on a premium brand water bottle, one thing is for sure - everyone wants one! Do you know the difference in bottle insulation? Good: Air Insulation. The inner and outer walls of the bottle contains air, making the process of escaping heat or cold to take longer. Better: Foam Insulation. Foam between the inner and outer walls slows down the transfer of hot or cold between layers. Best: Vacuum Insulation. Tumblers with vacuum insulation have a virtually airless space between layers. This allows for the hot or cold drink to radiate only between the walls instead of slowly exciting the bottle altogether. Premium: Copper Vacuum Insulation. Copper lining helps distribute the hot or cold air more evenly across the entire inner surface. This allows your drink to stay at the right temperature for even longer.

Gone are the days of using baby oil at the beach to collect more rays of sun or seeing a tanning salon on every corner. An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun. People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily. Sun damage is cumulative. Only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18. The warm weather we've been enjoying the past week has made us take breaks from work for walks in the sun. While it might be winter, skin protection is not only a summer time issue. This new product solves the challenge for when to re-apply sunscreen! Many businesses have employees outside year round- landscapers, construction crews Companies host picnics, participate in league sports, sponsor benefit concerts and participate in local festivals. Connecting with new families to the area, a local physician's practice might use this inexpensive marketing piece as a part of a direct mail campaign, consider dropping off to the local schools or daycare's for prizes or hand out at community events. Customize with your logo! How does it work? The background changes to blue when sunscreen needs to be reapplied Safe to use with sunscreen creams, sprays and lotions Sun activated Lasts all day on wet or dry skin Gentle comfort fit with skin safe adhesive We hope you've enjoyed another post in our series of "just quirky enough to work" series!

When we decided to freshen up our look, we came up with the idea to provide even more value and insight to our readers and subscribers! You will begin to notice that our newsletters and some blogs will feature a "Graphically Speaking" section. What is this exactly? We're glad you asked! Graphically Speaking will be our little nugget of information to you to get those wheels turning in your head, or to help make your next promotion a hit - all related to graphics! We are excited to share our graphic design tips with you and hope you look forward to reading them! Don't miss out! Sign up for our newsletter now

Food is a basic human need, but it's also a huge part of our celebrations and events. Think about it, when was the last time you went to an event that did not serve food? Food is cultural too; just this past Friday I attended a networking breakfast and the gravy/biscuit option on the buffet led to a discussion about what types of breakfast foods we'd grown up eating. Three of us found ourselves trying to explain the appeal of liver mush to a newbie to North Carolina. There's no doubt that food is a powerful social connector. Besides comparing food memories, there are emotional connections. Consider this, your brand is never too serious to have some fun. Engaging the community in conversations can start with a laugh if the tray of doughnuts has some crime fighting fuel tucked inside. Are you beginning to see that food gifts go way beyond a bucket of popcorn, tin of chocolate covered almonds or basket of cookies? Larger employers have break rooms & cafe areas for employees to gather. Show some personality and connect your brand to a crowd! Did you know we can offer you: Branded single serve coffee pods or tea packets? Branded cutting boards or re use-able cutlery for each employee to use? Drink ware with personalized with each employee's name Branded M&M's or Lifesavers in their mailbox Flavored lip balms at the reception desk Think beyond the holidays for gifts - appreciation is all year round. Don't be afraid to add some fun!