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.

Figuring Out Cooler Liners

This time of year is perfect for thinking about coolers. They make a great gift for customers and employees. In addition, anyone receiving a cooler will invariably hold onto it, making it a lasting marketing presence.

When looking at various types of coolers, you'll notice there are several different types of liners. To help clear some of the confusion, here's a short chart on the differences:


Heat Sealed Liner:  These provide a leak-resistant barrier and are able to hold water. Not recommended for loose ice as it can misshape and tear a soft liner. Usually made of PEVA, a non-toxic vinyl which has been replacing the use of PVC.

Silver Foil Liner:  Sometimes referred to as a thermo-liner, this is good for warm and cold items, but is not leak proof. Usually the least expensive of the liner types.

Hard Plastic Removable Liner:  A good choice for convenient cleaning and for using loose ice.

Clear Plastic Removable Liner:  A soft, leakproof liner which can be removed for easier cleaning.


To best insulate your items in a cooler, follow these tips:

• Keep your cooler out of the sun.
• Keep the cooler off the ground as it can absorb the ground heat and transfer it to the contents.
• Pack items tightly inside the cooler to minimize air circulation which can warm the contents.
• Always keep the cooler closed when not in use.

It Just Works – Promotional Products Work Week

You may think "Swag" or "Stuff" or "Tchotchke" instead of "Promotional Products," but all those terms reflect the same advertising industry which we are so proudly a member.

We often think of ourselves as the "silent" advertising profession. Everyone hears about radio, tv, print and newspaper advertising, but it's not often that "Promotional Product Advertising" gets mentioned as part of the advertising industry. Even in marketing and advertising classrooms, it remains an almost forgotten branch of the advertising world.

However, our industry is a $20+ billion one with more than 33,000 businesses – 97 percent of which are small businesses – and includes almost 500,000 professionals. In dollars spent, it's a very vibrant and growing industry, outpacing radio and magazine advertising.

The week of May 18, 2015, has been designated "Promotional Products Work Week" by our industry non-profit organization, Promotional Product Association International (PPAI).

As members of PPAI, we all work to create awareness for the value promotional products deliver to advertisers and marketers; as well as the positive impact promotional products businesses have on the U.S. economy, job creation and community enrichment.

Consumers love promotional products! PPAI research clearly demonstrates the power of the advertising medium as the most cost-effective way to reach a targeted audience in a tangible, long-lasting and memorable manner.


The info graphic below outlines some relevant statistics about the power of promotional products as an advertising medium. With 88% of recipients able to recall the advertiser, the influence of promotional products is convincing. 

The Creative J is happy to be part of such a great industry as well as a member of PPAI. We are lucky to be in an industry that has such a strong trade organization and advocate for our business success. We also thank all our customers who have been such an important part of our success.

Taking the L.E.A.D. - The Creative J Goes to Washington

Rachel Valdez
Certified Advertising Specialist
The Creative J

Next week, May 20-21, 2015, Rachel Valdez of The Creative J will join the Promotional Products Association International in Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and federal agencies for the sixth annual PPAI L.E.A.D. (Legislative Education  and Action Day). Rachel was selected as one of only three members from the Midwest region to represent the industry!

The PPAI L.E.A.D. is a gathering of PPAI leadership, members and industry professionals from around the country who come together in Washington, D.C. (in-person and virtually) to educate Congress on industry-critical issues as well as the power, impact and job-generating value of promotional products. PPAI is the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit association serving more than 11,000 corporate members of the $19.8 billion promotional products industry which is comprised of more than 33,741 businesses and a workforce of nearly 500,000 professionals.

During PPAI L.E.A.D., nearly 78 advocates from 30 states will conduct more than 250 meetings with senators, congressional representatives and their legislative staffs on Capitol Hill.

One issue this delegation will be addressing is the proposal by congress to treat advertising expenses as only 50% deductible during the year they are spent, with the remaining 50% spread out over five or ten years. Not being able to claim items such as print and media advertising, business cards, website development, promotional products and other marketing and advertising items will greatly affect how businesses operate. In addition, it would make a major impact on all areas of the advertising community. 

For more on how promotional products and advertising are a vital part of the economy, and how current and proposed legislation can impact not only this specific industry, but the businesses which rely on it as a vehicle for their own success, you can download and read the PPAI Legislative Agenda for 2015.

Still King – Printed Calendars

In a world dominated by electronic devices, does anyone still use an old-fashioned printed calendar?

You bet they do!

The printed calendar still holds an important place in both homes and businesses, which creates an advertising opportunity with great ROI.

Just a few stats, according to a 2011 PPAI study:

1981 – 98% of homes & 100% of businesses had a printed calendar.
30 years later: – 79% of homes & 78% of businesses still had printed calendars.

1981 – 70% of home and 80% of business calendars contained advertising.
30 years later: – 61% of home and 76% of business calendars were still marketing products.

1981 – Every home had nearly 4 calendars and every business had 2.5 calendars.
30 years later: – Homes had 3 and businesses had 2.

As you can see, over the course of 30 years, not a lot changed. Sure, numbers on printed calendars have gone down, but they are still used in a high percentage of homes and businesses.

Looking to reinforce your organization's name and service or mission? With a calendar, the average person will look at that calendar, and your imprint, 2 - 10 times PER DAY.

Let's take an average of those, at 6 times per day, times 5 business days per week, times 50 weeks per year (we'll subtract 2 weeks of vacation time!). That makes 1500 impressions per year. 1500 times your customers will see your name and logo. Pretty good use of advertising dollars, huh?!

If you spend an average of $3.00 per calendar, that less than 1¢ per impression, per year! It's hard to beat that stat with any other type of advertising or marketing.

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.

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.