Keepin' It Cool - What Type of Coolie Works Best?

Confused about the types of beverage insulators out there? Wonder what's the difference between scuba and neoprene? Wonder why they call it scuba when diving suits are made out of neoprene?

Here's a quick rundown on the types of coolie materials commonly used:

Scuba: Open cell polyurethane foam with a polyester fabric on one side and tricot on the other.

Neoprene: Closed cell rubber-based product with polyester or nylon fabric on both sides.

The photo shows the scuba on the left, neoprene on the right.

Now, what does that mean? In a nutshell, open cell has more air pockets and is thus, less insulating. Since closed cell is much denser, it blocks transfer of heat much better, keeping your beverage cooler for longer.

So why choose scuba over neoprene? Price. It was developed as a cheaper alternative to neoprene, but the tradeoff is it won't insulate as well.

So when choosing an insulator, the decision is yours – less expensive, but won't perform as well, or spend a little more for a better product.

Umbrellas 101

It's that rainy time of year coming up, and the perfect time to think about umbrellas as marketing tools. Whether it's for golf outings or personal use, umbrellas can't be beat for the length of time the recipient will hold onto them and the marketing exposure they offer.

When in the market for umbrellas, the following things should be kept in mind:

Stick or Folding:
Stick umbrellas are much stronger than folding ones. Each joint in a folding umbrella which allows you to fold it down creates a point of weakness. You sacrifice strength for convenience.

Click here to view our favorite folding umbrella - Totes Auto Open/Close Umbrella

Ribs and Frame:
The ribs of an umbrella are the rods which spread out and attach to the canopy. Coated ribs will better protect against rust and corrosion. The ribs and frame are usually made up of aluminum, steel or fiberglass. Aluminum is the least expensive, but also the most likely to break and bend. Steel, while much stronger, is more rigid and can break at the rivets in a strong wind. Fiberglass, though pricier, is stronger and flexible, making it better able to handle very strong gusts.

Vented Canopy:
A vented canopy, or double canopy, is common on golf umbrellas due to their normally larger arc size. The vent allows wind to pass through the canopy rather than invert it. Some smaller umbrellas are now available vented.

The Gustbuster is the umbrella of choice for touring pros. It can withstand up to 60mph gusts without inverting. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. Check out more details here:  GUSTBUSTER



Fiberglass or Metal:
As discussed above, fiberglass offers more flexibility in wind gusts, decreasing the chances of damage to the umbrella. Another advantage of fiberglass is that it does not conduct electricity, making it much safer in a lightning storm.


Some fast facts about umbrellas:

• average imprint area is 7"x5" and can go up to the entire umbrella canopy -- great advertising space!
• golf outings are perfect for umbrellas - cheaper than golf balls and don't end up at the bottom of the lake!
• great item for gift with purchase
• rule of thumb:  everyone needs at least 3 umbrellas - it's a personal accessory
• perfect appreciation gift - the recipient will hold on to it for years

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

It's the Experience - Maui Jim

Looking for an innovative, fun experience for a golf event, corporate meeting, or employee appreciation? The Maui Jim Fitting Experience brings a great product and an even better experience to your location.

Maui Jim brings in their expertly-trained employees who assist with fitting and selection.

Options start with a minimum of 100 pairs. The glasses retain the Maui Jim logo, with options for custom imprinting the cases with your imprint.

Take a look at the video below to see what a great experience and memory it creates for it's recipients.






The Maui Jim Experience is just another type of promotional marketing service from The Creative J, and a great example of how the right experience leaves the best impression.

Boost Your Color -- With TruColor Imprints

We just met with our supplier rep from Starline who showed us a great new imprinting process they are offering -- TruColor. It's a new technology for printing vibrant, beautiful color directly on drinkware and other selected products. Normally, when printing drinkware, there can be many issues, usually related to multi-color imprints. TruColor eliminates those issues and creates a truly custom, professional-looking item that promotes your brand like never before.

TruColor Imprints Stand Out on a Variety of Items

No borders, no registration issues, fine photographic detail with a slightly raised feel to the imprint, lends to a very high-end product.

Instead of drinkware that sports a simple one color logo, amp it up by adding a full wrap photo to showcase your product, services, location, or event. The flat matte surface of these black vacuum tumblers makes a great background for any artwork, especially when paired with a colored band around the top.

Full Wrap Available – Get Creative!

Give us a call if you'd like to see some ideas showcasing your brand using this new method. We'll get creative, do some brainstorming, and come up with a eye-catching virtual proof for your review.

View items which are available for this printing process:  Click Here

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