Not Just for Pandas Anymore

Bamboo has popped up in the past couple years as a very popular, eco-friendly material in a lot of different items. Bamboo is a renewable resource which grows rapidly and is harvested with little impact to the environment, making it a good alternative to hard woods such as maple.

In the promotional product industry, we are seeing bamboo used in a variety of items, from clothing to cutting boards.

In cutting boards, bamboo makes a great choice since it is lightweight, yet durable and strong. Cutting with a knife on bamboo board helps prevent dulling since bamboo doesn't cause friction with the blade like hardwood or plastic boards will. Since bamboo is so strong, it also allows for heavy duty cutting without the worry of shattering or splintering the board.

In addition, bamboo is a bacteria inhibitor. The board surface is very compact, without indentations or grooves which commonly harbor bacteria in other wood boards. All types of foods can be cut on bamboo boards. Cleaning bamboo boards is also easy and care-free. They are less prone to warping or splinting since they absorb little moisture.

Fabrics made from bamboo also offer some great benefits. The fibers contain channels which help absorb moisture, wicking it away from the skin, leaving the wearer cool and dry. Bamboo fabric also will have a soft smooth feel making it a very comfortable fabric to wear. And on the practical side, it can be machine washed and dried.

If you're interested in using promotions that are eco-friendly, stylish and practical, ask about bamboo items the next time you call.

What the heck is GSM, or How Good is My Tote?

GSM is a term you'll see a lot when looking at and ordering non-woven bags. You know, those recycled/recyclable grocery totes you see everywhere.

GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter and measures the density of polypropylene material. The higher the GSM, the more dense, strong and durable the material.

Most bags in this industry will measure between 70 and 100 GSM. There is a definite difference between weights on either end of the spectrum. You'll be able to feel the difference between a 70 and a 100.

Keep in mind too that GSM measures the density, but not necessarily the quality of the material. Some polypro materials might contain fillers which will bring down the cost, but will also reduce the quality and strength of the material. The country of origin can also play a role in the quality as material produced in Europe tends to be of better quality than those produced in China.

Another issue to consider is stitch count. While traditionally, you might think that the higher the stitch count, the higher the quality, when it comes to polypro bags, it's actually the opposite. Imagine the polypro material as a sheet of plastic. Each time a needle enters the material, it makes a hole. If the holes are too close together, the material can rip. Look for a stitch count of 6 stitches/inch for optimal integrity.

When it comes to ordering non-woven totes or grocery bags, we prefer to use our suppliers who carry products with 80GSM or higher values. For best quality, we also like to stick with our supplier that has many products with 100GSM and sources their materials from German-manufactured machines without filler materials.

Keep in mind, when requesting non-woven totes, getting the lowest price isn't necessarily going to get you the best quality. You may only pay $.99 for a tote, but it may only last one time before it rips out. Paying just a few cents more can yield a much more durable and longer lasting bag – something that can be important when your name is advertised on it.

Zockets in Your Pockets

No, it's not a Dr. Seuss book, it's what our favorite apparel company, Vantage, calls their embroidery pockets – Zockets!

What are embroidery pockets? They are a feature usually specific to apparel that is made to decorate. It's a hidden zippered pocket, usually found on items such as jackets which have a lining. In order to embroider a jacket without going through the lining, and having the backing show, the Zocket allows the embroiderer to open the lining.

After the embroidery is completed, zipping the pocket hides the embroidery backing, leaving nothing showing but the lining.

In addition, Vantage's Zocket also doubles as a functional inside pocket – a feature most other brands don't have. (Usually the embroidery pocket is just an opening to lining, allowing anything you put in it to fall to the bottom.)

When ordering apparel such as jackets that have lining, it's always good to check on how the embroidery will look on the inside of the jacket. If the jacket does not have a lining or it does, but no embroidery pocket, you will see the backing of the embroidery. The only other option is to have the embroiderer rip out the lining seam, then sew it back up – which can be costly and create the possibility of damaging the apparel.

Rollerball versus Ballpoint

Ever wonder what the difference between a rollerball and a ballpoint pen was? Well, even if you haven't, you're gonna find out!

Rollerballs use water-based ink instead of oil-based inks found in ballpoints. Since the water-based ink is less viscous, it will saturate the paper more and write smoother than the oil-based inks in ballpoints.

Rollerballs have some advantages over ballpoints, but there are some disadvantages you'll want to keep in mind too:

Advantages:

• Rollerballs tend to write smoother and take less pressure, allowing them to be more comfortable to use and quicker writing speed.

• Wider range of ink colors

• Finer lines and more clear

• Consistent ink flow and skip less.

Disadvantages:

• More likely to smudge since they dry slower -- so not a good idea for left-handers or kids

• Bleed through on paper

• They run out of ink quicker because more ink is used

• Can dry out – shelf life is typically 1-2 years

• Airplane cabin pressure can cause them to leak.

So, when choosing your pen type, it is important to consider who will be using them and how they will be used. You certainly don't want to order rollerball pens for executives who will be flying with their pens. We actually had a Bic rep come visit us this week with a VERY leaky rollerball – caused by flying. Val had ink all over, but we learned something new!

Laser Etching - Decorating Methods #1

Since there's so many decorating methods for apparel, in addition to the standard embroidery and screenprinting, I thought it might be a good idea to talk about some of them.

One of our favorite decorating methods is laser etching. Instead of adding something to the apparel, like stitching with embroidery or ink with screenprinting, laser etching actually changes the fabric's surface. The result differs depending on the type of fabric it's applied.

For a quick little video showing a fleece being etched, click here.

On most laser etching, you'll want to stay away from fabrics that are really dark in color, like black or navy, as the effect will not show up well on those colors, since the imprint takes on a tone-on-tone look for most applications.

Fleece fabric probably creates the most dramatic effect since the laser actually etches part of the top layer away. This leaves a 3 dimensional effect for the imprint. It can be really dramatic when used as a full imprint on a blanket or the back of a fleece jacket or pullover.

On wovens or knits, the effect is more subtle, usually darkening the fabric color a bit to create a tone-on-tone look. Since it is a more subtle effect, it offers the ability to be more creative with placement and sizing as the imprint can then become part of the design of the apparel. One example would be to take a graphic element from a logo, enlarge it, and position it possibly at the bottom of a shirt, overlapping a zipper, or extending off the item. View some of the out-of-the-box etching placements here.

Denim creates a whole different look since the laser removes the pigment, leaving a lighter-colored imprint. This would be a very affordable way to imprint the full back of a jean jacket.

Laser etching tends to be very cost effective too. Set ups range from $0 to $32 and run charges are right in the range of embroidery, but usually don't vary based on size. We have some items which can be ordered at just 1 piece with no set up charge -- a great idea for gifts or thank you's.

And, we offer laser etching in our online webstore – no set ups, no additional run charges, no minimums. Check it out here. Items which can be lasered include blankets, awards, glassware, sportswear, jackets and more.

The Wicking Myth - Performance Fabrics

What are "performance fabrics?" These are fabrics which are engineered to offer some special feature, usually moisture-wicking capabilities.

Most moisture wicking fabrics are comprised of dual layers, usually an inner layer which wicks the moisture from the skin and an outer layer which allows the moisture to evaporate quickly.

This helps to keep the wearer drier and more comfortable, especially during activities such as golf or running.

There is a wide variety of performance fabrics in the industry and not all of them perform equally. One of our favorite brands, Vantage, tests every lot of their fabrics to make sure they meet their standards for moisture management. We really recommend their apparel not only for their quality standards, but also for their great style and price points for every budget. View them all here: Vantage Performance Apparel

Here's a great little video they've put together which explains the wicking process: Wicking Test Video

Our customers who have purchased these products have responded enthusiastically about how well these shirts work at keeping them comfortable and dry, even when working outside most of the day.

Here's our happy customers from Bellevue University at a recent golf outing, wearing their Vantage polos. All smiles!!

American Made - Coming Back

If you've bought promotional products in the past, I'm sure you've noticed most of the items come with a "Made in China" sticker or tag attached. You may have even asked for products only made in the USA, to find there wasn't much readily available, or not the items you were hoping to purchase.

That trend is starting to change. With the downturn in the economy, the call for American-made products has grown stronger. In fact, a quick check of our supplier database shows that over 500 suppliers now offer American-made products. We can source products in almost every category, the lone exception being electronics. USB drives, MP3 players, computer accessories and other electronics are imported.

The major drawback in buying American? It all comes down to price. Most products are just going to be cheaper if they are imported, due mainly to labor costs. However, with American-made products, there tends to be greater control over quality, service and safety concerns.

If using American-made products in your marketing efforts is important to you and your company, make sure you express that need when speaking with your consultant here at The Creative J. We'll target our research on the manufacturers who make their products here in the US. Offering this option is just one of the many services we're happy to extend to our customers.

Parades and Promos Go Together

Don't you just love small town parades? I was at the Elkhorn Days parade this weekend, watching my kids participate with their karate school, and just had a great time.

The parade was delayed for an hour due to the rain, and I think that caused several of the entries to not show up, but it turned out to be a beautiful day and everyone had a great time.

As I sat on the curb, watching each entry go by, it occurred to me that these parades are really an advertisement for the businesses & organizations in the community. As each car, truck, flatbed, or wagon passed by the judge's table, the emcee would announce the business name and give a short little plug of their services or product. Since the majority of the entries were businesses, it really was a FUN rolling/walking advertising opportunity for all of them. What better way to reach their local customers and to show off their personalities along with their services?

Of course, it goes without saying that they were all handing and throwing out a variety of promotional items (and candy). Plus, most of them were wearing tshirts made just for the event. I saw frisbees, stress balls, pencils, koozies, plastic bags, yo-yo's, fliers, postcards, stickers (can't forget the politicians!), wristbands, and lots and lots of Tootsie Rolls!

The kids went crazy over it all, and of course, us adults had to check it all over carefully ourselves to make sure the candy was ok! But in the course of doing so, those items that were imprinted with the business's logo, stood out and made us take a second look. Maybe I hadn't heard of that business before, but now, seeing their logo on one of those items has imprinted it in my memory and I will know who they are when I hear or see their name next. Or, if I'm in need of one of those services, I'll probably remember their name and give them a call.

Now, if there was a way to imprint a funnel cake.............

Who Wants to Receive Promotional Products?

Do consumers enjoy receiving promotional products, or do they see them as a hassle, or item to discard? What makes them want to pick up a product emblazoned with your logo?

If you read a study done by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), you'll find out that American consumers really do love promotional products.

Some quick statistics: 83% of American consumers liked receiving promotional items; 48% would like to receive them more often; and 38% felt they served as a constant reminder of the advertiser.

However, the statistics for how or why a person would pick up a promotional product at a tradeshow or event are even more telling: only 23% would pick it up regardless of what it was, but a whopping 69% would pick it up if they found it to be useful.

So, when planning your budget for promotional product marketing, it's an important thing to keep in mind. If your audience finds it useful, they are more likely to pick it up and then continue to hold on to it.

And the statistic that tells it all, over 76% surveyed could recall over the past two years the specific product they received, the advertiser and the message the item conveyed. That's all value added to your bottom line when using promotional products to gain and maintain customers and brand recognition.