Seriously, We're Certified!

We're info junkies here at The Creative J. I have never seen a staff so committed to learning and researching than we have here. Whether it's learning the latest in apparel decorating techniques, researching how much weight a bag will hold, or testing the quality of a pen, our staff is constantly striving to provide our customers with the information necessary to make informed decisions.

Part of our learning quest is to become fully certified specialists in our industry. Did you know there is a certification process for promotional product distributors? By attending various classes, seminars and educational events, certification can be earned through our international industry association, PPAI (Promotional Products Association International).

Currently, we have two staff members who have received their T.A.S. designations (Trained Advertising Specialist), with the rest of our staff working to attain their certifications this year. Over 25 credits of industry training was completed in order to receive these certifications. 

Classes include subjects spanning a range of topics covering the promotional products industry – everything from ethics and proper business practices, to artwork and decoration techniques, to product safety and compliance.

And, we are not stopping there! Our next step is to receive the C.A.S. certification, a process which requires over 75 credits and at least 3 years experience in the industry. 

So why should you use a certified promotional products consultant for your promotional marketing? Easy! We have the best knowledge to help guide you in making the right decisions for marketing your company or brand. We can advise you on a variety of things such as what items and artwork will imprint best, what products or suppliers are the quality you need, and how to make the most of your budget. Once you work with us,  you'll see how we can make the entire process much simpler for you by allowing us to do the legwork and research. We know what works, and what has failed. We know how important it is to make sure the products you receive will work for your marketing purposes.

We're not just sales people, we're true consultants. We're here to help you reach your marketing goals, solve problems, and find the best possible way for you to present your brand – which is a reflection of yourself.

If you'd like to read more about why using a professional promotional product consultant is a great thing, just click here:  Why Use a Consultant?

Tumblers 101

We've all seen those popular tumblers – you know, the ones that are usually acrylic with a screw-on lid and straw? 

Did you ever wonder what the difference is between the price points you see and the product materials? 

Well, even if you didn't wonder, here's a quick run-down on what to look for when shopping for tumblers!






Material
Tumblers are made in a variety of materials, which leads to the wide price ranges you find them advertised. Keep in mind that a very low cost tumbler may be made of materials that don't hold up well and will warp or chip easily.

Polypropylene - this is the low-cost alternative to the other available materials. Normally these tumblers will have a snap on lid and the material is softer and more flexible than the others. It also does not hold up in the high heat of a dishwasher and will warp.
16oz Price Range:  $1.89 - $2.50

Acrylic - a strong, clear material, but still prone to chipping if dropped, but is less prone to scratching than polycarbonate. 16oz Price Range:  $2.99 - $4.50


Polycarbonate - the biggest item to note on polycarbonates is that they contain BPA - a chemical which can be toxic. Most manufacturers have quit making drinkware using polycarbonate due to this. Polycarbonate is extremely resistant to breakage and is often marketed as "unbreakable." However, it is easy to scratch and will yellow over time.16oz Price Range:  Generally not available due to BPA issues


SAN - this plastic is an acrylic blend and is more stable and durable for hot and cold liquids as compared to acrylic. Acrylic can craze when switching between extreme temps, while SAN will not. 16oz Price Range:  $5.50 - $7.50


Tritan™ - this newer material offers clear advantages over polycarbonate and other materials. It's BPA free, won't add odor or taste to liquids, is dishwasher safe, resists degradation, cracking and has great clarity. It is, however, the most expensive option.16oz Price Range:  $8.50 - $10.50

Double or Single Wall
Single wall tumblers will be less expensive, but you trade cost for performance. With a double wall tumbler, you add more insulation, keeping your drink cooler, longer, while also preventing the walls from sweating when ice or very cold drinks are used. If you've ever had a drink sweat and drip on your desk, you'll know why double wall tumblers are much nicer to use.

The Creative J staff can help you navigate through all the intricacies of drinkware. Just give us a call and we'll help you find the perfect tumbler for your budget and needs. 

The Perfect Spatula

Every once in awhile we come across a product that we just love, and this was one of those items.

The Lift It Spatula - check it out here.

Ok, so it's a spatula, you say. But wait, it's more!

Not only is it a nice, heavy-duty, substantial spatula, but it has a nifty little feature that keeps it off your countertop, leaving no messes! I used it this weekend and loved the fact that I could set it down without getting any grease or mess on my counters.

Also, it comes in 12 great colors, the imprint area is large enough for a substantial imprint, it can withstand temps up to 375, and, it just looks great.

There's also a coordinating spoon and pasta server too if you'd like to make a complete set. They can be polybagged together for easy distribution.

"But why in the world would I want kitchen utensils for a promo?", you ask?

 Simple – these items will stay in the recipient's kitchen drawer for years to come. And everytime they use them, they'll immediately be reminded of who gave it to them. That's advertising that will last a whole lot longer than a pen that dries out or a sticky note that gets thrown out.

And isn't that exactly what you want a promo to do - remind the recipient long term about your brand?

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!