Best Reactions – High Value Items

What difference does the perceived value of a promotional product make on the end user? If the item is perceived to be of high value, does that translate also to their view of the giver? Does it influence their behavior and attitudes, or does it not matter?

Those are just a few of the questions asked, and answered, in a research study conducted by P.P.A.I. (Promotional Products Association International) in December 2011.

When it comes to items with a perceived value of $25 or more, the study revealed the following:


Why do you think the company or organization gave you this item?

• 23% – To make me aware of the company and it's products or services

• 28% – To thank me for doing business with them, and to continue doing so

What did you perceive the reason for being given this item?

• 31% – As a business gift

• 38% – As a form of advertising

• 40% – As an incentive

Were you more receptive to the company and it's objectives after receiving this item?

• 27% – Significantly more receptive

• 44% – Somewhat more receptive

What categories of products are most popular to receive?

• 58% – Items that can be consumed

• 50% – Items that can be worn

• 46% – Items associated with digital communication

• 46% – Items that help collect or convey things

How long do you keep your favorite products?

• 60% – Three years or more:  high value products (over $25)

• 42% – One year or less:  low value products

What makes an item worth holding onto (Very or Extremely Important)?

• 69% – Usefulness

• 59% – Quality

• 52% – Attractiveness

So what can be concluded from this study?  A few key points stand out:

• Recipients were more receptive if they perceived the item to be high value.

• Having an item imprinted with a logo did not deter from it, as long as it was a useful item.

• Apparel and food gifts are most appreciated by recipients.

• Useful items will be kept the longest.

• A high-value item is typically perceived to cost between $25-$50.

The entire research study is available at this link:  High End/Low End

Digital Design - Hot Trend for Fall

Seems like the new thing for apparel this fall is digital designs or textures.

The latest from Sanmar and Ogio are fabric colors with a digital pattern. It's similar to a heathered look, but instead of different colored threads woven together to create the look, it's a printed pattern. We're seeing this look on moisture-wicking, poly apparel.

The poly fleece jackets offer a very comfortable alternative to a sweater, with a more professional look than the standard solid color performance fleece.

View Details Here:  Digital Design Items

 

 

Ties, Scarves & Socks – Oh My!

Custom imprinted apparel isn't only about shirts, hats and jackets. Neck ties, scarves and socks make great options as accessories with wide appeal. Not only are they attractive and professional-looking, typically they are one-size-fits-most so sizing is not an issue.

For a professional look, a combination of ties and scarves customized with your organization's colors and logo makes a great unifying statement.

Neckties

Come in a variety of fabrics, including silk, microfiber, and polyester. Can be custom woven with your logo or design, or imprinted using embroidery, screen printing or laser etching.

 

Scarves

A variety of styles and fabrics, including infinity and various rectangle or square shapes.

Socks

Always a fun accessory, options in socks include dress, sport, ankle, crew, tube and performance socks. Socks can be fully customized by choosing thread colors and woven designs, or imprinted with transfers, appliqués or embroidery.

 

Tee It Up – We've Got Your Back

Typically, you may not think of a promotional products company like The Creative J to be your best source for screen printed tshirts. However, you just might want to think about that again. Apparel is a BIG part of our business, and an area at which we really excel.

No, we don't have our own equipment and no, we don't print them here at our offices. However, this offers our customers an advantage over traditional tshirt shops:  Options – and lots of them! 

Since we are able to combine the best sources for your specific order, you'll receive our expert marketing and creative input on each project. We won't just slap your logo on the left chest and call it good, we'll work with you to make sure you project the image you envision.

So, why should you use The Creative J for apparel?

• More apparel brands and options
• Since we're not tied into any one source for our apparel, we offer a wide variety of brands, styles, and price points for our customers. 
• We customize each order by choosing the apparel source, the decorator and the shipping method in order to fit our customer's specific needs for style, budget and time-frame.
• Need more than shirts? We've got it – shirts, caps, pants, jackets, accessories, even shoes!
• Brands such as Eddie Bauer, Ogio, Columbia, Carhartt, Red Kap, Greg Norman, Adidas, Nike, Puma, Ralph Lauren/Polo, Izod, Dri-Duck, Lacoste, American Apparel, Champion, Gildan … the list goes on and on.
• Customization
• Want to customize the apparel tag with your own brand? We can do that.
• Want to create your own custom color and style combinations? We can do that.
• Want to shorten sleeves, add pockets, coordinate laces, create shirt/cap combos? We can do that.
• Want to combine various decorating techniques? We can do that.
• Multiple Sources
• We can pull inventory from multiple warehouses and suppliers, so we have more options when stocks run low. 
• Schedule Flexibility
• Since we work with multiple decorators, we aren't tied into any one decorator's schedule. If Decorator A is booked, we can move to Decorator B to meet your event date.
• Creative Decoration and Design
• We utilize decorators across the country in order to bring our customers unique options that will truly set them apart, such as:
• laser etching and applique
• oversized screen printing
• specialty inks, including metallics, puff, suede, clear, glow-in-the-dark, foils, soft-hand, distressed and more
• full color heat transfers, sequins, rhinestones, and embroidery
• full color overall sublimation printing
• Safety Compliance for Youth Apparel
• We make sure all youth apparel is properly tested and tagged according to federal safety regulations.
• Upfront Pricing and Details
• As always, we'll provide you with complete order details and costs before you pay a penny, and we stand by our quotes. You won't find us sneaking in additional charges on the final invoice. 
• Guided Options and Choices
• We don't expect you to come in knowing exactly what you want or need. We'll help guide you through the process to narrow down the specific styles, brands, decoration and budgets which will work best for your unique situation.

So, now that you know a little more about us, we'd like to know more about you. Tell us about your next project and see how we can help.

Custom Apparel – Makin' It Your Own

If you're looking for a truly unique way to outfit your employees and make your organization's apparel program really stand out, consider custom. With as few as 48 pieces, you can create a totally unique look which reflects your colors and your style.

With our reliable manufacturers, you now have the option to create custom apparel which is delivered in 35-45 days. Just let us know what types of apparel you are interested in, we'll get you electronic mock ups of several ideas for your review. (Click here to see sample mockup presentation.)

Then just review the presentation and make tweaks where needed. Once you've decided on the details, you'll receive a fully-decorated production sample for final approval.

The options are endless. Pick your colors, fabrics, styles and decoration to create one-of-a-kind apparel you won't find anywhere else.

What better way to really set yourself apart from the rest!

Since the apparel is created and sewn from the ground up, you now have more options than just your standard left chest decoration. And what's really great, pricing is still very similar to good-quality stock apparel.

Pop Your Pocket - Not Your Basic Tee

Looking for a new look for your basic tshirt? Pop Your Pocket!

With our Pop-Your-Pocket program, you combine a tshirt color and a pocket color along with a variety of decorating techniques for a truly custom look.

Decoration can be applied on top or beneath the pocket, as well as on or above. By combining unique color combinations along with a variety of screenprint techniques and inks, you'll have a tshirt like no other.

Minimum order is 72 pieces. Contact us for a free virtual concept.

Golf Shirts - Understanding Fabrics

In the very popular category of golf and polo shirts, you'll find a wide array of fabrics, technologies and styles. Below is a quick guide to the most popular types of fabrics and features you'll find in this apparel category:

Fabric Types

Cotton - This universal fiber comes in many varieties, in order of softness:
Carded: Process which removes the debris in the fibers.
Combed: Shorter fibers are removed, leaving a higher-quality, softer cotton.
Ring-Spun: Fibers are spun into yarn, creating a softer, stronger thread.
Pima: Premium cotton which is very fine, lustrous and strong

Microfiber - Ultra-fine fibers which make a very soft, silky fabric.

Polyester - This fabric has become extremely popular for it's excellent wear and quick-drying properties. 

Spandex - Stretchy fiber which is now often added to materials to create a bit of "give."

When it comes to polo shirts, the trend is definitely towards polyester or poly blends which also incorporate various technologies.


Finishes or Added Features:

Moisture Wicking - moves moisture away from the skin and allows it to pass to the surface for evaporation, keeping the wearer cooler in hot temperatures.

UV Protection - Protects the fabric from fading and the wearer from harmful UV rays.

Snag-Resistant - Resists snagging and thread-pulling

Odor-Fighting or Antimicrobial - Resists odor caused by body bacteria and increases the garment life.

Jacquard Knit

Ottoman Knit

Pique Knit

Mélange

Weaves or Styles

Jacquard - Intricate pattern woven into the fabric, typically with two or more colors

Ottoman - Tightly woven horizontal raised rib texture

Drop-Needle - Knit fabric with vertical lines within the cloth

Herringbone - Zig-zag pattern knit into the fabric

Mélange - Mix of different colors knit together to create a heathered look

Nailhead - Jacquard knit with a design similar to small nail heads

Pique - A knitting method that creates a fine textured surface similar to a waffle weave

Trends: Athleisure – Fitness + Fashion

Athleisure or Sport Luxe is the term being used for fashionable fitness wear. According to our main apparel source, Sanmar, this is a growing trend as the market for comfortable activewear increases while the demand for denim jeans decreases. Taking a look at my own closet, I'm finding I've added mainly these type of pieces to my wardrobe this past year.


Some of the trends and details to look for in this new category:

Sophisticated Colors:
Neutral palettes (think grays and browns) are replacing bold, neon colors, making these fashions more suitable for the office.

Layering:
Long sleeve shirts with textured hoodies, topped off with tech-fabric jackets to complete the look.

Varsity Details:
Team-inspired details such as baseball jerseys or letterman jackets are popular.

Materials & Detail:
Textures such as mesh and lace add visual interest. Accents of metal or contrast piping elevate the sporty styles to the luxe level.

Click on image above to read more on this trend.

Shop the trend:  Click here to view Sanmar's Sporting Luxury items

Camo + Activewear = Fun Performance

Camo-themed items has been a hot design trend the past couple years. From coolies and tumblers to hats and bags, it seems to be everywhere.

Now, new for 2015, camo is taken a step further:  incorporated into trendy, fashionable designs in active and sportswear, from our favorite warehouse supplier, Sanmar.

They've rolled out a new line called Camohex – a sublimated digital camo design which uses hexagons in a tonal pattern. Available in a variety of colors on several styles, it's a great way to update your activewear look.

All items are moisture-wicking 100% polyester – a great base for screen printing or heat transfer imprints.  And with a variety of colors, there's plenty of options available. The tees make a great alternative to standard tshirts. Tagless and lightweight, they perform wonderfully for runs or special events.

Sport Tek Camohex Colorblock Hoodies

Sport Tek Youth Camohex Tee

Sport Tek Camohex Ladies Tees

Sport Tek Camohex Tees

Sport Tek Camohex Hoodies

Sport Tek Camohex Caps

Wear Tested – The Softest Sweatshirt You'll Ever Own

What says fall more than a soft, comfy sweatshirt? We ran across one that can't be beat.

Its 80% cotton/20% poly brushed-back jersey fleece makes you feel like you're wrapped up in your favorite plush blanket. And like Goldilock's porridge, it's medium weight of 7oz is just right.

Add a tagless label, rib v-notch and locker patch, and your run-of-the-mill sweatshirts just can't compete. We can't say enough about how much we love this particular sweatshirt.

And, to top it off, it comes in 3 styles:  Crewneck, Pullover Hoodie, and Full-Zip Hoodie.

We also love this creative decoration – laser tech patch appliqué.

Tech patch is a flexible, smooth, vinyl-like material that can be laser cut to any shape. 

It's thickness creates a 3D look, which when used in an outlined shape as shown below, 

creates a truly unique look. 

Combine it with embroidery, and you can really have a custom look.

Did You Know? Safety Laws & Promotional Products

Did you know that if you are purchasing promotional products for your organization which will be distributed and/or appeal to children under 12, there are federal safety laws you need to consider?

The federal government has laws specific to the use of small parts and materials in products which are intended for or will appeal to children under 12. Commonly known as CPSIA, Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, they apply not only to items you buy in retail stores, but also to the promotional products and apparel you may use to market your company.

All products which are intended for this group are required to be marked with tracking information, as well as to be certified to be clear of or within the required levels of various materials deemed harmful, such as lead and plastics.

How might this affect you, as a buyer of promotional products?

• Company Reputation:  If your company is marketing items that will be used by or appeal to children under 12, then you want to be sure those items are compliant. Facing a lawsuit because a recipient was exposed to undue amounts of lead is not something any business wishes to occur.

For example:  In 2010, Winn-Dixie/Publix grocery chains were featured in an investigative report about reusable grocery bags. The bags from their stores were tested for lead. Although the lead discovered was relatively low and within the acceptable limits, the story created a public relations nightmare. Millions of bags were recalled and public trust was lost.

• Trackable Tagging:  Items which qualify under the CPSIA require a permanent label with a trackable code or website be included on the item whenever practical. (Very small items such as balloons or pencils, which can't be directly imprinted with this information can be excluded, but the packaging or cartons must still contain the required tracking information)

This required tagging may add run charges to your product. Some items may already have the information preprinted, especially in the case where that item has been deemed a children's item by the supplier. Many other items do not already have this information and it will be required to be added.

Printed tshirts are a great example of the latter. Although the tshirt itself will have some sort of tracking label attached by the shirt manufacturer, it only applies to the shirt itself, not the decoration which is applied later. A second tracking label needs to be applied to cover the decorating (content of lead & other chemicals in the inks, threads or transfers). This can be a separate label applied to the inside of the shirt, or a line of text incorporated into the shirt design. Using a separate label is most desirable, but will create an additional cost for application.


How can you make sure you are in compliance with items you purchase?

• Inform your promotional products distributor that items will be distributed to children under 12. (Having an imprint that appeals to children, regardless of the product, will cause it to qualify also)

• Ask for product safety certificates on items you purchase or plan to purchase. Top manufacturers will already have these available to view for their products.

• Request that only products which have passed testing and are certified be presented for your projects.



Above is just a very brief overview of one specific safety regulation. By asking questions and communicating fully with your promotional product consultant, you become an integral part of ensuring your marketing programs meet safety regulations.

The consultants at The Creative J have taken an active part in becoming educated about product safety laws and regulations. We are members of PPAI's "Product Safety Awareness Program," which requires training in various areas of product safety. Should you have any questions about product safety and your marketing plans, please contact us as we'll be glad to help you.

For more information on CPSIA:  Buying Promotional Products: A Guide to Federal Safety Laws

Wear Tested – The "Not for Polo-Wearing Women" Polo

I am NOT a polo-person. No, not someone who plays polo, but one of many women who don't like wearing polos. Being in this industry, I see a lot of polos. I see a lot of polos I think look nice. But try as I might, whenever I put one on, I just feel like I should be headed out to the golf course. It's just not a shirt style I find fits with MY style.

However, I did just recently try out a new style from Sanmar, that I can truthfully say, is now one of my favorite shirts. Never did I think I'd have a polo that made it's way not only out of my closet, but one I would find myself wanting to wear almost weekly.


What made the difference? A few key things:

L558 Fine Stripe Ladies Polo

• It doesn't scream "POLO SHIRT." The raglan sleeves with ruching give it style women will appreciate. It's not a man's shirt.

• The fabric is soft, light, but not too light, and stretchy.

• It's got a contoured silhouette so no more boxy men's look.

• The fine stripes give it a rich look.

• A self fabric collar make it dressier looking than your typical ribbed collar.

• Its longer length hits just right and doesn't ride up.

• Looks great with dressier pants or jeans.

K558 Fine Stripe Men's Polo

This style also comes with a companion men's style, which looks and performs just as well. The combination of the two would make a great addition to any employee apparel program or purchases you might have coming up. When buying corporate apparel, you want your employees to look great and feel good about what they are wearing. This definitely fits both of those needs.


For a little more creative touch, think about decorating a small icon on the collar or sleeve in a tone-on-tone thread, instead of the usual left chest. Keeping the decoration professional yet unobtrusive ensures the item will be worn more than just around the office.




Check out all the available colors and more details:  Click here for More Info

Price Drops on Sanmar District Line

Sanmar, a leading clothing wholesaler to our industry, has just announced price drops on it's District® and District Made® lines, at an average of 15%. The District® line features apparel with a trimmer cut and shorter sleeves, while the District Made® line features a more relaxed fit with longer sleeves.

At The Creative J we're really excited to see this price drop as it will allow us to offer our customers some newer more fashion forward styles at an even better price point.

Microburn Junior's Raglan Tee

In addition, Sanmar has introduced a dozen new fabrics including Microburn™, an aged-looking fabric that has a weathered look and feel. Available in a variety of colors and styles, it's soft feel can't be beat.

Microburn Men's Crew Tee

Men's Dip Dye Crew Tee

Another addition, the Dip Dye, offers shirts with graduated color variations which are so popular today.  In both men's and ladies versions, this is a great option for company tshirts with a little pizzazz.

Ladies Dip Dye
Rounded Deep V-Neck Tee

View more of the latest styles from Sanmar, click here to go to view the District® & District Made® lines. 

For pricing on these or other decorated apparel, contact one of our knowledgeable specialists here at The Creative J. 

Heat Seal Decorating

Everyone's used embroidery for decorating polos, bags, jackets and other items, but have you ever considered, or even heard of heat seal as an alternative?

At first listen, heat seal may conjure up memories of tshirt imprinting of the past – those thick, plasticy transfer imprints that would crack and peel over time. Today's heat seal or transfers are much more durable and offer a variety of materials.

Heat seal is an excellent option for full-color graphics with great detail. If you've got a complicated logo or one with many colors, digital heat seal transfers are a very cost effective solution. Often heat transfer can be a less expensive option than embroidery, especially for imprints with lots of detail or solidly-filled areas.

Transfers are usually digitally printed on a transfer paper or onto printable heat transfer material which is then heat sealed or pressed to the fabric. Photo-quality images can be reproduced for unlimited options.

In addition, since the transfers can be applied to practically any location on an item (as long as it can lie flat), the options are endless for a more creative approach to decorating.

Locations
Consider these ideas for imprint locations:  pockets, hem, collar, upper back shoulder, sides, trim areas, or shoulder tops. You are only limited by the ability to lay the heat transfer flat for pressing.

Materials
There are a variety of heat seal materials available such as glitter, reflective, rhinestones, sequins, foil, felt, and twill.

Ask about using heat seal decoration as an option on your next apparel project. We'll brainstorm with you to come up with some unique and creative ways to make your apparel stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Cotton Prices on the Rise...Again

An article released today by www.business-standard.com details the rise of cotton prices over the past two months. Apparel manufacturers were waiting to see if prices would fall or stabilize, but instead, have seen an upward tick in pricing, causing them to consider 10-15% increases to apparel.

In the promotional products business, we see the effects of such price increases mainly in the week-to-week costs of tshirts. Tshirts are considered a commodity item, and pricing can fluctuate wildly when cotton pricing is unstable. This can cause it to be extremely difficult to hold pricing on quotes for longer than a week or two.

At The Creative J, we have many sources for our blank apparel, which help us to keep your costs down. When quoting apparel pricing, we search through a multitude of vendors to find the best current pricing so we can pass the savings on to our customers. You can be assured that the price we quote has been thoroughly researched by the time it reaches your eyes.

Click here to read more about the current cotton situation.

Make it Soft to the Touch

Tshirts have become an integral part of today's fashions, and a common item for companies to advertise or promote their business or brand. One of the popular trends in tshirt design is to use softer materials and imprinting methods that are soft to the touch. The goal is to have an imprint that doesn't feel like a plastic sticker, but retains the softness of the material as much as possible.

At The Creative J, we have numerous imprinting and decorating techniques available which gives us the ability to offer our customers unique and memorable ways to design their apparel. To achieve an imprint which retains that soft, almost worn feel, even when the design covers a lot of area, there are three main methods to use. Below are some of the options and details about each:

No Underbase

Using regular Plastisol inks without an underbase can achieve a more worn look with a slightly softer feel.

Final Appearance
Depending on the color of the shirt and the ink colors being used, the imprint can have a vintage/worn look with a slightly softer feel since there is not a layer of white underneath. There will still be a detectable imprint to the touch.

Detail
Imprints will retain their detail within the limits of standard screenprinting.

Cost
Either the same or a bit less in some cases than standard printing.

Minimum Quantities
No restrictions other than those for standard printing (usually 12, depending on imprint colors and locations)

Fashion Base

An additive is mixed with regular Plastisol inks to achieve a softer feel. After washing the shirt, you won't be able to feel the imprint.

Final Appearance
The imprint will have a more transparent, washed-out look, which will allow the color of the shirt to show through. For this reason, printing a dark imprint on a dark shirt will not work as well since the shirt color will overtake the imprint color. However, if printing a lighter color on a dark shirt, the imprint will have the worn, distressed look of a vintage tshirt.

Fashion Base Print

Detail
Since Plastisol inks hold good detail, imprints will retain their detail in finer areas.

Cost
A bit more per imprint color and placement than standard inks, but still an affordable option.

Minimum Quantities
Since inks need to be specially mixed and cannot be saved for later use, there is a minimum of 48 pieces.

Water Base Inks

These inks have a softer hand to them then standard Plastisol inks and has a softer look to the imprint also (colors will not be as bright).

Final Appearance
The imprint will be a bit more transparent than standard inks and does not print well on white underbases, so works best on white or light colors. Pantone colors will appear a bit lighter than they appear in color books, so if you want bright, vibrant colors, waterbase is not the direction to go. 

Detail
Since the ink has a tendency to dry more quickly, there can be a loss of detail in some fine areas.

Cost
Usually no extra cost to run waterbased inks.

Minimum Quantities
No higher minimums than standard printing.

Discharge Ink

Discharge ink is the process and waterbased ink used for dark garments. It's extremely soft when compared to standard inks. It uses a chemical which bleaches the dye from the garment before depositing the ink pigment on the material.

Final Appearance
After washing, the imprint will feel just like the garment's material. Imprint colors can be vibrant since the garment color does not show through the ink. Only SOME 100% cotton garments will work for this process. Some rich colors such as royal blue, red, purple, etc. can be very unpredictable as the inks can become contaminated by the shirt dye. When used on the right type of garment, it has a wonderfully soft and vibrant appearance.

Detail
Since these are waterbased inks, fine details may appear soft or fill in some due to drying issues.

Cost
Due to the special mixing of inks with chemicals, they must be used right after mixing. In addition, the chemicals tend to break down the screens, which depending on the size of the order, can require additional screens. Therefore, the cost for discharge is much higher than standard inks. You can figure an extra $.60-$.75 per imprint color, per location for discharge.

Minimum Quantities
Due to the factors above, discharge printing using requires a minimum of 72 pieces or more.


Using the methods above, along with other techniques and decoration methods, we can help you to create a tshirt design that will stand out from the rest.